My ‘02 Grand Marquis (automatic) has 175k miles and no accidents. My question is: Is it worth fixing the timing chain? I was given a price of $2560. After some Internet, research, some say the life expectancy is 225-300k. After reading that, seeing your video and hearing how excited you were talking about the grand marquis… well I think I should just put the money into it and pray nothing else goes wrong for at least a year. Although they did recommend suspension work, but I have a co-worker that would be willing to do that for cheap, he never changed the timing chain on an eight cylinder so does not feel confident to do that type of work.
So far I spent nearly $3000 to pass inspection this year. 2065 for cats /4 oxygen sensors / gas cap
$375 to fix loose wiring and a tire needed to pass safety part of the inspection. $500 to change burnt out check engine light.
I bought my car back in 2003 from a Lincoln dealer’s showroom in my home town. Since I had the car the biggest problem I had was the cats. Upon replacing them, the check engine light remained off for over 2 years. When it came on again I then changed the purge solenoy, gas filler, Evap canister valve, vape purge valve. Thought that would solve the code error that came up: P0457: Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (fuel, cap loose/off)
The mechanic told me to drive 50 miles on the highway after they reset the computer. The light remained off and it passed inspection.
Eventually the check gas cap light came on and later the check engine light. This time the code says “P0430: B2 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold “. Now I found out the shop did not put the right catalytic converters on my car, they only put one and somehow made it work temporarily. This time I ordered all the parts myself, ensuring they were New York compliant and got them installed. When I went to pick up the car, they told me the timing chain is loose, it caused a hole and that was why I had lost oil that week, it was spitting out on the engine. He told me I should not drive the car with the loose timing chain. I got some J-B weld to stop the leak and I continued to drive it to work and back home for 5 days (6 miles a day). The mechanic reset the computer, so it is not ready to pass inspection because I need to drive it at least 50 highway miles. Unfortunately this time I can’t drive it 55 miles an hour for 50 miles, if he is recommending me not to drive it at all until I get the timing chain fixed. I have never had any desire to sell it, let alone junking it. It has some small rust spots and one ding in the door. The bumpers are beat up and some paint is worn off. The leather interior is in mint condition outside of the driver seat. Surprisingly the AC & heat still work. Last year I had a leak in radiator or heater core which went away after putting 2 bottles of a sealant with metal shavings in it. There is one thing I don’t like, the hood arms don’t work so I have to use a stick of wood to keep the hood open when adding oil. I haven’t looked into seeing how much it would cost to change them but that is the least of my worries.
I have looked around to see what’s for sale out there, but I have not been able to find an “old man’s” 4 door sedan in condition like mine that would cost less than the price to fix up my car. Please reply at your earliest convenience I am eager to know if I should fix it or keeping looking for a replacement.
Best Regards,
Darlene
That's really a bit much to take in. Just skimming what appears to be the main points that car sounds like it's pretty well shot.
I don't think it's worth putting over $2500 into that thing, though you could shop around for a better price. However since it is an OHC engine with variable valve timing it's not as simple as changing the timing chain on an old-school pushrod engine.
It is highly unlikely you will find any decent car for less than the price of the repair unless you get extremely lucky, like having a relative willing to sell you a car cheap.
