I have a 2004 new body style f150 and i just rolled over 65,000. I have changed the oil every 5,000 with Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Oil and twice per year i change the air filter. Other than that i have done nothing to my truck besides brakes. I know it is getting some miles on it and i want to do some maintenance because i know it needs it and i'm going to have this truck for a while. I want to make sure the transmission and engine last a good long while. What all needs to be done? Transmission fluid flush/filter change, Coolant flush, Power Steering Flush, Spark Plugs, Fuel Filter?????? I really dont know i just know at 65,000 some stuff needs to be done. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,
Trent Kammerer

 

Tranny flush if you have'nt done it yet for sure. Also you might want to do the diff fluid and t-case. As for pulling the plugs that is a personal decision. I myself am sitting at 67,300 and am waiting for warmer weather to attempt that task. I had my trans flushed at 35,000 and have done my own personal maintence otherwise which includes fuel and air filter every 15k and oil every 5k. I did the diff and t-case at 45k and will probly do it again around 80k.

 

You should service the following items.
1. Transmission
2. Transfer Case
3. Cooling System
4. Possible Plug Change ie. (Be Careful & follow Ford TSB carefully)
5. You might want to service Rear & front diffs, depending if you ever towed anything.
6. Possible injector cleaning
After that, your good to go for awhile........

 

Add fuel filter to list also!........

 

1. So i should flush the Transmission fluid and change the filer
2. I'm 2x4 i dont have a T-case do it?
3. What do you mean cooling system?
4. Will not changeing the plugs hurt me? Can old ones cause damage? What about the Spark Plug wires?
5. I never tow do you think i should do the rear diff.?
6. How do you clean the injectors?
7. Fuel Filter is a must.
8. What about the coolant or power steering flush?
9. What can a look to spend in doing all this? What can i do myself, im fairly capable? What should i pay to have done?

Thanks Alot!
Trent Kammerer

 

Flush cooling system,The longer you leave in the plugs, the harder they are to remove without possibly breaking them,no wires on these engines, just cops,fuel system,ie. injector cleaning would not hurt considering your mileage.
As far as paying vs. doing it yourself, depends on your skill level?....

 

He got a 4.6 He doesnt have to worry about the spark plugs breaking off in the heads

 

How can i remove the fuel injectors? 5.4L 3V 2004?

 

You just take it in for a fuel injector service don't you?

 

Since you have the 4.6 engine, you don't need to worry about the plugs for a long time. My cousin's 05 F-150 was wrecked at 230000 miles and it still ran great on the original plugs. I just gave my daughter a car with the 4.6 and it still runs great with 126,000 on the original plugs.Fuel injection cleaning is about the same as changing backup light fluid. All gas is required by law to have detergents to keep them clean. I figure if I can average 40,000 miles per year for the last 40 years without a carb. cleaning or fuel injection cleaning and had no problems, it must not be very important. If the differential hasn't been under water, you don't need to do anything other than checking the level.

 

Yes I need to have the injectors out in order to send them to ultrasonic cleaning service

 

Honestly it would be cheaper to buy new ones from ebay or a local parts store then to have to send out and wait

 

sorry bud, but not the best advice here.

True, you CAN get away with a lot. But why ? Its called PREVENTATIVE maintenance, not "broken fixing" ! Yes, you could get away with it, but what if your on a long trip, and it fails on you then ? What if your hundreds and hundreds of miles from any help ? All alone ? I like knowing my truck can get me through it, vs wishing and hoping to make it. Do you only go to the dentist when things are hurting ? Or do you go for regular check ups ? Going for regular check ups might turn up a growing problem, that hasn't caused pain yet, and maybe they can stop it before it gets infected, or gets worse, or whatever. Same with a doc, finding out things earlier is always better for your health, and your wallet !

If you take care of your truck, it will take care of you. If you only fix it when it NEEDS fixing, then it isn't gunna last you as long, and it not going to be reliable. I have plenty of customer who go this route, and plenty who don't. Trust me, I would much rather drive the ones taken care of cross country, then the ones simply "getting by".

As an example, doing regular service on a car, can turn up posible issues that could develope later down the road. You can detect issues that may arise, and parts that are starting to fail. By replacing them BEFORE they fail, you are preventing a "stranded" situation. You could also be preventing thousands and thousands of dollars in repairs, simply by changing a water pump early, or seeing that a head gasket is starting to go.

I also am a firm believer in taking care of your stuff. Your house, and your car are GREAT indicators on the type of person you are and how you present yourself to the world. Just something to think about.

 

I take very good care of everything I own but I am not into wasting money. I don't replace things that don't need replacing. I just gave my daughter my 98 Town Car with 127,000 miles (replaced by 2008 Impala) to my daughter to replace the 93 Park Avenue I gave her because it has 200,000 miles on it and her husband needs it to drive to work. I sold my cousin my Toyota T-100 with 179,000 miles on it when I bought my F-150 (last time I saw it it had 220,000+ on it). Both the Lincoln and Toyota still have the original plugs in them.

I don't have any problems with my vehicles, save a lot of money on unnecessary parts replacement and people want my clean and good running vehicles when I sell them. All of my vehicles (including 2 BMW motorcycles) look and run like new.

Being thrifty, I retired at 55 (over 5 years ago) debt free with a 4700 square foot house on 6.4 acres, a new travel trailer, a new F-150, a 3 year old Ford Escape, 2 BMW motorcycles and a 93 Park Avenue. I was able to do this starting out with nothing, a single income and paid for my daughter's master degree in the process.