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Ford Escape Mazda Tribute Maintenance and Repair

4133 messages,  Last post on Mar 24, 2013 at 5:59 AM

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Messages Page 380 of 414

#3786 of 4133 Re: 2004 Tribute ES with 100k miles -questions [motrcyclr] by motrcyclr

Jul 16, 2009 (4:00 am)

Replying to: nitrous93 (Jul 15, 2009 6:43 pm)
This isn't steve, but thanks for the offer, I live in the Akron, OH area. I'm waiting on a call back from a car-repair place owned by an in-law, depending on what that cost is, I'll probly ask my son to help me, he's working in Transportation division of the Ohio National Guard. And he has some auto-tech background from senior year of high school vocational school. At least, he'll be able to bend under the hood, without wrecking his back. He's working Nat. Guard full time, but some saturday...
 
And yep, I'll replace the EGR valve, and all fluids (coolant/differential/tranny) when we go at it. I did think it was interesting that someone posted the Mazda manual stating that the serpentine belt was changed by cutting off the old one & popping the new one on like I used to do with changing tires on a bicycle.......
  I'm definitely going to do the sequential flush technique on the tranny fluid, dump out 4, put in 3, etc. I've not had any hint of shifting problems, and want to keep it that way.

#3787 of 4133 Re: 2004 Tribute ES with 100k miles -questions [motrcyclr] by vg33e power

Jul 16, 2009 (7:27 am)

Replying to: motrcyclr (Jul 16, 2009 4:00 am)
I posted how to replace your water pump drive belt. I though it was interesting as well when I read it on the Ford Factory Shop Manual but that is the way to replace that particular belt. Just cut off old one and place new belt on water pump pulley and start a lead on the cam pulley, then finish mounting the belt completely on the cam pulley by turning it clockwise or counter clockwise depending on which side you started the lead manually. Funny but true!

#3788 of 4133 Re: 2004 Tribute ES with 100k miles -questions [nitrous93] by vg33e power

Jul 16, 2009 (7:32 am)

Replying to: nitrous93 (Jul 15, 2009 6:43 pm)
I tried replacing my PCV valve when I replaced my spark plugs and even with the upper plenum off I could not access the PCV valve easily. Needless to say I tried and tried and failed so I just left it alone. I would have needed to remove the fuel rail in order to replace the PCV valve and that I did not want to do. I even tried accessing the PCV the way the Ford Factory Shop Manual says to do so and there is no freaking way to get to it that way either. I still have the PCV so one of these days I may just have to pull the plenum off again and do it. Any tricks you have to do this???

#3789 of 4133 Re: No cruise and ABS, airbag, and Brake light on [peter0688] by laurenlv

Jul 18, 2009 (12:28 am)

Replying to: peter0688 (Jul 08, 2009 2:53 am)
I have a 2002 Ford Escape and I too have the reoccuring issue of the airbag light coming on and staying on. When I take it to the dealership it ALWAYS turns out to be a simple glitch under my front passenger seat. Apparently the airbag light sensor is in close proximity to the shocks which ultimately cause the sensor to think that the airbag on that side has been deployed.
I have dealt with the same issue 5 times in the past since purchasing the car in 2002. The inspection and correction was always free when my car had a warranty, Now that it's not, the dealership informs me it would cost $100-$200 to fix it!
 
Another issue I have is that once and a while, the brake light will be dimly lit but never fully. It comes and goes and I have no clue why...neither did the dealership.

#3790 of 4133 Re: 2004 Tribute ES with 100k miles -questions [steve_] by motrcyclr

Jul 19, 2009 (4:08 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Jul 15, 2009 1:56 pm)
Steve, i used the "contact us" link, got back a reply that said post in a member forum or some idiocy like that, no direct comment about incorrect prices.
 
I'm not impressed with the "contact us" response.

#3791 of 4133 Re: 2004 Tribute ES with 100k miles -questions [vg33e power] by motrcyclr

Jul 19, 2009 (4:15 pm)

Replying to: vg33e power (Jul 14, 2009 4:16 pm)
I appreciate the list. Thanks very much. I went to the Amsoil web page for info about their synthetic products. found a reminder bulletin about complete flush tranny fluid changes, and doing damage to the tranny because the filter is not a screen, but a felt material. Can someone confirm for me exactly what the filter on a 04 Trib 4wd automatic is made from? I'm intending to change fluid in the tranny, I want to do it the most short-term & long term effective & efficient way. This vehicle runs/rides like new, even with 100k miles. I see no reason for it not to continue, if I do my part and maintain it. I'm lookin' to do exactly that.

#3792 of 4133 Wheels? bolt pattern for 2004 Tribute? by motrcyclr

Jul 19, 2009 (5:27 pm)

What is the bolt pattern/spacing for the Tribute wheel? I have 16" alloy wheels. measured the center to center between two lugs, it's about 3.5" I think. 235/70 R16 tires (contininental contritrac, going to change those soon ) and I'd like to get steel wheels with a more agressive tread for occasional use, don't want to spend a lot of cash. What other wheels will fit ? thanks for the help.

#3793 of 4133 Re: 2004 Tribute ES with 100k miles -questions [motrcyclr] by beachstringer

Jul 19, 2009 (5:41 pm)

Replying to: motrcyclr (Jul 19, 2009 4:15 pm)
I have an 03 Escape but the basic same auto. I'm not a mechanic and I don't know what the transmission filter is made of, but I do know that you cannot replace it ( wasn't designed to be replaced by the brilliant engineers) unless you apparently take the entire transmission apart. So, although changing the trans fluid is good ( I do it every 50K) you are again running new fluid thru a dirty filter. I think Amsoil products are good but I don't know their costs and considering that, it may not be worth the additional price. Thats my opinion....

#3794 of 4133 Re: 2004 Tribute ES with 100k miles -questions [motrcyclr] by rascal69

Jul 19, 2009 (5:51 pm)

Replying to: motrcyclr (Jul 19, 2009 4:15 pm)
The media used in the CD4E transmission and the majority of higher quality transmissions today is a Polyester Felt material that cannot be flushed. Anyone who tells you they can flush debris from this material is not telling you the truth. The media acts as a barrier into which the contaminants embed into the Felt at various depths. The need to remove the debris relates very closely with the increased use of electronics and precision controllers found in today's premium transmissions.

#3795 of 4133 Re: 2004 Tribute ES with 100k miles -questions [rascal69] by motrcyclr

Jul 20, 2009 (4:26 am)

Replying to: rascal69 (Jul 19, 2009 5:51 pm)
rascal, thanks for the info. do you(or anyone else with experience at this, )know what is involved in changing the filter? I've noted several owners had problems with tranny's after a "flush" change, or a "drop the pan, drain & replace with 3-4qts type change, at a "speedy service" type maintenance facility.

Messages Page 380 of 414

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