Maintenance help

buzzcut1580

Member
Mar 16, 2004
47
0
6
I have 110,000 miles. The car works fine, but I was going to get my anti-freeze and transmission fluid changed, since it has never been done. Can anyone suggest anything else major that should be done?

I already changed for maintenance purposes, my battery, fuel filter, and air filter. .

Thank you.
 
Major- Spark Plugs and change the brake fluid.

Not major- PCV valve, check and inspect struts/shocks for leaks, flush p/s steering as it does help, just not always needed. Fuel system cleaner aka seafoam.
 
Oh i forgot to mention, my brother changed the spark plugs for me at 90, 000.

So maybe i will get the brake fluid and power stearing fluid changed as well.

The IAC actually is acting up, but only on really cold days, so i have been dealing with it until it warms up.
I took it off and cleaned it, which worked last time, but i am still getting some stalling when i put it in gear on very cold days, guess i have to get a new one now.

I was going to opt for just getting the transmission fluid changed instead of "flushed" because i know of two people who got the flush on different cars, and it broke shortly after. i dont know if its a coincidence or what.

The manual says to do the oil in the rear or something, do you think that is necessary ? ?
 
haha, my brother just told me if you are changing the anti-freeze might want to do the hoses at that time too. funny.

I changed the serpintine belt at 50K, perhaps i should do that again too.

Thanks for you replies.
 
The belt--Take yours off and inspect it. 50K-110K is a big jump in mileage. If you see cracks...replace it.

The PCV valve--Not a big deal, but they are what...like 2 bucks?

Idler pulleys--Check them. If they spin quietly and don't spin for a long time they are good. If they are noisy and spin freely for a few seconds...replace them.

Belt Tensioner--Check it. Same as pulleys....and Make sure when you move it up and down with the rachet that it doesn't rock in and out...if it does...replace it.

Upper Radiator hose -- can be purchased at any auto parts store..do a T-stat while your in there.

Lower Radiator hose -- will probably have to be bought at the dealer because it has the hose from the overflow bottle built into it. (I had one like that on my 00 Lightning and it was 100 bucks!!!!)

Rear End Fluid--Buy 3 quarts of dealer recommended fluid and 4oz of friction modifier. The axle won't take all 3 quarts, but close. When it leaks out the fill hole, stop...then put the plug in.

Trans--I would do a fluid and filter change. I wouldn't flush it either. Sometimes that removes sludge, or puts sludge in places where it will do more harm then where it once was!!

One last thing..(not a tune up item though)

Water Pump--I put one on ALL my 5.0L Mustangs and it really made a difference in cooling. Temp was down and the old pump had some light corrosion. I put a new on on my 2001 GT engine (that is in my 81 notch) and it was super easy and only cost me 54 bucks with a lifetime warranty!! MY 96 Cobra needs one this summer because it started leaking on me in the fall.

:nice:
 
The belt--Take yours off and inspect it. 50K-110K is a big jump in mileage. If you see cracks...replace it.

The PCV valve--Not a big deal, but they are what...like 2 bucks?

Idler pulleys--Check them. If they spin quietly and don't spin for a long time they are good. If they are noisy and spin freely for a few seconds...replace them.

Belt Tensioner--Check it. Same as pulleys....and Make sure when you move it up and down with the rachet that it doesn't rock in and out...if it does...replace it.

Upper Radiator hose -- can be purchased at any auto parts store..do a T-stat while your in there.

Lower Radiator hose -- will probably have to be bought at the dealer because it has the hose from the overflow bottle built into it. (I had one like that on my 00 Lightning and it was 100 bucks!!!!)

Rear End Fluid--Buy 3 quarts of dealer recommended fluid and 4oz of friction modifier. The axle won't take all 3 quarts, but close. When it leaks out the fill hole, stop...then put the plug in.

Trans--I would do a fluid and filter change. I wouldn't flush it either. Sometimes that removes sludge, or puts sludge in places where it will do more harm then where it once was!!

One last thing..(not a tune up item though)

Water Pump--I put one on ALL my 5.0L Mustangs and it really made a difference in cooling. Temp was down and the old pump had some light corrosion. I put a new on on my 2001 GT engine (that is in my 81 notch) and it was super easy and only cost me 54 bucks with a lifetime warranty!! MY 96 Cobra needs one this summer because it started leaking on me in the fall.

:nice:

I did listen to him on water pump part few month ago, get one from autozone, its the best and best warranty for that part. work fine for me.
 
I did listen to him on water pump part few month ago, get one from autozone, its the best and best warranty for that part. work fine for me.

That's funny....I went to Autozone to get my pump for my 01 motor. They told me the 01 Mustang is NOT a 4.6L...it is a 4.3L!! :rlaugh: He was dead serious...then gets his manager...and he said the same thing...They told me I had the wrong year. I left...went to my local "mom and pop" auto parts store and picked one up. Autozone did have the correct pump for my 96 Cobra with a 4.6L...just not my 01 Mustang GT with the 4.3L.....:rolleyes:
 
Me too...I wrote their customer service online. I had an automated response in hours and a district manager emailed me 2 days later telling me to call his office so we can talk. I didn't bother...I'm not going to waste more time than I already did writing an email, just to tell someone to call me. I mainly wrote them to just let them know their crew were morons at my local autozone.