Original owner, 237k 4.6. The only engine compartment repairs are a PS pump at 100k, ABS computer 150k. It has the original starter, water pump, alternator, idler, tensioner, belt!, It has a little squeak when cold, but runs like a rock star and consistently gets 17-18 mpg. Doesn't burn any appreciable oil.

Sure I'd like a new truck, but at $40k, I'll drive this sweet heart for a while. My goal is 300k, but it is my DD and has to be reliable. I've thought about replacing the belt, tensioner and idler, but I'm concerned it would put additional tension on the AC and WP.

I'm assuming I'll get fair warning, WP weep, bearing squeal if failure is eminent. But, also don't want to be cheap and foolish.

Would you proactively start replacing parts or fix on failure?

The commuter truck



The "work" truck

 

That right there is true dependability of a Ford truck.

Usually I replace the belt every 2 years or 20k. Guess I've been throwing money away all these years! For the sake of it, I'd throw a new one on, it's well over due.

Everything else can wait until failure if you're OK with being down at a moments notice.

On the other hand, what would it cost to replace most of the common failure items under the hood? Not much in the grand scheme of things. What you chose...where to start and where to stop would be difficult.

 

I go by the old saying.... if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Maybe one thing I'd consider if you haven't lately is a brake fluid change. I find that the "new" parts usually don't last as long as the OEM stuff, so I ride it out and buy Motorcraft whenever possible.

 

I keep up the on the fluids and maintenance. Below are my intervals, not Fords. I have on a google sheet, It's worked for me.

Oil Change 6,000
Rotate Tires 15,000
Replace Air Filter 20,000
Flush Transmission Fluid 60,000
Replace Fuel Filter 60,000
Replace PCV Valve 40,000
Replace Spark Plugs 100,000
Flush Radiator Fluid 100,000

 

Is your brake fluid original then?

 

It was done once, under 100k.

 

Do general recommended maintenance (fluids, plugs/coils, tires) and break everything else when needed.........I mean fix.

 

Oil Change 3,000 - 5,000 max as long as you use the blend and FL820s
Rotate Tires No more than every 9,000
Replace Air Filter Check it and watch your warm idle rpms, they will drop when dirty.
Flush Transmission Fluid 60,000 Good in general, dependent upon the fluid formulation used.
Replace Fuel Filter 9,000
Replace PCV Valve 20,000
Replace Spark Plugs 60,000
Flush Radiator Fluid Time oriented, every 3-4 years.

 

Most of these intervals are on a extended use of a vehicle that does not see any extreme conditions. If you have to sit in rush hour traffic I would shorten your intervals.

I do pcv, fuel filter, and air filter once a year. Which is about 15k miles. Oil changes use to be every 4k-5k miles max. Transmission get flushed every 30k miles. Regardless of the driving conditions. It will last longer that way. The 03 f150 I got from my grandfather had 240k on the original 4R70. It got flushed every 25k-30k. The truck now has close to 300k. It still runs like the day it left the dealer.

 

Ok, thanks everyone. I guess the consensus is do your maintenance, but if it ain't broke, don't fix.