Ok, other than the obvious oil changes every 3k miles (haven't missed one or been late on an oil change yet) what other maintenance should be done for the 4.7's? I've got 42,3xx miles right now and have only been doing my normal oil changes every 3 months/3k miles. Are there any areas I should check or have cleaned sooner or later? I have heard things about head gaskets and coolants but would like some clarification/any other ideas for what to keep up with maintenance wise. Thanks for the advice/help!

Steve

 

Got a owners manual? It has a chart showing what should be checked. If you have 42k on a '02 I would think about flushing and replacing coolant, replacing fan belt and manual says replace plugs at 36k. I would also change fluid and fiter in transmission. As for coolants and head gaskets, you don't mix different types of coolants or they can eat away your gaskets. Just stay with the same color coolant that you have or get a coolant that says its universal right on the bottle. Have you changed your air filter, if not it is way past due.

 

Yeah I haven't flushed the engine yet or replaced the coolant. I'll have to look into replacing the spark plugs. I threw in a new air filter last winter by I'll probably check that again and clean it soon. Not really sure how to change the coolant myself, does that container that the coolant is in pop off? I know there is a silver top on it to twist off but it doesn't seem like I can successfully switch the coolants out through that...I'll go take a look at that right now actually..

 

differentials every 30k, plugs every 100k, coolant every 3 years, transmission fluid and filter every 30 - 60k

 

looks like the top half of the coolant container can come off, but im not sure what ill need to use or how to get the old coolant out, unless i just bring it to the dealer and have them replace the tranny fluid and coolant at the same time? but would rather not have them do it..

 

There should be a drain plug under the radiator. (driver's side)

-D

 

Pretty sure I located it, I just want to confirm that this is it..





As for coolant, any autoparts start should have it?

 

Here's what mine looks like. It's on the drivers side just above the transmission lines. Mine's plastic with a plastic nut and drain tube on it. Yes, you can find the anti freeze at your local auto parts warehouse.

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I change my plugs more in the 20-30k mile range for me.

 

hmm, i can't find anything that looks like that. The only thing that looks like it would be the drain for the coolant is that pic I posted .. That pic was taken in the area of my driver's side fog light, I'm not sure if that's too low for where the drain should be.

From the picture I posted, if that is in fact the coolant drain, I will assume it will just pour out once I lossen the nut there? Just like the way the oil does when your changing the oil?

 

Yeah, that's my coolant drain plug. Just where you indicated. It's on the very bottom of the radiator on the drivers side.