Minor/Major Services - your habits?

[Axle-F]

Hi guys,

I recently got my AU and its just clicked over 76k's. I'm thinking about regular servicing, and I was just curious as to how often as well as where other people get their's serviced....

I know the minor services are every 10k's, with major servicing at 50k's. I reckon I'll get those done for mine, and I was looking at Midas since they're a somewhat reliable mechanic. Since its a performance car it'll cost around $220 for a minor service, and havent asked about major servicing.

Also since it has certain consumable performance parts in it (e.g. spark plugs) I'm not sure how good the mechanics are going to understand it and its tuning too.

What are people thoughts? Do you swear by regular servicing, are u a DIY servicer, do u only service when u feel its needed or what?

[TheSneakiness]

Well, I try to service it myself every 10,000 kms, getting the major one every 50,000 kms.

However, this last service, which just happened to be a major, the only part I did myself was the plugs. Could not for the life of me get the sump plug off, tried a million different ways to get it off, ended up chucking it in and taking it to my local mechanic, who had no trouble whatsoever. I then got him to do the rest of the things I wanted done (Coolant, fuel filter, wheel alignment)

Which reminds me, I must get the transmission serviced...

[4.9 EF Futura]

Performance car? Judging by your signature, she goes like the clappers but there would be little difference to the guys at midas between servicing your XR6 and a forte....

Im a stout DIY-servicer. Only thing i take my car in for is auto trans services/flushes and thats because i HATE BTR fluid with a passion!!!

As a rule, i do oil every 5,000km... auto service every 20,000 (basically once per annum), same with spark plugs. Coolant i change frequently because im always removing the radiator for one reason or the other. Otherwise i'd do this every year or 20,000km.

Tuning is essentially a non event with these cars unless you have a programmable ECU. Run a diagnostic on the engine (altho you cant DIY with AU)... check the sensors, clean the TB etc.

IMO $220 seems a bit much for an oil/filter, coolant change, air filter change.

[Axle-F]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Performance car? Judging by your signature, she goes like the clappers but there would be little difference to the guys at midas between servicing your XR6 and a forte....

Im a stout DIY-servicer. Only thing i take my car in for is auto trans services/flushes and thats because i HATE BTR fluid with a passion!!!

As a rule, i do oil every 5,000km... auto service every 20,000 (basically once per annum), same with spark plugs. Coolant i change frequently because im always removing the radiator for one reason or the other. Otherwise i'd do this every year or 20,000km.

Tuning is essentially a non event with these cars unless you have a programmable ECU. Run a diagnostic on the engine (altho you cant DIY with AU)... check the sensors, clean the TB etc.

IMO $220 seems a bit much for an oil/filter, coolant change, air filter change.

Yea you got me there, its more "performance" in terms of how midas see it. I.e. they'll give it synthetic oil instead of regular oil, and another upgraded part (cant remember what, im sh*t at remember car part names). That's what the bloke told me anyway...
I'm running a unichip too so that's what i'm wondering about - are they likely to stuff it up? Also its got a good airfilter (cant remember brand, not K&N) so i doubt they'd replace it using a good brand too.

I can't think of how I'd service it myself cause I dont have a garage (doesnt fit in the missus' 60's garage) or a private flat surface so I'm pretty much at the whim of retail servicing. Of course i'll avoid ford servicing like the plague from what i've heard on this site...

[TheSneakiness]

Your Unichip shouldn't have anything to do with a service. A service to me is just changing fluids and filters.

Just tell them what you want done. Hopefully they'll back off on certain parts.

[Axle-F]

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

Your Unichip shouldn't have anything to do with a service. A service to me is just changing fluids and filters.

Just tell them what you want done. Hopefully they'll back off on certain parts.

Ah ok. I was thinking they might try to flash tune the ECU, but I guess there'd be no updates from ford for that anymore?

[au-steve]

A service to me is just changing fluids and filters.

dont forget to keep checking your whole ignition system as well!!!
coils go a lil dodgy and rob your power if you dont pick up on it.
and you may wanna service your brakes occasionally, also its a good idea to have your gearbox looked at every now and then.
trouble shoot problems before they arise! <--- especially with a series 1 AU.

[TheSneakiness]

Yeah, I agree with you there Steve, I do get brake pads changed every so often, check electrics to the best of my ability. Other things like that I don't get done during a service.

[|2aebird]

I do a major every 10,000 and a minor halfway between majors, might be a little overkill but i wanna keep it pristine... $220 does sound a little expensive to me, the synthetic oil should really be the most expensive thing, i think we charge $12 a litre or there abouts for synthetic where i work... Im a DIY-er too by the way, just i do it at work on a hoist, haha...

[TURBOTAXI]

I do them mysef.
Normally drop oil at 5000 and do oil and filter each 10,000.
Do trans about every 25000, but I dont pump out the torque convertor.
If you dont have a warranty I dont think its worth going to a mechanic (sorry to any mechanics offended) I have had some bad experiences with some. I also want to SEE the oil of a certain standard go in. I also want to know my sump plug will be done up well enough.
There is also the fact that now I have the turbo, I know more about how my car works than most mechanics, as there are very few who know anything about turbo LPG. Especially in western NSW!

[GK]

What is the cost of a auto transmition service? What is involved in the service, just replacing the fluid or a tweak here and there?

[Dark Horse]

The servicing scheduled changed from AUI to AUII/III. Every 15,000 km's and major service every 45,000 k's.

A couple of things I do change more often than stipulated:
1. Transmission Fluid flush every 30,000 k's
2. Diff Oil change every 30,000 k's
3. Coolant and replace coolant bottle when it starts to look sh|tty (something like 30,000 k's again lol)

I also prefer to replace things like worn rotors rather than get them machined.

Regular servicing is a must. Once the warranty runs out on mine I'll be looking at doing a lot of these things myself.

[blackers10]

i cant stand retail servicing.. u never know which apprentice is gonna screw ur up.. take her for a strap and yeah just bust it..

warrantys have me already and ive only just got my 99 AU fairlane..

as you have to goto ONE dealer.. which i dunno if i can change... but i have to goto the ford dealer in the valley in brisbane... and i live in the caboolture morayfield area (40 mins north..).. so it is really annoying!!

also when DIY servicing.. how do you get rid of the lil spanner on the dash?

when i take my fairlane in for its service.. they said the standard rate is 145? for a standard service.. will they charge me extra to look at the gearbox/do a service to it?

[T2TL50]

What would / Could / Should i do to my TL?? I have access to my grandfathers Pit (used for workingon the car) Oil change etc is easy as ****.. but i dont know what else i should be changing!! maybe we ened a list made up for self-servicing!!!


Any help?? cheers

[LG]

I get my car serviced every 10,000, and do oil change and oil filter every 5,000 myself.

I'm slowly changing parts, and when i eventually get new leads and plugs there'll be no need to replace them. So my services won't need an air filter change, or spark plugs or leads.

A list to have all the things that should be recommended to change and serviced and when sounds like a good idea. In case we have all missed something.

[GK]

Originally Posted by LG

I'm slowly changing parts, and when i eventually get new leads and plugs there'll be no need to replace them. So my services won't need an air filter change, or spark plugs or leads.

Why won't you have to change the leads and plugs again LG?

[Mechan1k]

I replaced my airfilter with a Redline panel filter (it will get cleaned when needed - upon inspection)

I change oil every 5,000km as I am a courier ... and regular oil changing is necessary .... and I change the oil filter every 10,000km.

I am about to get my auto-box serviced properly (look around for a reputable auto trans place).

I recently changed my spark plugs for Iridium IXs .. but these still need replacing as time goes by (as any expendable part does). And I am about to replace my leads as well.

Next service for me is coolant flush ... brake fluid flush (cos I want it done) ... brakes checked out ... oil and oil filter ... might get the powersteer fluid flushed as well for good measure. As mentioned above I'll get the auto-trans serviced fully as well.

But things get replaced overtime as they need to.

I know I need to get the LPG tank senders replaced as they are playing up ... and while I am at it ... I'll get the LPG cut-off solenoids replaced too (average life span of 100,000km) as I ahve a couple with small cracks in them. The LPG service is a pain so i am getting a reputable LPG specialist to do it (Crescent Motorport, Liverpool). Not worth fiddling with LPG in the backyard ... have heard some nasty stories.

[TURBOTAXI]

The auto trans in the AU is pretty easy. Just buy the kit and put it back together as you take it apart. There is no drain plug, just have a big catch tray under the pan, and loosen the bolts bit by bit. The metal spring/clip thing is a bugger, so pay attention to how it is fastened. The filter just pulls off, and there is a little rubber ring that goes quite hard, but comes out if you pull on it. Then just reassemble and top up fluid.
There is another process for changing ALL the trans fluid. - but it can get tricky.

[LG]

Originally Posted by GK

Why won't you have to change the leads and plugs again LG?

I probably would have to change them again, but not as often as i would if i replaced them with the same "cheapish" ones. But unlike the factory Ford parts, aftermarket parts can out-perform and sometimes even out-last the life of the engine.

And i don't need air filter changes any more now... As i have a BMC one in there now, which only needs cleaning and re-oiling sometimes. It doesn't need to be replaced.

[GK]

Originally Posted by LG

And i don't need air filter changes any more now... As i have a BMC one in there now, which only needs cleaning and re-oiling sometimes. It doesn't need to be replaced.

Good idea! I just put a K&N in my AU a week ago. Will save me money in the medium to long term, even if there is or isn't a performance gain of any sort.

[GK]

Originally Posted by TURBOTAXI

The auto trans in the AU is pretty easy. Just buy the kit and put it back together as you take it apart. There is no drain plug, just have a big catch tray under the pan, and loosen the bolts bit by bit. The metal spring/clip thing is a bugger, so pay attention to how it is fastened. The filter just pulls off, and there is a little rubber ring that goes quite hard, but comes out if you pull on it. Then just reassemble and top up fluid.
There is another process for changing ALL the trans fluid. - but it can get tricky.

I got my auto serviced today for $90, including computer hook up and diagnostics etc. Was found to be running fine, even with very old fluid. I'm a tad embarrassed that I haven't had it changed in 50,000k. I got the car with 80K but it had factory servicing.

It's the first auto I've had so I now know I should get the fluid replaced every 20,000 - 25,000.

By the way, as a fellow gas owner, I spoke to a mate today whose mate is a Ford Master Tech. He recommends NGK standard gas plugs but increasing the gap from 0.8 to 1.1. What do you make of that Turbo one?

[Bucknaked]

I have extended warranty till 2010. I have to get the car services every 10,000 k's or 6 months which ever comes first.

[GK]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

I have extended warranty till 2010. I have to get the car services every 10,000 k's or 6 months which ever comes first.

What is the general charge for these?

[Bucknaked]

$189.

I don't think its too bad. We have 2 cars from the same dealer. The 2nd car has the same warranty

[BF MKII UTE]

I too am generally a DIY'er, oil (Castrol Magnatec) and filter (Ryco) every 5,000klm's without fail. I always check out the Air filter (K&N), brakes and all fluids whilst i'm under it.
Every 15,000 or annually i'll take her in to Ultra Tune ( where the owner and head mechanic both specialise in Ford's ) for a $139 EFI Dyno tune. This tune involves new plugs, throttle body strip and clean, computer diagnosis, fault codes found if any, base idle reset and run on the Dyno to ensure fuel/air mixtures and timing is all calibrated by the ecu.
Clearing the "service spanner" is as simple as turning the ignition to on (not start) and holding the trip metre reset button in for 10 sec's.

Two words "PREVENTITIVE MAINTENANCE".

[GK]

Originally Posted by 93 626

I too am generally a DIY'er, oil (Castrol Magnatec) and filter (Ryco) every 5,000klm's without fail. I always check out the Air filter (K&N), brakes and all fluids whilst i'm under it.
Every 15,000 or annually i'll take her in to Ultra Tune ( where the owner and head mechanic both specialise in Ford's ) for a $139 EFI Dyno tune. This tune involves new plugs, throttle body strip and clean, computer diagnosis, fault codes found if any, base idle reset and run on the Dyno to ensure fuel/air mixtures and timing is all calibrated by the ecu.
Clearing the "service spanner" is as simple as turning the ignition to on (not start) and holding the trip metre reset button in for 10 sec's.

Two words "PREVENTITIVE MAINTENANCE".

93 626,

What kind of Ford do you have? Your handle sounds suspiciously Mazda! LOL!

[Axle-F]

i chucked up a new thread for pplz if u wanna post in a summarised-type format what you service and when -

http://fordforums.com.au/showthread....936#post235936

[FTE217]

I love my car but its my own company car which means its my mode of day to day transport plus used for work country trips and my family big gonads car as I cant bring myself to drive the wifes CRV with the 3 kids LOL.......
The XR will have higher than usual k's and will most likely be traded sometime in 06.
So that means I don't keep them longer than 4yrs.
Regular service intervals at Ford,if it breaks they fix it !
Its enough work cleaning it bugga servicing it more than need to !

Oil and filter every 5000km
G/box and diff every 10,000km
Plugs get checked every 5000km and replaced accordingly
Air filter (K&N) checked every service.

I gotta look after her!!!

[BF MKII UTE]

Originally Posted by GK

93 626,

What kind of Ford do you have? Your handle sounds suspiciously Mazda! LOL!

Yes very true. I have a Mazda 626 V6 (rebadged Telstar TX5) as well as an AU Wagon.
I originally got the handle for another site i visit mx6.com

Alan.