16 Years in a Mercury Marauder ..

[TexasMotorhead]

We've had a lot of adventures, and no major failures - all routine maintenance. Gonna drive her 'till something goes "BANG!!!"...https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190207/970fd3c4c93b00c31e29d391bf1e31 6d.jpg

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[NXSBOB]

Congratulations! :party:

[88LTDCV351]

Wow! And no valve seat repair during that time?

[Invective]

Nice! Mods? Please tell us about the service issues you did have.

[Agent2006]

Moar info!

What oil, what other PM's...what mods if any....I want my 131K to get to that mileage. After being on death row, mine got sprung on a technicality. Now how to rack up those miles ?....and adventures....

[1Marauder]

FRICKEN AWESOME... AND GOOD FOR YOU! CONGRATS! Hope you hit 500,000!

[Gerry24]

Nice :bows:

[TexasMotorhead]

Wow! And no valve seat repair during that time?Nope. Engine, transmission have never been opened. Though I have taken care of fluid and filter changes religiously ..

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[TexasMotorhead]

Nice! Mods? Please tell us about the service issues you did have.It's all OEM. Even have a Motorcraft battery. Service issues have been few. Virtually all the rubber up front, control arms, shocks (KYBs were crap, good old Monroe's did the trick), oil filter housing leak, pinion seal leak. Rear wheel bearings and axles. I change oil filter every 5k miles, engine oil every 15k.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Agent2006]

what type of oil ?15K I assume full synthetic. I'm surprised, when I change my oil at 6K its pretty dark.

[TexasMotorhead]

Moar info!

What oil, what other PM's...what mods if any....I want my 131K to get to that mileage. After being on death row, mine got sprung on a technicality. Now how to rack up those miles ?....and adventures....I use O'Reiley full synthetic 5W-20, 'cause... if it meets the API spec, it meets the API spec. Stopped using Mobile 1 at 100k. I take very good care of the differential. I use any SAE 80-90, but I go to Ford for the additive. I've lost one set of axle bearings (and one axle ..), but I believe that was the result of a leaking pinion seal. Spend some quality time under the car, look for bad rubber up front and blown shocks. Oil leaks are rare and straightforward to fix. But guess what? The coolant hoses are hard to find...

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Invective]

It's all OEM. Even have a Motorcraft battery. Service issues have been few. Virtually all the rubber up front, control arms, shocks (KYBs were crap, good old Monroe's did the trick), oil filter housing leak, pinion seal leak. Rear wheel bearings and axles. I change oil filter every 5k miles, engine oil every 15k.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

A testament to the car's inherent quality and caring owner. Just replaced my OEM rear shocks with Monroe OESpectrum shocks. Nothing fancy.

[TexasMotorhead]

I use O'Reiley full synthetic 5W-20, 'cause... if it meets the API spec, it meets the API spec. Stopped using Mobile 1 at 100k. I take very good care of the differential. I use any SAE 80-90, but I go to Ford for the additive. I've lost one set of axle bearings (and one axle ..), but I believe that was the result of a leaking pinion seal. Spend some quality time under the car, look for bad rubber up front and blown shocks. Oil leaks are rare and straightforward to fix. But guess what? The coolant hoses are hard to find...

Sent from my Pixel using TapatalkAlso, forgot to mention I changed the tranny filter (need to drop the pan for that) at 200k miles. There are several magnets on the pan which had collected a lot of metal. I think those magnets are probably more important than the filter...

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[TexasMotorhead]

Since y'all are curious, I've attached my PM schedule which tells the story...48778

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Agent2006]

this proves you CAN keep these cars running pretty much as long as you want them to. Unlike some others, my old Subaru XT coupe had shock tower sag issues/body integrity problem that was terminal. THANKS for sharing the PM spreadsheet

[offroadkarter]

That is certainly impressive mileage, how has the outside held up?

[TexasMotorhead]

Very well. Original clearcoat in fine shape. Its been outdoors 16 years. I don't even hand wash. I just get a platinum level car wash monthly.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Invective]

Very well. Original clearcoat in fine shape. Its been outdoors 16 years. I don't even hand wash. I just get a platinum level car wash monthly.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk


Machine/rotary brush wash?

[Maverick pro]

That is awesome...I'm 30k behind you! Great to see other high mileage mauraders still going strong.

[TexasMotorhead]

Thanks Maverick!
Hey Invective - I do all my own wrench work, but not car wash. It's 16 years of rotary machines. I've been making sure to get the premium wash monthly so I get a fresh set of chemicals on the surface. They use a latex based paint sealer these days which has been incredibly effective. I keep it outside 100%; my wife's BMW gets the garage ...

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Invective]

Thanks Maverick!
Hey Invective - I do all my own wrench work, but not car wash. It's 16 years of rotary machines. I've been making sure to get the premium wash monthly so I get a fresh set of chemicals on the surface. They use a latex based paint sealer these days which has been incredibly effective. I keep it outside 100%; my wife's BMW gets the garage ...

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk


The 'premium wash' available to you must be very different than the unmitigated 'disasters' I used off and on for decades. Local example:


https://www.autobell.com/services-pricing.html


The 'Super Poly Process' wash is the 'premium machine wash' available locally. Leaves fine scratches and often nicks the paint - this has always been my experience from Florida to the Carolinas. Premium 'hand wash' with vacuum and wipe down is commonly available locally for $30 and typically $10 to $15 more for spray wax. No more machine washes for my vehicles.