Maintenance for low use Ford Fusion

[AZjeff]

My next door neighbor is a widow in her mid 70s who knows nothing about cars. She has a 2007 Fusion SE with the 2.3 4cyl with 47k miles and she only drives 1k/yr +/- now. She has taken it to the dealer yearly for their "multi-point inspection" and were treating her fairly until 5 years ago when they started doing wallet flushes for $1k+ so 2022 was the last time she took it in. I've been keeping air in the tires and checking the oil and the other day put on new wipers and changed the oil (@2000 miles and 2 years) because she was worried about it. You'd think I gave her $5000 she was so appreciative not having to go to the dealer.

I've looked at her maintenance folder, it's had all fluids changed multiple times, a battery every 3 years it seems and the only repair was thermostat/housing and water pump. I'm not doing anything involved just keep an eye on the car to save her some money. What little checking I've done it seems this is a pretty good reliable car.

I don't see the PCV valve or accy belt ever being replaced. At 17 years old I'm thinking would be good to do even with the low use. Anything else to look at or consider replacing due to age? Could the OC be stretched out to 3yr/3k? Would a battery tender make the battery last longer? The car lives in the garage and is in amazing condition. I did get her to start taking it out once a month for a 30 minute drive at highway speed to warm everything up.

 

[harbor]

You’re a good guy for doing this maintenance.
I did the same for my mom’s Mercury Milan, and if the dealer hit all the fluids in 2022, your maintenance plan sounds like a good one. I think the 30 minute drive helps.

 

[Urshurak776]

Watch out for cracked short block allowing coolant intrusion into cylinder 2. Thousands and thousands and thousands had this happen with that car.......

 

[johnmyster]

I assume "all fluids" include brake fluid, coolant, transmission.

Regarding OCI, how often is it driven? Once a week 10 miles each way to church (1k a year) then longer 12-24 month OCI is probably reasonable. Every day 3 miles to volunteer at the soup kitchen, I'd want to see six month changes.

 

[The Critic]

If the car still sees a lot of short trips, I would consider changing the oil every 6 months, regardless of miles. But at least annually, minimum.

 

[Escape08]

Watch out for cracked short block allowing coolant intrusion into cylinder 2. Thousands and thousands and thousands had this happen with that car.......

What? That 2007 Ford Fusion has a 2.3 Duratec engine. Never heard or read about what you;ve mentioned in Ford forums especially on Duratec engines.

 

[Cujet]

2 year OCI's is fine. Keeping an older car reliable really means inspecting things to ensure they will continue to function. No sense in over maintaining it.

 

[dishdude]

Being garaged is the big thing. Agree with every 2 year oci. If the battery is holding a charge between uses I wouldn't bother with a battery tender.

 

[JavierH19]

Once a year changes with any oil will do like basic supertech all mileage 5w-30, 2 years could be possible buy moisture isn't good. I don't think it needs to be overly maintained like that. You're a good person for looking out for your neighbor that could use the help. I mind my own business too but only to a degree before I'll get involved where I can since I believe in societal cohesion. I just don't want to touch peoples marriages beyond letting someone vent and let them feel heard. I helped an elderly woman in my farm area when a tree fell on her yard and no one was able to help her and the tree removal would've been several hundreds. Got free firewood at least.

 

[Urshurak776]

What? That 2007 Ford Fusion has a 2.3 Duratec engine. Never heard or read about what you;ve mentioned in Ford forums especially on Duratec engines.

Oops, you're right, my apologies. I thought it was a 2017, not 2007. This happened in the EcoBoost 1.5L. 9 guys in my group, 5 of us had Fusions (fleet program) and 4 of them got the cracked block.......it was absurd.

 

[bdcardinal]

Watch out for cracked short block allowing coolant intrusion into cylinder 2. Thousands and thousands and thousands had this happen with that car.......

Wrong engine. You are thinking of the EcoBoost engines, not the Duratech.

 

[Urshurak776]

Wrong engine. You are thinking of the EcoBoost engines, not the Duratech.

Yup. I posted correction at same time as you.

 

[AZjeff]

Guessing trips are all under 10 miles except the monthly highway run. So change the PCV and belt just because and 1 or 2 yr OCI and just keep an eye on things. With the low humidity here I'm not too worried about moisture in the oil or brake fluid.

Anyone know what the air scoop is about that gets air from the electric fan and dumps it behind the engine? It's the flat looking plastic thing in the upper right of the photo.

 

[tig1]

Watch out for cracked short block allowing coolant intrusion into cylinder 2. Thousands and thousands and thousands had this happen with that car.......

Not the 2007 Fusion. The later Fusion that were the Ecoboost had the coolant design problem in the open deck block. My 07 Fusion has 323K. Great engines.

 

[Urshurak776]

Not the 2007 Fusion. The later Fusion that were the Ecoboost had the coolant design problem in the open deck block. My 07 Fusion has 323K. Great engines.

Yes, I made a correction above. I was thinking of the Ecoboost engines (1.5L)

 

[tig1]

Guessing trips are all under 10 miles except the monthly highway run. So change the PCV and belt just because and 1 or 2 yr OCI and just keep an eye on things. With the low humidity here I'm not too worried about moisture in the oil or brake fluid.

Anyone know what the air scoop is about that gets air from the electric fan and dumps it behind the engine? It's the flat looking plastic thing in the upper right of the photo.
View attachment 247734

The cross over air tube puts air on the alternator. I removed my some 200K ago. Still have the original alternator with 323K.

 

[ripcord]

If it was me, I would just continue with the minimal maintenance and fix things as needed and give her my phone number for her peace of mind. Even if it never gets another lick of maintenance beyond an oil change or two, she's not going to wear it out before she hangs up her keys at the rate she's driving it.

Edit: maybe think about some new tires if hers are too old

 

[thastinger]

That 2.3 will outlive her for sure. Change the oil every 2 years and call it good.
The belts kinda suck to do if it has the separate "stretch" belt that drives the AC compressor.
Tranny fluid exchange would be my #1 priority if it was mine.

 

[BAJA_05]

Good for you for helping out, even if its a coulpe little odds and ends. Gives her a chance to interact with someone and probably makes her week.

 

[AZjeff]

Edit: maybe think about some new tires if hers are too old

In 2022 they scared her into replacing perfect low mile 6 YO tires as well as what was becoming an annual coolant flush. Trans fluid replaced @31k miles so 16k on it.

Good for you for helping out, even if its a couple little odds and ends. Gives her a chance to interact with someone and probably makes her week.

We help out where we can. Interestingly she has her 97 YO mother living there caring for her. Sharp as a tack and doesn't take any meds for anything.