need Advice on services to LS

[cableguynoe]

OK. So I have an 01 LS V8 that just hit 160,000 miles...

I noticed that once in a while it shifts hard between 2nd to 3rd gear... but not all the time.
Other that regular oil changes, I've never really done any kind of maintenece to it since I've had it... when it had about 60,000 miles.

I called the dealer and he recommended getting it diagnosed... which he's gonna charge me over 100 bucks(dont remember exactly)..

My question is:

Should I do the diag. and see what they tell me?

Or should I just do the transmission flush... maybe differential also? (I dont know what that is, but heard it's necessary ) , and other maintence items you guys recommend...? and see if that helps?

What do you guys recommend? As you can tell, I'm terrible at maintaining my car so any advice will really help.

 

[97stscaddy]

Well if you got 160,000 miles on the ticker with no major trouble then id say you're pretty good at keeping it maintained, even if you don't do the work yourself. You probably at least drive the car carefully, which is good for preventing wear on the internal parts of the engine and transmission.

First off has the transmission fluid ever been changed or flushed before? If yes how long ago? (mileage)

The differential is between the rear wheels. It converts the spinning motion of the drive shaft into forward or rearward turning of the wheels. Typically the fluid should be changed about every 60k miles. However, the LS uses full synthetic gear oil in the differential so it has probably held up pretty well. It would still be a good idea to have it changed though. The differential is one of the most trouble free areas of a car, and often times as long as it isn't abused, the fluid can hold up just fine for the entire life of the car without ever being changed.

 

[cableguynoe]

NO, never had the tranny oil changed... and I'd be surprised if the first owner changed it before he sold it... since he only ran it up to about 60k.

 

[joegr]

The manual says it should be flushed/changed every 150,000 miles.

 

[Zach]

160k miles, I would flush and replace coolant, change spark plugs, flush and replace tranny fluid, Look over all hoses, Flush and replace brake fluid, make sure your blinker fluid is full.

 

[NYC LS8]

Check the muffler bearings, too.

 

[cableguynoe]

160k miles, I would flush and replace coolant, change spark plugs, flush and replace tranny fluid, Look over all hoses, Flush and replace brake fluid, make sure your blinker fluid is full.

What's blinker fluid?

 

[TrickVert]

What's blinker fluid?

KaleCo Auto carries it, but it looks like they're out of it right now.

http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=6

They also have other hard-to-find items like muffler bearings (mentioned above), and adjustable power bands.

(I think they have an aviation supply co, as well, that carries jugs of prop wash, and various lengths flight line.)

Andy

 

[SoonerLS]

What a bunch of smartasses. My kind of guys. Telling noobs to check the blinker fluid and muffler bearings is what experienced guys do to have a little fun; they aren't real auto parts/maintenance items.

Take it to a reputable transmission shop and have them diagnose it. Based on the age and the symptom, it's likely that a solenoid is starting to fail. If you'll search on solenoid failure, you might be able to find something useful.

 

[cableguynoe]

haha.. that's funny

Although I didn't fall for it.. not that stupid that actual blinkers even crossed my mind... I just thought it was a term for something else...

I deserve that though.

 

[TrickVert]

Thought about it, then couldn't resist.

Sorry.

Good luck with the car. Although I wrench on everything I can myself, a shop might be the most efficient solution for this problem.

Andy

 

[tireman]

Get it checked out

Have that tranny fluid checked. Maybe its low. A new tranny is $3500!

 

[chocolat1701]

wow 160k and no problems, wow you got a good LS

 

[cableguynoe]

yea. I had some bad injectors early on that the warranty covered... but other than that, i guess i've been lucky

 

[tagliato22]

it might need a new johnson rod too

 

[glanga]

Make sure the dealer is the only who services the transmission. I'd advise strongly against having your transmission by any place other than a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealership since the transmission is sealed in a special manner.

I would flush the transmission and if that doesn't fix it, check the solenoids. Replacing the differential fluid and seals couldn't hurt either. A slow leak over 160,000 miles will lead to a blown diff which is not good.

Make sure they check the flux capacitor. That should be checked after every 1.21 jiggawatts of energy passes through the alternator. I equate 1 jiggwatt to about 100,000 miles so your about 40,000 over your 121,000 mile/jiggawatt service on the capacitor. This is one of the most commonly overlooked problems on the LS and can and will lead to premature ignition coil failure.