$500 for an '03 V8, not running. Yes or no?

BrianDye

BrianDye

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Was browsing Facebook earlier and saw in a sales group a 2003 LS for sale, asking $500. "Needs engine"

Details:
Car is white with what looked to be a black interior
Very clean inside and out (needs a radio, they're keeping the aftermarket HU)
180k miles
Trans shifts smooth

All info I have now is there's no coil packs on it right now, and they were tired of working on it and husband bought a new vehicle. The area is pretty wealthy, so I'm wondering if they just tried new coils and gave up. (Since they said there are no coil packs on it I'm assuming they bought new then returned?)

Used, good running engines are on eBay for like $700ish I'm wondering if I should gamble and buy the car.

What would you guys do? I have a garage so I could tear into it and leave it all opened up and not rush.

What are some common things I should look for tomorrow if I check it out?
 
Without a garage, I'm tempted. If I had a garage and the link, the listing would have been removed by now. If you just want to see the LS nameplate continue a little longer and have the means, go for it.

At most, an engine swap should be under $1500 at a shop. Engines are $1000 and under. At the worst, that puts you $3k in the hole. I would think that's easy to dig out of if you have a running, CEL-free Gen 2, especially if you do the labor yourself a a hobby
 
Before you pull the engine out, take the time to find out what it'll take to get it running. You might find that the previous owner gave up way too soon. At the very least such an approach will give you an idea as to what you have in the way of extra parts to keep in reserve after the engine change.

KS
 
I talked him down to $400, and he was hesitant but accepted.

I got the thing towed home for $50, so I'm only $450 in the hole from it. Oh, I also forgot to mention it's a Sport too!

No regrets so far, absolutely love this thing. I've loved LSes from the day they came out, even though every single person I know personally who has owned one regrets it lol.

I spent a good hour cleaning the outside, and putting the center console back together today. (He had an aftermarket nav unit that he kept) and didn't put the stock radio and controls back in.

The leather owners manual and all booklets are still in the glovebox, window sticker and everything too!

I can't wait to start wrenching on this thing and get it going. Had a buddy at work give me a free set of 8 working coils and even throw in a new set of valve cover gaskets. He had an LS but recently sold it, thought he had a misfire so he replaced all coils and it ended up being a wire or something.
 
Question- does anyone know where I can get replacement bolts for the coil packs? Previous owner took them off to give to a family member and didn't leave the bolts in place.

Issues I've found so far:

Blower motor isn't blowing hard. I can hear it on full speed, but I can't feel much/anything coming from the cents.

Rear passenger window doesn't roll down (oh well)

Blinkers are acting funky. When I first was checking all the lights, the blinkers were working and I could hear the clinking in the interior, and then later on I tried again and the left indicator was blinking in the cluster, but not the right. Then the right side would blink faster and slower and like skip on and off, it was odd. I remember the 00 we had had a nice like rich sounding "clunk" or "click" blinker noise but this 03 just sounds like any other Ford I've driven.
 
BrianDye said:
... Oh, I also forgot to mention it's a Sport too!...
Click to expand...

As are 99.99% + of all gen II V8s.

BrianDye said:
Question- does anyone know where I can get replacement bolts for the coil packs? ...
Click to expand...

This is Ford part W500205-S437.
Get it at FordPartsGiant, Tasca, your Ford dealer, or Google it. This is a M5 x 20mm bolt, so you should also be able to get it at an auto store or hardware store.

If you need them too, coil covers are XW4Z-12025-AD. and bolts for the coil covers are W500202-S309 (M5 x 12mm).

You might check the battery voltage for the odd electrical issues.
 
joegr said:
You might check the battery voltage for the odd electrical issues.
Click to expand...

A car that's been sitting with a non-running engine for who knows how long and people turning the key to check it out and move it... On a car where people often neglect alternator and battery replacement... The battery would be the first place I'd check

Does the parking brake claim to need servicing?
 
Thanks for the bolt info, I'll probably snag a set of them tomorrow from Ace. As for the electrical, yeah he said the battery sat dead for quite some time, it's a shame because it seems like it was a newer sealed battery as well. (Hm, maybe I can see if there's a warranty on it still)

The parking brake actually seemed to work, I was surprised.

Scored a free set of coils and valve cover gaskets today we'll see what happens tomorrow when I work on it. Thanks for linking the cover part number too, I need that as well. Totally forgot about that.
 
to match the coils, change the plugs too. Autolite has a rebate on iridiums $20 for 8 so if you get em off rock auto they are like $2.43 now. Btw, some guys run the system without covers - mainly due to MSD/Accel difference, but some want to keep the heat down. Preference I like my covers so it looks cleaner.
 
I would suggest motorcraft plugs and coil packs only. Aftermarket especially on plugs and coils is not a good idea with this car. JMO good luck and good find.
 
BrianDye said:
.... As for the electrical, yeah he said the battery sat dead for quite some time, it's a shame because it seems like it was a newer sealed battery as well. (Hm, maybe I can see if there's a warranty on it still) ....
Click to expand...

ALL batteries will vent when charging; even the AGM battery in my 535i. The LS (as do ALL cars with the battery in the "passenger" compartment; i.e. other than the engine bay) requires a vented battery. The dealer is still the best (cheapest) place to get the proper battery.
 
It has Bosch plugs in it right now. Yuck!

Shes running...

Gonna make a registry thread to post updates and pictures and whatnot.
 
BrianDye said:
It has Bosch plugs in it right now. Yuck!....
Click to expand...

I'd get those out. The LS shipped with Motorcraft and with NGK plugs. I don't think anyone has had problems with those. There are probably a number of other brands that are okay too. Bosch even seems to be okay in some other cars, but my experience is that Bosch and Ford do not get along.
 
I'll just dump this here
... and mention for the 10002nd time, THEY ARE NOT COIL PACKS !!!

The LS does NOT have a single COIL PACK in it or even anywhere near it.
They are called Coil Over Plugs aka. COP's ~ some LS'es have 6, most have 8
Each cylinder/spark plug gets one ignition coil ... individually controlled by the PCM

You'd be well advised to put OEM Motorcraft coils and NGK Iridium plugs in it. Gap to 1.0mm
Replace the fuel filter and air breather element, check for vacuum leaks and clogged CAT's
Run Shell Premium fuel and throw a bottle of STP injector cleaner in the tank. (couple of moth balls works also) <-- joke! don't do it!


.... should run tops after that :shifty:


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -



https://www.ngk.com/product.aspx?zpid=9311

http://www.amazon.com/NGK-BKR5EGP-G-Power-Spark-Plug/dp/B000COTPIM

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/forum/showthread.php?96363-Some-advice-on-Spark-Plug-brand-grade



Economy * May not meet OE Standards *

NGK 7090 BKR5EGP G-Power Plug
SKU: #BKR5EGP
ITEM : # NGK7090
BRAND : NGK // http://www.ngk.com/product.aspx?zpid=9309



or ... (meets OE Standards)

NGK 6569 FR5AP-11E Laser Platinum Plug
SKU: #FR5AP-11E
ITEM: # NGK6569
BRAND: NGK // http://www.ngk.com/product.aspx?zpid=9763



or ... (exceeds OE Standards)

NGK 5464 BKR5EIX-11 IX Iridium Plug
SKU: #BKR5EIX-11
ITEM: # NGK5464
BRAND: NGK // http://www.ngk.com/product.aspx?zpid=9311
 
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