Advice needed for Fluid Maintence

Frank Zabski · Oct 20, 2009

I have an 03 Explorer Eddie Bauer that my wife drives. It has 83k. We bought it off lease with 36k. When we bought it I had a new belt put on, anti-freeze flushed, oil change, etc. Other then oil changes and an alternator at 75k it's been fine.

I read recently read the maintenance manual that came with the truck and also bought a Haynes manual for the car. They both list numerous things to do at or around this mileage such as trans flush, dif flush, anti-freeze, plugs, wires, hoses,thermostat, PCV valve, etc.

What HAS to be done or is this above stuff overkill.

I want the truck to be safe as she takes my kids everywhere in it and winter is coming upon us up North.

I got a quote to do all the above and it's in excess of $1100...

Any recommendations. We don't tow any vehicle and live in the NE so not severe weather of any sort.

Ray McIntireJr · Oct 20, 2009

$1100 seems kinda high to me. In West Central ILL & South East Iowa a tranny flush on my 01 ST was about $145, the Diff you can do yourself along with the PCV, hoses, plugs & wires and maybe even the thermostat & coolant flush(personally I would have someone else do the coolant flush so you wouldn't have to mess with the disposal) and save yourself a bunch of $.

Todd Z · Oct 21, 2009

Does your 03 have the GOLD or green coolant ???

the green should be changed at 60K the gold at 100K....

The gearboxes at 100K according to Ford, i do the t-case every 20-30 and the tranny every 30 and the gearboxes every 60.....

Plugs,wires at 100K

PCV at 60K, Fuel filter every 30, air filter when dirty...

Hoses at 100K or more, Belts when the crack, T-stat at 100K

Just a quick list...

Gavin Allan · Oct 21, 2009

What Todd Z says!

Richard L · Oct 21, 2009

I also agree with Todd Z, but remember that you do not have to do them all at once. You can space them out over a few months as you budget allows.

Tranny flush would be at the top of my list, PVC and fuel filter next

Then I would do the Antifreeze, especially in cold country.

Plug wires and misc that are good for 100K miles, would be last and most of those you can do yourself

...Rich