Changing Fluids


P

PHXGT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 11, 2005
369
Phoenix, AZ
I am about 6 months from my 10 year anniversary with the GT. Was thinking that it would be a good time to change all the fluids. Other than transmission fluid and oil, are there rules of thumb for coolant, brake fluid and steering fluid? Am I missing anything. Should any of these be fine and not ned to be replaced after almost 10 years and 11,000 miles?

Thanks for your help.

David
 
Good lord. You haven't changed any of those fluids for 10 years? Replace them all.
 
All fluids every three years.

Seriously, now. Think about the cost of replacing, for example, all brake components in contact with fluid (and I won't list them all) because the fluid absorbed moisture over time (as all do) and caused corrosion in cylinder and piston seals so you had to replace all the hardware, because you passed on cheap fluid flushes. Expand this example to all systems with fluids.

To answer your question, no, none of them are fine.
 
Last edited:
PHXGT said:
I am about 6 months from my 10 year anniversary with the GT. Was thinking that it would be a good time to change all the fluids. Other than transmission fluid and oil, are there rules of thumb for coolant, brake fluid and steering fluid? Am I missing anything. Should any of these be fine and not ned to be replaced after almost 10 years and 11,000 miles?

Thanks for your help.

David
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Change intervals are all listed in the manuals. I change engine oil and filter, brake and clutch fluid every year, coolant and transmission oil every three years as per Ford instructions.
 
Had the GT Guys do ALL fluids and belts at the 5 year point. They were quick. Great guys.
 
I'm going to check whats been done on my in recent services.
Probably will tell them to re do all the fluids as well in the near future being a FL resident (humidity)

FYI... Popped in to Accufab yesterday to get some half shaft bolts and they have a new awesome oil filer for the Gt's, they didn't like the way the stock ones are looking on oil changes.
Not sure if it's on their site yet (don't think so) but if your up for a changes this wire (super fine) is impressive. I'm guessing reusable?

Stuart
 
GT Guys did all of mine at the 3 year mark plus the belts. Cheap insurance!
 
I wrote in another thread about changing brake fluid to do it at least every two years. Porsche Club requires brake fluid to be not more than 6 months old before running a club are or high-speed event. The fluid will absorb water (hygroscopic) and that reduces it's boing point--important if you're running on the track on a hot day. Here's another rule: If it isn't clear amber, then replace it, regardless of age.
 
I've only had 3-4 oil/filter changes since 2005, everything else is still as per leaving factory floor.

I called Ford dealership and had a good chat to service guy and he then met with head tech and manager and basically said to do oil change but everything else is fine.
I mentioned that water and brake fluids don't mix well with life span.
I also mentioned the cost of GT parts and "investing in the car now to save money in the future"

He did say that they would be happy to "look at the condition" of the fluids to see how their traveling and go from there.

Stuart
 
I think you need a new dealer that understands basic maintenance schedules published by Ford. And that your GT is not an Explorer.

If all fluids other than oil are now 10 yrs old, you are WAY overdue for fluid changes. Coolant in both loops, brake and clutch fluids, power steering fluid.

Likely other maintenance needs updating too. Oil pump drive belt?
 
Agree with jcthorne!:agree:

Dump the dealer and get your fluids and belts serviced by FGT professionals who know the car. Get this service done by the GT Guys when you attend R10.
ALL your fluids need to be changed.

Don't let the dealer "'look at the condition' of the fluids to see how their traveling" (?). After 10 years, they all need to be replaced without question.
 
Indy GT said:
Agree with jcthorne!:agree:

Dump the dealer and get your fluids and belts serviced by FGT professionals who know the car. Get this service done by the GT Guys when you attend R10.
ALL your fluids need to be changed.

Don't let the dealer "'look at the condition' of the fluids to see how their traveling" (?). After 10 years, they all need to be replaced without question.
Click to expand...

Do that!
 
HOOKED ON GT said:
I've only had 3-4 oil/filter changes since 2005, everything else is still as per leaving factory floor.

I called Ford dealership and had a good chat to service guy and he then met with head tech and manager and basically said to do oil change but everything else is fine.
I mentioned that water and brake fluids don't mix well with life span.
I also mentioned the cost of GT parts and "investing in the car now to save money in the future"

He did say that they would be happy to "look at the condition" of the fluids to see how their traveling and go from there.

Stuart
Click to expand...

You really need to at least change your Oil Pump Belt!! Since you have not been driving it much, the belt can take a set, and come apart upon running. An engine that loses oil pressure will be a disaster and very expensive!
 
This look the best bet....
Engine Oil
Brake Oil
Coolant Fluid
Clutch Fluid
Power Steering Fluid
Oil Pump Belt.

BTW.. Was at Ferrari in Orlando yesterday looking at a La Ferrari and hanging out (got a drive in the new convertible Cali tt) and was heading home in GT and I noticed that the shift gate was stiff and clunky when swinging it across in neutral. Gear shifts when driving was fine but it wouldn't spring back to the center when I let the stick go at lights...weird as it just turned up
Any ideas?


Anything else?

When R10
 
HOOKED ON GT said:
Engine Oil
Brake Oil
Coolant Fluid
Clutch Fluid
Power Steering Fluid
Oil Pump Belt.
Click to expand...

Hooked, your list looks pretty good. Understand “Coolant Fluid” should include the fluid in the engine cooling circuit and the coolant in the intercooler circuit. Two separate systems. And you probably should change the transaxle fluid as well using the Ford recommended transaxle fluid which is uniquely sourced from Ricaro the gearbox supplier. Perhaps change the supercharger belt as well as 10 years for a rubber belt is probably long enough service. I again echo what other owners have recommended by having individuals perform the aforementioned services who know the car. This means NOT just going to your local Ford dealer and handing over the keys and a work list. Getting all the air out of the coolant systems can be somewhat tricky and can lead to unhappy outcomes with engine temperatures if not evacuated properly. Again, go to those GT service specialists recommended in this thread. Or schedule with the GT Guys when you come to Detroit for R10.

HOOKED ON GT said:
…and I noticed that the shift gate was stiff and clunky when swinging it across in neutral. Gear shifts when driving was fine but it wouldn't spring back to the center when I let the stick go at lights
Click to expand...

I have the OE shifter (not the short throw which you might have) and I do not believe there is any spring loaded “centering” force while in the neutral gate. Mine is smooth and not clunky in any way. Honestly, I do not have any shifting difficulty (except the occasional 1-2 shift when cold which has been chronicled numerous times). Perhaps others can help. I do remember one owner having difficulty with shifting and when they replaced the shifting cable which is routed thru the center of the car to the transaxle, the installation of an aftermarket exhaust system had produced a heat load on the outer plastic sheath of this cable which melted the sheath and caused internal cable resistance. This was just lack of radiant barrier shielding with a non-OE exhaust.

HOOKED ON GT said:
When R10
Click to expand...

???
 
GT guys did mine last year that would have been 1300 miles and 9 years but well worth it
 
Gotta clean the pipes, bro.


image.jpg
 
Why wouldn't Ford have a GT service agent specifically with certified knowledge of GT procedures.

Ferrari have La Ferrari techs already that have been trained, how hard can it be...?

Our GT isn't as complicated as the a 1.4mil F car thats for sure..

Im in Orlando, so not a enough GT styled guys here apart from what Ford can offer....sad

Stuart
 
HOOKED ON GT said:
Why wouldn't Ford have a GT service agent specifically with certified knowledge of GT procedures.

Ferrari have La Ferrari techs already that have been trained, how hard can it be...?

Our GT isn't as complicated as the a 1.4mil F car thats for sure..

Im in Orlando, so not a enough GT styled guys here apart from what Ford can offer....sad

Stuart
Click to expand...

Initially, at Ford agencies which sold Ford GT, Master Technicians were specifically trained to work on our cars - a prominent service position. However, in my case, the dealership sought not to maintain his employment by not keeping him up financially, so he left the agency and went to the San Diego Gas & Electric Company to help maintain their fleet of trucks at a sizable increase in compensation.

Some have stayed at their agencies, but many have moved on - leaving their capability in the hands of the few individuals spaced around the country who are dedicated to the cars.
 
That belt for the oil pump is a must and watching rich and dennis do it, it was not easy.
If that belt goes so goes the engine unless you are watching the gauges when it goes.
Get the right people for the job, or you will have problems.
Another thing is if the coolant is not changed correctly you will get an air bubble in the system and then overheat and it would be
very very bad!!
 
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