Is my mate being shafted? (Ford Crown Vic gearbox issues)
Discussion
Background:
Chap moved out of a shared house (previously living with myself and another guy) to live with grandparents in order to save money and buy his dream car - Ford Crown Victoria (in police spec). Unfortunately he located the car before he saved any money - 6k loan. He's probably had it for 8 months now and apart from bemoaning the fuel economy (4.6 litre V8 iirc mated to a 4 speed auto) it has been ok.
A few weeks back he noticed a fluid leak under the car (also a couple of odd transmission related noises). Don't think there were any shifting problems. Leak was diagnosed as ATF (at an autobox specialist - most garages wouldn't even look at it) and localised to a gasket of some sort. On removal of various bits and pieces to attend to said issue, apparently the gearbox casing fell apart. The story given by the mechanic is that it was previously damaged and glued back together (!?). Upshot (allegedly) is that there is now internal damage so major repairs required and casing reportedly difficult (expensive?) to find.
Car has been in the garage for 3 weeks.
Current running total re cost: £1800-2100
I'm not sure what for? Surely a whole replacement box (reconditioned?) shipped over from the US would be much easier/cheaper than the reported 'repairs'.
Met up with said mate late last week for an update. Repairs going through and his grandparents are footing the bill (because he genuine can't afford to).
Am not familiar with these sorts of cars so not sure what the dealio is. Am concerned that my friend is paying over an above what he should.
(I told him to buy a BMW!)
Chap moved out of a shared house (previously living with myself and another guy) to live with grandparents in order to save money and buy his dream car - Ford Crown Victoria (in police spec). Unfortunately he located the car before he saved any money - 6k loan. He's probably had it for 8 months now and apart from bemoaning the fuel economy (4.6 litre V8 iirc mated to a 4 speed auto) it has been ok.
A few weeks back he noticed a fluid leak under the car (also a couple of odd transmission related noises). Don't think there were any shifting problems. Leak was diagnosed as ATF (at an autobox specialist - most garages wouldn't even look at it) and localised to a gasket of some sort. On removal of various bits and pieces to attend to said issue, apparently the gearbox casing fell apart. The story given by the mechanic is that it was previously damaged and glued back together (!?). Upshot (allegedly) is that there is now internal damage so major repairs required and casing reportedly difficult (expensive?) to find.
Car has been in the garage for 3 weeks.
Current running total re cost: £1800-2100
I'm not sure what for? Surely a whole replacement box (reconditioned?) shipped over from the US would be much easier/cheaper than the reported 'repairs'.
Met up with said mate late last week for an update. Repairs going through and his grandparents are footing the bill (because he genuine can't afford to).
Am not familiar with these sorts of cars so not sure what the dealio is. Am concerned that my friend is paying over an above what he should.
(I told him to buy a BMW!)
Thanks for the replies chaps. 
My opinion: if the box is FUBAR, it made sense to simply buy a second hand one rather than the evidently (very) expensive and time consuming process of 'repairing' it (I use inverted commas as I have no idea what they are doing).
The other thing that was mentioned was that the gearbox 'turret' was requiring replacement.
He's supposed to be getting another update later this week.
My opinion: if the box is FUBAR, it made sense to simply buy a second hand one rather than the evidently (very) expensive and time consuming process of 'repairing' it (I use inverted commas as I have no idea what they are doing).
The other thing that was mentioned was that the gearbox 'turret' was requiring replacement.
He's supposed to be getting another update later this week.
I know the guy too although I haven't talked to him about his gear box problem and I don't know the garage who has the car either so can't comment in that respect.
If I were to talk to him then I'd be suggesting a replacement gear box and the most clever thing to do would be to talk to Clive in Colchester whom he bought the car from. Clive is a really nice guy and actively imports these cars as required - he also used L's car as a daily driver before L bought it. I doubt that Clive would have known about any issue with the gear box as he wouldn't have sold it otherwise but likewise I'd bet he can get L a replacement at a decent price.
Of course the 4.6l is fairly standard across the board of a few Ford models so sourcing a replacement trans shouldn't be an issue.
If I were to talk to him then I'd be suggesting a replacement gear box and the most clever thing to do would be to talk to Clive in Colchester whom he bought the car from. Clive is a really nice guy and actively imports these cars as required - he also used L's car as a daily driver before L bought it. I doubt that Clive would have known about any issue with the gear box as he wouldn't have sold it otherwise but likewise I'd bet he can get L a replacement at a decent price.
Of course the 4.6l is fairly standard across the board of a few Ford models so sourcing a replacement trans shouldn't be an issue.
Edited by SheriffAds on Monday 21st July 19:19
Thanks for the reply Sherrif.
My thoughts were also regarding a replacement gearbox. Seems to make sense. If the repairs are so extensive it is going to cost 2k, surely a replacement (second hand recon box) would be cheaper. I was under the impression that these cars were supposed to be relatively simple and easy to work on and there were many shared parts between models so parts quite plentiful.
From my understanding the car is currently at an autobox specialist (do not know which). Unfortunately, I think the agreement re work done/price has already been done so no going back (as I mentioned, not sure exactly what they are doing). I am a little concerned as he's not hugely car savvy and don't want to see him pay £££ unnecessarily.
Apparently my mate really struggled to get anyone to have a look let alone attempt a repair. Even Ford main dealer was not interested. When I questioned him re US car specialists, he stated the closest was in Surrey.
Reportedly the casing issues only became apparent on disassembly in order to attend to the attend to the reportedly malfunctioning gearbox turret.
Up until these recent issues the car has been absolutely fine.
My thoughts were also regarding a replacement gearbox. Seems to make sense. If the repairs are so extensive it is going to cost 2k, surely a replacement (second hand recon box) would be cheaper. I was under the impression that these cars were supposed to be relatively simple and easy to work on and there were many shared parts between models so parts quite plentiful.
From my understanding the car is currently at an autobox specialist (do not know which). Unfortunately, I think the agreement re work done/price has already been done so no going back (as I mentioned, not sure exactly what they are doing). I am a little concerned as he's not hugely car savvy and don't want to see him pay £££ unnecessarily.
Apparently my mate really struggled to get anyone to have a look let alone attempt a repair. Even Ford main dealer was not interested. When I questioned him re US car specialists, he stated the closest was in Surrey.
Reportedly the casing issues only became apparent on disassembly in order to attend to the attend to the reportedly malfunctioning gearbox turret.
Up until these recent issues the car has been absolutely fine.
Last time I saw your mate I suggested that he joined our club - 911 EVAC that specialises in these vehicles. He was actually at an event where the club was meeting so he was around like minded people. This of course was before he had issues... had he been in the club he would have naturally asked on the forums etc about it and no doubt have been pointed in the right direction.
I am also in Essex and I think he simply didn't ask at the right places. Ford main dealers wont touch it and I personally wouldn't let them touch my Vic anyway! I personally know two people in Essex who could have done it but he didn't ask...
I am also in Essex and I think he simply didn't ask at the right places. Ford main dealers wont touch it and I personally wouldn't let them touch my Vic anyway! I personally know two people in Essex who could have done it but he didn't ask...
That sounds like a shame.
I've always found enthusiast groups and forums invaluable when running my older E30. Still also very helpful for info on the E36 too.
I'm just hoping my mate's actions don't end up costing half the value of the car.
What would you estimate the costs of a replacement/refurb box and assoc labour to fit it?
I've always found enthusiast groups and forums invaluable when running my older E30. Still also very helpful for info on the E36 too.
I'm just hoping my mate's actions don't end up costing half the value of the car.
What would you estimate the costs of a replacement/refurb box and assoc labour to fit it?
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