Hi guys,

Instead of booking it in the mechanic for its service, I've decided to do the AU myself. I'm possibly doing a major trip in April so I will book it into the mechanic then for a checkup, but I'm hoping I can do this service myself. But would like a few bits of advice or suggestions if you have any suggestions: (keep im mind I'm not terribly mechanically minded)

I am hoping to do:

*Engine oil, filter*
Now, I've basically worked out that any decent brand 10w 40 oil is the way to go, some say Penrite is the way to go, but in a stock wagon, probably not needed. I assume standard Ryco filter is ok?


*Coolant flush & refill*
Although its nice and green and full, it hasn't been changed in 20,000 so I assume it won't hurt to do it. Any coolant better than others (keeping in mind stock motor)

*Spark plugs*
Standard Bosch ones that Kmart sell ok? Don't wanna spend a fortune..

*Fuel Filter*
Also, standard ryco or whatever ok?

*Air filter*
According the one I am hopefully getting of a guy in another forum its a:
"triple core panel filter - basically an equivalent to K & N"

*Power steering flush and/or drain & fill*
Few bumps and knocks in the steering - is a drain/flush/refil a good idea? and if so, the best way to go about it. Standard power steering fluid ok???

Anything else you suggest I do (keep in mind I don't usually get my hands dirty, so tricky stuff prefer not thank you!!)

What about leads, coil etc??? Hard/expensive or required to replace the coil??

Thanks guys for your help, hope to do it on the weekend or maybe tomorrow if I get some decent replies.

Oh, it seems to be 'coughing' a bit on take off - is there a throttle cable or something somewhere that could need adjusting or something? Or should I wait until after the plugs are changed before I go looking.

Feel free to offer tips........

personally id use a genuine ford oil filter, mainly because theyre about the same price. or not much more expensive (whats $5 to know its exactly right



fords reccomendation is every 2 years for coolant, but every year is probably better. Make sure u use a decent brand, and also make sure u use enough. (Genuine ford stuff u need 5L of)



if your AU is an AUII or an AUIII it may have irridium plugs, meaning only replace them every 150000km... Im not sure exactly when they came in but it was AUII sometime... If thats the case, its worth replacing with irridium/platinum again unless u really cant afford the $$$ as they'll last another 150000. Altho if thats the case they'll only be like 60000km old...


Again i'd say genuine, but i am possibly biased seeing as im a ford mechanic. Ryco make decent enough stuff so should be ok...


*Air filter*
According the one I am hopefully getting of a guy in another forum its a:
"triple core panel filter - basically an equivalent to K & N"



im not sure a flush/refil would really fix the problem. but the best way to do it is disconnect the return line, keep the reservour full and runn the engine, pumping oil thru the rack and out of the return line into a drain tin.
Depending on how u define "standard power steering fluid" it may or may not be right. AU's dont use ATF as theyre power steering fluid, rather a hydraulic fluid which mobil oils calls "Mobil 424" Theres other versions around but i cant remember what they are. (its clearish). This oil can also be put in EA-EL's after a thurough flush to eliminate steering shudder problems.


if leads and the coil pack arent misbehaiving id leave them alone. If it aint brooke y fix it?



just a couple of other things - alot of AU's leak water at the back of the water pump where the bypass hose runs into it.

*Engine oil, filter*
You may need a thicker oil than 10w 40 on an engine that old. I know ford say 10w 40, other workshop guides spec thicker oils for high k engines. I use 20w 50 my car has 187000 on it. I have used Ryco filters for years with no problems, someone once told me Ryco make the ford filters anyway.

*Coolant flush & refill*
you only need coolant if you are going into extreme climates (snow, desert) you do however need corosion inhibitor, not the same thing.
Your radiator water should be pink not green thats the spec for an AU. Genuine Ford Corosion inhibitor Rl-50 it is not compatible with ethylene Glycol based coolants so your system will need a thorough flushing out.

*Spark plugs*
If you are not going to put in irridium plugs at least replace them with NGK's they are a far better plug than Bosch.

*Fuel Filter*
Standard ryco would be ok

*Power steering flush and/or drain & fill*
My understanding AU's came out with variable speed power steering and must be used with Mobiltrans 424. Every other brand has a equivilant, check their web sites for vehicle specs then go shopping. Unfortunatly its about 3 times the price of ATF

Hi mate, thanks for your comments....

Oil wise, there seem to be varied opinions - maybe I stick to 15w if I can get it??




It mentions there is a red and a green coolant for the AU in the Ellery service manual, although the owner manual does say RI-52 - so I will track it down.




Shall do - I'm sure I have seem NGKs somewhere....




Great




One of my questions was whether a drain/fill is even required - it doesn't seem to mention it anywhere as a service item....shall I bother?



Thanks again

I doubt a drain and fill will fix it unless it has the wrong fluid in it might be worth speaking to a power steering specialist.

No worries. Might just leave it. No reason to believe the wrong fluid is in it, works fine, just a few noises. But no doubt thats through having done 221000 k's.

I just noticed took a spark plug out and noticed (along with being pretty brown) they are 'autolite' brand. I assume these are no name cheapies??

Ta

Also, I can't see the engine oil drain plug in the picture its got in the manual - I assume its not too far from the oil filter....its not a bastard to get to once its on my ramps is it?

They're the same brand JMM in Melbourne stand by and insist on installing into your vehicle when you roll into their garage/workshop.
Some people swear by them, some people dont - the usual.
For memory they arent expensive; depends where you buy obviously as with most things these days.

Yeah good call. If were running good before i'd be tempted to get em again.

BTW daniel.... i see remote start coming soon.... rather adventurous isnt it?

Yer, a bit; but i need something "different" with a bit of cool factor.
Plus i dont like getting in the car n starting it n driving off; i usuall start it while im standing outside then get in n seal belt n crap, be so much easier with remote start - so it would serve a purpose too.

Can anyone confirm the legality of remote start in Victoria? I was under the impression that it was a no go.

Not sure about AU but wouldn't think it was any differant to any other ford, usually very easy to get to from under the car. Now the filter thats another thing altogether! I found a standard oil filter wrench was just too difficult and bought a socket type from bursons.

Check or replace diff oil...Same with auto. Check brake pad thickness, fluid..
Check serpintine belts...
Check spare tyre is o/k presure is correct...

Diff oil, auto service and rear brakes were done 1000'ks ago when I had it checked when I bought it as a safety/immediate attention type of service.

I checked the front brakes and they are fine - done 10,000 k ago. Bit squeaky though - what usually does that when the pads are ok and the discs look and feel pretty smooth.....

Spare is ok, and I have no idea what a serpintine belt is, so I can't check that!!!

I have bought a few bits and pieces, but I can't seem to find the appropriate WSS-M97-B44 C or D coolant/inhibitor that it says it needs. I can find a green B44 A though. Surely I don't need to buy genuine from ford at a price of $20 per litre???

Okies, so far I am going to use the following:

Oil: Mobil Synth S - 10w40. Couldn't find much in 10w 40. Even though Synth probably isn't needed for a stock 6, I assume it won't hurt either?
5 litres - $28.50

Plugs: NGK - $25 (could of got Bosch or Champion a bit cheaper, but thought 'what the heck'. I'm saving by not getting a mechanic to do it.

Oil Filter - Valvoline $4.24

Fuel Filter - Ryco $29.99 which I thought was a f**k rip off - but it was from Repco cause noone else had one.

Just need help finding the coolant......