Timing Belt

[Accord4Life]

Hi everyone, my mothers 99 Sable needs to get to the shop for a 75k service. While I kow this isn't FORD forum I know some may be able to help...
I think she needs to get the Timing Belt Done now, and I don't live close enough to her to see her maint. sched. in her owners manual. Does anyone with experience with Ford Cars think this is a good idea, just to do it now. Her engine is like a 3.5 litre Duratec I think. Not sure though. I am also thinking she should get an oil change, trannie fluid change, radiator, belts, water pump, and an AC system check. Here's a list of prices the local stealership is offereing...
http://www.leifjohnsonford.com/fastjohnny/html/servcoupon.php
Worth the dealer or not? I just think going to even lower quality parts than ford (aka aftermarket) would just make this boat of crap worse...

[Accord4Life]

Anyone???

[ItsaHonda]

Sorry Mike, somehow I must've overlooked this thread.

The 3.0 Duratec in the Taurus/Sable has a chain, so there is no scheduled service for a water-pump replacement. @75k, it certainly isn't too soon to replace it. The maintenance is about the same as it would be on a Honda. You can use aftermarket for maint., Fords aren't particular. When I replaced the spark plugs on my Cougar, the forum members recommended Bosch... they seemed to work well. Have the serpentine belt checked/replaced if it hadn't been done already.

[Accord4Life]

Thanks Man!
Yep I think I'll call around to some independent shops and see what they can do, but this Dealer has REAL competitive pricing. And seeing as its under warrantee until 2008, I think that I might just stick with the ford stuff. I mean, I love cheaper parts, but Ford already doesn't use the best parts in the world and I don't think that I'd want to step lower than that. I still am bewildered why in 1999 for christ sake ford could only get 137hp/141pft out of a 3.0litre V6??? Its probably a pushrod right? I must say although the trannie is ca ca, its quite gusty when you push it! Drives like a boat though...

Are shocks due about now??? Never really maintained a Ford product before...

[ItsaHonda]

I still am bewildered why in 1999 for christ sake ford could only get 137hp/141pft out of a 3.0litre V6??? Its probably a pushrod right?>>

Well, there were two engines available in the Taurus/Sable. Both were 3.0 V6s. the Vulcan and the Duratec. The Vulcan was the base engine, it had 145hp in '99, and yes, it was an OHV pushrod engine. The optional Duratec made 200hp and was a DOHC design. Hers must be the old Vulcan. Both V6s use chains, so no difference there.

I must say although the trannie is ca ca, its quite gusty when you push it! Drives like a boat though>>

Be careful, because the transmissions in the 1st-3rd gen Taurus/Sable are almost as bad as the 6th gen Honda units. Automatics are a weak link in Fords. A-lot of owners have reported that keeping the OD off (since all Fords w/ autos have OD on/off feature) unless traveling on the freeway helps prolong the life of the tranny significantly. I've heard this same thing from several sources. And as with the 6th gen Accords, keeping the tranny fluid changed at least every 30k miles is also a good measure.

Are shocks due about now???>>

The struts, yes... I forgot all about them. 5-6 years/70-80k miles is about the general life expectancy for struts, so definitely have them checked.

[Accord4Life]

I think the OD switch on hers is on the wiperblade stalk right?

[ItsaHonda]

On the models with the shift lever on the floor, it is. If the shift lever is on the steering column, it'll be a button at the very end of the lever.

[ItsaHonda]

I take that back, you might want to double check... because on some later models, the OD on/off button was on the floor shifters as well. I haven't been in a Taurus since '92, which had the lever on the column. The '02 dealer loaner Explorer I was given a few years back had the button the floor shifter, so I'm not sure if the Taurus/Sable do as well.

[Accord4Life]

Well I know hers doesn't have it on the shifter, which is on the steering column. And she just confirmed that it wans't on the wiper stalk like I though. Does it have OD???

[ItsaHonda]

Hmm, that is odd. It definitely has OD. I can't think of any other place they would put it. In the 92 Taurus with the column shifter, it was on the shift lever. Every Ford I have been in (new and old) has had the OD on/off feature, so I'm almost certain the 3rd gen Taurus/Sable have it as well. I'll check up on that and get back to you...

[ItsaHonda]

Well, I was wrong. The Taurus/Sables w/ the column shifter do not have a button. The gear selection should be P R N OD D 1, leaving it in 'D' will overide the overdrive. If driving over 45mph for an extended period, just slip it back into OD. Seems like a PITA, but if it saves the tranny... then I 'spose it's well worth it.