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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> Service questions
        
(Message started by: TomP on Dec 6^th, 2008, 7:53pm)

Title: Service questions
Post by TomP on Dec 6^th, 2008, 7:53pm

Please can someone help me with some general DIY service questions for my 2.9 12V Scorpio Estate:

1) Antifreeze. What colour is the long life antifreeze? Handbook says no need to change for life of vehicle. However, my coolant looks blue and I think this may not be the long life/original type. Is Motorcraft Super Plus 4 (or quivalent) blue?

2) Gearbox. Level on dipstick looks low. Where is the filler plug? What oil is recommended?

3) Engine oil. Do I need to replace a gasket or washer on the sump pug after draining?

Many thanks.

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by gost on Dec 6^th, 2008, 8:08pm

On that subject, im getting my local garage man to do a service this week, any tips for me to pass on

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by gozz on Dec 6^th, 2008, 9:03pm

TomP.
The Ford longlife anti freeze that I use in my Transit is pink,though I use 50% good quality blue in all the Scorpios all year round,with gravity checks every winter.I assume that you have an autobox,the oil is checked when hot with engine running,if it's low when the engine is not running it's seriously low !
The washer on the sump plug can be replaced if necessary but is usually long lasting,and you would notice any leak long before serious consequences occurred.
GOZZ

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by Jonnycab on Dec 7^th, 2008, 2:06am

Most antifreeze you buy in a parts stores is blue & this is fine to use & usually has a 2-3 year lifespan :)

P.S....The gearbox oil goes in via the dipstick tube..........take the dipstick out first though ;)..... ;D

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by Jonnycab on Dec 7^th, 2008, 2:16am

Gost, click the link below for a copy of the Ford service checksheet that you can print & hand to your local garage if you want :)....

Scorpio Service Schedule (http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i101/jonnycab/Scorpioserviceschedule001.jpg)

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by Simmo on Dec 7^th, 2008, 6:56am

Tom, the procedure for checking the Autobox oil, which as Gozz says MUST be done when hot is listed HERE (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/autogearbox.htm) along with much more info. :)

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by TomP on Dec 7^th, 2008, 8:57am

Thanks for all the answers.

With the anti-freeze, is it ok to add pink to blue (or vice versa) or should you stick to the same colour?

Sounds like I don't really need to get the Motorcraft Super Plus 4 as quoted in the handbook?

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by Jonnycab on Dec 7^th, 2008, 11:56am

I wouldn't advise mixing pink with blue, not sure they will mix :-/

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by gost on Dec 7^th, 2008, 1:44pm

Many thanks Johnnycab, much appreciated,
Gost

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by Pegasus on Dec 7^th, 2008, 10:18pm

on 12/07/08 at 11:56:33, Jonnycab wrote:

I wouldn't advise mixing pink with blue, not sure they will mix :-/

[] Never mix pink & blue - they'll react and could cause problems. Stick with blue for the Scorps.

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by Jonnycab on Dec 8^th, 2008, 2:13am

This post has reminded me of a similar post a couple of years ago (or thereabouts) ;)

Anyone remember this little rhyme about antifreeze ?.....

....."For all you Ford Scorpios out there, remember this".........

"If it's green or blue, it's good for you ;).....But if it's red, then you're dead :( "

That's how I remember it :)

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by gozz on Dec 8^th, 2008, 8:07am

JC.
I think that referred to the horrible Holts stuff made from ethyl alcohol rather than glycol.
GOZZ.

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by Pegasus on Dec 8^th, 2008, 8:56pm

on 12/08/08 at 08:07:42, gozz wrote:

JC.
I think that referred to the horrible Holts stuff made from ethyl alcohol rather than glycol.
GOZZ.

Ethyl alcohol = ethanol - what a waste of good booze :o

Would they really use that though - it boils at 78-80C so wouldn't last long in a rad

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by gozz on Dec 8^th, 2008, 10:27pm

Pegasus.
Perhaps that was why it was such rubbish ;D
GOZZ.

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by pinto on Dec 8^th, 2008, 11:16pm

The Holts stuff used to be based on Methanol - very good at rotting rubber components and not too good at resisting freezing or boiling :-/

Think you mean Ethylene Glycol :)

Very, very nasty stuff to humans - 100ml is a lethal dose as it destroys the liver. Think there are still a handful of people who die in the UK after accidentally ingesting antifreeze (usually mistake it for a soft drink as its sweet tasting)

EG doesnt have a particularly high BP either - its the interaction with water that makes it perform well at higher temperatures, and its lower point of solidification that protects the coolant from cold weather.

Thats why the mix is usually 50:50

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by Jonnycab on Dec 10^th, 2008, 1:37am

Pinto wrote..."Very, very nasty stuff to humans - 100ml is a lethal dose as it destroys the liver. Think there are still a handful of people who die in the UK after accidentally ingesting antifreeze (usually mistake it for a soft drink as its sweet tasting)"

That'll be the wino's, who think it's one of those fancy looking nightclub drinks ;D

Seriously though, many cats die every year from antifreeze poisoning, because they lap up the sweet stuff from underneath cars with leaky rads....dopey or what ::)

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by gozz on Dec 10^th, 2008, 9:08am

Yes OK lads,for ethyl alcohol substitute m ethyl alcohol,my old brain matches my old Kentish face 8) ;D
GOZZ.

Title: Re: Service questions
Post by Pegasus on Dec 11^th, 2008, 12:47pm

on 12/10/08 at 01:37:04, Jonnycab wrote:

If you go to hospitals nowadays you have alcohol gel bottles all over the place for infection control.

We had a few cases a few years ago where some patients were getting ill whilst in hospital - thought it was the kitchens but it turns out these particular patients (we're in Lambeth) identified a free source of booze that they were mixing with their lucozade - apparently very tasty. Given that this alcohol gel was 70% ethanol (about 120 proof) they were very sqiffy.