is my engine on borrowed time?
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: El Dorado Co., CA.
is my engine on borrowed time?
'99 E150 XLT CLUBWAGON 5.4L
i got 93,000 miles on it. i have only used full synthetic oil since it's first oil change. (changed oil every 4-5,000 miles). changed the fuel filter a few thousand miles ago. Transmission flush at Jiffy Lube a few thousand miles ago. i don't tow anything and only haul the kids around. i have never done anything with the radiator. never changed the plugs. original serpintine belt. It runs as strong and smooth as the day i bought it. should i be prepared for anything to come? i was thinking of having a 100k mile tune up but, then again, if it's working, don't fix it. someone let me know if i'm slowly killing my motor or if i'm doing ok. thanks.
i got 93,000 miles on it. i have only used full synthetic oil since it's first oil change. (changed oil every 4-5,000 miles). changed the fuel filter a few thousand miles ago. Transmission flush at Jiffy Lube a few thousand miles ago. i don't tow anything and only haul the kids around. i have never done anything with the radiator. never changed the plugs. original serpintine belt. It runs as strong and smooth as the day i bought it. should i be prepared for anything to come? i was thinking of having a 100k mile tune up but, then again, if it's working, don't fix it. someone let me know if i'm slowly killing my motor or if i'm doing ok. thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: West Virginia
equium, If it was me, I would do the 100k tune up. It would be a good idea to change the belt, hoses, plugs and flush the cooling system. This would be a good insurance policy. After all you haul the kids around and you don't want to get stuck somewhere. As the old saying goes, take care of it and it will take care of you.
Fitter
Fitter
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Kokomo
I know it sounds funny, but I would wait untill it is missing or sputtering to do plugs and wires, some people have got over 170,000+ miles on the origanals, I would probally change the rear-end fluid and eventually change the radaitor fluid, no big deal.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Louisville,Ky.
I would change the plugs too. They may not misfire, but the widened gap from normal wear makes the coils work harder to try to jump that gap.
Gas mileage should also improve.
Change the air filter, PCV valve, belt, flush cooling system, replace the hoses and replace the fuel filter. Spend a little now, it can save you alot later!!
Gas mileage should also improve.
Change the air filter, PCV valve, belt, flush cooling system, replace the hoses and replace the fuel filter. Spend a little now, it can save you alot later!!
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: El Dorado Co., CA.
thanks for the input everyone. i spoke with 2 different "service advisors" at different ford dealers and got different answers. one basically said "if it works, don't fix it" and the other said "just do it". they want over 300 bucks just to change the plugs. i just spent 1000k bucks on new tires and brakes. guess i have to save up for a tune up. i was told by a local shop owner to flush my brake lines and to flush my tranny every 24000 miles. i miss the old days when you could just crawl into the engine well and do the work yourself. i probably could do the plugs but i'm out of practice and just don't have the time. thank again for the input.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
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From: Trussville, Alabama
Originally posted by equium
i just spent 1000k bucks on new tires and brakes. guess i have to save up for a tune up.
i just spent 1000k bucks on new tires and brakes. guess i have to save up for a tune up.
1000k bucks for tires? Why, that's $1,000,000 for tires and brakes!
I imagine you'll be saving for quite a while now.
On a serious note, I'd agree with Jimmy. Do the standard stuff and you won't be kicking yourself later. You know, stepping over dollars to pick up dimes.
Sounds like you have a nice automobile that has been pretty well cared for. My vote= keep it up and expect more years of good service!
Last edited by BrianA; Mar 15, 2004 at 04:29 PM.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: El Dorado Co., CA.
they were really, really nice tires. and the i had the brakes custom made to be like my BIGWHEEL when i was a kid. i pull on a lever outside the drivers door and it puts pressure on a friction pad right on the tires! 
maybe i'll be able to wrestle the tax refund check from my wife and get the motor tuned up.
maybe i'll be able to wrestle the tax refund check from my wife and get the motor tuned up.
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