Cooling System Question

[DistanceGuy1]

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.

[Millermagic]

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

[Huney1]

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/vbul...ght=clean+mafs
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.

[97TaurusGuy]

Originally Posted by Huney1

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.

[Huney1]

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 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.

[DistanceGuy1]

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!