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About replacing fluids, etc.... 2000 merc. Grand Marquis


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janetlee64
User

Sep 22, 2020, 9:38 PM

Post #1 of 12 (766 views)
About replacing fluids, etc.... 2000 merc. Grand Marquis Sign In

My Mercury had a screw in the tire, so I had to take it to Goodyear to get it fixed (unfortunately, couldn't be fixed, so had to be replaced) and GY does a complimentary check on the car. They found that I need a brake fluid flush (it's never had one), a power steering fluid replacement and it needs a fuel filter. My car has right at 78,000 miles on it, but it is an old car. I realize that these particular recommendations are money-makers for them. How likely is it that these things need to be done? If I need to get them done, I will (but not at GY). BTW, my friend just replaced the camshaft position sensor and an oil pressure switch. He wanted me to wait to pay him until I see if this fixes the problem with the car being hesitant and such. (The camshaft position sensor was failing and thee oil light had been coming on for years, so they needed to be done). Anyway, I told him that i want to pay him anyway since it needed doing. I will pay him tomorrow and he had not made up an invoice but said it would cost less than $200. So I had to pay for the new tire with road hazard ($140) and plus whatever it is that I owe him. So I've been hit with a lot in the past 2 days! please advise me about the fuel filter and the brake fluid and PS fluids needing to be done. Would it be bad to wait or should I bite the bullet and go ahead and get these taken care of? Thanks for your help!janet


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 23, 2020, 1:12 AM

Post #2 of 12 (750 views)
Re: About replacing fluids, etc.... 2000 merc. Grand Marquis Sign In

Ha - Beware of the "Complimentary Check" of course they'll find something to do. Yes stuff should be done and nobody does but I'd say "Thanks, I'll find some place to do it" really screw them up!


You have just 78K on this is NOT a reason to or stop counting time on things. It would never end the problem I have is these places are NOT up to those jobs and make a problem where you didn't have one!
So back to your most trusted one place as I recall you found a person or place and I suggest both brake fluid and PS to just use new hose, cleaned devices and change by dilution! What!!??
Yes - new in fact Turkey basters (mark those to throw out) remove what you get out of reservoirs and refill. Run and repeat leaving it fine and full partly new fluid mixed in. That's it short of bleeding brakes is a good idea forget calling it flushing just ask to bleed them out if and when you are up to that by someone who has a clue AND just maybe able to deal with a busted bleeder you don't have now less likely you said where you are it's not as common.


The call for this IMO was over-sell from the get go it would be a good idea but not to open Pandora's Box with folks with no clue how to do it or how to deal with what they bust trying you are better off not doing it but do check levels regularly,


Tom



janetlee64
User

Sep 23, 2020, 5:16 AM

Post #3 of 12 (741 views)
Re: About replacing fluids, etc.... 2000 merc. Grand Marquis Sign In

So if I understand you correctly, do NOT flush the brakes. Instead, have them to bleed the brakes. As to the PS fluid, what exactly do you mean? Do not change the fluid, but put on a new hose? Forgive my ignorance as I know NOTHING about car repair! Also, should I go ahead and changed the fuel filter? Thanks!janet


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Sep 23, 2020, 6:46 AM

Post #4 of 12 (734 views)
Re: About replacing fluids, etc.... 2000 merc. Grand Marquis Sign In

Janet - There are bleeders at each wheel the right tech can easily just bleed them out like they do for any replacement work till new shows up going out.
That is neglected even by me on my own now have done it finally. New fluid is more tolerant of heat, helps internals prevent rust if so old it has moisture in it.
RISK! In the course you may bust bleeders that would last years (IDK situation) and grow into a project you don't have now?
PS? IDK it works hard as a fluid usually an ATF (auto trans fluid) a lot is in reservoirs. A new but dedicated $$ store turkey baster suck it out yourself just put back new! Run it around and do that again till happy it's full you get the new additives #1 fo r that fluid is not to foam.


It the wrong techs do it and screw up there's a problem you don't have now too.
From memory of your ordeals the less some of those folks touch your car unless you really need stuff the better. This response is custom to you that freebie check is bait to make you spend more mostly IMO - I'm not there observing things.
Another story: Friend of mine with another make totally 8 year old low mile, heated garage use car was told to do just that at a cost of $1,200 plus a new air filter. OMG I looked (don't work on friend's cars usually) showed him not a fingerprint anything was looked at the declare it needed a thing car is spotless not driven if lousy in heated garage year round better than being in FLORIDA it doesn't even get wet!


Just an example BTW a couple in their 70s being told buy a new car it was 7-8 years old it's going to start busting all over the place. Not with those conditions,


Tom



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Sep 23, 2020, 7:05 AM

Post #5 of 12 (727 views)
Re: About replacing fluids, etc.... 2000 merc. Grand Marquis Sign In

I am not a fan of these chain stores that push all these maintenance services. That being said, I do believe in flushing brake fluid if it is done correctly.

Tom is suggesting half of the job, to just replace the fluid in the reservoir. That leaves all the old fluid in the rest of the system that will mix with the new fluid.

Brake fluid is hydroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture like a magnet. It also gets various metal contamination like copper which is harmful to the system.

The concern Tom brought up is that maybe the brake bleeder screws at the wheels could be frozen with rust. That is valid but ignoring them longer isn't going to make the problem any better. The sooner they are worked, the easier it will be and the fewer problems the brake system will have in the future.

If they are starting to freeze up now, they will only get worse if ignored now.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Sep 23, 2020, 7:06 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Sep 23, 2020, 11:02 AM

Post #6 of 12 (702 views)
Re: About replacing fluids, etc.... 2000 merc. Grand Marquis Sign In

Here - rust city USA by this age lines have given out and already found busting bleeders is a sport. Then if your foot goes to the floor the seals in master cylinders tear up so need that and bleed if not already frozen bust bleeders and need calipers/wheel cylinders right then or a stopper?


So what to do is tough to decide allow the moisture HT just mentioned is absorbed from air into fluid so becomes an internal rust maker dammit. Rock and hard place just toss everything every two years!


It's hard to advise on this as it can turn even good intentions into a wild cost and nightmare of work, parts that were fine now don't work.


It's good if you kept up all along doing this trouble is nobody does by now it's a used car no history of such a thing a strong bet. If you really have low to no rust it's not even Florida it's Death Valley, CA so dry and hot don't think rust can prevail but overheating would be the issue all the time.
PS too? Yes it wants to be done but if late are you opening up horrors or doing it a favor? Similar probs this car less likely others IDK like if PS is also for power brakes! That will set you back.
This place plugged a tire Janet was looking for a nightmare to open up IMO only as I'm not there looking at it. I would if my own but then my own problem a lot is time not so much the parts all depends this car should be reasonable but do you want it right now or when it's better timing? That never comes so this stuff never gets done got old bet doesn't look it?


Your call I can't decide for you,


Tom


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 23, 2020, 11:24 AM

Post #7 of 12 (695 views)
Re: About replacing fluids, etc.... 2000 merc. Grand Marquis Sign In

I would much rather tackle this at 78K than 125K.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



janetlee64
User

Sep 24, 2020, 8:50 PM

Post #8 of 12 (664 views)
Re: About replacing fluids, etc.... 2000 merc. Grand Marquis Sign In

Thanks Tom and Hammer for your advice and input! I really appreciate it! I have another question please! I just had a new camshaft position sensor put in the car as the old one was failing. We thought that would take care of the hesitation that sometimes appears, especially when I'm accelerating. However, it persists! My friend who is a mechanic also checked the spark plugs and they are fine. any ideas? Thanks!janet


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Sep 24, 2020, 10:23 PM

Post #9 of 12 (654 views)
Re: About replacing fluids, etc.... 2000 merc. Grand Marquis Sign In

Web is failing badly where I am, a local problem please bear with me! Schools and everything trying to use the same line isn't working out too well - so much for great ideas.


Let's move on with the hesitation as its own topic always best to make subject line the year, make model of vehicle I think you know the deal would/should be that for a vehicle issue at any site or place you took it.


This one we (Hammer and myself) differ a bit is going to happen is with total absence of malice. Site is here to help as I see it YOU are always the decision maker.


This thread should be locked to archives I wont right now but will later if web is working and still see it here.


Onward, Tom



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 25, 2020, 4:58 AM

Post #10 of 12 (643 views)
Re: About replacing fluids, etc.... 2000 merc. Grand Marquis Sign In

That is a common symptom caused by a bad Mass Air Flow sensor but without driving the car or doing some testing, that's nothing but a wild guess and we usually don't act on those.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



White Trash CVP
User

Sep 25, 2020, 11:20 PM

Post #11 of 12 (604 views)
Re: About replacing fluids, etc.... 2000 merc. Grand Marquis Sign In

Welcome to my opinion. BTW .. I have two of (the identical chassis) that you do.

In a prefect world if you were vigilant enough .. your car will never rust and unicorns will smile upon it. And this is indeed possible with vigilance and OCD maintenance.

In the real world .. Taxi companies beat the hell out of the P-74 Panther platform to the tune of half a million miles plus.

Yes, brake fluid is hygroscopic, and nothing wrong at all with regular factory service interval recommended fluid changes .. but I wouldn't exactly be freaking out at 74,000 miles, worried about next week's rear end collision.

I would hazard that the vast majority of vehicles that I`ve seen are still on the factory fluid with maybe a top up.

If you love your car, follow the factory recommended service intervals. But if your brakes feel good today, they`re not going to be suddenly gone tomorrow.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 26, 2020, 4:55 AM

Post #12 of 12 (597 views)
Re: About replacing fluids, etc.... 2000 merc. Grand Marquis Sign In


Quote
If you love your car, follow the factory recommended service intervals. But if your brakes feel good today, they`re not going to be suddenly gone tomorrow.


No they're not but the system will be subjected to preventable component deterioration from contaminated fluid. 74K is not the issue, 20 years of age is.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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