# 2005 Ford Freestyle - misfire / fix it or buy a new car? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** repair, engines\ **Created:** [July 16, 2014, 3:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-ford-freestyle-misfire-fix-it-or-buy-a-new-car/86035 "2014-07-16T03:39:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kentuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7ea924/32.png) [@Kentuck](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Kentuck)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2014, 3:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-ford-freestyle-misfire-fix-it-or-buy-a-new-car/86035/1 "2014-07-16T03:39:24Z")
I have a 2005 SEL Freestyle with 114K miles. Cyl #3 missing. Has all the symptoms of a “lean misfire” - reading the code said #3. The indy mechanic already replaced the spark plug and the coil. Misfire still a problem. Tried to put some cleaner in there which did not help. He thinks the head needs to be replaced … cost over $2500. The a/c is also busted. Needs a compressor. $900 to fix. So I’m staring down $4000 to fix a car that’s 9 yrs old. Not to mention I’m probably looking at brakes before much longer. If I buy a different car - new I’m looking at $30000 plus to get the same type of vehicle. Used I get someone else’s problems and even then I’m looking at $20000 for something 2 or 3 yrs old. This car at best will get me $500 on trade in… if they are merciful. Chance I could lose my job any month now… the business i work for is not doing well. So a car loan is a really risky thing to get into as well. I love my car - a lot. Tempted to just fix it and move on but no idea what else can go wrong moving forward. Surely there will be expensive scheduled maintenance coming up. … not to mention the surprises. I am not a car person. I take really good care of what I have but don’t know enough about cars to make a good decision on this one. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2014, 3:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-ford-freestyle-misfire-fix-it-or-buy-a-new-car/86035/2 "2014-07-16T03:54:41Z")
@Kentuck‌ Some thoughts . . . Has the mechanic checked compression on #3 cylinder Has he performed an injector balance test. Perhaps #3 is partially restricted. Might even have an open circuit Why are you so sure it’s a lean misfire? If that’s where you’re headed, have the mechanic use his evap/smoke machine to find those intake leaks If I were in your shoes, I’d keep this van The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t . . . isn’t that how the saying goes? My priorities would be the misfire and the brakes Why does the mechanic think your head is a goner? If it just has a burnt valve, a machine shop can take care of that. Cheaper than $2500 ---
**Author:** ![Yosemite](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/yosemite/32/643_2.png) [@Yosemite](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Yosemite)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2014, 4:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-ford-freestyle-misfire-fix-it-or-buy-a-new-car/86035/3 "2014-07-16T04:26:15Z")
There are so many other things , other than spark plug andf coil that could be causing the misfire. 02 sensor… injector??? What tests has he performed that he thinks the head is shot. Yosemite ---
**Author:** ![Kentuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7ea924/32.png) [@Kentuck](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Kentuck)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2014, 4:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-ford-freestyle-misfire-fix-it-or-buy-a-new-car/86035/4 "2014-07-16T04:38:57Z")
Mechanic said he would not put that money into this car but I don’t know why. Sounds like I really need to go ask more questions. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2014, 5:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-ford-freestyle-misfire-fix-it-or-buy-a-new-car/86035/5 "2014-07-16T05:21:28Z")
If the mechanic is unwilling to do more tests, or at least explain why he thinks the head is shot . . . find another mechanic ---
**Author:** ![MG-McAnick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mg-mcanick/32/188_2.png) [@MG-McAnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MG-McAnick)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2014, 5:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-ford-freestyle-misfire-fix-it-or-buy-a-new-car/86035/6 "2014-07-16T05:37:09Z")
or, has the mechanic made you a low ball offer on the car? He might have ulterior motives. A 2005 with 114K should have a lot of life left in it. Get a second opinion from a mechanic you find by clicking on the MECHANICS FILES at the top of this page. Let us know what s/he finds out. I’m betting it doesn’t need a cylinder head.