Just Bought my First MGM. Have a couple of newbie Questions.

[tedrohedro]

Hello Everyone. Wrote my first post yesterday, thanks for the response.

So I just bought my first MGM. A 1999 LS from the original owner with 35,000 Miles.
Car is in pretty nice shape. I plan to use it as my daily drive once I replace the tires. Over the last 2 years it has only been driven 100 miles, so it has just been sitting in a garage.

Since it has been just sitting, what fluids should i change right away? I checked all the fluids and they look good (im no mechanic though). The original owner kept a log book with all the service records and everything down to even every time he filled the car up with gas! Engine oil looks new, but hasnt been changed in over 2 years. I do belive the gas in the tank to be about 2 years old as well. I was thinking to put an additive in it, then new gas and when that tank is finished im guessing i should replace the fuel filter.

Other than the tires the only thing that seems like it might need some attention is the shocks. When i push down on the front of the car it seems pretty soft. But when i drove it, it did not bounce excessively. The back end looks level and seemed to ride ok. But i think it has air suspension in the back, and i have read on this site that they usually require repair and or people convert them to coils- any suggestion there? (has anyone used the "strutmasters" conversion kit with coil springs and shocks- if so how do you rate them?)

It does have the original style intake manifold, and know that down the road i should replace it before it fails.

I am going to try to contact a local Mercury dealer to see if they can tell me all the options it came with. Not sure what type of suspension it has.
It is a 1999 MGM LS. It does have dual exhaust.

Any help / feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Ted

[sxcpotatoes]

I'd do everything, coolant, oil, brake, & tranny fluid and filter. The tranny service should be around $100-150 and for the love of the panther gods do not flush it. Brake fluids are hygroscopic or whatever and take on water over time. You're supposed to change brake fluid every 2 years, do flush and fill the coolant again every 2 years. If you service the transmission every 30k miles (fluid & filter change only) it should last forever.

Keep up that logbook religiously and you should get TOP dollar when you sell on Hemmings in 30 years from now.

Sent from my XT557 using Tapatalk 2

[tedrohedro]

thanks for the reply… can I ask… Why should I NOT have the tranny fluid Flushed?

[L1011tristar17]

The flushing of the transmission can knock stuff loose internally and cause it to burn up. Usually just changing the fluids regularly along with the filter is enough to keep the trans going for a long time.

[marquisman]

Sounds like a nice car. The previous owner of my town car was this fussy too, right down to the log book of fill ups. Flush all fluids like already said. I would even do a brake fluid flush. I am mixed on the trans flush. It is low mileage and doing a flush now, will set you up for proper future lush intervals. Maybe our trans guru will jump in on this one. If you can keep up o maintenance and fluid flushes, that car will last a long time. Do you live were road salt is used? Have you sourced an intake?

[SVT98t]

Pics.
And welcome to the Party!!
Transmission flushed are ok.
I always change out my fluid and filter when I do mine.

-ryan s.

[tedrohedro]

No salt here... I live in California, the SF bay area- east bay. Doubt this car ever saw snow.

I have not sourced an intake yet. Read a little on here and looks like a "dorman" is just under 200 bucks. Not looking forward to paying for the labor on that. Any machanics on here that are in the bay area... Let me know.

[tedrohedro]

When I pulled the dip stick, the oil looks like it just got put in... Super light in color... Like it was just poured in.
Can I skip the oil? Does it break down or go bad from just sitting there for 2 years??

[marquisman]

For the cost of the oil, I would change it. Get the car to the point where everything has been checked and fluids are fresh. Everything breaks down, even oils.

[tjc78]

At the very least, I'd do the coolant and absolutely the oil. Top off the tank with fresh gas, to dilute the old stuff. As budget allows in the next few thousand miles change the trans fluid and if you desire the brake fluid. I'm mixed on the brake fluid, I've never done it on any car I've owned unless a caliper or wheel cylinder had to be replaced.

These cars are pretty tough, just keep an eye out for any leaks (from dried up gaskets) and simply because of age I would change out the serpentine belt and possibly the upper and lower radiator hoses.

[79lincolnlover]

When I pulled the dip stick, the oil looks like it just got put in... Super light in color... Like it was just poured in.
Can I skip the oil? Does it break down or go bad from just sitting there for 2 years??

Regular or synthetic?

[tedrohedro]

no idea.. i assume regular oil. Im going to get the fluids changed tomorrow.

I cleaned the engine early today. turned out great, looks brand new. However…later in the day i am now starting to hear a squeak, or clicking noise… i think it is prob. the belt… i guess i should prob change that… as it is 14 years old.

What type of front shocks should i put on? is it a pretty easy job?

next… the power steering fluid reservoir is on the front of the engine, driver side. it is a white plastic reservoir. You can see the fluid through it. Well today i noticed the fluid inside was moving.. like i almost thought it was boiling. When i opened up the top to look inside, its not boiling, but more circulating very quickly (kinda like a spa when there is no bubbles) Is this normal? Guess it should be noted that my fluid level is just slightly under the min fill line (like 2 mm). Should i have this fluid changed/flushed too?

Thanks
ted

[marquisman]

If the oil was changed at ford, it is probably synthetic. When you check the belt, check the tensioner too. Make sure the pulley spins nice and the spring has good feed back and does not stick. The swirling in he P/S reservoir is normal. I would change the fluid at the same time as the tans.

[tedrohedro]

Just a little update...

Put 4 new tires and had the alignment done. Also all fluids except the brake (still looks very clean) engine oil and filter, coolant flushed, power steering flushed, tranny flushed and filter replaced, rear diff. changed too.
I also changed the air filer and put a reusable one (airaid). Changed the serpentine belt as well.

She runs GREAT! Very quiet, no worring noises. with the new tires and alignment done she is very smooth. Rear air shocks seem to be working as they should. Floats down the road. I think im going to hold off on changing the front shocks.

The only thing left is after i use up this tank of gas, i will change out the fuel filter maybe this weekend.

Spent almost 2 full days detailing her. Buffed out the paint with some professional stuff, while it was a lot of work, i cant believe how nice the paint turned out. The car is white, and the paint had some scratches and was very dirty, the dirt didnt come out with just a car wash. But with the rubbing compound and a nice wax, it looks brand new! She is a pleasure to drive! I cant belive the resale on these cars are so poor. Best 3700 bucks i have spent on a car.

Thanks for all your input so far.
Ted

[marquisman]

Great to hear you are happy with your new car. These cars go for ever with proper care. Just one note on the air filter. Be careful to not over oil it, if it comes with oil. The oil can end up on the MAF and cause false readings and/or burn out. That's why I stick with paper filters.