60k checklist

[Johnnyrotten099]

What excatly do I need to do for my 60k maintenance? I've looked but I've never found a full checklist... I really don't want to pay almost $800 for the 120k kit off sho source. The only thing I've found wrong with it is that it leaks a smidge of oil out of the front main seal. It also fluctuates from 900rpm to about 1500rpm when driving around town and coming to a stop. What do you think I need to do? If anyone could also give me a idea of why the steering is hard when I'm turning right then gets really easy like it's supposed to if anyone has any info on this please let me know. Thank you for your help! I've done some research but obviously not enough!

 

[sperold]

Try getting some codes, either with the paper clip method or an OBDI code reader.

Possible issue on the pulsing idle is the Idle Control Valve commonly called the Idle Air Control (IAC).

It is important to tell us what year your car is for the steering, but first make sure you have nothing under the car that is affecting the travel of your steering components.

 

[luigisho]

One thing at a time. What year and how many miles?

Check codes is usually numero uno.

Agree with above that the IAC is the most common engine surging up and down at idle.

Check your spark plugs for engine oil leaking into the tubes from the valve covers if considering a 60k on the top end.

If you know the front main seal is the actual culprit then replace that and maybe the timing belt and water pump if they are exposed. Crank sensor is usually in the front 60k recommendation but those are not available at this time so you have to be careful and reuse the current one.

Power steering check the fluid level and the condition of the current fluid.

Everything is old and suspect on these cars at this age. 25-30 yrs old

 

[Irish Pride]

The surging could be the IAC as already mentioned, as well as a dirty MAF sensor, or weak spark plugs/wires if they haven't been changed in a long time. 60ks are not really expensive if you look around, usually Rockauto has the best prices for the common stuff. The problem with 60ks is that they are time consuming for someone that is not that familiar with them. It could easily take someone an entire Saturday and Sunday and more just trying to figure out what comes off next, and what tool to use to get this off, and how do I put this back on, and why does the car not start now? Lol It's not bad but the first time is a learning curve. I can do a 60k blindfolded now.

The main things you will want to address are,

Front 60k -
Front main seal
Camshaft seals
Water pump and crossover seals
Timing belt
Timing belt tensioner - optional
Injector seals - optional
Radiator hoses - optional
Cam sensor - optional
Crank sensor - if you can find one...
Motor mounts - optional

Top 60k -
Valve Cover gaskets with plug well seals
Spark plugs
Spark plug wires
Valve Shims - optional
Lower manifold gaskets - optional
Intake manifold gaskets - optional
Intake manifold couplers - optional

I have never had to replace an MTX timing belt tensioner but that doesn't mean they don't go bad. Inspect it and reuse it if you feel it's OK. If it's an ATX then you will probably want to replace or convert to manual tensioner. SHOSource will be the only place to find good ATX tensioners. I have reused radiator hoses before, but the lower hose needs to be removed to do the water pump so you might want to at least do that one while you are in there. The upper can be replaced anytime. Same goes for the Cam Sensor, just reuse it for now. The only time I've done valve shims has been when I did head swaps. I reuse my lower manifold gaskets. Put a fresh coat of black spray paint on them and install while they are still tacky. Inspect your intake couplers. If they are still in good condition then reuse. No need to replace the intake gaskets unless you are taking it apart(my opinion). Injector seals will probably be hard at this point in time so it wouldn't hurt to replace them. You don't need to remove the injectors to do any of the other listed items so it is purely optional. As cheap as they are though, I would do them.

Look up "SHO Phoenix Project". There are links posted here on the forum. SHO Phoenix will step you through everything that needs to be done. There are numerous posts here too that will cover everything if you search for them.

-Chad

 

[SHOMON]

I had that steering problem when I had a broken rear subframe bolt on my old ATX.!!
I didn't know what it was until the other side broke and the whole thing dropped !!

 

[Johnnyrotten099]

It's a 93 mtx with a 188,***. The power steering fluid doesnt look to happy so that's probably where to start with that. I'm not really sure how to read the codes but I'll look into it. Thank you guys for the info!! If i cant find any info on something i have a question about I'll ask.

 

[luigisho]

Search for the shophoenix.com link on this website. It is no longer on the current google search as the source host has expired. The links on this forum have an archived web version. There are all manner of code searches to draw from to jumper teh plug in the engine bay. The fluid should help but at this age the rack or pump could be compromised. See if it's leaking.

Is this a daily driver or a second mess around car?

 

[Johnnyrotten099]

Ok will do! This is my daily. Nothing leaks besides the front main. A little leaks antifreeze from somewhere around the passenger side of the radiator. I have almost 10 years of maintenance records for it. It was very meticulously maintained and owned by a grandpa. He drove it back and forth to idaho.

 

[luigisho]

That really helps to not have a really beaten up car but it is just filled with really old materials that degrade over time. My best advice to owners of cars this old is have a backup. I learned this the hard way.
The radiators have plastic end tanks that often leak at the sides so that is one place to look. The hoses are all very old. I hope you are good with or are willing to learn how to turn wrenches for yourself. This can get ugly on the wallet even with an average example SHO at this age.

 

[Johnnyrotten099]

I know it happens! I just wanna get the 60k out of the way so I can pick away at stuff. I've always wanted a sho. My brother and I have a merc s500 that needs one part that isnt to expensive. Maybe I should invest. It's a great car ford good trips and going fast in a straight line if theres no bumps lol. I saw that last night when I was checking out that tank on the side. If that's low will it cause the low coolant light to come on? I'm definitely good enough to get my self by but that undercarriage looks kinda intimidating I actually just got a job evaluation and testing at weyerhauser so that bump me up a little bit from what I'm making on unenjoyment and bump me down a lot of bit from running running log loader. I should be able to get a nice little stock pile of cashola to throw at it or buy something new and move that out of the way to a Sunday driver. Sorry for the long winded reply.

 

[luigisho]

Ok so with uncertain income streams I would do the bare minimum until the more disposable cash is available. Make sure the fluids are within operating levels. You need the manual or instructions for removing the timing cover since it is a 3 piece plastic unit that comes apart a certain way in addition to access to the crank area. The first run through usually takes some time so budget the time and watch the weather unless you have a nice garage to access. You can try and remove the radiator and recrimp the endtanks. I usually replace with a cheapo from the interwebs.

 

[Johnnyrotten099]

I've been trying to find the sho phoniex project but cant seem to find anywhere I just see it mentioned all over the place. I have a nice garage and all the tools I would assume besides the specialty stuff

 

[Johnnyrotten099]

Any idea how the charging system holds you to a high wattage amp and sub with a battery pack?

 

[luigisho]

http://taurus.heliohost.org/

Some of the pics may or may not still pop up but it should help.

https://shoforum.com/index.php?thre...ng-belt-on-89-95-mtx-sho.119718/#post-1317415

https://www.justanswer.com/ford/1y3b9-89-ford-taurus-sho-just-replaced-clutch-flywheel.html

These should have write ups and tips that will help

 

[luigisho]

The charging system is old so I would guess that it holds up about as well as any 30yr old setup would hold up. I never had alot of issues with stereo and amp upgrades but I didn't push a ton of power through it. I wasn't really going for SPL so I don't know the upper limits. This is assuming it is of average operating health now.

 

[Johnnyrotten099]

I can test it and check. I'd like to run two l7's and a 1000w rms amp. Or two skar subs not really looking to run more then a 1000w though. I'll check out the links thanks man I appreciate it.

 

[blk\blk90]

There's a wealth of info here too.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/77a1h1wsvvdmtox/AACBSbusdJqRt-PIONbmMpeTa?dl=0

 

[luigisho]

I've been looking for that link!

 

[Irish Pride]

I already shared it with him a few days back.