I've got a 2005 Expy that I bought used, 30k miles, mint. Guy took it to the dealer for all scheduled maintenance. Took it today to a local mechanic who came highly recommended from several sources for an oil change. He commented that the drain plug was difficult to remove and replace, and says I may need a new oil pan ($400!). He jacked up the car and showed me the problem. The threads are not stripped, but it looks like the hole where the drain plug goes in is very slightly obstructed by an outer piece of the oil pan. In other words, it looks like a manufacturing problem. Do you think I can/should take this to the original dealer and ask if they can fix this problem since they should have noticed this when the car was under warranty from the prior owner? Maybe I should just take my car to that dealer for oil changes from now on so that he will have to deal with this slightly askew drain plug hole, and if he has difficulty removing/replacing the plug and damages something, he could be on the hook to fix. Has anyone seen this problem before? The vehicle had not been nor does it now leak oil.

Second question, treads are low on the tires. I'm probably good for less than 5k before getting them changed. Any recommendations? Will be doing mostly freeway driving. 2WD. I've heard that Bridgestones are the way to go. Price I was quoted at Wheel works for their second from the top luxury tire was $1k for all 4. Am I wasting money or is this about right? Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

I think you will have a hard time convicing anyone that the oil nut is a manufacturing problem 6 years later. Not so sure what you are describing, but the oil drain plug is at the botom of the pan and there are no flanges or anything else near it. Sounds to me like someone stripped the threads. That can be heli coiled for about $40.

I'd disagree on the tires and say Michelin is the way to go. There are plenty of threads here on tires to review. $1k is high for Bridgestones.

 

Michelin X radial LT2

 

I'll check out the tires. someone mentioned that Yokohamas are really good, and especially for the price. Bridgestone H/L Dueler Alenza are the ones around $1k and for a smooth freeway ride.

As for the oil pan, I saw it myself. the problem isn't with the plug but with the pan. There is a small overlap with a silver portion of o-shaped plate that is over the hole that the drain plug fits into. because of the overlap, it is hard to remove and replace the plug. Normally you would loosen with a tool, and could remove by hand. Because of the overlap causing friction, the mechanic had to use the tool the whole time. Seems like a manufacturing problem that Ford should have pointed out when they did the oil changes at the dealer while under warranty. Guess they didn't want to change it out if it wasn't leaking oil.

 

We are running Good Year Forteras on our '02 Expy and they are great in all kinds of weather, we have been getting great mileage out of them so far we have had them for about 2 years so i don't remember wat they cost but 1k seems about right with the price of raw materials going up.

 

I have Kelly Safri's...great on wet roads...special tread design to channel water and snow..got 4 brand new, mounted and balanced for $580.00

 

What he said! If you have the money to spend Michelin is the best tire on the market by far for both fuel mileage and wear. I have seen some Michelin's go for 110,000 miles and didn't believe it until I saw the original receipt and mileage.

Yes Yokohama's are a great tire for the price but won't last anywhere near as long as a Michelin. I have the Yokohama Parada 275/55/20's on my expedition and they're almost ready to be replaced. I might have gotten about 35k out of them so far. This is on a 2 wheel drive & I use it for city/highway and some light towing.

 

I currently have all Michelins on the Expy, two Chev Trailblazers, and a Honda Accord. They routinely last 5-6 years. I end up swapping them out due to age (6 years) well before the tread wears out. I do keep them properly inflated and rotated though.

 

I just replaced the Michelin LT tires on my 1994 F150 that had 100,000 miles on them with Michelin LT2.