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Gene · 05-31-2009, 10:51 AM

Thermostats are cheap, water pumps used to be, but maybe not so much anymore. Head gaskets are not cheap (the gasket is cheap, getting to it is not, and once you have the head off, maybe it'll be time for a valve job). I appreciate your problem and unfortunately we can't usually predict just the right moment to sell a vehicle. Whatever is broken, it has to be fixed either to drive it or to sell it. At some point everyone gets sick of fixing it and either sells it, sends it to the crusher, or like they do where we live, park it somewhere out back alongside all the others and forget it.

If you sell it, you can advertise "new brakes, radiator!" Good luck. Check Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book for what your van is worth.

I gave up on fixing old cars and trucks some years ago because it hurt my body too much and bought new ones. Now I have an Airstream and I'm fixing a new vehicle. I don't understand how that happened.

Gene

3Ms75Argosy · 05-31-2009, 11:27 AM

Well, want a '94 1 ton Dodge van cheap? Has a new rebuilt transmission!

Just needs a new AC rebuild.. oh.. about $1700 to fix!
Sigh... I know what you mean... where do we draw the line...
Marc

**Stefrobrts** · 05-31-2009, 12:14 PM

Marc, I think we're both on the short end of the stick, when I was a kid we considered a 20 year old vehicle to be 'classic', and our vans are both just a few years away from that!

I just looked at new Ford vans on the Ford website - looks like someone beat them with an ugly stick! That grill is the most unattractive thing I've ever seen, and it just looks like it's stuck on the front end of the same van as always. Holy Cow, what were they thinking?!

Gene · 05-31-2009, 01:03 PM

Steph, how much can you do with a van? 2 or 4 headlights; ugly or uglier grill, curved or flat windshield, but always is a really a big box.

I'm hoping it's the thermostat and you find a good deal on a new van or truck. I read they're selling certain US brands below cost. That depresses the used vehicle market, but I expect a 14 year old van's value doesn't change much no matter what's happening in the market.

Gene

yakman · 06-01-2009, 09:12 PM

My money is still on a failing water pump. For as easy read, check this out. Autoclinix.com - Ford Econoline 5.0L / 5.8L Water Pump Repair

Cheers,

yakman

**Stefrobrts** · 06-01-2009, 11:29 PM

The word from the mechanic is that the new radiator blew out. Luckily it's under warranty still so the parts and labor are covered. Once they get it replaced they'll check to make sure there wasn't any other damage.

AIR-Quarius · 06-02-2009, 07:13 AM

I don't know where it's at, but I know its the thermostat...we were going thru California, and started loosing power to the vehicle...we thought the radiater had a leak and were using the CB to get truckers to drop off water...we took it out and it worked fine after that.

3Ms75Argosy · 06-02-2009, 09:38 AM

Yup! How much lipstick can a pig get? My '94 Dodge looks the same as the 70's Tradesman, with a different grille! The Sprinter is really the only new game in town... if it came in a lower height, I'd buy one (it's even higher in the lowtop version than my 1 ton!! I barely fit in parking garages as it is...).

I dunno - I think I can replace the section of piping that needs to be replaced on the AC myself.. so I might hang on a bit more... still running!

Can't believe the radiator blew out! Where was that one made?
Marc

Gene · 06-02-2009, 10:03 AM

While they work on it, it makes sense to replace the thermostat at the same time.

Gene

**Stefrobrts** · 06-02-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Ms75Argosy

Yup! How much lipstick can a pig get? My '94 Dodge looks the same as the 70's Tradesman, with a different grille! The Sprinter is really the only new game in town... if it came in a lower height, I'd buy one (it's even higher in the lowtop version than my 1 ton!! I barely fit in parking garages as it is...).

I dunno - I think I can replace the section of piping that needs to be replaced on the AC myself.. so I might hang on a bit more... still running!

Can't believe the radiator blew out! Where was that one made?
Marc

I'm sure it was maid in asia or something, seems like all the generic parts are. I'll have to ask them.

I know what you mean about being too tall. We were going to buy a rack for the top and get a kayak, then we spent a weekend in downtown Seattle where we couldn't fit into any of the parking garages we went to, and finally ended up driving up to Northgate just to find a place to have dinner where we could park the beast!

I'll ask them about the thermostat when I talk to them today. They are a really good shop, so I trust they'll do what needs to be done.