Thanks for the feedback
It might be the fact that a cheap engine flush was used as well ... Well I have an oil change coming up on my EL so i'll try it out on mine and see how it goes.

No matter how cheap the flush is it shouldn't cause that anyway.

Yeah that's what I thought too when I bought it, but should be all good when I change it on my EL

What about service intervals and what to do at each one??

Yeah I know that, However other people might not know...

What I was getting at is, what to do at each service interval. You dont just change the oil every 5,000k's there is other stuff to consider like plugs, leads etc etc.

So at 5,000k's you do oil and filter
10,000k's you do oil, filter, plugs and leads
15,000k's you do oil and filter
etc etc etc

Maybe someone can put it up in more detail

Yeah I do plugs, leads every 30 to 40 odd thoushand k's

I was just thinking more along the lines of what the dealer's actual maintenance guide is

Woweee, I've just recently found myself doing around about 1000-1200km a WEEK, looks like I need to stock up on some oil and oil filters haha. I originally did it every 10,000km but I feel like looking after the EL a little better now.

On my daily driver , 1996 EF Futura I do oil and filter ( which I glue a 50c magnet from jaycar to the bottom of ) every 5000 k's , drain and refill diff , cooling system with pure prediluted coolant ( just last week replaced the original water pump due to bearing failure , impeller was virtually undamaged ) , transmiission and brake system ( 99% of brake fluids are hygroscopic ie they absorb moisture ) , wash and reoil air filter , adjust handbrake ( the proper way , rear wheels off ) , check front wheel bearing tension and have the auto tranny serviced every twelve months . Replace spark plugs every 6 months . Replace serpentine belt every 2 years . Car has just clocked up 350,000.00 k's on original engine ( never had head off either and which might I add still has brilliant oil pressure ) and diff . Sadly had to put a reco'd tranny in earlier this year at 340,000 K's . Car drove OK but it had issues that I did not want rearing their ugly head when I was somewhere like Cobar or Bourke . Tranny shop guy tells me Ford and BTR had a design life of 120,000 to 160,000 K's on the BTR / Ion . Car ( touch wood , tempting fate here ) has never broken down once . I believe 99% of cars if serviced correctly and driven sensibly will not let you down . I work part time in the motor trade and this car drives better than 90% of cars I drive with a third the kilometres on them . I would have absolutely no compunctions jumping in this car without notice and driving to Perth and back .

Look after them and they in turn will look after you .