Thanks to Serious Explorations!!!

[BuckTales]

Well,

I just completed the first half of a tune-up. I've often done the basics like oil changes myself, but I'm not really all that handy.

So here's what I did ----

I changed the oil and filter. I also did the spark plugs. Lemme tell you - doing them on my 97 Explorer SOHC was the most difficult spark plug job I've ever done. Those *******s are REAL tough to get to!!!! I also went and replaced the wires while I was at it.

I titled this thread THANKS because reading and searching this site while trying to troubleshoot my "jumpy" idle - I read about cleaning the MAF and IAC. Well, I did just as I read and my truck is running beautifully. I've still got a bit of a jump in the idle when the AC kicks on, so now I've got to troubleshoot that.

Today, or next weekend, I'm going to finish the tune up and do the transmission fluid (plus filter and gasket), transfer case oil, and fuel filter.

So, thanks to all the great information on this site!

Oh yeah (I can't post and not ask a question ..... when changing the transfer case oil, what is the best way to replace the fluid? I thought about using a hand pump I have to change the lower unit oil in my boat's outbard motors. It screws onto a quart container and has a nozzle about 12 inches long. I thought I could just put that in the fill hole and pump it in. Any other ideas out there?

 

[Billy177]

i catually used a bottle that is used to refill my gas rc car and i refilled the tcase with synthetic atf

 

[00XLS]

You think their tough on that? I haven't even done a tune up on a Ford motor but am kind of excited once the time is here. but trying doing one on a GM 4.3 in the S-series, what a PITA !

 

[Opera House]

I use an oil can with the hand pump. This one has a nozzel that you can unscrew and it makes the pumping faster. Mercon is like a 20W 3 in 1 oil that I use for a lot of jobs so it is in the pump can anyway. Think about getting your tranny filters a www.bulkpart.com at $10 this is the best filter you can get and half the price of local. Get two because you will be wanting to do it again in a year. nd get a manual ($16)! This is an orphan transmission that was only made for two years and you won't get much help for it here.

 

[JasonF]

I actually refilled my Tcase with a Turkey Baster! Went slowly but it worked and it was cheap.

Jason

 

[BuckTales]

Thx for the info guys. Lots of good ideas out there. I planned on using plain ol' ATF Fluid (not synth) - is this not reccommended?

 

[Billy177]

that should be fine however if it were me i would rather pay the extra 5bucks have better protection and not have to change it again for a while