Just Joined Your Club
G'Day,
I've just joined the 100,000 Mile Club but only 300,000+ miles ago. Yep, that thing is still going at 410,000 and climbing. 300+ thousand was put on the vehicle during the last three years. I am guilty of not maintaining the vehicle properly.
List of repairs to date:
- auto-xmission rebuild at 80k for $1,600 at Aamco;
xmission fluid wasn't changed at proper intervals
- plug,wires,pvc,air filter changed every 50+k
- oil changed at every 4k - yep, should be 2.5k or 3k
- more tyre changes than one can imagine
- intake manifold gasket at 100K
- coolant flush ever 100k
- positive battery cable replaced at 200k
- fixed silly vacuum leaks
- more cleanings than one can imagine
- hundreds of light-bulb changes
- replaced altenator because the devil made me do it
- hundreds of fillups - No Fuel Left for the Pilgrims
Things I couldn't change:
Stranded - stranded twice; ran out of fuel. Need to learn to keep an eye on the fuel gauge.
Driver's seat - looks like a vicious werewolf fight happened on every full moon...seat covers added.
Rear windows - cable broken in both rear window assemblies preventing window operation...too lazy to bore out the revits to fix.
Ashtrays - Smoker friends "lifted" astrays from rear door and fitted them into their own explorers.
Cruise Control - that pesky Cruise Control "on" button is missing - I use a blunt plastic pin now. Possibly ripped off, too. Can't find a replacement "on" button but found replacement friends.
Leaking Power Stering Pump - needs fluid every 20 or 30K - kind-of annoying.
Shocks - original ones still there but practically useless off road and a boat ride on the freeway...waaaaay cewl to most, a sea-sick stomach churn to others.
AC needs refilling possibly changed to new standard. Was using 4 by 40...All 4 windows down at 40 mph.
Should replace fuel sys parts: Fuel Regulator, Filter, O2 Sensor, etc. but didn't.
Removal of favorite Beatles CD stuck in aftermarket CD player...I know the tunes by heart.
Oh, a layoff has prevented me from setting this XLT free to the great junkyard in the sky but I'll definitely be buying another or at least another product from Ford. We need something that can tow the whole neighborhood since I've towed other cars and helped more people relocate than Starvin-Students Movers.
I think that the mileage was due to the fact that we never race the engine no more than necessary. Everything was treated gently (except driver's seat). If it died right now, I wouldn't be upset at all. Just want another Ford but can't justify the cost of a new truck right now but will still keep the old. Ford should give people with "X" amount of mileage a price break on a new one for promoting their product. Wife and I realise that if it's still pushing; it should be driven; if we push it; recycle it. After all the abuse; the XLT still runs better than our last car, a FIAT (Fix It Again Tony) which sadly never broke the 100K barrier.
Happy Fording!
ueXcape.com