To change engines or not?

[mikkelstuff]

I have 140,000 miles on this 3.0 L (2002 Ranger XLT supercab 4WD).

The valve covers leak oil. The oil pan leaks oil. The timing cover is leaking coolant. Unfortunately I have no garage space or spare vehicle to do this or I would.

Mechanic tells me the engine needs to come out to change oil pan gaskets. Maybe so as well for the timing case cover. I really don't see replacing the timing case cover without replacing the timing gear/chain set.

So the question is, as long as they have to pull the engine, should I consider replacing with a fresh crate engine instead of fixing up this one. I don't think 140,000 miles is all that many but I have no experience with this engine.

Furthermore, any recommendations on crate engines. I need to see a price tag.

 

[Josh B]

Depends how good your mechanic is and how much integrity he possesses
Those questions present a world of differences in the price you might see (both before, and after), as well as how happy you'll be at both those points in time

 

[Dirtman]

If you want a "new" engine get it rebuilt by a machine shop and stay far away from remanufactured engines.

But oil leaks are no reason to rebuild an engine. Check the compression, wet and dry relative. If the numbers are fine, leave it alone. If you wanna go a little further spend 25 bucks for an oil analysis. No reason to rebuild an engine "just because". More than a few folks on here have 3.0s rolling over 300,000 miles.

 

[sirdad]

The first thing I would check is your PCV circut

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I wouldnt even be considering a engine swap in your situation.