Cooling System Question

I have a '97 Taurus with the Vulcan engine. It has 80K miles on it. It sat for 2 years b4 I bought it 2 months ago. I flushed the coolant system, changed the oil and flushed the tranny the week I bought it. Everything works (A/C, heat, radio/CD player, PW, PD etc...) perfectly.

My question:
Should I change the upper and lower radiator hoses at this point? They feel fine, but 10 years is a long time and I have no way of knowing what was ever done to maintain this car.

Also any other tips for an owner of a car that sat for 2 years prior to "bringing it back to life"?

Thank you.

It wouldn't hurt. How is the heater core, is it clogged? Sometimes it will turn the coolant brown.

New PCV valve and grommet about five bucks. New serpentine belt about $35. Siphon out the reservoir old power steering fluid and replace with Mercon V tranny fluid, drive it a day or so and do it again four or five times. Put a can of good fuel injector cleaner in the gas tank along with a can of "dry gas" that dilutes any water that built up in the tank from condensation. Change the air and fuel filter and clean the MAFS - mass air flow sensor. If you don't know how the instructions are in this thread. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=642122&highlight=clean+mafs http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/31HGKHY8AJL._AA280_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000EGH57G/ref=dp_image_0/103-7153381-7529444?ie=UTF8&n=15684181&s=automotive)
New thermostat the right temprature Ford suggests. New coolant reservoir cap. When anything sits that long I worry about rubber dry rot. Squeeze the hose together and look for tiny cracks and if you see any change the hoses.

I changed my brake fluid by siphoning the little reservior dry and fill with fresh fluid. Drive it a few days and do it again and repeat the procedure five or six times and that way at least you 'refurbish' the old fluid. If it has ABS brakes find a dirt road and lock up the brakes and make sure the ABS is working. Enjoy your Taurus, drive safe and rock on.


CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor
I found it at Advance Auto Parts.
It's not cheap but it's good stuff.

I changed my brake fluid by siphoning the little reservior dry and fill with fresh fluid. Drive it a few days and do it again and repeat the procedure five or six times and that way at least you 'refurbish' the old fluid. If it has ABS brakes find a dirt road and lock up the brakes and make sure the ABS is working. Enjoy your Taurus, drive safe and rock on.

It's a lot cheaper and more effecient to just go to a place like Sears and have the brake fluid power flushed. It costs about $20. The put pressure through the brake system and forces all the fluid out refill with new fluid and bleed the system. Not bad for $20. If you have have any weak lines or hoses you do take the chance of them blowing, but if they are weak you would want them replaced anyways.

Sears brake fluid flush: Heck yes, $20.00 is a heck of a deal but we don't have a Sears service center here. 'Preciate the heads up :cheers: and I know lot of motorists never change the brake or power steering fluids and do fine, but I guess I'm a preventive maintenance freak.

Thank you guys! I will take the time to do as you all say.

Nice to know that in cyber space there are people willing to share their knowledge!