My 'new' 2003 Grand Marquis.

[sly]

instead of going to the dealer, just call them and see if they have recall information on your car regarding the timing tensioners. If they do, then it's sorted.

[Piece-it pete]

No recall. I've been going back and forth with Ford, me complaining and them telling me to F.O. as nicely as possible

It's kinda fun. I don't expect anything, heck I've already bought replacement guides, but when I get such awesome baloney as this:

"...

As previously advised, when the vehicle is already outside the warranty, we can only provide assistance through recalls or Customer Satisfaction Programs. Based on the information you have provided and the data that we have reviewed, our decision remains the same.

I appreciate the fact that you have been a long-time customer and want you to know that your feedback is highly valued by all divisions within Ford Motor Company. This information serves to provide us with insight into areas where we may need improvement. Feedback such as yours allows us to examine our practices and policies to ensure that we meet or exceed the expectations of our customers in the future.

On behalf of Ford Motor Company, I hope that we might have the opportunity in the future to restore your confidence in our products and services.

...."

I would say you can't make stuff up this good, but they did How can one pass that up? So I didn't:

"I'm so glad my valuable insight has been shared within the Ford Motor Company divisions. I can sleep well now knowing that my feedback has shown areas where you need improvement. Even if my car doesn't run.

I hope you can have the opportunity to restore my confidence in your products in the future. But why wait? You could do it now and save us all the trouble and hassle.

...."

Somewhere, a customer service person is cursing me I hope they keep replying.

Anyway, irritating Ford aside, I actually did something constructive to the old Merc. Changed the plugs and coils.

As I think I've mentioned it seemed like she had just the slightest miss. No more! She purrs like a kitten. A joy to drive.

Changing plugs is Auto Tech 101 but I'll mention a few things. To 'prep' the boots you pull them off the coils, run a bead of dielectric grease down the shaft of a screwdriver, stick the screwdriver into the boot and twist the boot/screwdriver around, coating the inside of the boot with the grease. This is to prevent arcing to the boot per f150forum. Then a little bit around the outside where the boot seals into the engine for a better seal.

Need a bit of the di grease for all 8! They only had little tubes at the parts store so I bought what looks like a small spray can of CRC brands' grease, it rocks.



Loosen the fuels rails (8mm deepwell), need a 7mm for the coils. It was a snap. The drivers rear needs a regular depth 1/4 drive 7 mm and a 1/4 universal. There's some sort of bracket in the way back there but still minor.

Plug size is 5/8. You can't reach the plugs by hand, I used an old boot to both remove the old plug out of the hole and start the new plug. On plugs with wires I'd put dielectric grease in the wire boot and push it on, because there is no wire I greased the ceramic on the plugs before installation.

I changed all the plugs on one side then installed the coils. Then buttoned up the fuel rail and started the car before working on the second bank, in case there were issues I'd at least know which bank to look at.

There seems to be an internet consensous of sorts to not use antisieze on modular engine plugs, and the old ones came out pretty easy, so I didn't.

Did I mention how perfectly she runs now?

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

Got the new guides yesterday, $30 from Tasca. They seem well made. I also got new sway bar bushing bolts/fasteners so if I ever get down to Summit I'll be ready for greaseable poly bushing goodness.

My last email to Ford went like, look, the cars 9 years old, so OK, you're not going to fix it. Listed all the Fords I've owned (9) & that I've probably driven them X thousand miles over the last 25 years, send me a service manual and we'll call it good. Hey and while you're at it a Ford fender protector, I've earned it.

They sent me a link to a place that sells Ford manuals lol.

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

They didn't even send me a cofee mug. Ah well. Glad that ain't my job, telling long time customers where to get off. Must be taking lessons from my bank. Too bad for Ford though.

Power steerings a little low, takes Mercon V. Good stuff to have handy

Picked up a set of used factory cop car silicone hoses off eBay on a whim, I was planning on changing them anyway (now that she's approaching 10 years old). They cleaned up nice. Wonder if they're really lifetime?

I see there's a gap on the lower hose that my non PI car doesn't have. Anyone know what it's for?

And btw, does the torque converter on this car have a drain?

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

I see that the gap is for an oil cooler. I'll either add one or use a delete kit.

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

Just some blathering observations....

1st after a couple minor road trips I can see why some don't like the rack and pinion. It seems to need more attention. And with the 2 spoke wheel my hands aren't in the right place, instead of my left elbow on the armrest driving, I end up using my right at 12-1 o'clock. More tiring imo.

I'm uncertain then how much of the problem is the r&p or the steering wheel. As much as I love the wood wheel & radio controls I'd be curious to put an older 4 spoke wheel on there and compare.

Gosh look at that. Whining like a b!tch It's relatively minor and I don't think I've ever driven such a stable car. But it irritates me.

I've also got to move up replacing the suspension. It's only got 66k on it but age & craptacular roads are doing their evil magic. The ride is starting to decay, and it's getting noisy (I know, turn up the radio lol).

I've been kinda looking forward to working on the suspension since I bought it, I know what good shocks did for my old 97. My rear constant rate springs can't be too old, the car was an air bag rear new, so I thought perhaps get Monroe severe service 550055s and keep the springs. But they only have a 1 year warranty and I'll probably have to change the shocks again before the car dies (I expect!) so I could put in cargo coils and get KYB cop Gasajusts all around (555603 rear, 551602 front), they have a lifetime warranty.

I'm debating getting cop rate front springs but don't want the ride TOO harsh. Also, does anyone know if I need to change the strut mounts? Does a watts linkage need maintenence?

This is just research so I'm ready when my ship comes back in. It's been out to sea for a while

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

Oil light's flickering, I assume it's the sender.

Pete

[sly]

either the sender... or you're just about too low.

[Piece-it pete]

D'oh! I didn't mention the level's fine.

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

I'm getting ready to do some front end work. I was hoping to change everything but whatever is wrong is getting worse, and so forcing my hand.

What parts changed will need a front end alignment? I'm going to do the upper/lower ball joints inner/outer tierod ends all at once. Will I need to get another alignment when I change the shocks/springs (front struts)?

Pete

[sly]

unless you get the tie rod ends in exactly the same spot... you'll probably need an alignment. I'd change the springs at the same time as the ball joints to avoid having to replace the ball joint boots and or ball joint again. Depending on how good the ball joints are, just changing those will require an alignment.

Changing shocks does not require an alignment.

[Piece-it pete]

Thanks Sly. But this beast is struts, that doesn't matter for alignment? Just want to be sure, don't want to 'waste' an alignment



Pete

[F150HD]

I did the front shocks on my '04 a few month's back and it shouldn't require an alignement. Also make sure you undo the bolts holding the upper control arm to the subframe instead of the ball joint and disconnect your stabiliser links. I bent a brand new one trying to get that f***er in. Also for th eupper ball joint buy the complete assembly it's way less hassle.

[sly]

even those things... done right... shouldn't need an alignment. I thought about that later when I remembered "oh yeah... '03 had the changed front end shenanigans".

[Piece-it pete]

Thanks guys, I didn't think so - it's dbl wishbone not that 'strut replaces the upper ball joint' crap. F150, I've already bought the upper ball joints. Hope it's not too difficult! I'll have your comments handy.

I thought about changing the bushings but heck, it's 10 years old not 25! No polys avail either I'll catch them on the next shock change.

Might be doing the timing chain guides with my nephew Friday. It looks easy. Famous last words!

Pete