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Maintenance Suggestions On A Low Mileage 03

  • Thread starter Thread starter Awespeach
  • Start date Start date Mar 15, 2017
A

Awespeach

New Member
Mar 15, 2017
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Mar 15, 2017
#1
  • Mar 15, 2017
  • #1
Hello StangNet!

A long time lurker on this site, but I finally bought a Mustang!

03 GT with the 3650 5 speed

The car is now 14 years old! but only has 25k miles. I plan to do some performance mods as this car is bone stock minus the exhaust, but I wanna do it right which means maintenance first.
Anyway let me get right into it.

What should I do/ look for/ begin to replace for these parts that are 14 years old but have low miles. An example would be the spark plugs. I think they might be original (PO didn't know) and ford rates them at 100k miles but they might be 14 years old at this point. Do spark plugs...uh... expire? Should I flush the radiator?

Oil is good, and belts are good. Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance!
 
Last edited: Mar 15, 2017

IIGood

Founding Member
Aug 1, 1998
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Mar 15, 2017
#2
  • Mar 15, 2017
  • #2
Might not hurt to change, or at least check, all fluids...power steering, brake, coolant, etc. How about the hoses? Spark plugs could go bad but if there's no evidence of hesitation, you might be okay. A fresh set wouldn't hurt.

25K is pretty low for a 14 year old car. Check the suspension out as well. Chances are pretty good that it's sat more than it's been driven so unless some suspension mods are on your list, that stuff might need attention.
 
A

Awespeach

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Mar 15, 2017
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#3
  • Mar 15, 2017
  • #3
That's a good point. The car has H and R springs, but do struts go bad over time?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
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Mar 15, 2017
#4
  • Mar 15, 2017
  • #4
I'd probably just change fluids. Spark plugs are usually fine if they sit. They don't go bad unless from phsycial wear by firing.

25K suggest the car prob sat a lot...so I'd inspect anything rubber. Tires, belts, bushings, all door and window seals, etc. The tires also probably should be replaced if original. They may look great, but the rubber deteriorates over time.
 
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