Hi, I just purchased a 1997 EC 4.6L 4x2, auto.

It's due for the 75,000Mile/120,000km maintanance.

Here's what is needed as per the Ford Mainatnance Schedule:
Change engine oil
Clean battery terminals
Inspect pads, shoes, rotors, drums, lines, parking brake system, clean & lubricate calipers
Inspect tires for wear and rotate
Lubricate Hinges, Latches and Locks
Lubricate weather-stripping
Multi-point inspection
Replace engine coolant every 60,000 km
Replace fuel filter
Replace oil filter

If I wanted to start doing the work myself -

- Does anyone do their reg. maint. themselves? and if so which of the above should I leave to the pros?
- How hard is an oil change on the F150 - how much oil req'd and are there any tricks?

Thanks.

 

Hello Markis,

Congrats on the new truck.

As far as standard maintenance, any of it is very easy to do ourselfs. I think it just depends on how comfortable you are with it.

I would add a set of plugs and wires to that list. The factory states 100k plugs, but I found my plugs needed changed at 60K. they may have made it to 100k but I don't think they would have performed very well.

Also I would do the tranny fluid and filter if it where me, just to be safe.

I get all my fluids done for me. I don't really have alot of free time and don't like jerking around with fluid disposal and such.

I like to do the "fun stuff" on my truck. Like my mods...LOL.

Welcome to the forums,
Rocks

 

Thanks for the info Rocks. I'll look into doing all of that stuff.

It'll be interesting to learn everything.

 

You can do all of the maintenace yourself and all of the procedures are detailed somewhere here on the site. There is one member inparticular here, p_ferlow that has detailed many of the maintenance procedures on his Web Page.

It's hard to know exactly how the truck has been serviced previously, so I'd suggest that you change all fluids and filters so you know everything is current.

You really should change to transmission fluid just in case it has not be change by the previous owner. If you remove the pan and find a little plug laying in there, it means that the pan has never been removed to change the filter. The '97 4R70W transmission was originally filled with regular Mercon fluid. You can and should replace it with Mercon V. You can't mix the 2 fluids, but as long as you drain the transmission and torque converter, there will not be a problem.

Another item that is most often overlooked is that the 4x2 has servicable front wheel bearings. They should be serviced every 30,000 miles.

When you change the coolant, make sure you add a flushing agent before draining it and then refill with distilled water and run it up to operating temp and drain it again. You need to refill and drain at least one time to remove all of the old coolant.