Tell me why so many marauders are being offered with replaced engines?

[FP1201]

First off I have no experience with the 4.6L Ford; pre 1990's yes, after that no.
I've been searching, and researching the '03 & '04 MM, and it would seem a good many are advertised with 100K~125K miles and a new/replaced engine: Why is this?
Is the engine problematic?
Short life span?
Idiosyncrasy that make it prone to self destruct?
There's no fun in plunking down ones hard earned money for a nice car only to have to drop another $3K into a replacement engine. :help:

[Jeronimojc]

When looking for Marauders, I haven't come across any with replaced engines at all. I know they are out there, but perhaps your experience is a bit out of the ordinary.


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[Zack]

As soon as they became affordable to whackers back in 2005-2008, they mere horribly mistreated by their new owners.

[SpartaPerformance]

I agree I haven't come across any with replaced engines. Might just be a coincidence.

[fastblackmerc]

As soon as they became affordable to whackers back in 2005-2008, they mere horribly mistreated by their new owners.

That ^^^^^^^ right there......

[03blackvegas]

If taken care of, these motors should last 250,000 plus.

[FP1201]

In all fairness, I should clarify it's not just replacement engines, but problems with knocks, ticks, rattles, #8 cylinder, knock and other sensor failure, et.al.
Granted the problem with having lots of horses is the overwhelming desire to let them run, which is ok until you put them up wet.
The State Police run (presumably) the same engine and transmission: they beat the piss out of them daily and they hold up surprisingly well...perhaps the Police Interceptor package has the bugs ironed out. (lots of idle, stop & go, WOT, etc.)
I travel a lot of miles everyday, so reliability is imperative.

[lji372]

prius ftmfw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RubberCtyRauder]

State police run 2v 4.6, marauder is DOHC 4 v. Not the same

[ctrlraven]

In all fairness, I should clarify it's not just replacement engines, but problems with knocks, ticks, rattles, #8 cylinder, knock and other sensor failure, et.al.
Granted the problem with having lots of horses is the overwhelming desire to let them run, which is ok until you put them up wet.
The State Police run (presumably) the same engine and transmission: they beat the piss out of them daily and they hold up surprisingly well...perhaps the Police Interceptor package has the bugs ironed out. (lots of idle, stop & go, WOT, etc.)
I travel a lot of miles everyday, so reliability is imperative.
Those are just common issues with the motor,

The police interceptor uses a different 4.6 that's a SOHC. The motor is the Marauder is a DOHC.

[FP1201]

prius ftmfw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i'll walk first!
My last fun/DD was a BMW 325Xi until a snow storm put me into the trees. :mad2:
The 4cyl Ranger that get me around now isn't a bad little Truck, but big-fast car it ain't.

[FP1201]

State police run 2v 4.6, marauder is DOHC 4 v. Not the same
I'm embarrassed to admit that point didn't click until now....I've looked at quite a few Grand Marquis which have the SOHC...perhaps I've confused "issues" between the two.
So is the DOHC any more or less troublesome than the SOHC?

[RubberCtyRauder]

All motors of all makes have "so called issues" there are plenty of marauder owners here with 200,000 + miles . A lot of it gets down to maintenance and abuse. Some have experienced cylinder 8 issues due to a possible cooling issue in the casting. There is a preventative modification for it. If buying a marauder I would look for one owner with records. A 5 or 6 owner car has prolly been drove hard and passed on to the next and so on

[Zack]

If you pull the oil fill cap when looking for a Marauder and its clean in the baffle, chances are the engine is in good shape.
If it has a gold or brown tinge, you are looing at a neglected engine.
You can also pull the cam sensor and look in there with a small light. It should look aluminum color, not gold.

[FP1201]

Longevity seems to be the norm with vehicles made after about 2000, again I've no real experience with the modular Ford engines (I've serviced some Trucks with Triton, even replaced a V-10 in an Excursion) but never owned one....I have a 2001 Impala with 210,000 miles on it and outside routine service, it's never been touched. I've bought several "high mileage" vehicles, and mostly of they needed anything at all I was able to do it in the garage in a day. I've lusted over the MM since seeing one outside the Post Library every Summer (winters are brutal and roads heavily salted)
See most things I can get along with, my original concern was seeing several ads for cars that had the engines replaced; some just have problems from poor manufacturing and/or engineering (Remember the Ford Escort from the 80's that would eat the valves when the timing belt popped at 75K miles?) The #8 cylinder concerns me as do other problems/issues I've read about on this forum....most imply the engine is reliable, and "other" factors such as poor/degraded fuel are more to blame than something such as a knock-sensor biting the dust.
Some vehicles just demand more attention than others: how do these fair?

[FP1201]

If you pull the oil fill cap when looking for a Marauder and its clean in the baffle, chances are the engine is in good shape.
If it has a gold or brown tinge, you are looing at a neglected engine.
You can also pull the cam sensor and look in there with a small light. It should look aluminum color, not gold.
Moisture from the short trip!
A BMW motorcycle Dealer once told me if I couldn't ride the bike at least ten miles, not to even bother. (get it hot enough to force any moisture out)
I've seen what poor oil and not changing it does: and your suggestions are spot on!

[RubberCtyRauder]

The car needs premium gas and neglectful owners don't spend for it. I don't drive mine daily so I can't comment on daily use issues

[LSp8]

Longevity seems to be the norm with vehicles made after about 2000, again I've no real experience with the modular Ford engines (I've serviced some Trucks with Triton, even replaced a V-10 in an Excursion) but never owned one....I have a 2001 Impala with 210,000 miles on it and outside routine service, it's never been touched. I've bought several "high mileage" vehicles, and mostly of they needed anything at all I was able to do it in the garage in a day. I've lusted over the MM since seeing one outside the Post Library every Summer (winters are brutal and roads heavily salted)
See most things I can get along with, my original concern was seeing several ads for cars that had the engines replaced; some just have problems from poor manufacturing and/or engineering (Remember the Ford Escort from the 80's that would eat the valves when the timing belt popped at 75K miles?) The #8 cylinder concerns me as do other problems/issues I've read about on this forum....most imply the engine is reliable, and "other" factors such as poor/degraded fuel are more to blame than something such as a knock-sensor biting the dust.
Some vehicles just demand more attention than others: how do these fair?

I don't know what nasty buckets you've been coming across but mostly all Marauders I've seen have the original motor unless someone ran a supercharger and high boost and blew the engine then replaced it so they can do it again.
Since May 2008, I run Premium 93 from Sunoco or Shell and sometimes 91 from 711 or Citgo and use Mobile 1 Full synthetic 5w20 only and keep my K & N filter as clean as I can and at 160k my engine is flawless and I do WOT shifts EVERY single day I drive it. Changed the plugs and all 8 coil packs at 100k. Very reliable car and I got my $23,000 worth!

[jmsa540]

On my quest for the past 7 years it took me to find my Marauder, I ran into two Marauder's with replacement engines, big turn off to me!

[Joe Walsh]

First off I have no experience with the 4.6L Ford; pre 1990's yes, after that no.
I've been searching, and researching the '03 & '04 MM, and it would seem a good many are advertised with 100K~125K miles and a new/replaced engine: Why is this?
Is the engine problematic?
Short life span?
Idiosyncrasy that make it prone to self destruct?
There's no fun in plunking down ones hard earned money for a nice car only to have to drop another $3K into a replacement engine. :help:

Unless you are content with a mean looking sedan that runs mid to low 15s....:snore:

You have to beat on the 4.6L to get it to move the 4,200 lb Marauder with any sense of urgency.

Unfortunately the Marauder was built 8 years too early....it should have come with the bullet proof 420 HP Coyote modular engine....:depress:

now up to 434 HP!!...bone stock.

[LSp8]

Unfortunately I couldn't agree more^^^^^^^^^^^

I always thought these cars were fast til I got one, let my best friend drive it while I pulled up to him with my impala SS and smoked the doors off my own car with my own car. They are powerful cars but if you're not boosting you are wrong! I'd keep it clean, stock, and use it as a DD unless ur trying to when drag races then be prepared to go through at least one engine and replace it with something built. It's not bad for being a NA 4.6 under the hood of a big beast.

[Mr. Man]

I can't think of any manufacturer Worldwide that can say their engines are completely bulletproof, not even Honda. Sometimes parts in an engine fail.

Are the motors you are looking at stock or do the ads say the motor was swapped for a Cobra engine, indicating boost may have been in the cars future. Stock motor can handle approx 450rwhp, more if the connecting rods are replaced.

It's buyer beware in the used car market but based on my experience buying a Marauder with over 100K wouldn't be a show stopper.

Buy one from a member here. Most members take good care of their cars so that should absolve you of some concern.

Good luck. :)

[BeanSS]

I haven't seen many with a replaced motor unless it had given up the ghost after years of abuse for a while and got replaced for boost...

[LSp8]

Plus if it's been replaced you're most likely good to go for mods instead of buying a car with an original motor that's seen its share of abuse. Somebody's already spent 4 grand or more and that'll be one less thing you'd have to worry about.

[J-MAN]

As soon as they became affordable to whackers back in 2005-2008, they mere horribly mistreated by their new owners.


This can't be said enough!!!!!!!!!!

Even been a few on here that admitted a blown engine was due to lack of oil!
Shame Shame Shame

[345HP87SSAC]

Replaced mine at 51xxx miles. It is boosted but developed an overnight rod knock.

[Bruce Wayne]

I got a good one I'll sell ya, runs like a top. no ticks , knocks or creaks. Im not giving it away either, oh, by the way , the engine has only been replaced once.

[whitey]

Im at 178k right now and haven't had any issues with the motor. Tranny(4r70w[2003]) was rebuilt at 107k because i didnt know to turn off overdrive when going WOT. owned it since 87k miles, and the original owner had a stack of maintenance papers that could choke a horse, oil changes every 3k miles, motorcraft syn blend 5w-20 FTW!

[88LTDCV351]

I'm at about 155,000 miles but I did have the bad valve seat issue.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=67716&page=2
Never any trans problems. Car has always ran great.

[71cyclone]

I am be-hind you at 147,000 miles ,original powertrain owned since 62,000 miles[ dealer records ] from original owner .No serious problems or let downs ,just repairs due to mileage. [ upper control arms, lower ball joints , battery , upgraded slotted rotors and performance pads , 2 sets of cooper RSA tire's and oil changes every 3000 miles , trans fluid every 30,000 miles ,rear end fluid changed with Ford additive. Intake runners and intake were polished, for better flo [no real h/p gain] second set cats removed and 2-1/2 ' Free Flo cats installes with 2-1/2 X pipe and 2-1/2 " pipes replacing factory 1-7/8 pipes to mufflers ,factory mufflers re installed to replace delta 50's ,car will churp tires from stand still with factory mufflers -//unless headers are used ,these cars need a certain amount of back pressure .Delta 's helped mid range ,but lost a little from a stand still.

[camelgrundle]

My NA original motor lasted about 40k miles. They last longer if supercharged lol so that's what I did!

[Mike D Mechanic]

depends on how they where taken care , looked at 1 with 140k and it sounded like rods where trying to change journals . looked at 1 with 176k yesterday and it ran perfect. looked to be a virgin engine for sure, I have noticed the ones with a trunk full of woofers are ragged out BAD around here.