Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Maintenance Maintenance Performed Yesterday

I seen some oil (what I thought was oil, on my black driveway) under my car so I figured it was time to get that straightened out.
So, we started off, by checking for the oil leak. I thought for sure it was my crappy oil filter (Fram). So, we looked and right away we found the leak. It was a leaking tranny cooling line. It just needed to be tightened.

Then we changed out my valvoline durablend. I changed over to the Mobil 1 synthetic oil and Mobil 1 filter. I heard so many raving reviews off this website, so I figured I better change over. I didn't realize my Fram oil filter was crap until I did alot of reading on the previous posts here. So that's taken care of.

Then, we replaced 1 fog light. (I think it burnt out when I washed the car earlier that day).

Then we rotated the tires. As we pulled the passenger side tire off, we found yet another problem. The CV boot was leaking. So, we are going to replace that tonight.

As far as maintenance everything is pretty much up to date. I was just wondering a few things.

Have any of you ever changed the power steering fluid and brake fluid? We were checking all fluids, tranny, radiator, oil. And all of those have been changed within the last 6 months or so. But what about the power steering fluid and brake fluid?

I have 189,500 on my car and was wondering what you guys thought about changing out the brake and power steering fluid? I assume it is something I should probably change considering the high milage and year of the car. Are these easy tasks? Anyone have information on were I can buy the best power steering fluid and brake fluid and maybe explain how easy or hard these are to do?

Thanks for the info.

You switched to synthetic at what mileage?! Hope you don't have oil leaks.

I have 189,500 on my car and was wondering what you guys thought about changing out the brake and power steering fluid?

I hope to god these aren't original.

Well she must be doing something right with nearly 190K on the clock!!

Check the color of your brake fluid - if it is opaque and dark brown or black then change it. It generally needs changing every 3 yrs or so. (At least)

I was using the Valvoline Durablend, the 1/2 syn and 1/2 regular oil, I was told it would be ok to change over to the fully syn.

Brake and power fluid aren't the original. I just can't remember when they were changed last. I have had so many repairs on the car, it's hard to keep track of when it was changed last.

Maybe I should change the question. What intervals should those 2 fluids be changed (milage and years)? And what's the best product out there that I can use?

Usually 2 years IIRC......

I've also read 2 years for brake fluid changes. The Valvoline synthetic fluid is a very good fluid for a reasonable price. You can use a turkey baster to get most of the old fluid out of the resevoir, then fill it up and bleed each brake line with about 25 pumps of the brake to push the old fluid out and the new fluid down the line. Refill the resevoir after each line is finished and you should notice a firmer brake pedal when your all done.

You must be so tickled that your Tour is back on the road! I'm happy for you!

My old Grand Marquis was driven into the Smokie Mountains every few years, so I changed my brake fluid every year. My 'Tour will get the same treatment. Nuttin' like a 5000 pound car with squishy brakes comin' down a mountain.

I use a one man bleed kit (hose & valve) to pump the resivoir to a low level - NOT EMPTY!! Fill up with new fluid, then pump till the fluid from the bleeder is nice & new. Next wheel, fill, pump till clean. Repeat for all wheels.

For the PS fluid, I bought a hand pump at an auto parts store. I pump out as much as I can and refill with new fluid. There's still quite a bit of old fluid in the lines, so I do it 2-3 times over a period of a week or so. I usually do that process once a year.

If you have a high milage engine and want to switch to a synthetic oil such as AMSOIL there are no special requirements; however, in older vehicles or those with high mileage, it is advisable to use AMSOIL Engine Flush first. This will ensure that the engine is clean and free of any accumulated contaminants which might have an effect on the service life of AMSOIL Motor Oils. In all cases, it is good judgement to install a new AMSOIL Super Duty Full-Flow Oil Filter (SDF) every time you change oil.

It is a really good idea to make the switbh to Synthetics as sson as you can to reduce the wear on that engine and extend its life..