Got roped into maintaining my brother's taurus

[lipadj46]

So my step father asked if I would do a service for my step brother because he has no idea about car maintenance. He says he wants to learn but who knows (he has gotten good at acting stupid and getting things handed to him). Anywho I have one morning and never have worked on any fords before...

He has a 2005 Ford Taurus anyone know the easiest way to drain the coolant out of it? Is there a bottom hose to the radiator easily accessible? What is the easiest way to flush the radiator? What kind of coolant does Ford use, Dexcool or it's own type?

I bought a jug of Motorcraft 5w-20 and a motorcraft oil filter because they are good and cheap.

 

[wapacz]

I think ford uses G05 coolant.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

That "dumb" act can really get one out of work.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: GROUCHO MARX
That "dumb" act can really get one out of work.



Off topic:

I recently 'fell out' with a long time close friend when I finally realized that his dumb act was really being 'slick'. It's a long story but that's the jist of it.

 

[01rangerxl]

There is a drain on the bottom of the radiator...it's easy to spot once you start looking for it. Just attach a piece of hose to keep the mess down and open it up. With my 3.0 Ranger, I get more than half of the coolant out just by opening this drain. I'm not sure if you will be able to get that much out of a Taurus or not.

Refill with G-05 if at all possible. Napa sells Zerex G-05 for $10-15 a gallon. The Ford dealer will have Motorcraft Gold for the same price or slightly more.

 

[Craddosk]

For the right answers on maintaining it, check out www.taurusclub.com . It's where I go for info when I'm maintaining my taurus.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: Craddosk
For the right answers on maintaining it, check out www.taurusclub.com . It's where I go for info when I'm maintaining my taurus.



Pretty good site...

 

[38sho]

what size engine is it? if its the DOHC one, a jug(5qt?) might not be enough..... if it uses the FL400s filter its the OHV pushrod engine, but if its the 820s? filter that the modern v8's use it will require more oil.

change the coolant, change the PS fluid with mobil 1 trans fluid or such, change the transmission fluid, change the air filter, change the fuel filter... and be done with it.........

also note if it has any misfires or check engine lights..... the DOHC version is notorious for these problems. anywhere from intake manifold plenum leaks, COP's taking a dump, or a lot of vacuum/emissions related hoses are cheaply made and like to disintegrate over time... a lot of years vary on their exact setup with the DOHC engine.. they changed stuff around a lot...

 

[lipadj46]

I am assuming it is the regular old 3.0 V6 and I bought a FL400S, I will see.

 

[crazyoildude]

GO-5 would be ok

 

[oilboy123]

If it's like mine 1998 Taurus the the bottom aero cover underneath needs to come off. Mine has the rad drain on the driver side of the rad. You can't get to the rad drain from the top.
Once you get the cover off the bottom you can get to the rad drain. I think it is less trouble to pull the lower hose.

If he has the Vulcan engine you are in luck, if the Duratech you don't have much room to work with.

I have put an engine in a 96 Sable I bought with a bad engine. I bought my Daughters 96 Taurus which had a bad engine. She helped with installing the engine as it was her first car. Both with Vulcans. I own a 98 Taurus as well.

The 96-99 Taurus engines are known for cooling system problems. Hence the bad engines. You will find out real quick how much he wants to learn. Taurus Car Club of America "TCCA" seems to have a decent forum. They have a fair amount of tutorials.

 

[JohnBrowning]

Just open the pet-cock valve on the bottom side of rad. I would not bother with a house just let it drain. Most water drain are set up to remove ethly glycol and such. I use a hose and hose it down my French drain in the drive way that is officially policy where I live!G-05 will work just fine.

 

[rpn453]

Originally Posted By: lipadj46
So my step father asked if I would do a service for my step brother because he has no idea about car maintenance. He says he wants to learn but who knows (he has gotten good at acting stupid and getting things handed to him).


If he truly wants to learn, make him attend!

 

[DDDaveyNY]

make him do as much as possible even if it's a pain, let him clean everything up too, and no disappearing act/phone/[censored]. If he wants to learn, he's gotta get his hands dirty, otherwise you'll get a call every time he gets a "[censored] caught sideways" !!

 

[DDDaveyNY]

Wow the censor filter is really touchy here ! the first one was only another variation of horse hockey, an the second was human sourced exhaust....

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: rpn453
Originally Posted By: lipadj46
So my step father asked if I would do a service for my step brother because he has no idea about car maintenance. He says he wants to learn but who knows (he has gotten good at acting stupid and getting things handed to him).


If he truly wants to learn, make him attend!



The best way to learn is for you to watch and him to apprentice in doing.

Instruct him while he does it himself.

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

I have a 2000 Taurus wagon. In the past we had a 1993 Sable (RIP) and my FIL has owned 4 Tauruss....Tauri.

Just remove the aero-plate, open the coolant reservoir (no coolant cap on the radiator) and let it drain out. For a faster (more messy) drain, remove the lower coolant hose from the radiator.

 

[lipadj46]

Great, thanks for the pointers all. He says he wants to learn but we will see.

 

[mechtech2]

I am a fan of preventive maintenance, but does that car really need new coolant?
It should be good for another year or two.
The factory stuff is quite good.

 

[lipadj46]

He has 65,000 on the odometer. I'm sure if I tested it it would test fine but my personal belief is that coolant should be changed every 2 years. I'm not a big believer in lifetime fills, 100,000 mile coolant etc...