Dropped my 2008 XLT with 137xxx miles off at the shop, (not a dealer btw) and it looks like I am in need of a timing overhaul. The truck, when at operating temperature, will knock, shake, and vibrate when you feather the gas and let off immediately. The fix is going to cost me roughly $2500, but does include new VCT solenoids, cam phasers, chains, tensioners, gaskets, labor, etc. All parts are Motorcraft with warranties, so I wanted to see if $2500 is reasonable or is he raking me over the fire?

 

Phasers are about $500 alone, solenoids about 100/ea, 2-300 in timing components & misc parts. If I remember right, the book says it's a 10-12 hour job (most shops are in the 90/hr range for labor). Personally, I'd say that's fair... I think my job ran me about 22-2300 when I was done.

 

All motorcraft parts you'll be spending close to $1300 in parts alone from my experience. I did the work myself. All motorcraft except for the radiator, gaskets, and belt. I broke the radiator putting it back in, and I was due for a new belt. This also included about $100 in wrenches that we didn't have laying around the garage.

Items I replaced:
Cam Phasers
Timing chains
chain guides
crankshaft sprocket
timing chain tensioners
timing cover gasket
valve cover gasket
oil pan gasket
radiator
spark plugs
Gatorback serpentine belt

 

I put all OEM parts in, including all new lash adjusters, followers, 2 new phasers, timing chains, guides, tensioners, reluctor ring and crank sprocket. Parts cost me around $800-900. Probably about $100 in extra tools and did the work myself about a year ago and no problem ever since. Personally, I think $2500 is raking you over, its not that bad of a job.
Just my 2cents though. Good luck.

Tom

 

^^^ 90 bucks an hour; I don't see how that is "raking you over". Shops have overhead to pay, along with personal costs, just like the rest of us.


It's one thing to do your own work and save on labor, but the labor charges to the OP are reasonable.

 

Seems reasonable. I did the job myself, but I'd be tempted to pay the difference and save myself the trouble next time around..

 

Thanks guys. The shop was recommended to me by another shop as well as a few co workers. Will update after fix has been completed.

 

Got the truck back from the shop and ended up being $2200. Purrs like a kitten now. No knock or tick sound. Had a broken chain tensioner guide and one of the solenoids was not working correctly. Good to go!

 

Dang, for that much I would've looked into a rebuilt engine... but if everything else is in good shape, that's close enough to one I guess

 

Okay I bought mine on ebay..all genuine fomoco parts new chains gears guides cam phasers adjusters caskets etc all for around 650.00 had a local mechanic who is very good lined up to install for 700 bucks and that includes new lifters.\