Should I sell my Marauder?

[Slowpoke]

It seems that my air suspension compressor has failed and needs to be replaced. That's what the Lincoln dealer a half mile away from me said, adding that the cost for a new one (from a Marquis) would set me back about $1150, including installation)

I need to replace my brake pads ($250?)

I need to replace all 4 tires soon ($800?)

There seems to be a slow oil leak ( ??? )

I've only got 50,500 miles on my car.

Wondering if it's time to try to sell it or just have everything fixed. I have really loved having my Marauder for the past 11+ years and hate to part with it. Just wondering what y'all think.

What is it worth in this shape?

[RF Overlord]

$1150 for a new compressor, Rick? Your dealer is out of his mind.

$222.80 for a brand new one from Arnott (https://www.arnottindustries.com/part_FORD_yid1_pid194_gid906.h tml) and they're super-easy to replace.

[jwibbity]

It seems that my air suspension compressor has failed and needs to be replaced. That's what the Lincoln dealer a half mile away from me said, adding that the cost for a new one (from a Marquis) would set me back about $1150, including installation)

I need to replace my brake pads ($250?)

I need to replace all 4 tires soon ($800?)

There seems to be a slow oil leak ( ??? )

I've only got 50,500 miles on my car.

Wondering if it's time to try to sell it or just have everything fixed. I have really loved having my Marauder for the past 11+ years and hate to part with it. Just wondering what y'all think.

What is it worth in this shape?

Most of this stuff can be done or fixed yourself for less than your numbers.

Tires should be close to 600 for all 4 unless your still using those terrible BFG's.

Compressor takes about an hour to replace, and that's including drilling the holes and cleaning out whats in there.

Unless their is some physical condition preventing you from doing some of the work. Didn't notice an age in your info up there.......

[Bob Mathis]

Fix it Slowpoke. I still have your pens and pad. Would not want you to go away.

[clmrt]

It's called maintenance. Do it but in a less expensive way.

[fastblackmerc]

I'd fix it.

You can do it yourself or do better on the prices.

[rauder88]

Taking it to a dealer is why prices are so high. If the work cant be done by yourself or with a budy, an indy would be way cheaper on prices. As said above Arnott Industries is a way better deal than OEM. They even have a kit with 2 air bags and the compressor for $399.99. Should be a no brainer to fix it and keep it.

[Slowpoke]

Most of this stuff can be done or fixed yourself for less than your numbers.

Tires should be close to 600 for all 4 unless your still using those terrible BFG's.

Compressor takes about an hour to replace, and that's including drilling the holes and cleaning out whats in there.

Unless their is some physical condition preventing you from doing some of the work. Didn't notice an age in your info up there.......




What holes do I need to drill?

What cleaning out will I be doing?

[rauder88]

What holes do I need to drill?

What cleaning out will I be doing?

Drill holes in the bottom of the wheel well when the pump is removed so that water can drain out better. Just clean any debris that may be down there.

[camelgrundle]

Based on your questions you should probably sell it and but a new Kia or something.

[RF Overlord]

What holes do I need to drill?

What cleaning out will I be doing?You don't actually NEED to drill anything. The issue is that Ford didn't put adequate drainage in the plastic pan the compressor sits in, so if the drain holes get some debris in them, water backs up and sits there, corroding the compressor over time. It's very simple to enlarge the existing holes or drill a couple of new ones in the pan while the compressor is out.

[fastblackmerc]

You don't actually NEED to drill anything. The issue is that Ford didn't put adequate drainage in the plastic pan the compressor sits in, so if the drain holes get some debris in them, water backs up and sits there, corroding the compressor over time. It's very simple to enlarge the existing holes or drill a couple of new ones in the pan while the compressor is out.

Mine looks like Swiss cheese!

[BigM460]

Mine looks like Swiss cheese!

Yellow and spongy? :D

[rauder88]

Based on your questions you should probably sell it and but a new Kia or something.

Ouch. But based on current book value minus cost of repairs that leave an estimated value of $5,500 lol

[jwibbity]

Mine looks like Swiss cheese!


+1 pretty much did this to it :uzi: :uzi:

[Bad_S55]

$250 for brake pads???? Dang man, those should only be about $80-$100.

[tbone]

Tires and brakes? Normal maintenance.
Slow oil leak? Who cares? Or try a bottle of stop leak.
Pump? Easy to replace cheap.
Keep it!

[Slowpoke]

I just ordered a replacement from Arnott. I'm pretty sure I can do this.

If you have any other tips on replacing this unit, feel free to post them.

I never bought brake pads in my life (never had a car this long)...how much should I expect to pay for new ones installed?

I guess I could go over and check the tire forum here, but what's a good choice for Chicago weather, assuming the BFG tires are not the current favorite?

[a_d_a_m]

Slow oil leak? Who cares? Or try a bottle of stop leak. Would recommend against this until we know where it is leaking from. These cars are getting to the age where the oil filter adapter is gonna start weeping. Slowpoke, can you describe WHERE the oil is leaking from? At least what side of the motor?

All of these repairs are in my wheelhouse and I'm not even a very good wrench. So I have to think that there are enough Chicagoland members where this shouldn't be an issue to get some help. Don't pay someone else to do your brakes. They're simple on this car. Chicago guys and gals, let's get this car running right for Slowpoke...

As far as tires, look into Coopers. Wear like iron, stick like glue, priced for the poor.

[Slowpoke]

Would recommend against this until we know where it is leaking from. These cars are getting to the age where the oil filter adapter is gonna start weeping. Slowpoke, can you describe WHERE the oil is leaking from? At least what side of the motor?

All of these repairs are in my wheelhouse and I'm not even a very good wrench. So I have to think that there are enough Chicagoland members where this shouldn't be an issue to get some help. Don't pay someone else to do your brakes. They're simple on this car. Chicago guys and gals, let's get this car running right for Slowpoke...

As far as tires, look into Coopers. Wear like iron, stick like glue, priced for the poor.


I'm unable to see exactly where the leak is coming from. I guess I'm going to need to buy/borrow some ramps so I can access the bolts from the underside. When I do that I'll try to locate the source of said leak.

I'll look into the Cooper tires. Thanks!

[jwibbity]

I just ordered a replacement from Arnott. I'm pretty sure I can do this.

If you have any other tips on replacing this unit, feel free to post them.

It's a pretty straight forward replacement

I never bought brake pads in my life (never had a car this long)...how much should I expect to pay for new ones installed?

Like mentioned above calipers and pads can be changed relatively cheaply, and dont take anything more than a walmart set of tools.

I guess I could go over and check the tire forum here, but what's a good choice for Chicago weather, assuming the BFG tires are not the current favorite?

I'm running the Firestone FireHawk Wide Oval All-Season Tires in the stock tire sizes. They are relatively cheap (not the cheapest ever) and I got a 40,000 mile warranty when I got them installed by my local Firestone Tire shop.

................

[RubberCtyRauder]

If u want stock /factory tire sizes, go Cooper Zeon RS3A, Nitto Motivo, or the Firestone Firehawk Wide oval. You can get Coopers and NIttos online from various places for good prices some have free shipping if you don't find locally. If you can't do a brake job, then you'll have to take somewhere, The dealer will charge a lot but use motorcraft parts, which is not a bad thing..Don't do the lifetime crap from Midas, Meineke, ETC. Rotors will be $200-$300, pads, as mentioned earlier $80-$100, don't; forget the ebrake kit for about $30, labor will run you prolly $200-280 from an independent garage.

[stevengerard]

Dump the car its a peice a SH$T anyway - I'll buy it $1,500 cash now.

Come to my house I'll help you with the compressor. Go to my cousins Firestone in Libertyville, that's not too far from you. He'll do the pads and get you new tires. The FireHawks are great and way cheaper than most for our cars.

[Slowpoke]

Dump the car its a peice a SH$T anyway - I'll buy it $1,500 cash now.

Come to my house I'll help you with the compressor. Go to my cousins Firestone in Libertyville, that's not too far from you. He'll do the pads and get you new tires. The FireHawks are great and way cheaper than most for our cars.


I'm not comfortable driving the car without the air shocks. Afraid I'll do some damage. Of course if I brought my son, he could play with your four (?) daughters. He'd like that.

Libertyville? interesting. It's still a hike - maybe 20 miles. I'm wayyyy too lazy to go way up there.

And yes, I think I may do the firehawks. After the brakes and the oil leak fix.

[stevengerard]

I wouldn't be too worried about a casual ride without the air suspension. but if you did it from home and don't need to drive then might as well not.

On second thought with your son in the car its best not to drive the car even a foot :~)

[RF Overlord]

I'm not comfortable driving the car without the air shocks. Afraid I'll do some damage. Rick, has the back end collapsed? If not, then just shut off the RAS (switch is in the trunk on the left). If it has collapsed, replacing the compressor is very easy...I believe decent instructions come with it. Once replaced, it'll pump right back up.

BTW, our cars don't have air shocks, they have air springs. The shocks are conventional.

[chief455]

Dump the car its a peice a SH$T anyway - I'll buy it $1,500 cash now.

Come to my house I'll help you with the compressor. Go to my cousins Firestone in Libertyville, that's not too far from you. He'll do the pads and get you new tires. The FireHawks are great and way cheaper than most for our cars.
I figured a local member would step up:beer:

this is a great offer.
I'd get the air springs, and go do the job with stevengerard. shut of the switch in the trunk. At that time, look at your brakes and buy the parts you need. Go back and do the brakes next weekend. Look together for your oil leak. Don't be too lazy to drive 20 miles - it's a 12 year old car and you owe it new tires! Or let him do your brakes with the tires as well.
If you guys play nice, this car should be back to snuff in two weekends and way under $1500
not bad for 50k miles and 12 years of ownership :eek:

[Chayton]

Do not sell it. Besides the oil leak,(which really would need to be investigated alot further, could be a multitude of things) What you described is typical maintenance of any car. Its something that comes with owning one, If we bought a new car every time we needed to get new tires and brake pads, We'd all be screwed and have no money lol. Seems the dealer sticker shocked ya. Enjoy your Marauder and take care of it!

[Gerry24]

DONT SELL IT!!!

[JBeezy]

DON'T SALE IT! If you start to get tired of it, do an upgrade. That way it will feel like a different car.

[Mebot]

You will regret if you sell, just saying....

[Spectragod]

DON'T SALE IT! If you start to get tired of it, do an upgrade. That way it will feel like a different car.

Yep, that's what I did..... now I don't know what else to do? :confused: 4.0 Whipple??? :D

[JBeezy]

Definitely

[88CuttyClassic]

What could you get thats comperable? I mean you talking about spending $1000-$1500 vs buying something new thats gonna gonna cost 10's of thousands. 50k? That thing aint even broke in! I bought mine with 60k a year ago tmw..its got near 78k now. I plan on keeping it till it doesnt move.

[fastblackmerc]

What could you get thats comperable? I mean you talking about spending $1000-$1500 vs buying something new thats gonna gonna cost 10's of thousands. 50k? That thing aint even broke in! I bought mine with 60k a year ago tmw..its got near 78k now. I plan on keeping it till it doesnt move, then rebuild the engine, tranny and suspension.

Fixed it for you!

[Vortech347]

Tires and brakes are standard items that will need to be replaced on any car. With regular maintenance these cars are super reliable tanks.

[LSp8]

I'm about ready to sell mines but I have 166k and it's been extremely reliable. If I had 50k then there's no way I'd even consider selling. It's still new and most Marauders around have well over 100k and are daily drivers still. It would be foolish to selll for that reason alone. I replaced my oil filter housing adapter seal last year cuz I was losing a ton of oil and it got worse and worse until I just replaced it.

[ncmm]

You don't know what you've got till it's gone. . . :bigcry:

Sold my first MM I bought in '04 in '08. :mad:

Got lucky and found another in '12 with less miles than the first one. :coolman:

[tbone]

Would recommend against this until we know where it is leaking from.

Won't hurt it. High mileage oils contain stop leak additives. No one ever says not to use them.

https://mobiloil.com/en/motor-oils/mobil-1/mobil-1-high-mileage

[Slowpoke]

Success! I was able to swap out a new air compressor for the air springs and it seems to have solved that particular issue. I could not determine the source of the oil leak. I'll have someone look at it next week. Brake pads and tires next week too...quite possibly Stevengerards cousin in Naperville.

[Zack]

Oil leak is most likely the adapter gasket behind the oil filter....common.

[RF Overlord]

Success! I was able to swap out a new air compressor for the air springs and it seems to have solved that particular issue. Feels good, don't it? :D

Especially the part where you just saved $900.

[tbone]

My favorite are the $1 O-rings and 45 minutes that fix a $1000 EATC.

[Slowpoke]

I finally got around to having the other issues addressed today and got everything taken care of:

New Tires: Firestone Firehawks and a front end alignment (which, apparently, it needed). I was on my 2nd set of tires. Replaced all 4 tires with stock BFG many years ago @ about 25,000 miles. Now at 50,500 and the rear tires had almost no tread at all (I didn't realize they were so worn)

Brakes: replaced the rear calipers; ground the rotors, replaced all the pads, bled and refilled brake fluid

Oil Leak: Caused by a corroded oil pressure sending unit, replaced with a new one. Also had the oil changed. Also cleaned degreased the entire underside, which had oil all over the place from the oil leak.

Now, I'm good to go. Glad I listened to y'all and got her fixed. Especially glad I was able to replace the air compressor myself!

All the work was done by stevengerards cousin in Libertyville. He's got a really nice shop in Libertyville.

[Gerry24]

I finally got around to having the other issues addressed today and got everything taken care of:

New Tires: Firestone Firehawks and a front end alignment (which, apparently, it needed). I was on my 2nd set of tires. Replaced all 4 tires with stock BFG many years ago @ about 25,000 miles. Now at 50,500 and the rear tires had almost no tread at all (I didn't realize they were so worn)

Brakes: replaced the rear calipers; ground the rotors, replaced all the pads, bled and refilled brake fluid

Oil Leak: Caused by a corroded oil pressure sending unit, replaced with a new one. Also had the oil changed. Also cleaned degreased the entire underside, which had oil all over the place from the oil leak.

Now, I'm good to go. Glad I listened to y'all and got her fixed. Especially glad I was able to replace the air compressor myself!

All the work was done by stevengerards cousin in Libertyville. He's got a really nice shop in Libertyville.

Congrats!!!!!!! :party:

[CoreyM75]

Good to hear that everything was fixed and that all of the repairs were simple items. The car should be good for another 50,000 miles.

[drobin]

Slowpoke,

Good to know that your still around as I am.

Donald

[chief455]

I finally got around to having the other issues addressed today and got everything taken care of:

New Tires: Firestone Firehawks and a front end alignment (which, apparently, it needed). I was on my 2nd set of tires. Replaced all 4 tires with stock BFG many years ago @ about 25,000 miles. Now at 50,500 and the rear tires had almost no tread at all (I didn't realize they were so worn)

Brakes: replaced the rear calipers; ground the rotors, replaced all the pads, bled and refilled brake fluid

Oil Leak: Caused by a corroded oil pressure sending unit, replaced with a new one. Also had the oil changed. Also cleaned degreased the entire underside, which had oil all over the place from the oil leak.

Now, I'm good to go. Glad I listened to y'all and got her fixed. Especially glad I was able to replace the air compressor myself!

All the work was done by stevengerards cousin in Libertyville. He's got a really nice shop in Libertyville.
:beer: Nice job! glad you're still a Marauder man.

[White Knuckles]

Glad you got your issues taken care of :up:
Your mileage is finally starting to catch with me @ 97k
You can't sell without consulting me since you talked me in to buying mine in the first place.
We're in for the long haul. Besides, I think you promised Jett ( before he was born) that he was next in line for that car :D

[seabreeze]

Rick,
Your kids have to be teenagers. I still have a note pad, a "get out of jail free" card and a non-functioning pen from a decade ago when you most awesomely offered cool bling for the Marauderfied! You are like a founding member here, only us old-timers remember your posts from '04! Keep the car!!!!

[1Marauder]

GREAT Job managing through the list--sometimes it is THE LIST that seems hard... and simply starting in on just ONE item begins the journey to completion.

GLAD you got it all done! An inspriation to those behind in thier auto maintenance!

CONGRATS!

[MarauderCyclone]

Way to go friend, been there and done that on the compressor...mine was shot when I got the car with 35k on it.

The tires and whatnot...it's the price of owning any automobile.

I'm glad you dug yourself out of the hole.