I'm kind of curious of what you all think of the idea of replacing specific parts on a Ford van "just because of age and miles". My initial thoughts are it's not usually something folks would recommend, but let me know what you think.

I've got a 1995 E150, 5.0 Liter, with 162,000. My wife drives it mostly with all the kids and I want to keep the vehicle as reliable as possible. I change the oil and do, or have done, all the other regular maintenance. Tires are good, brakes are good, ball joints are good, etc. I've replaced radiator, multiple brake parts, and fuel pump since I've owned it (bought 6 1/2 years ago at 87,000). To my knowledge though, alternator and starter have never been replaced, and from my experiencw with cars, I suspect they are the next things to go. For relability sake, has anyone ever just changed them out to avoid a road side brake down, or is it unwise to replace them as it is really impossible to predict how long they may actually last? Are there any telltale signs on these vans when these components start to go? I felt kind of odd replacing my 8 year old battery several years back, just because it was old and not worn out, but at least that was only about $70.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Jim E.

 

I'm always a little reluctant to replace stuff when it isn't broken, but I understand your dillemma. Our van is normally used for long trips and I'm always thinking, "will this be the time that it doesn't start?"

Keep in mind that when your van was designed, I'm pretty sure that Ford's engineering motto was to design for 10 years / 100,000 mile durability. I'm very certain that they've upped the durability requirements since then. But keep in mind that at 162,000 you are probably on borrowed time with most of the major components. However, since you bought it used, there is probably a good possibility that some of the components were replaced already.

If you are still worried, I would shoot for the starter. Even if the alternator is bad, you can still usually "limp home" before the battery is discharged. But if you can't start it, you're out of luck.

 

ok, make sure you and your wife keep an eye on the gauge. if the alt goes you'll get a couple of miles on your battery. if it's dark you may want to just run the "park" lights.
if she dies near home you can bring another car with the same battery and swap them.
jump the dead one and your on your way. i made a long run one night with a freinds fresh battery, 40 min. at least, and got it home.

keep a hammer on board for the starter and show the wife and kids were to whack it if it dies(does the trick most of the time). if you have running boards this might not be easy.

a good code reader can find lots of stuff to replace and might catch an alt. that is going bad. testing the battery might also help, if you notice a low charge.

if your gonna replace a working part(due to age) use motorcraft or napa. i don't trust much else out of the box. good luck

 

I usually have extra parts in my van. I also have a generator and a battery charger, and a lot of tools. I sometimes work an hour and a half to two hours away. So I want to make sure I am coming back. But probably tools won't do your wife any good, so I would replace what looks old.

 

I'd say you may also be on borrowed time with the water pump as well. If it's still original to the engine, then 162k has been a good life for the bearings. I'd consider replacing it at the next coolant and serpentine belt change. At that time, it's not a huge project (as far as any van-service item goes) and not an expnsive part, but would be major PITA if it goes unexpectedly.

 

I don't mean to steal this thread but it seems a good place to pose this question:

I've got a pretty cherry looking 1995 E350 CW bought new with 460, 4:10 and E4OD. 111,000 miles. Always garaged.

I've gotten a 32' TT and combined weight is 18,000lbs. Have towed it about 10,000 miles and prior towing with the van was minimal and with far lighter trailers. Tranny fluid always changed at 30,000 intervals. I'm wondering about possibly getting an overhauled E4OD from one of the several shops that build them beefier. I'm a little worried that I'll loose it on the road somewhere and have a lot more inconvenience and cost. Do the beefier trannys fail very often?

I'm about to put a little more money into fixing some other items I've deferred (ABS computer, Timbrens, Bilstiens, maybe Thorley headers and a bunch of little things) and once I get it up to snuff I'll try for another 50-60,000 miles which for me is 5-8 years because I drive it little when not towing now.

So does the preemptive tranny swap make sense? I kind of hate to end up with investing $5-6,000 in a vehicle that I couldn't sell for that but I can't afford a new van at this time either.

 

Thanks all for the input everyone. I'm going to do some real hard thinking about changing out the alternator and starter since I'm pretty sure they are original. I need to check my records on the water pump as I may have had that done when the radiator was replaced several years ago, as well as the two main hoses into and out of the radiator. I may still upgrade vans within a year or two anyway, so I don't want to go too crazy if we choose that course of action.

As for the question on the tranny swap, that seems like kind of an expensive proposition if nothing seems to be wrong. 18,000 lbs seems like a lot. I didn't realize the Ford Series vans could tow much more than 10,000 (surely the van doesn't weigh 8000, or does it)? I replaced my ABS computer/module about 2 or 3 years ago. Ouch! It was close to $500 I think. They told me I could still drive the van with manual brakes, but I just didn't like the idea of not having ABS functioning if the van has them. It is hard enough going back and forth between a car with and without ABS (and trying to remember whether to pump the brakes or apply even pressure), let alone having to remember if ABS is working or not at any given time on the van.

Jim E.

 

Jim, I think what you are asking is what parts break/wear out often or un-expectedly? We've owned three Ford vans and one Dodge over the years. I can't believe it but it is over 500,000 miles for all of them combined! This is what I've experienced; Ford factory radiators werent that great and I 've replaced every one of them. The tubing that runs to the rear heater corrodes badly and you might lose all your coolant. (once) The ignition wires/plugs/cap/rotor are subject to intense heat and are prone to mis-fire and driveability issues (replace with Motorcraft, imho). Ball joints are prone to wear with high miles, replace with greasable joints when needed. Tires need to be rotated to even out wear (every other oil change). Alternators and starters are extremely reliable now, give your alternator a spin when you change the serpentine belt and listen for grinding/rough bearings, otherwise I would not replace them. All of the vans timing chains are prone to wear/stretch, that can be checked by removing the distributor cap and watching the rotor while turning the crankshaft back and forth to see how much slack is in the chain. (the Dodges' was worn so much once, I thought the van was posessed!!!) I havent had any transmission problems, knock on wood! Replace the fluid and also change the differential lube at the same time ( lots of opinions on the miles/time frame on this one) I also wouldn't pre-emptively change the transmission to avoid a problem , but have the fluid changed and inspected of course. I'll probably think of a few more things, but overall these vans are extremely reliable. Good luck! John

 

I've had good luck with AAA. My insurance company gives me a lower rate if you have it. So it's really free. They have an extended plan that will tow you up to 100 miles. It costs a few bucks more, but I'd say it's worth it for the peace of mind.
Tow it too your favorite shop, or home if you prefer. The only time my truck or car gave out, was when it was almost new. Ford paid for the tow, but it took them a day to get around to it.

 

Hey Jim and all.

I'm just feeding you the following so you know how much I'm working the van. It's pretty amazing how great this rig works at such heavy weights.

My towing weights hooked up:

van 8360 (GVWR 8700)
Trailer axels 9700 ( max 10,400 per mfg.)

Combined 18,060 (GCWR 18,500)

Van unhooked is 7140 so the tongue weight is 1220. With weight distribution bars the van sits level. Although I've not weighed each axle hooked up ( I should) I'm pretty sure they're within the GAWR (4050 frt, 5360 rear)

I'm not going to do the tranny but this thread has provided me with a few items to do that I wouldn't have otherwise. Thanks guys.

 

Great post! If you think of anything else you've done, let us know.