Going to buy a Marauder tomorrow

[Davco]

Hey guys,

I will be going to pick up a bone stock 2003 marauder tomorrow. It's got 107k miles on it and is a three owner car (last two owners are family). I've asked all the right questions and gotten all the right answers but I'm unfamiliar with the peculiar things to look for on these cars. I do know to listen for ticks and timing chain rattling on cold starts. Give me some guidance. Anything specific I need to be looking for....this will be a 3 hour drive so I will either buy it or ditch it.

[slickster]

Front tires wear on the inside. Rear tires wear in the middle. Check all windows. Check if the air blows normaly to def vents floor. Check radio. Take off strong check for tranny slip. Check rear diff for leaking fluid/ humming noise. I would do a compression check leak down check. Check headlights. See if it has the recommend motor craft fl820s oil filter. If it's black look at it in the sun if it has a kinda brown hue to it it was painted poorly. Check roof for rust spots.

[slickster]

Royalpita can give you a free oasis report but that's only maintenance report

[akr619]

how much is he asking for?

[BOSS GT]

I have one I am going to be selling in ATL, GA. Fresh engine and new transmission with warranty. 678-362-5685

[martyo]

I have one I am going to be selling in ATL, GA. Fresh engine and new transmission with warranty. 678-362-5685

Peter let me help you before you get ambushed.

Go to the For Sale section and post there. Includes pictures, a description, and a price. That's what's required around here.

You're welcome! :D

[Gryphonzus]

When checking the EATC module to see if it works you need to be driving it. When you have the AC on when you accelerate does the air go from vents to defrost. If so then the orings in the EATC module need replaced. You can try and do it yourself or there are several people on this site that can do it. You also may want to check that both seat controls work in all directions. Good luck with it.

[fastblackmerc]

Common MM problems:


Air only blows out defrost vents
No air blowing at all
No low beam headlights or they flash on and off
No compass
Lights out in the windows switches
No FM radio
Front tire wear
Power pedals don't work
Oil leak at the oil filter adapter
Clicking noise at the rear wheels (parking brake)
Wear hole in drivers seat
Flaps loose under front of both front seats
2003 MM's may need the rear axles replaced (might have already been done)
Receiver / dryer leaking


If I think of any more I'll add to the list.

[martyo]

Common MM problems:


Air only blows out defrost vents
No air blowing at all
No low beam headlights or they flash on and off
No compass
Lights out in the windows switches
No FM radio
Front tire wear
Power pedals don't work
Oil leak at the oil filter adapter
Clicking noise at the rear wheels (parking brake)
Wear hole in drivers seat
Flaps loose under front of both front seats
2003 MM's may need the rear axles replaced (might have already been done)
Receiver / dryer leaking


If I think of any more I'll add to the list.

Add to your list:

- not knowing which spark plug is best
- not knowing which oil filter is best
- not knowing which oil to use

:D

[Davco]

Thanks for the advice guys. I did know about the headlights (LCM) issue so I was going to looking for that. I've also read up on the air ride suspension and the HVAC.
I don't expect the car to be perfect but I do want it to be solid. The seller has agreed to sell for $7k.

Boss GT-- I have been watching ATL for weeks and waiting for something good. Now you show up after I commit to someone :mad2: I'll probably send you a text for details but I can't move on it unless I find some thing broken (that I was not informed about) on this one I'm going to get today.

[fastblackmerc]

Add to your list:

- not knowing which spark plug is best
- not knowing which oil filter is best
- not knowing which oil to use

:D

You forgot:

"should I install 4.10gears?"
"Will 4.10's affect my gas mileage and create more engine wear?"
"should I get a tune?"
"who's tune is the best to get"
"will these tires fit?"
"will these wheels fit?"

[martyo]

You forgot:

"should I install 4.10gears?"
"Will 4.10's affect my gas mileage and create more engine wear?"
"should I get a tune?"
"who's tune is the best to get"
"will these tires fit?"
"will these wheels fit?"

Well made points sir!

[RubberCtyRauder]

can I put a 5.8 GT500 motor in I can get for cheeeeep?
will crown vic parts fit?
Can I run 87 octane if I don't run it hard?
what size tires work best?
but I have a p71

[Davco]

"will these wheels fit?"



I was hoping for 24s....will it work?



I kid. I've been a part of a few mustang forums (88gt and 99 cobra) and Silverado forums (97 that lost its life to provide funds for a marauder). It amazes me how the same "regular" questions are in every forum.

[WhatsUpDOHC]

Make sure that, when warmed up, the temp gauge points to 20 mph on the speedo.

[RubberCtyRauder]

so you know the oil pressure gauge is not real..no sending unit. it does not fluctuate like real oil pressure does. and the volt meter is not 100% accurate. There are autometer replacements for both if desire to change

[Davco]

so you know the oil pressure gauge is not real..no sending unit. it does not fluctuate like real oil pressure does. and the volt meter is not 100% accurate. There are autometer replacements for both if desire to change

Are stock gauges ever 100%? I didn't know the oil pressure gauge has no sending unit. I assumed it would be electrical...so where does it get its information?

[RubberCtyRauder]

it basically says yes you have oil pressure sort of like a dash light would come on if the pressure was off. it reads, if memory serves me right, around 58?.On my car with a real oil pressure gauge it reads 90 at cold, fresh start and idle then when warm will drop to 25 at idle and in the 50 or so range when accelerating.

[Davco]

Gotcha. I just read a thread where someone added an electrical gauge....seems easy enough.

This message board has a ton of info.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Oh yes, There are part numbers etc. spare parts avail thru here, some are hoarded. The search function here is not so great, better off using google searching mercurymarauder..net oil pressure gauge for example. AS long as you are not asking about which oil to use or if 4.10 gear ratio effects mileage then most questions are tolerated..lol we were all new once..if you cant find it thru google search then ask away.

[ledahettice]

See if it has the cooling mod done to it.Seems like a mandatory thing if you want your engine to last.

[martyo]

Are stock gauges ever 100%? I didn't know the oil pressure gauge has no sending unit. I assumed it would be electrical...so where does it get its information?

It is a "switch" rather than an electrical sender. If there is more than something like 6 pounds the display jumps to normal (say 65 pounds).

With a real, working guage a sender is plugged in and it is proportionate so that a working guage will display at actual pressure.

[Davco]

Well, I'm a new owner of a Marauder. It checked out pretty good...not perfect but I wasn't paying for perfect. The seller showed up and the back window was down and wouldn't go up and the passenger front won't go down. Small issues...not deal breakers.
I drove it home 3-4 hours and it runs smooth. I do notice "stumbling" or maybe the transmission "searching" when trying to climb hills. I will be doing a tune up on her.
The temps stayed good the whole time I was with the seller 30-45 minutes. I did notice it rising to about 30 mph (across on the speedo) when I would be in town (not interstate). The hottest it got was around 40 mph. It basically mirrored the gas gauge at 3/4 of a tank. Seems a little too warm. I'll be having the system drained and change the thermostat (I'll have a real conversation with the mechanic to make sure he knows to "burp" it). I would do it but I'm still recovering from the accident.

The only other issue is the headlight lens are yellow. I can't tell if it's inside or outside. We'll see if it will wet sand out.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Headlights are yellow on outside, headlight lens sanding/polishing do work. Oem headlights are long gone but there are aftermarket with mixed results. The trans seems OD very fast in terms of mpg based on factory tuning. A regular tune up does not really address that. The best bang for your buck is a PCM tune by a active member here martyo. He is in the vendor section under Mos Speed Shop. You purchase a sct unit with a tune loaded onto it and plug it in the obdII port and swap the factory tune with the new one. The sct device stores the factory tune if ever needed to switch back and forth . The tune adds maybe 20 hp but greatly changes the shift schedule. It really wakes it up guaranteed . If you need new COPS then contact tommy from Sparta performance here in vendor section. Oem cops for a good price. Congrats and welcome

[RubberCtyRauder]

Also the thermostat fir these cars are pretty specific. Not all will work even if it says it fits. Burp process is a must

[03Merc]

As soon as I bought mine with 78k I changed the oil using Motorcraft 5W-20 oil & Filter. Purchased a JLT Intake and replaced the Mufflers with MagnaFlows and ordered a Martyo Tuner. She has been very good to Me since! I'm at 88k now. SparkPlugs are next along with a coolant flush by My local Ford Dealer.


2004 MM Build #1618 & DTR #537

[03Merc]

Had the trans serviced at Ford at 82k.


2004 MM Build #1618 & DTR #537

[J-MAN]

Don't hesitate to ask any questions about oil or filters and 4:10 gears. All questions are welcome...........come into the light! There are only a very few that wait like a snake in the grass to pounce on those that ask these questions. :D














So, any questions? :drool:

[martyo]

Don't hesitate to ask any questions about oil or filters and 4:10 gears. All questions are welcome...........come into the light! There are only a very few that wait like a snake in the grass to pounce on those that ask these questions. :D













So, any questions? :drool:

Post of the day.

[chief455]

Don't hesitate to ask any questions about oil or filters and 4:10 gears. All questions are welcome...........come into the light! There are only a very few that wait like a snake in the grass to pounce on those that ask these questions. :D


So, any questions? :drool:

ya, you mentioned 4.10 gears. is this wise because gas mileage must get way worser, unless maybe you use full herotic/synthetic blend fossil oils from Amazon. :confused:

[fastblackmerc]

ya, you mentioned 4.10 gears. is this wise because gas mileage must get way worser, unless maybe you use full herotic/synthetic blend fossil oils from Amazon. :confused:

What the heck is "herotic" ???

[MyBlackBeasts]

What the heck is "herotic" ???

Urban Dictionary: Herotic


Herotic. Referring to a situation or a person that is both heroic and erotic

[O's Fan Rich]

Ummmmm... awesome thread.

[jay87lx]

AS long as you are not asking about if 4.10 gear ratio effects mileage then most questions are tolerated..lol we were all new once..


I feel like a dick-hahahaha. I asked the exact question:rolleyes::rolleyes::r olleyes::rolleyes:
My sincerest apologizes, I have been on forums for years and should have known better, I am just thirsty for knowledge right now
lol