Hi Mr. Kilmer (and the Kilmer Forum Gang!),
Based heavily on the influence of Scotty's review of the Mercury Grand Marquis, I too found one from the original owner (63K miles) and bought it (garage stored 80% of its life and in cherry shape) and only paid $5500 for it.
The million dollar maintenance question I'm pondering, based on other Scott's reviews of transmission fluid change...should I change that transmission fluid. On the one hand, its still a dark maroon color so it appears fine (not brown or burnt). On the other hand, it seems like there is either metal shavings within the fluid, or the dipstick is leaving remnants of metal color on the paper towel with the transmission fluid. I'm in that 'tweener' state of choice, it should have been changed by now (it hasn't been, via the owner) but it still may be okay to change to increase the longevity of the thing.
A follow up - when should I change the spark plugs. The guy I go to and trust for more complicated/maintenance jobs told me, the electrical wires will break when he moves that coil pack to change the plugs. I dont want to pay $550 for the coil pack and change until I HAVE TO, so when should I change the plugs.
I'm trying to balance maintenance/prevention with damage I could do, since its not been mine from the start.
Thank you!
Nick Corsaro
Any vehicle I purchase goes through a complete service so I know where it stands. All fluids, filters and plugs are changed out so I know they are good to start with. Any problems that come up from doing this is something that was going to happen anyway and I'd rather take care of it now than on the side of the road.
About the ATF, if you see metal shavings, change is risky. What you can do is drain the fluid into a clean container and add the same amount and pray it does not slip. If it does, then replace the new fluid with old one.regarding the spark plugs, they should be good up to 100k miles or so. and if you don’t have drivability issues, no need to change them now. I also add that you change the rear differential oil as well.
This is great advice; thank you yaser! It covers me both ways - same fluid goes back if there are metal shavings in it. Okay I will do the rear diff as well! It is the best balance of all worlds! Thanks for letting me pick your brain! Nick
You’re welcome and good luck.