2002 Engine Maintenance over 100k miles | Ford Thunderbird club group 1955-2005 T-Bird models
  • We're glad you found us via a search engine! Right now, you can join our club absolutely free and unlock member only features like the site search! This notice only appears once! It only takes 30 seconds to register, and we would love to have you as part of the World's largest Thunderbird Forum/Club! Click here to continue

  • 2002-05 Owners. As of August 2022 there is now an entire suspension kit for sale! Scroll down to the bottom of the first post click here.

2002 Engine Maintenance over 100k miles

Retro4ever
Reaction score
6
Thunderbird Year
2002
Post does not meet subject criteria
It seems I am less than six miles away from the big flip. I was just looking for recommenedations to extend the engine life as long as possible.Whoever had this car before me...they drove it. Possibly even as a daily. Having rebuilt the suspension front and rear and a total brake job the only mechanical thing I am concerned about is future engine problems so I am all about preventive maintenance. Any suggetions would be appreciated.
one hundred thousand.jpg

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 
Remember! There is a substantial amount of information on maintenance in the owners manual. Seems like a great place to start, and don’t forget to document what you accomplished.
 
Based on my own experience with 190,000 miles on the same drivetrain and suspension in an early ('00) Lincoln LS, there's nothing special about the 100k mark, except that you should expect that things will continue to wear out more quickly on the bird's design than on 'other' cars (thank you, Ford, for sourcing the drive train and suspension from the Jaguar design book).

IIRC, Ford specifies a 100k spark plug replacement, though that was presumably done already in connection with coil ("COP") replacements.

Since you've already redone the suspension (no surprise), the usual engine proactive issues would be the degas bottle and black 'plastic' cooling systems parts -- don't worry about the small rubber hoses (mainly the heater system) as they seem to wear forever. The serpentine belt is another possibility, and whenever you replace it, maybe a good idea to check the idler pulley as well.

Otherwise, just keep up with the fluid changes and enjoy ...
 
It seems I am less than six miles away from the big flip. I was just looking for recommenedations to extend the engine life as long as possible.Whoever had this car before me...they drove it. Possibly even as a daily. Having rebuilt the suspension front and rear and a total brake job the only mechanical thing I am concerned about is future engine problems so I am all about preventive maintenance. Any suggetions would be appreciated.
View attachment 34151
I changed the factory oil and filter at 1,000 miles after I bought it new in 02. I’ve run Mobil 1 5W 20 full synthetic with Motorcraft filters.
If you plan on driving less than 7000 miles a year just change the oil with full synthetic annually. I had a 2001 Lincoln LS with the same 3.9 L engine and changed the oil every 7000. I sold the car at 189,000 miles and it ran like a tap. I just got tired of the car after 10 years maybe change all the fluids including the brake fluid. You’ll enjoy the car for many years to come.
 
Back
Top