New and about to do alot of maintenance

Ok so Im new. (Like you couldn't tell :p )

Anyways, in an effort to save money and make some I have to decided to teach myself general maintenance for my car and others.

Having said that I guess Im just looking for guides, how to's and advice.

If not listed I own a 1998 Ford Esort SE with about 85K miles, I try to keep it in good condition. (I do not have a manual for this car)

So anyways, I was wondering if the following links I have located using google are acceptable for want I want do or if there are better ways or ways more specific for my specific car.


Within the next 5 days I plan to replace/do the following.

Replace engine air intake, replace oil and oil filter, replace PCV valve, replace spark plugs, rotate tires (Maybe) and replace fuel filter.

Now I don't really have any questions reguarding the oil and oil filter that seems easy enough.

But on the PCV valve, I no idea which model to buy or which one, name and or model. (because I don't have a manual for the car, I guess I could use google if noone knows)

And using these instructions:
http://autorepair.about.com/od/regularmaintenance/ss/PCV-replace.htm

If those are fine just say so or any advice/changes you may have.


Same for how to change fuel filter, don't know which one/what model to buy, ill google if noone knows.

Are these instructions acceptable:
http://autorepair.about.com/od/regularmaintenance/ss/fuel_filter.htm

And same for the spark plugs, don't know which ones to buy, but again ill google it if noone knows.

And these instructions:
http://www.ehow.com/video_110_replace-spark-plugs.html


Thanks in advance for any advice, again just looking for general information and tips.

If this forum contains stickies or instructions on these items that I have overlooked please tell me.

Thanks.

Welcome to Automotive Forums. Your source is a good one for general information. If you plan on keeping the car for a while it would be worth the $15.00 to get a Haynes Manual at any larger parts store.

The PCV valve on your car is is between the hose coming from the intake manifold and the hose coming from your air cleaner. It is about 3/8 inch hose .
To check it take it out and shake it. It should rattle. You should be able to blow into it one way but not the other. As inexpensive as it is and what it does to keep your engine running good it should be replaced about every 50k.
It is cheap. $3.00. Replace it.

The fuel filter is located at the bottom of the firewall on the driver's side of the engine bay. It takes special clips to put it in and they are easily broken. Get an inexpensive tool at the parts place to take them out and reinsert.

The spark plugs just like the PCV valve the the fuel filter are cheap and have a big determination about how your engine runs. You can get copper core for about $2.00, platinum for about $4.00 or Iridium for about $7.00. I'd go with the Iridum. They will pay for themselves by the increased mpg. Gap standard or platinum plugs at 56 thousandths. If you get Iridium don't gap them. They are set at the factory and are slightly less that .056. Don't overtighten the plugs when you put them in. About 14ft./lbs is correct.

thanks for the advice, I think ill do the spark plugs, pcv valve and fuel filter when I hit 90000 miles, did them 4 years ago, and only put about 20000 miles on it in that time, so they should be ok.

I did however get the oil and filter done, air filter and tire rotation done.

The last bolt on the last tire I had to untighten, ended up breaking two sockets before having to go buy one of those blackened extra hardened ones.

lol.

That must have been on tight lug nut. It's good that you got a six point impact socket to take them off and on. Dave