Coolant change

[larry n]

My ' 03 with 25,000 miles was brought into local Ford dealer for I thought to have the coolant drained and replaced. To my surprise they wouldn't do it. They told me to drain the coolant hoses have to be removed and since the part where the hoses are connected are made of plastic have a tendency to be brittle and break. I should mention that this is in south Florida. Ok so now what do I do? Are they correct?

[tbird3127]

Hello Larry, My greatest disappointment with my '02 is parts availability. When I got the '02 last year the cruise control cable was busted. I went to my local Ford Dealer for it and other parts and the parts manager laughed. He said E-Bay is your parts supplier now. It is hit or miss. Forum members will tell you about their trips with no issues. That's great. We just drove from NY to Florida, but not with the TBird. I drive it close to home. I also steer clear of the dealer for service I cannot do myself. I believe the plastic parts you mentioned ARE available on E-Bay. Good Luck --- Alan

[Gobird]

My ' 03 with 25,000 miles was brought into local Ford dealer for I thought to have the coolant drained and replaced. To my surprise they wouldn't do it. They told me to drain the coolant hoses have to be removed and since the part where the hoses are connected are made of plastic have a tendency to be brittle and break. I should mention that this is in south Florida. Ok so now what do I do? Are they correct?

Larry, I'm in south central Fla. in Sebring. Had my dealer do this and I believe they used air pressure to flush the system. Their located in Avon Park and the dealership is Bill Jarrett Ford.

[Gobird]

Larry, I'm in south central Fla. in Sebring. Had my dealer do this and I believe they used air pressure to flush the system. Their located in Avon Park and the dealership is Bill Jarrett Ford.

[chromer]

Show me a Ford dealership who won't.....Had my coolant changed a few months ago and the boys didn't hesitate at all.

[007161947]

Find a different dealership, I have had this done with my car with no problems.

[Sandy J]

I had to have BOTH replaced on my 2005 > They are PLASTIC . Might as well do BOTH at same time !

[BLACK BEAUTY]

When I changed mine, Stevie Wonder flushed the system for a really long time..no plastic parts

[Lakebum]

When I changed mine, Stevie Wonder flushed the system for a really long time..no plastic parts

Greg, Where did you find replacement coolant parts for the ones that came from the factory that were plastic?

[Birdlover]

Greg, Where did you find replacement coolant parts for the ones that came from the factory that were plastic?

Yah, Greg, I'd like to know where you found non plastic parts too. Might be a wise move to replace them before we head out to California in Jan.

[Quickdraw]

Had the oil changed at the dealer Thursday and asked them to check the anti-freeze because it is 15 years old and has probably lost its anti-corrosion properties. They reported it was fine, it's good to 32 below, and doesn't need to be changed.
The car has 24,000 miles on it...

[tbird3127]

J.C. Whitney sells them on E-Bay. Screw the dealer

[Grimmo]

Had the oil changed at the dealer Thursday and asked them to check the anti-freeze because it is 15 years old and has probably lost its anti-corrosion properties. They reported it was fine, it's good to 32 below, and doesn't need to be changed.
The car has 24,000 miles on it...

Harry, I have the same concern and year/mileage situation. But isn’t there more to the overall quality of the antifreeze than just the freeze point?

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Had the oil changed at the dealer Thursday and asked them to check the anti-freeze because it is 15 years old and has probably lost its anti-corrosion properties. They reported it was fine, it's good to 32 below, and doesn't need to be changed.
The car has 24,000 miles on it...

Harry you might want to 'CHANGE' your mind. 5 years is recommended...suck some out and see what it looks like..yuck?

[vinnie]

Harry, I have the same concern and year/mileage situation. But isn’t there more to the overall quality of the antifreeze than just the freeze point?

50-50 mix of antifreeze and water helps keep it from boiling over, lubricates the water pump seal and keeps corrosion down. But there are additives available to refresh these antifreeze properties if the freeze point is still good.