Thunderbird Maintenance

[StevenM]

Just spent $2800+ getting my Tbird in shape. Started leaking oil on the garage floor, first a small drip, then bigger drips, then started pooling on the oil pan. I once drove the car to have a burning oil smell and some smoke from under the hood…yikes. Took it to a Lincoln dealer and the technician (not called mechanics anymore) replaced valve cover gaskets a few seals, and oil sending unit, and a power steering pump. I even had an “engine shampoo” to clean the oil from the engine block. It was dripping pretty good when I finally took in to the shop. Money well spent to maintain the car operating as it should.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Steven I spent nearly that amount on new suspension parts/labor!

[Frank Dreano]

These are not cheap toys, many mechanics (techs) I know don't even want to mess with them.
Esoteric electronics, low production numbers with limited parts availability, etc..
And the Lincoln dealers seem to be better at keeping them roadworthy than the Ford dealers.

[BillyL]

I agree with Frank totally. I budget $1500.00 a year for the T-Bird maintenance. But I also think it is worth it to keep it road worthy and as show room clean as I can for the enjoyment it gives us. I don't think our birds are unique with the high maintenance costs and issues. Just wait until this new generation of mid engine corvettes or any of these high tech hybrid cars get 16 years old. All these new cars have just as much plastic parts and electronics, if not more, than our birds.

[StevenM]

Agree with everyone. Yeah, just wait until the new breed of cars get to be 16 years old. The Lincoln dealer was the place to go. The owner of the dealership had a retro Tbird and a couple other Birds in his personal collection.

[Fredrik73]

I just fixed my ford S-MAX that shifted bad (6gears automatic)
ford wanted 5160$ !!!!!!!!!!! New gearbox
i din it by my self for 495$ new oil and new solenoidvalves

[007Cruiser]

I just fixed my ford S-MAX that shifted bad (6gears automatic)
ford wanted 5160$ !!!!!!!!!!! New gearbox
i din it by my self for 495$ new oil and new solenoidvalves

I think I may want to adopt you.

[Fredrik73]

I think I may want to adopt you.

Hahaha i ask My mom

[EllisonCal]

4 years ago I bought my 2004 TR Tbird with a little over 28,000 miles. I decided to replace the front struts because it just didn't feel as good as my 2005, which had its struts replaced a few years earlier. Made a big difference in handling. This year I had the rear shocks changed at my Ford dealer when the car had 40,000 miles. The ride is improved mostly noticeable when cornering on exit ramps where it corners flat as can be, for a non sport car. I discovered how bad the originals were on the first exit at 10 mph faster than the signs posted on the ramp.

[HKS]

I just fixed my ford S-MAX that shifted bad (6gears automatic)
ford wanted 5160$ !!!!!!!!!!! New gearbox
i din it by my self for 495$ new oil and new solenoidvalves

Fredrik,
I have 135,000 United airline miles to spend.
I could pay for your trip to see the USA and me. You could let me know what needs fixing on my 2002.
Hermann

[EllisonCal]

Fredrik,
I have 135,000 United airline miles to spend.
I could pay for your trip to see the USA and me. You could let me know what needs fixing on my 2002.
Hermann

Why not the Enterprise? You're a Trekkie right? That is Scotttie on your avatar, isn't it?

[007Cruiser]

I think we should send Fredrik on a cross country tour. He can even bring his lovely bride and daughter along for the ride.

[HKS]

Why not the Enterprise? You're a Trekkie right? That is Scottie on your avatar, isn't it?

Yes,
Scottie was in command of the enterprise (episode 23). Scottie risked being sent to a penal colony and did the right thing to save the ship.
He did not listen to pompous diplomats.

STARDATE 3192.1
A TASTE OF AMAGEDDON
AIR DATE: February 23, 1967

And, Dr. McCoy's famous words "Now you have done it Scottie".

Hermann

[EllisonCal]

Yes,
Scottie was in command of the enterprise (episode 23). Scottie risked being sent to a penal colony and did the right thing to save the ship.
He did not listen to pompous diplomats.

STARDATE 3192.1
A TASTE OF AMAGEDDON
AIR DATE: February 23, 1967

And, Dr. McCoy's famous words "Now you have done it Scottie".

Hermann

"Make it so!" Who said that? , Hermann.

[HKS]

"Make it so!" Who said that? , Hermann.

You are entering the Next Generation.

Here is some history about me and Star Trek.
When I got out of the Navy, I got a job working for UNL Educational TV (KUON).
I worked the midnight shift duplicating 2 inch educational videotapes using 4 to 5 machines.
During the night one of the machines broke and I fixed it. The rest is history.

My Shift started at 11PM.
Star Trek started at 10:00PM.
I had to leave for work halfway through all the episodes.

So, I needed to see them all at least twice.
Hermann Siegl

Retired in 2012. Chief Engineer R&D / Engineering Maintenance
If you care to, you may search for a US Patent using my name.