I paid $573 for all this service.. is it worth it?

[The Batt?sai]

Originally posted by: iamaelephant

Originally posted by: The Battosai

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
apparnetly ford recommends the timing belt at 120, but i saw online for my SPI engine ppl were running 150K no probs on teh original timing belt. I figured stick to OE specs and replace it when i get a chance. Why risk a break when i least expect it. After all i am a high mileage driver.

i have a ford explorer with almost 142k miles. should i get the belt replaced? engine is running strong with no oil burn either. when i do the oil change, thats the only oil it gets 🙂

I think the Explorer motors all have timing chains, so you should be okay. Timing chains tend to last the life of a vehicle unless you rack pu a lot of miles.

it has a serpetine belt though i think. is that the same as the timing chain?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
new timing chain, serpentine belt and water pump. New fuel filter (under tank), new coolant and spark plugs. Oil change.. it came to 573$.

I think its reasonable. He checked my brakes and said he pulled out some of my brake fluid and replaced it with fresh fluid (brakes feel nice, so i know he did something there).

This is for 120K mile service on my 2000 ford focus. I got 122K on it now.

according to my service log that i keep of my car.

The last coolant change was done at 72K so that's 50K on coolant ( i knew i needed coolant since teh cars internal fan would cut in and out when idling) - prior to that coolant change at 39K
The last spark plug change was at 69K.
The last fuel filter change was at 69K (last fuel filter change was at 25K)
The last PCV valve change was at 68K (still good apparently).
The last set of tires was at 65K (its about time to replace them, in 3K miles i got to get new tires).
Last brake change at 70K (front pads are still good, rears are still original).
Last K&N filter cleaned at 80K (put in new at 50K). Its time for it to be cleaned!!!

damn i put on a lot of mileage.. and the focus still runs strong! its running soo good now. I think the timing belt and accessory belt change was a good thing.
I think i should have gotten the valves adjusted while at it? its tapping a bit. But i will have him do it next time my mechanic sees it.

Why the hell did you change the timing chain??

Platinum plugs should last 100,000 miles without issue, so why you're changing them at 60-70K I really don't understand.

Coolant flush/fill is based on time, not on mileage and should happen every two years. The fans should come on and off at idle. Fan comes on once the coolant hits a certain temperature, then shuts off once it has cooled down again. If you meant the cabin fan, that can't be related to coolant, they're not interconnected.

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
At 120K, you definately needed that timing chain and belt. Under $600 sounds reasonable for that service, too.

No, a timing chain should last the life of the engine. You're thinking of a timing belt.

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
apparnetly ford recommends the timing belt at 120, but i saw online for my SPI engine ppl were running 150K no probs on teh original timing belt. I figured stick to OE specs and replace it when i get a chance. Why risk a break when i least expect it. After all i am a high mileage driver.

Wait, belt or chain? They're two very different things. You say chain in the OP but say belt here. There's no reason to change a chain, but changing the belt was the right time to change.

ZV

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: The Battosai

Originally posted by: iamaelephant

Originally posted by: The Battosai

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
apparnetly ford recommends the timing belt at 120, but i saw online for my SPI engine ppl were running 150K no probs on teh original timing belt. I figured stick to OE specs and replace it when i get a chance. Why risk a break when i least expect it. After all i am a high mileage driver.

i have a ford explorer with almost 142k miles. should i get the belt replaced? engine is running strong with no oil burn either. when i do the oil change, thats the only oil it gets 🙂

I think the Explorer motors all have timing chains, so you should be okay. Timing chains tend to last the life of a vehicle unless you rack pu a lot of miles.

it has a serpetine belt though i think. is that the same as the timing chain?

no.

Your serpentine belt drives other random devices such as the alternator, A/C compressor, etc.

The timing belt is usually deeper in the engine (stuff needs to be taken off to even see it) and deels with timing the valves to open and close at the right time.

 

[ScottFern]

Yes that sounds about right. NO, you did NOT get ripped off.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
YES, we all know people who have never changed their brake fluid, but it's hygroscopic, (absorbs moisture from the air) and that moisture (waater) tends to collect in the low parts of the brake system, like calipers and ABS parts. When you get into a hard braking situation, the water boils off, leaving you with no brakes...Changing it is good insurance...

Actually, in street cars the real risk is corrosion of the metal parts in the braking system.

You would need to be driving down a mountain and not using engine braking properly to get the brakes up to a high enough temperature for the water to begin boiling out. Even at that point you wouldn't lose the brakes entirely, rather they would require a higher pedal pressure than normal (i.e. fade).

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: The Battosai
it has a serpetine belt though i think. is that the same as the timing chain?

No. A serpentine belt is a single belt that drives all the accessories as opposed to having a single belt for each accessory (like my 951 which has a belt for the PS pump, a separate belt for the alternator, and a separate belt for the A/C). An engine can have a serpentine belt with either a timing belt or a timing chain.

However, the V6 and V8 engines in Explorers all use timing chains.

ZV