03 Mondeo – Numpty Question about Maintenance

[Bowler]

Guys,

Sorry to crash your section of PH, but I’ve got a real numpty question about maintenance…

I use a 2003 Mondeo V6 Ghia X as my daily driver. Up until the middle of 2007, this was my company car (leased) from new, but I bought it as I wanted to get out of the cycle of "average" company cars.**

Just before I bought the car, I got it serviced and had most of the known “problems” fixed (ie: rear sub-frame bushes), so I took it over with a known service history.

I bought it knowing that it had a fairly low re-sale value (perceived as a gas guzzler) and my intention was to run it until it’s dead. With the hike in VED for 2009, this has just reinforced my view, as it’s practically worthless today. Still, it’s a good runner though and suits me fine.

Also, I bought it with very little intention of having it serviced by Ford again, so I got a Haynes manual with the aim of using it to determine what maintenance I wanted done on it and when (rather than Ford deciding), either doing the work myself or getting a tame mechanic to do it on his driveway

I had a “minor” service done on it 6 months ago (oil), but now it’s got 100k on it and it’s time for a proper service.

The 100k service generally seems fairly straightforward, but I’m also going to change the Auxiliary Drive Belt, as well (as recommended by Haynes)

Here’s the Numpty questions

Brake Fluid

I want to change the brake fluid. However, Haynes say “According to Ford, unless the system is bled using their WDS2000 diagnostic equipment, old fluid will not be removed from the ABS hydraulic unit. It may therefore be worth considering having the work done by a Ford dealer, though the amount of old fluid remaining may be quite small”

How true is this statement? Is this equipment (or similar) likely to be at independent traders? What is the risk of simply changing the brake fluid in the normal way? What else do I need to consider?

Coolant

Same thing - I want to renew the coolant. Haynes say ”If the antifreeze used is Ford’s own, Ford state that the coolant need not be renewed for the life of the car. If the car’s history is unknown, if the antifreeze is a of a lesser quality, or if you prefer to follow conventional servicing intervals, the coolant should be changed”

The car has been serviced by Ford to date, apart from the oil change a few months ago, so I have to assume that “Ford’s own” antifreeze has been used. Given the statement by Haynes, do I need to touch this or not? Apart from running the risk of freezing the system, what are the things I need to consider?

Any views on these 2 points??

One final question. Nothing in the Haynes service schedule says anything about the cam drive (chain/belt?) being touched, ever. Is this correct – it can’t be sealed for life can it?


Like I said above, sorry for asking numpty questions. Give me a steer please.

Thanks in advance

• See my profile for I what I bought with the cash option

Edited by Bowler on Thursday 9th October 21:12

[iDave]

I work for ford (apprentice), and not once have I used the WDS (which is the old diagnostics machine anyway) to change brake fluid. When you do change it just do a good bleed - a litre will be a good'un.

With the anti - freeze, we test it for how effective it is and Ford spec is anything below -37 should be changed. Im not sure if you have the tool to check it, but generally it will be in spec for 1 - 2 years. But seeing as we are in England, and we rarely (never anything close to -37 anyway!) get sub zero weather, it should be fine but if you want, just drain the header tank, then top up with some fresh anti freeze and you're a winner.

Hope this is helpful

[Bowler]

iDave said:

Hope this is helpful

Thanks for the response Dave. Great help

Cheers

Guy

[neiljohnson]

Brake fluid like already stated just bleed it through you shouldnt have any problems.
Coolant, if its red then is longlife stuff so should be ok for up to 10 years as long as is at the right mixture (antifreeze tester can be bought for less than a tenner).
Cam chain is 'for life' effectivly and i have never come across one with a problem on one of these engines.
I would change the oil every 5k if it was mine as this will prolong the life of the engine.
Check the history you have, if the water pump has not been done then change it asap. It is a known problem on these engines and the first you will know of it failing will be when your head gaskets fail.

[bikerPaul]

neiljohnson said:

Check the history you have, if the water pump has not been done then change it asap. It is a known problem on these engines and the first you will know of it failing will be when your head gaskets fail.

Was this not just an issue with the MkI & IIs? I don't recall anyone posting anything about the MkIIIs having a plastic impellar that degrades on www.fordmondeo.org - which is worth a visit for info.

Cheers
Paul

[neiljohnson]

The one with the later style impellor can still fail ive only seen one fail so far but at 100k a water pump is almost a consumable item & bearing in mind a failure would effectivly right the car off i would change it.