Maintenance?....72k...

[shawn744]

Hey guys. Hope all is well, this occured to me a few months ago and again recently. In my manual it says things about changing my transmission and transaxle fluid and such. My car currently has 72k but back when it was around 62k, i went to my local mercury dealer and told the service rep that my marauder has never been serviced for any fluid changes in 62k (approx) miles and told him to change the things that look old based on the manual. Calls me the next day and says car is absolutely perfect. Only changed the oil (which it didn't need).....so my friend and i went down immediately and checked the car over. My tranny fluid was CLEAR. Yellowy/Orange....looked and smelled perfect. He said the car was checked over and everything looks good.

Now...is that possible? I also had my performance garage check it over during muffler installation and he said everything looks great too. Shouldn't anything be changed after 72k???? In fact, he said if i change the fluid its actually bad because all those metallic things in the fluid protect the transmission....what's going on?

Thanks for reading this long thread... :) Take care. -Shawn

[fastblackmerc]

If you do a search you'll find that most recommend a fluid change at 20-30K, or you can replace the stock pan with one that has a drain plug and drain it at every or every other oil change. You'll be replacing 2 or 3 quarts every time.

[RF Overlord]

he said if i change the fluid its actually bad because all those metallic things in the fluid protect the transmission....*Sigh*...anoth er one of those old wives tales that refuses to die. :shake:

You cannot tell anything about the condition of oil or ATF by just looking at it. After 72,000 miles, it may not be oxidised but most likely the additive package is depleted at the very least. By all means change the ATF and replace the filter.

While a complete fluid exchange would be best, dropping the pan and replacing the filter will allow you to assess the transmission's condition...look for an excessive amount of dark metallic "sludge" buildup on the magnet, and look for clutch material deposits in the bottom of the pan. A light gray "film" in the pan is normal, as is a small amount of sludge on the magnet, so don't panic. After cleaning everything up with CRC Brakleen, install a new filter, button up the pan, add 4 quarts of fresh Mercon V, and you should be good to go.

[GreekGod]

...the car is almost 4 years old with 72K, so it needs a coolant flush and renewal. Coolant additives "go away", just like oil additives. Rear axle oil "shears", I'd change it too.

[jgc61sr2002]

If you do a search you'll find that most recommend a fluid change at 20-30K, or you can replace the stock pan with one that has a drain plug and drain it at every or every other oil change. You'll be replacing 2 or 3 quarts every time.


I do that on all my vehicles with transmission drain plugs.:D

[Dennis Reinhart]

I would change all the fluids flush the trans and radiator inspect the rear end, check the belts inspect U&LBJ inspect the shocks and struts, and inspect the spark plugs. Just look the whole car over.

[shawn744]

Just look the whole car over.


Hey Dennis, yeah that's what the "professionals" at my mercury dealer did said it was just fine. So im going to ask for a trans oil change, transaxle oil change. Think that's good enough for now? I will do plugs and things around 100k.

[GreekGod]

Hey Dennis, yeah that's what the "professionals" at my mercury dealer did said it was just fine. So im going to ask for a trans oil change, transaxle oil change. Think that's good enough for now? I will do plugs and things around 100k.

You don't have a transaxle, they are in front wheel drive cars and are a combination of a transmission and axle (no driveshaft).

[wchain]

If you've never done any major service,

I'd service the transmission, coolant, put in a fresh fuel filter, air filter if needed, PCV valve, inspect brake fluid for boiling point (make sure theres not too much moisture in it) look over power steering fluid, inspect brakes, lubricate the parking brake cable and change the spark plugs (my personal opinion), lube all hinges, locks, latches, inspect all the drains and channels, remove mud and leaves from them, inspect all exterior lighting, and get on down the road.

Also, when you do a brake job, make very sure that the technician lubricates the caliper slide pins when reassembling.

At 100K you can service the rear diff.

[shawn744]

Thanks for all the help guys, i'll head on down there soon and get these things done. Yeah i changed my brakes, rotors and everything about two months ago....Take care. -Shawn