Ford Taurus with valve problems. What should I do?

Question

I bought a used 2003 Ford Taurus July of 2006. It was AS IS, so I had to purchase the warranty at the time of signing the agreement. Two days later, the salesman calls me and says the bank didn't want to finance the warranty, so I had to come out of pocket. I had already put $1,000 down, and he wanted an additional $1,000 for the warranty. I said no.

Now six months later, the car is sounding, and acting like it wants to conk out, and die when I start/drive it. I took it to two mechanics: one estimate was $900, the other was over $3,000, and I can't afford to fix it. I owe over $11,000 on it, and the car isn't even worth that much. It has over 42,000 miles on it.

I have been to several dealerships to do a trade in, but no luck there because my credit score is too low, and I would need a co-signer.

What should I do?

Answer 1

Probably nothing you can do about it, but something's not right about the original sale. Banks don't care about financing a warranty! I have never heard of a bank turning down financing for a warranty. I just bought a used truck with the warranty ($1300 bucks!) and the bank didn't blink an eye at it. Something is just wrong there. Regardless, since you said no, you are probably screwed in that regard anyway.

Also, estimates of $900 and $3000 tell me that the two mechanics think it is something completely different. That is way too much of a difference for both of them to be talking about valve problems (or at least they think different options will be the fix). Also, it is very unusual for a car with 42,000 miles on it to have valve issues.

I would suggest doing alot of searching online. Search using different combinations of descriptions of the problem. Such as "tord taurus dies when starting", or "ford taurus starts then dies" or "Ford Taurus dies at idle". Whatever. You will be surprised at how many other people "out there" have the same problem. You might have a better idea of what may be the cause, and *gasp* you may be able to change a part or two and fix it yourself.

Cars these days have so much mechanical stuff controlled by computer. There is a valve/motor on every fuel injected car called an "idle control motor" or ICM, or something similar. Those go bad, and can cause rough idling, or dying at stop lights, etc.

You'll have to do your homework, and pay attention to SPECIFIC situations, performance, and sounds that may clue you in on the cause.

Understand that most mechanics these days just guess at causes, or do what computers tell them to do, and they aren't always right.

42K is way too few miles to have valve issues, unless there was some very bad abuse along the way.

Good luck!

Answer 2

double check with the dealer. maybe the car is still under warranty...

if not, just take out a loan with the bank and pay it off on monthly basis.

Answer 3

Also, take it to a reputable Ford dealer to get an estimate of the repairs needed.

Answer 4

i dont know where you live but in pa there is a lemon law that protects you...check into that.. other than that sell the car now before the problems become yours and you can buy another car

Answer 5

go to website www.taurusclub.com and ask some questions,they deal with only taurus cars. Maybe someone can help you there, good luck.

Answer 6

you are going to have to save to fix it or find a high risk financing place.

Answer 7

sell it online or in the newspaper