I have a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis GS with 102K on it now. Bought it with 99K about 10-11 months ago. Hasn’t had any problems take me by surprise, it’s been very reliable in that regard. I’ve done lots of maintenance to it for things that weren’t working or needed replacement. Like the washer pump, tires, rotors and pads all around, front struts, rear shocks and springs, sway bar links, upper control arms in the front, AC compressor, AC pressure switch, new fluids everywhere except transmission (still in good shape), power steering hoses, air filter, alignment, couple seals and gaskets, parking brake, and a few others.
However, there are things on it that still work fine, but I would like to change just so I know they are done, since their estimated lifespan is within 100K. Others just tell me to not change it unless it broken.
Should I change the ignition coils, thermostat, radiator, the radiator hoses, spark plugs, the alternator, and the starter? Or should I just leave it alone until they break? Thanks for your time.
Should I change the ignition coils, thermostat, radiator, the radiator hoses, spark plugs, the alternator, and the starter? Or should I just leave it alone until they break? Thanks for your time.
If you haven't replaced the spark plugs, you might pull one out and check its condition and consider replacing them.
I wouldn't bother replacing coils unless you have an ignition problem (misfires, etc. even then, only after further diagnosis).
Unless the radiator is leaking, it's fine. my 43-year-old Pontiac still has the original radiator it came with from the factory. Granted, it's mainly metal, not plastic and aluminum like they are nowadays, but still applicable.
Radiator hoses, yes, I would consider replacing them. They deteriorate from the inside out. They may be 18 years old if they're the original parts. I might consider the thermostat as well. Go with the OEM option only, and flush the cooling system while you've got it all taken apart. This will also ensure your radiator lasts a little longer.
Don't waste your money on a starter and alternator unless you have problems with either of them. Don't buy remanufactured ones at the auto parts stores, go OEM. Take it to one of those chain parts stores and ask them to test your alternator and battery. It's free. Unless you start your car 10-20x a day, they last quite a while.
Thanks for the advice. The CarFax for the car has a maintenance record at a nearby shop showing the spark plugs, calipers, and fuel filter done at 90K miles so those seem to have been done already, but I haven’t verified that myself yet. Might be a good idea to change them just so I know that the spark plugs are new.
When I took it in earlier this summer to get the fluids changed, the cooling system was flushed, and I had the shop inspect the radiator hoses, they said they were still good. But rubber parts deteriorate at this age so replacement may be the best option regardless.
Anything else you would recommend doing as preventative maintenance that I haven’t already mentioned? My goal is to drive the car as long as possible.
Live data looks good, it passed emissions earlier this summer. LTFT is between .8% and 1.6% at any given time. Runs as good as it can given it’s age I suppose, but I’d like it to remain that way.
Check and consider replacing the transmission fluid and filter. People always neglect that and then they wonder why American cars die at 100-150k.
If you live in a salt prone area, keep the car clean underneath in the winter to keep it from rusting.
This is what the tranny fluid looks like, people have said it looks okay so I’m not that worried about it for now. I suspect it may have been done in the past while the car was taken in to the shop. CarFax on it has several generic maintenance records, one of which is at a Ford dealer at 36K and another at 90K. Just says “Recommended maintenance performed” or “Vehicle serviced “
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/is-my-transmission-fluid-good/
But yes I live in Chicago, rust is an issue here. My fender has a rust hole on it that’s getting bigger. Do you think I ought to try and find a replacement fender from the junkyard in the same paint color code or just buy a new one and get it painted? My only weariness comes from advice people have told me that the new painted one would stand out and be obvious that it’s new in relation to the rest of the paint.
If you can source the part that's not rusty, find one in the junkyard. I did that with my '99 Ranger's hood after the clear coat started peeling.
Take MountainManJoe's advice in your referenced post. Transmission fluid is cheap compared to transmission work, and it's not hard to do on that car. Change the fluid and filter for your own piece of mind. $60 in fluid and a filter is more than good insurance against a $2000+ tranny job.