service advice

[teetoo]

Hi

I could do with a bit of advice, my Explorer (2000 North Face) is due for it's MOT and service. It's got a fairly complete service history, typically being serviced every year with a 10,000 mile service. I have no details of the past two services other than when it was done and the mileage at the time so I'm assuming they were also standard annual services.

So, the dealership is advising me to get a full service (30,000 miles) which I'm happy with, but they are also recommending me to get the drive belts changed at extra cost of about £200. Is this something I should go ahead with or leave for another time, the car seems to drive fine at the moment?

Thanks,
teetoo

 

[aldive]

If the belt needs replacing, why pay a dealer? Its a simple DIY task.

Good luck ....

 

[Howard]

So, the dealership is advising me to get a full service (30,000 miles) which I'm happy with, but they are also recommending me to get the drive belts changed at extra cost of about £200. Is this something I should go ahead with or leave for another time, the car seems to drive fine at the moment?

There is only one drive belt and that is easy to do yourself, certainly not worth £200. Belt cost is about £20-£30 about 5 mins to fit it. The cam shafts are chain driven on the explorer. Don't let them con you.

 

[teetoo]

Thanks guys, appreciate the advice. I've booked it in for a standard service/mot without the belt change. I'll now look into doing that myself.

teetoo

 

[BrooklynBay]

Ask them what their standard service is on this vehicle. Is it just to check the oil, brakes, wipers blades, and U joints or are they actually going to replace all of the fluids, and filters?

 

[blueka]

I'm doing an oil change tonight actually hehe


Si

 

[BrooklynBay]

What kind of oil, and filter are you going to use?

 

[blueka]

I'm using 5w 30 Castrol magnatec and a nice motorcraft filter

Si

 

[blueka]

just done the oil change on my ex... never again... I'm covered in oil!!!

I had the funnel propped up against the side of the chassis when my bro sat in the passenger seat, causing the suspension to compress which caused the funnel and warm oil to go flying, all over me and the floor.. it's in my hair, all over my clothes..

I couldn't get the filter off, so in the end had to use a hammer and a screwdriver..

I've replaced the oil and filter now.. so that's good.

I think I've found out why my HEGO sensor is knackered too.. the plastic has dropped onto the exhaust and the plastic has melted.

anyway, sorry for hijacking the original post...

Si

 

[Ian5700]

You shouldn't really get covered in oil. If you put the drain pan in position with the stream of oil flowing out of the hole into it, it should catch most of it, then reposition it for the oil dripping out.

When you change the oil for the first time, not expecting it to spray out at an angle, you can end up with some out of the drain pan.

 

[BrooklynBay]

This tool should help you out: http://www.explorerforum.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php/product/321/cat/500

 

[Ian5700]

Blueka, That liquid extractor is compatiable with the explorer, just not the 2000-02 explorer (i assume the third gen ones).

It seems a resonable idea, but you still have to get under and change the filter.

 

[blueka]

getting the filter off was a complete PITA... None of my filter wrenches would work, there's such limited space, hence the screwdriver approach, then the oil in the filter poured out, down my sleeve...

thankfully, everything seems to be hunkydory today... so I'm happy


Si

 

[Ian5700]

The Hengst Filters have a bolt you can get a wrench on, which could help you in further.

 

[blueka]

I bought 6 motorcraft ones from the states, I've got 5 left... it'll be a while before I do the oil change again.. I'm not paying kwikfit to do it, they wanted to charge me double for the oil and filter change cos it's a 4.0.. but uses less oil than a focus TDCi.. cowboys..

Si