100,000 mile maintenence???

[Rost]

Okay Fellas,

My truck has 96K miles on it. At 100k I'd like to do some preventative maintenence to it. I asked the mech what I should do? Naturally he listed off about $800 of work.

Things he listed were...

1. Change ALL fluids- flush tranny, new anti freeze, front and back gear case, etc.. I think this would be good.

2. Change spark plugs- problem is,he said my 5.4 ltr (Ford)would cost upwards of $250 to do this (evidently changing plugs on a 5.4 is labor intensive).

3.Surpintine(sp) belt

4.Air Filter

5.Fuel filter

and a few other things I can't think of off hand

I'd agree that all of this work will no doubt help keep my truck running in tip top shape. But is there anything on this list I can hold off on? I am definately going to change the fluids and filters, but do I really need to change plugs if it is currently running fine?

Is there anything you'd do that I left off the list?

[Scott K]

rost,

All the stuff you mentioned is a good idea, I would look at the serp belt and only replace if its cracked, now days they just dont break. Another thing is dont buy their packages, a waiste of money on most cases, and none of this stuff is a has to be done now, break it up in a couple oil changes. As for the plugs, $250 isnt a bad deal, they are not the easiest to do! I didnt see a pcv valve. transfercase fluid if its 4x4. and that should be all you need, good luck!

[Jeremy airjer W]

If the fluids are dirty than change them. If you have never done any services than I would bet that they are.

Is the serp belt cracked? If it is and its original than I would replace it. Its had a good life.

Tune-ups are expensive. these have a coil over design and many of the coils are in a tight spot. If I remmember right the labor guide calls for around 3 hours and the plugs are double platnums which aren't cheap. Nobody really likes to do them so we all charge book time for these.

The alternatives are wait to do the trans flush until the trans goes out. Could be another 100,000 miles could be sooner. The trans flush is no gaurantee that it will last any longer. Wait to do the tune up until the truck doesn't start or until the #7 coil has to be replaced. Wait to do the coolant flush until you have to replace the t-stat, waterpump, or radiator.

These are all services that could have been done at anytime, 30k, 60k, 90k, or what ever you maintenance guide calls for or whenever you decide to do them. If you do the tune-up, serp belt, and filters one month, do the trans flush next oil change, do the coolant flush the next oil change, do the 4x4 package the next oil change and so on you can spread the cost out instead of forking out one lump some.

Most shops will have a 30k package which includes an oil change, rotate and balance, fuel-valve and intake cleaning, trans flush, coolant flush, brake flush, P/S flush, and align along with a bunch of inspection (brakes, suspension belts, hoses, etc.) for around $400-$500.

[ChuckN]

I have done almost of this to my '97 F150 5.4L in the past year, except the tune-up. That was done 4 years ago when I had a coil fail (100K miles). The plugs were changed at that time. Yes, the tune-ups on the 5.4L are spendy, but geez, $250 for a plug swap? I think I paid about $250 for a new coil ($100), plugs ($7-10 a piece?) and labor. It is labor intensive from what I understand. I have my receipt and can look back.

I change anti-freeze and tranny fluids about every 40-50,000 miles. If you haven't done this in 96K, I would highly recommend it!

Transfer case needs a fluid change too (tranny fluid).

If I recall, the (Ford Service Manual) maintanance schedule was 50K miles for tranny flush, coolant flush 40K miles and spark plugs 60K miles.

I would definitely change the tranny filter at 100K. You'll add more money to the bill there too.

Fuel filter I change every 20K or so.

Air filter....I have a K&N and just clean it every year or so. Depends on conditions.

Front/rear gear fluids need changing at 100K. Has to be synthetic, I did make this mistake once.

I've done all of these things myself, except the tune-up...I hired that job off.

[stmichael]

If I drain the torque converter, this may be a real stupid question but how do you fill the torque converter? does it fill itself upon adding fluid to the system?

[Jeremy airjer W]

Yup! you'll get an idea of how much you drained by whats in the drain pain. If you changed the filter also than add the 4 or 5 quarts to the trans. Start it, let it run for 5-10 seconds. shut it off. add the approximate fluid that you drained from the torque converter than start it again. Check the level and add as needed.

[Powerstroke]

The tranny, transfer case and both diffs can be done at home with very little know how. If you can unscrew a plug you can change out those fluids. Its up to you how much time you have and how much money you want to save. It they are charging $85 and hour and it takes 3 hours to do those fluids you'll be $255 ahead....paid for the plugs. I try to do what I can to save money when I can.

[fishing tech]

Do the plugs and boots for sure at that mileage. If you like cutting the snot out of your hands and arms do it yourself provided you have ALL the right tools. Drop the trany pan and do the t case yourself. Depending on the year you probably synthetic lube in the diffs. Unless you have been in water it should be ok. If you have a limited slip rear end odds are by know the fiction clutches are cooked anyways but you should still add the modifier if you change the fluid. You may have gold coolant which is also good for a 100k. I would not reccomend anything I would not do on my own vehicle. As far as flushing injectors, ps systems, brakes, and valve cleaning stuff. It is not for me. Hope this helps.

[vitalshot5]

If you do the transfer case at home make sure don't use just regular transmission fluid that everyone has stated.....Ford has had a service bulliten out for quite sometime that they have a special additive for the pickups and expeditions...don't skip it because it will cost you a new transfer case.

[fishing tech]

What would that be?