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Hi Guys,
Im the new owner of a 95 2.5 ATX SE Contour with 79900miles.
As Ive reviewed the service history from the PO , Im amazed at the repairs and the cost involved.
If anyone can post any thought, I would love to hear them.
Also after reading the forum , I see Water pumps are weak spots in this car, is there anyway w/o dismantleing to determing if the WP has been replaced?
The only things Ive done in the last week is fix the AC, the dryer was leaking, at a cost of 375.00.
Replaced all 4 belt moldings, 1 cup holder and drivers door weatherstrip along door opening Next on the list is a front end aligment.
Previous repairs that I have records for:
5/02 at 70K Replace 2 rear Coil springs
Replace Blower switch (fan switch not working)
Recall of fan fuse
After the above repair RR Speed Sensor went out, it was cleaned of rust chips , repair did not last , speed sensor was replace 2 days later symptoms were abs and traction ctl lights illuminated
8/04 at 76300 Replace 2 heated oxg sensor 255.00 +118 in labor
Replace RF Spring 70.00+118 in labor
Recharge AC and check for leaks, no leaks found 160.00
Replace serp belt and idler pulley 50 +50 in labor
Replace RF Tire
Any ideas why so many springs and those 02 sensors seem very expensive.
Also I notriced the milegae in 3 years the vehicle only has 10K.
Anything I should look at?
The body paint and interior are in awesome shape considering the age of the vehicle
Ken
Ken O
95 Contour SE 2.5 Auto
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Originally posted by KenO:
As Ive reviewed the service history from the PO , Im amazed at the repairs and the cost involved.
If anyone can post any thought, I would love to hear them.
Also after reading the forum , I see Water pumps are weak spots in this car, is there anyway w/o dismantleing to determing if the WP has been replaced?
Previous repairs that I have records for:
5/02 at 70K Replace 2 rear Coil springs
Replace Blower switch (fan switch not working)
Recall of fan fuse
After the above repair RR Speed Sensor went out, it was cleaned of rust chips , repair did not last , speed sensor was replace 2 days later symptoms were abs and traction ctl lights illuminated
8/04 at 76300 Replace 2 heated oxg sensor 255.00 +118 in labor
Replace RF Spring 70.00+118 in labor
Recharge AC and check for leaks, no leaks found 160.00
Replace serp belt and idler pulley 50 +50 in labor
Replace RF Tire
Any ideas why so many springs and those 02 sensors seem very expensive.
Also I notriced the milegae in 3 years the vehicle only has 10K.
Anything I should look at?
Any vehicle at 10 years will require more maintenance than a new vehicle. As you bought the Contour used, you really don't know how hard the Contour was driven by the previous owner.
Look at the outside of the pump. And see if it has some markings on it like maybe GBC (aftermarket) or whatever. Of course, it was changed by Ford, it would be hard to tell.
My VSS went at 7 years and 60K miles.
Replaced two O2 sensors under warranty at 24 and 29K miles
Replaced alternator, serp belt and tensioner under warranty at 35K miles.
9 years and 76k for RF tires is excellent. Most of what you have done, I would consider as normal maintenance (except for Blower switch, fan). You might want to check if the thermostat needs to be replaced.
10K in 3 years (probably used as a 2nd or 3rd car). I was putting 2.5 to 3k per year (for 3 years) when I used mine as 2nd car. Might be a good time to change coolant, ATF and cabin air filter (buy Bosch cabin air filter-same as Ford).
Dealer labor rates are "normally" high which is why this site advocates DIY repairs where possible.
Edit. Coolant change
http://www.contour.org/mods/mods.php?s=howto&displayid=44
ATF change
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=tranny&Number=992476&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=7&fpart=1
and cabin air filter
http://www.contour.org/mods/mods.php?s=howto&displayid=16
Last edited by Tony2005; 08/28/05 09:15 PM.
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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Tony,
Thanks for the note, I have no idea what the maintaince history was before 02.
I also wanted to ask is it normal for a fully heated engine to be operating on the guage between the left white line and the N? on the temp guage. I have never seen it higher than getting close to the N
Ken O
95 Contour SE 2.5 Auto
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Originally posted by KenO:
I also wanted to ask is it normal for a fully heated engine to be operating on the guage between the left white line and the N? on the temp guage. I have never seen it higher than getting close to the N
Technically, anything in the "NORMAL" range is considered acceptable. But we usually worry when it gets closer to L. As for it not warming to say "N-O" or "O-R", if you are concerned, you may want to check the thermostat just in case it is stuck in the "open" condition. However, it should warm up after some maybe 1/2 hour or so of driving. I would also suggest getting a $5 coolant tester from Autozone to monitor the coolant (even thought it is not overheating).
A few other things, engine oil half quart above max and coolant half inch above max. In addition, to download an owners' manual (free). www.fleet.ford.com
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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Mine runs to the m in normal, then the fan will trigger, temp then drops. With a/c on it may not reach that temperature. Sounds like you are not overheating. If the waterpump looks "corroded" like its surrounding parts, it should be replaced, or at the very first sign of overheating. My Mystique at your mileage was overheating and I bought it cheaply. So far it's been OK with the new pump and A/C repair, polishing, leather cleaner,trans fluid (mobil 1), battery, cabin filter. It seems you are car maintenance oriented, so you will be able to maintain your car when needed. My sister is not, but she has put 100K on her 1995 Duratec Mystique because of (our) good maintenance. One of my neighbors just bought a Mystique Zetec, and another is considering a Contour for 2nd car, so it's handy for me to know something about these cars 
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Is there any way to determine if the sender is off or if its the guage.
Im assuming the normal position is not below the N
ken
Ken O
95 Contour SE 2.5 Auto
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Originally posted by KenO:
Is there any way to determine if the sender is off or if its the guage.
Not sure about 95 (OBDI). 96 OBD II scanners would read the PIDs and hence tell if the engine is warmed up at certain times. Try jiggling the wires by the Coolant Temp Sender and see if that helps.
Edit Coolant Temp Gauge Sender
Here is a post from Chongo. It highlights the ECT sensor.
The coolant temp gauge sender is the bronze (??) looking thing below the "Co" from the word coolant.
Originally posted by chongo:
Last edited by Tony2005; 08/29/05 03:15 PM.
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Thanks Tony for the 8x10 glossy,
However does anyone else have a testing method to determine where the error may be. The guage or the sender. ?
Ken
Ken O
95 Contour SE 2.5 Auto
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