Preventative maintainence, and maybe a little deeper

[ReefBlueCoupe]

My 03 MM is just about to turn 160k miles. I bought it with 130k and it has ran great the whole time. I stay on top of all normal maintainence items, but in addition to that I'm going to be replacing some other items that I think area a good idea, because they are single points of failure that could leave you stranded. I've been going on a lot of road trips with it lately and the relatively high mileage is always in the back of my mind, but not something I'm necessarially worried about. A local guy had an 03 MM that was going strong at 300k miles before it was totaled in an accident a month ago. I hope mine runs that long, because I plan on keeping it for a while!

Recently done: Motorcraft OEM thermostat and gasket along with coolant change, Motorcraft trans fluid and filter. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I could reuse the pan gasket. OEM fuel filter, new air filter. Plugs were done at 90k with OEM's so I'm good for a little while longer before they need replacing. The pinion seal is leaking, so this week I bought 3 quarts of M1 75w140 and an OEM pinion seal. I'm going to go ahead and pop the cover as well, just so I can complete the full service of the diff without any remaining fluid. Just got through replacing the one in my 90 F-150 and it's doing fine, so I'm confident in doing it on the car I drive the most now.

Things that aren't bad yet, but that I'm replacing:
-Water pump - Ordered a new OEM Motorcraft pump which should be here this week.
-Alternator - My factory alternator is still charging fine, but at 2am on the interstate isn't when I want this to fail. OEM will be bought.
-Fuel pump - Same deal as the alternator. I don't really plan on modding the car as I have a 93 Mustang for going fast, so a stock OEM pump will go in its place
-Battery - The stock Motorcraft battery has a 2002 date on it and is a bit slow in the winter, so within the next month or two I'll be replacing it with another Motorcraft battery.
-Starter - Debating whether or not to replace it just yet. There are quite a few miles on the car, but the first 90k were mostly highway. If I replace it, it will be the last of the major items
-Crank and cam position sensors - Just going to one OEM of each and keep them with the spares

That's the short list. I can keep enough tools and the good original parts in the car so that if I'm out of town and something fails, I'll have the means to replace it.

As you can see I like to use factory parts whenever possible. They just last longer and are a lot better quality than most parts store parts.

Does anyone else have commonly replaced part/sensor suggestions that will help ease my breakdown paranoia? :D

[4play]

If its not broke don't fix it, I've heard of people on here that have 1/4 the mileage that you have, btw the same as you that have alt more problems then we have, becides keeping the fluids fresh, keep a good belt on, you could go and change all your sensors but new sensors fail too. The one thing I was thinking about at that high mileage is the timing chain tentioners. That looks like a big job tho.

[ReefBlueCoupe]

If its not broke don't fix itI've never lived by those words. Probably the reason my vehicles all run like tops, or at least, as close to a top as a Ford can :D

As much as this is about preventative maintainence, it's also about redundancy. Having the spare part there if you need it. Obviously there are limits. I'm not going to carry around brake calipers in case one locks up, but simple high mileage items that usually fail suddenly, in my opinion, are a good idea to replace if you have the means and are away from home a lot. It can be the difference between a ruined trip/money spent and a good time.

[Vostok]

300k holy ****. lol

[ReefBlueCoupe]

300k holy ****. lol

I know man. Traveling salesman. Father of one of my friends. Called me asking if I wanted to sell mine after his was wrecked. If mine goes to 300k I'll **** bricks.

[TAKEDOWN]

Timing chain guides/tensioners, I don't know just a thought.

[Mike]

Better to be proactive rather than reactive :D

[ReefBlueCoupe]

Timing chain guides/tensioners, I don't know just a thought.

I've considered this.. Pobably something I'll tackle this fall.


Better to be proactive rather than reactive :D

For sure! :D

[djv5150]

You should set a milage number and start putting parts away now to do the timeing chain tentioners and the guides here is a pic of a new guide and 1 from a MM I bought with 90k on the clock look at how the chain rubbed thru the plastic, also do the oil pump, if you feel you can handle it do the rod and crank bearings.
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4449/1004717.jpg (http://img13.imageshack.us/i/1004717.jpg/)

[Marauderjack]

300k holy ****. lol

I'm approaching 216K miles on mine and the last 131K supercharged so they will make the trip!!:beer::bows:

Have redone my trans and rear end but the engine is still original!!:D

Going for 300K or until it breaks!!!:eek:

[ReefBlueCoupe]

You should set a milage number and start putting parts away now to do the timeing chain tentioners and the guides here is a pic of a new guide and 1 from a MM I bought with 90k on the clock look at how the chain rubbed thru the plastic, also do the oil pump, if you feel you can handle it do the rod and crank bearings.
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4449/1004717.jpg

Good comparison pic. I'll probably stay from the rod and main bearings. If they need replacing at some point in the future I'll probably just look for a replacement engine.


I'm approaching 216K miles on mine and the last 131K supercharged so they will make the trip!!:beer::bows:

Have redone my trans and rear end but the engine is still original!!:D

Going for 300K or until it breaks!!!:eek:

Ha, that's awesome. What are some items you've had to replace due to high-mileage wear?

[Marauderjack]

What are some items you've had to replace due to high-mileage wear?

Alternator before it quit at 150K.......water pump to but it was still OK......rebuilt trans (it quit)......all bearings in the rear end but gears and LSD are still OK!!!:beer:

OEM brakes went 171K miles which blew me away......still have original shocks, not leaking and they appear to be working fine!!:bows:

Replaced front O2 sensors Saturday and that's about it.....GREAT CAR!!!!:beer::bows::D

Oh yeah.....THREE WINDSHIELDS!!!:shake:

[ReefBlueCoupe]

Good stuff Jack!

Replaced the water pump and pinion seal tonight. Rear end got Mobil 1 75w140. Quite a pity that I had to drain the rear end.. the previous owner had serviced the rear with Royal Purple just before I got the car 30k miles ago and it came out so clean you could see through it. Smells a lot better than dino lube too :D

It's good that I replaced the water pump when I did. The shaft had about 1/8" of play in it so it was just a matter of time before that slop increased and the pump failed. Gotta burp the cooling system tomorrow and then it's on to the next thing: LCM relay replacement. Relay should be here Monday. I plan on making a thread with pics and a write-up.

[JimmyXR7]

My 03 MM is just about to turn 160k miles. I bought it with 130k and it has ran great the whole time. I stay on top of all normal maintainence items, but in addition to that I'm going to be replacing some other items that I think area a good idea, because they are single points of failure that could leave you stranded. I've been going on a lot of road trips with it lately and the relatively high mileage is always in the back of my mind, but not something I'm necessarially worried about. A local guy had an 03 MM that was going strong at 300k miles before it was totaled in an accident a month ago. I hope mine runs that long, because I plan on keeping it for a while! . . .That's the short list. I can keep enough tools and the good original parts in the car so that if I'm out of town and something fails, . .
Does anyone else have commonly replaced part/sensor suggestions that will help ease my breakdown paranoia? </p>
Besides the thermostat sticking and trans, diff, and engine oils maintenance; the problems I have had with my Marauder has been electronic controls. </p>1) I have replaced the BCM. The BCM circuit card controls the defroster fan speed - mine did not blow air. 2) EATC - electronic air temp control that controls the direction the fan blows the air. Air conditioned windshield doesnot help my overheating. 3) LCM circuit card controls the HEADLIGHTS, which you need on long trips and early morning drives to work. All three occured between 60,000 and 68,000 miles at 7 years of age.
I also believe in preventative maintainence and pro-active replacements as my dad drove his truck with bald tires that I changed on the side of the road a few times. But He grew up during the great depression times and he still has money in his pocket! Jim
I do not drive it until it breaks, I like wear indicators and mechanical stuff that complains before it breaks.

[ReefBlueCoupe]

Good info.

My LCM has been showing signs of failure over the last week, so I ordered the relays as found on this site and on the Crown Vic site. They should be here Monday. I ordered three in case: One is bad, another relay dies, or I F it up somehow.

The EATC was replaced by the previous owner thankfully. That's one thing I don't have to worry about for a while (I hope) although my blend door had given me trouble in the past. I'm going to replace the actuator pretty soon.

I did not know about the BCM, but I just did a search and it looks like it's a cheap part that's relatively easy to replace. I'll put it on the short list.

[Big Black Beast]

It's generally a good idea to replace the timing chain whenevery you replace the water pump since you're 75% there anyway. Sounds like you've pretty much got it under control there. Trans fluid change and O2 sensors is about all I can think of left to to.

[ReefBlueCoupe]

It's generally a good idea to replace the timing chain whenevery you replace the water pump since you're 75% there anyway. Sounds like you've pretty much got it under control there. Trans fluid change and O2 sensors is about all I can think of left to to.

Did you mean to say timing chain? The water pump was literally a 10 minute job (not counting draining/refiling coolant). The timing chain is much, much more involved than that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAQwkISqdGw

I took care of the transmission last summer, or about 12k miles ago. Motorcraft fluid and filter. I'll change it again in another 18k miles. O2 sensors are one thing that I'll replace when they go bad instead of before.. they're easy to do anywhere, and available anywhere.

Took care of the LCM relay last night. Not a bad job, but uncomfortable and kind of sucky when you are using a BS cheap desolder iron from Radio Shack. I'm buying something good next time.

Replaced the door speakers tonight with some Boston Acoustic S85's. Entry level speakers, but a bit better than factory. I think they'll sound a lot better with an aftermarket stereo. I have a couple of Alpine 10s and an MTX 500w amp that I'm going to install next week.

I bought a blend door actuator today.. I've been lucky so far with my failed one that it's stayed on cool and not bounced back to hot or something stupid.. I'm going to replace that soon.

[BAD MERC]

I have always believed in preventative maintenance to make cars last forever. I had a 1989 Ford Probe LX with 305K that I sold to my cousin in 1998, she drove it three more years and only had to replace the alternator - which was under warranty. I sold my 1995 SHO Taurus with 283K on it almost 5 years ago, he still drives it to this day. Both vehicles had NO wear on the seat bolsters, everything worked and nothing leaked.

[mrjones]

Was your friend that wrecked the car the DTR one with 328K? Somebody posted that here on Copart the other day.