Front End work

[SinisterSHO]

I just got approved for a small loan to do repairs to my car. I'm going to have the water pump, timing belt, crank sensor and oxygen sensors done. My question is, should I purchase motorcraft parts on my own and then have the shop install them, they told me there wont be any warranty because they didn't order the parts. Or should I just have them install whatever parts they usually order? I currently have the winning bid on a motorcraft timing belt and crank sensor on Ebay, and I'm not too concerned about warranty on them. I guess my main question is, do I really need motorcraft parts, or is it just preference?

 

[Rob94]

I've not found a repair shop yet that will warranty the LABOR anyways. You'll have the warranty for the parts themselves. Even if this shop buys and installs the parts, you'll pay list for the parts rather than retail, and they'll charge you for labor to replace any defective part. Of course, I also don't know many shops that will install parts supplied by the customer.

 

[Rockledge]

By all means buy your own parts and let the shop install them. You will save a bundle.

You don't need genuine Motorcraft parts for what you are doing, but if you can get a MC timing belt and MC crank sensor for a good price off eBay then you might as well go with OEM on those. wink As for the 02 sensor and waterpump, you can find quality alternatives and suppliers HERE.

Tell the intalling shop that the parts you are bringing in are warranted by the manufacturer(s) for a decent amount of time no matter who installs them AS LONG AS THEY ARE INSTALLED PROPERLY, and that is the reason why you are paying to have the services performed by a professional.

 

[sdpatt]

Check your costs against the list in this topic. I cannot imagine even an Ebay discounted Motorcraft timing belt costing only $37.

 

[SinisterSHO]

I was also wondering about the cam seals and and things like that. How important are they? Do I need to have them done, or is it uncommon that they go bad?

 

[projectSHO89]

Opal Frost ATX:
I was also wondering about the cam seals and and things like that. How important are they? Do I need to have them done, or is it uncommon that they go bad?

When they go bad, they leak oil.

The only one that is obvious without tearing the front-end down is the rearmost seal located behind the CID sensor housing. You can check for leaks on that one by running your fingers under the bottom of the seal and checking for oil. This one is the most difficult to replace due to location in the engine compartment.

The other two require the intake cam sprockets and the inner TB cover to be removed for inspection. If you go that far, it's only a couple minutes more to replace them.

Steve

 

[SW SHO]

If you have a shop install parts you buy, make sure you get the old parts back. Tell them before they start that you want them.

Sounds crazy, but I had a female friend buy an alternator, took it to her mechanic friends shop and it looked like he tried to rebuild the old one, keep the new one, and give her the car back. Needless to say, it ran for like 30 miles and crapped out again.