Basic Maintenance Neglect

As I tried to state in the freak-out Confession thread that I accidentally posted 12 times or something, I need some direction. Despite working in a bike shop with easy access to good tools, hazardous disposal facilities and parts discounts, I have never done a lick of maintenance on the 2000 Focus ZX3 (Zetec, auto) that's in my care. And now that my girlfriend is driving 100 miles a day, it's beginning to show its age.

When I say I've never done a lick of maintenance, I mean just that. She paid somebody else to change the oil yesterday, ferchrissakes! Although in my defense, I did swap to SVT suspension and fresh brakes all around last year. So I've got that going for me, which is nice. But my maintenance record on this car...uh, none...is shameful. Worse yet, we may soon be giving it to my grandfather for his daily use, and I'd feel really bad if my neglect got him stranded somewhere. I mean my girlfriend is one thing, but she's cute enough that I'm sure some nice trucker would stop to pick her up off the highway...

So, with a 132k mi Focus, what should I do? I know I'm overdue for the timing belt/water pump service, and I feel like I need to spend one very full day at the shop on a weekend and just take care of everything. You're my service advisor, I've just walked into your shop with this neglected, high mileage Focus. What would you tell me to do?

Trade it in for something that isn't about to need a huge amount of maintenance?

Id say just bite the bullet and get it done... if the engine didn't seize up after the oil change, then its not all bad...

Yeah, it's running pretty well - the gas mileage is actually getting incrementally better - but I can also tell it's not running as well as it used to. I sure don't mind doing it myself, it's just that, you know, I haven't.

Maybe all I need is a service schedule for this model, and I can pick up all the parts I need and knock it out in one long day.

Get that timing belt changed.

iceracer wrote: Get that timing belt changed.

X 2, Even though the Zetec is a non-interference engine you are 32K over the replacement time for the timing belt. Replacing the water pump at the same time is a good idea.

I would also replace the plugs with a new set of stock Motorcraft plugs (Zetecs don't like other types) and give the MAF sensor a squirt of cleaner.

A friends wife had 230K on her "00 wagon before it was wrecked and it was still running fine. Another friend put a supercharger on his with 90K miles on it, he now has 150K miles and two years of Auto-X and track days on it.

So the engines will last a long time. You are more likely to have other problems like worn suspension parts, etc before you have engine problems.

Are you telling me you ran that thing all those miles with no oil change until she paid someone else to do it?!

If so, I'd get rid of it asap.

Eh, 132k isn't some wild high mileage number.

So get the timing belt replaced, and the water pump just because it's there. You may as well have the shop flush the cooling system.

I'd flush the transmission and the brakes. These two you can do yourself btw. In fact, you can flush the cooling system also, but just let the shop do it.

I'd vaguely consider replacing all the belts and hoses, but I'd actually only do it if they looked bad. Many aftermarket belts and hoses are really lousy, so be cautious and actually consider oem parts.

Might even get inspired and balance the wheels just for a smooth spiffy ride.

Things to anticipate. Tires, shocks, brake pads, battery, alternator. All are getting long in the tooth and are nearing replacement time, if you haven't already had them done.

ww wrote: Are you telling me you ran that thing all those miles with no oil change until she paid someone else to do it?! If so, I'd get rid of it asap.

yeah....132,000 miles for the 1st oil change?

Heh. No, I haven't been quite that bad about it. Oil has been changed pretty much on schedule.

How much does the timing belt/water pump replacement suck? Looks pretty un-fun to me. Worth having a shop do, or can it reasonably be done by a Zetec newb in a day?

Suspension is fresh SVT all around, brakes are fresh, fluid's about a year old, tires are good. I'll do coolant now because I know the mix is off and I'll forget about it before the weather changes. Timing belt/water pump, flush transmission, plugs and wires, clean up the MAF, check belts and hoses... anything I'm missing?

Timing belt along with new idlers and tensioner is available as a kit. The replacement is not difficult, but the proper procedure must be followed since the cam gears have no timing marks. A bar is used to locate the cams,which can be purchased or home made.

So it's not necessarily a knuckle scraping swear-fest? That's good to hear. Is there a source for the manual online and/or the service procedure for this belt/pump job?

Now I just gotta find the time to do this...

www.teamzx2.com may have the procedure. Of course it would be for the zx2 but it should work. there are inexpensive manuals available. Focus Central may have something also.