Are these services necessary?!

[AmBo]

Okay, just got back from the tri-monthly oil change. These were on the "To-Do" list. Do I really need to get them done? Can I do any myself? :SNSign:

Differential Fluid Exchange: $45
Fuel Filter: $50 and up (umm aren't they like $10?!)
Power Steering FLuid Exchange: $70
Cooling System Fluid Exchange: $80 (I did this one and the coolant was almost brown. )

Thanks for your $0.02 ($0.03 if a Canadian responds)!

 

[mustangman9812]

They are crapping you on the fuel filter mine was $12 and you can do that yourself with you use of a Ford Fuel Line Disconnect Tool. The rest of them i wouldnt waste my time on!

 

[AmBo]

They are crapping you on the fuel filter mine was $12 and you can do that yourself with you use of a Ford Fuel Line Disconnect Tool. The rest of them i wouldnt waste my time on!

How much would that tool cost and how difficult is it to do? I'm not a complete mechanic, but I'm not scared to try to tackle doable projects.

 

[wht03GT]

Are they needed? Maybe. I would think that all depends on how you drive the car.

Can you do them? Yeah. I would think so. Fuel filters are cheap like 5-15 for what ive seen. Thats crazy they wanna charge $50. Gotta love labor. They only thing I would be weary of is the defferential thing.

 

[mustangman9812]

around $15 dollars and to change the filter jack the back of the car up slide up behind the gas tank and there it is

 

[AmBo]

Could I do it while up on ramps?

Where should I buy this tool?

 

[mustangman9812]

should be able to and you can get the tool at your local parts store.

 

[AmBo]

Ok and I'll have them do the DIfferential fluid exchange. What about the Power Steering FLuid? thoughts?

 

[mustangman9812]

nah, if it aint broke dont fix it

 

[AmBo]

Not even precautionary maintanence?

 

[mac1009]

How many miles are on the car?

 

[wht03GT]

nah, if it aint broke dont fix it

I agree. Now that I think of it I don't think I have ever changed power steering fluid on any car that I have ever owned....

 

[Give Me TP]

I wouldn't change the differential or power steering fluids. It would be more worthwhile to change the transmission fluid in my opinion.

 

[AmBo]

The car just hit 26,000. :-X Not bad for a 2000. ;-)

Okay, so I'm NOT going to do the power steering. (waste of $$ right?) or the Differential Fluid. What the hell does the differential fluid even do?!

I did the coolant fluid though. I think it's good that I did it too. It was kinda a dirty green when they showed me. THe new stuff was like electric green. What does the coolant fluid do exactly?

 

[helty]

make sure you get the 5/16" tool. mine cost $10, its made of aluminum. here's a how to. this site has a lot of good how-to's for general maintanance and performance mods as well. its bullitt specific, but pretty much the same on 99-04's, especially on 02 and up.

http://www.bullittarchive.com/html/modules/articles/article.php?id=73

 

[Give Me TP]

The differential fluid goes in the punkin' in the middle of the rear axle. The coolant raises the boiling point of the water with which it is mixed and also acts to prevent rust, corrosion, and freezing.

 

[AmBo]

make sure you get the 5/16" tool. mine cost $10, its made of aluminum. here's a how to. this site has a lot of good how-to's for general maintanance and performance mods as well. its bullitt specific, but pretty much the same on 99-04's, especially on 02 and up.

http://www.bullittarchive.com/html/modules/articles/article.php?id=73

Thanks for the article! Looks very helpful. :SNSign:

 

[SigmaPride]

At that mileage I wouldn't change any of those. Never power steering unless you have problems. Coolant drained and filled every 30k, but no need to flush the whole system. Tranny fluid on a manual will go a long time...did mine at 95k and it was still fine. Diff can go forever also...wait at least till 50-100k unless you drive the hell out of it at the track every week.

Maybe the fuel filter if you are anal, but you can do it yourself if you back up on some ramps.

Always change the oil every 3k of course and you are good.

My opinion hope it helps save money.

 

[ponysarepretty]

At that mileage I wouldn't change any of those. Never power steering unless you have problems. Coolant drained and filled every 30k, but no need to flush the whole system. Tranny fluid on a manual will go a long time...did mine at 95k and it was still fine. Diff can go forever also...wait at least till 50-100k unless you drive the hell out of it at the track every week.

Maybe the fuel filter if you are anal, but you can do it yourself if you back up on some ramps.

Always change the oil every 3k of course and you are good.

My opinion hope it helps save money.

95k on original tranny fluid? Thats just plain stupid, change it every 30k if you are a cheap and your baby your car, but most people don't so it should be changed more often.

If you are changing your coolant, you might as well flush it, no sense in doing a half assed job, its like washing your car and not drying it.

 

[AmBo]

Yea, I'll hold off on this stuff. The car is running great except for it idling like crapola sometimes...bleh!