Maintenance, and stuff...

[Todd82TA]

So, I've only been on here a short while. I had an 06 Pontiac Solstice that I was still paying off, and with the birth of my daughter, I wanted to get something cool, but utilitarian... so I bought an 02 Sport 4x2. I've been really pleased with it so far. The best part of course is that it's paid for. I ended up paying $6,900 for an 02, loaded, with 35k miles on it.

When I bought it, the only thing that had been done on the truck was transmission fluid change, and oil change. Everything else was original (although it looked immaculate). The Explorer had been garaged it's entire life in Tampa.

So, since I had a few days off, I decided to do some maintenance. It's AMAZING to me how much stuff needs to be done with the car only having 40k miles on it (as of right now).

I had changed the oil early on, so no big deal... but I changed the belt, the coolant, air filter, and the power steering fluid (or 95% of it).

What I couldn't believe was how dirty the coolant was? The coolant came out almost brown... although there was still a hint of green in it. It was definitely totally cloudy... I couldn't see through it at all. I'm guessing that with 35k miles on it, and being 8 years old... it probably spent a lot of time sitting. I ended up going with 3/4 anti-freeze, a bottle of Redline Water Wetter, and distilled water for the rest.


I'd still like to flush the braking system, replace the fuel filter, and anything else you guys think I should do?

So my questions are:

1 - What's the easiest way to flush the braking system? I assume maybe replace all the fluid in the reservoir, then I guess I have to bleed each caliper seperately?

2 - For the fuel filter... I haven't looked at it yet, but it appears to be one of the newer style ones which has a "quick connect" style fitting. Is there a tool or this? I remember changing a filter on my 97 GrandAm years ago... and damn, that was a huge pain in the ass. Took less time for me to pull a motor out of my 81 TransAm, than it did for me to change a fuel filter in a Grand Am.

3 - Is there anything else I'm missing? Car is too new to change hte plugs and wires... I seem to have all my fluids accounted for. Anything else??? PCV valve??


Thanks!!!

Todd

 

[my98nnj]

75% anti freeze is to much and will not allow the cooling system to work properly.
Antifreeze is not a very good heat conductor, water is. The Red Line Water Wetter needs water to work. You did good on using distilled water, but you need more of it.
50/50 or 60/40 tops in severely cool climates. 75% is way to much.

 

[Todd82TA]

75% anti freeze is to much and will not allow the cooling system to work properly.
Antifreeze is not a very good heat conductor, water is. The Red Line Water Wetter needs water to work. You did good on using distilled water, but you need more of it.
50/50 or 60/40 tops in severely cool climates. 75% is way to much.

Hmm... I hadn't thought of that... Maybe I'll flush it again just for the heck of it. Interestingly enough though... it runs cooler now than it did before? That old crap in there must have just been really nasty...

 

[aldive]

Yes, you definately have too much antifreeze.

I am in Sarasota, FL, and use only 10% antifreeze.

 

[Electrohacker]

I still recommend 50/50, you dont want to get up in the northern states, stop at a hotel overnight and wake up to a cracked block

you dont need to reflush either just use a float gauge and open the drain and let a little bit out, then add more water and mix it round with the engine and see what the gauge reads add more of what you need then continue

if it fills up the let a little more out

 

[TheJackal]

Ford recommends a 50/50 blend of antifreeze unless you're in the North.
I have been told that antifreeze also contains additives that inhibit corrosion and control electrolysis. Don't know if that's true or not but if it is, less than 50/50 may not be enough to get the most of it.

Are you using Motorcraft antifreeze? The Prestone and other Universal antifreezes aren't really Universal at all.

o yes the fuel filter requires a quick-disconnect tool you can get a parts place. There's a few different types you can get.

 

[Electrohacker]

I use peak, we use peak in everything on the farm and never had an issue (unless it said to use something specific in the manual) damn reapir shop I use likes to use prestone... I flush that junk out