Let's get real on maintenance

[The_Phew]

Just use an oil extractor. Takes maybe 10 minutes to replace the oil/filter, no jacks/lift, no drain pan to mess with, no skid plates to remove, no crush washer to replace.

The bias against extractors seems to hinge on folks forgetting that there is a FILTER between the oil pan and the oil pump. It's not like draining through the bottom magically scrapes all the sludge and solid matter off the bottom of the pan, either.

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[Fuzion2Bronco]

Not really all that interesting. They’re just a lot easier to remove in an F-18 than it was in an F-14.

I guess F-18 is new Gen, I love the F-14 Tomcat. Sad that the Military is now destroying all the remaining Tomcats which are no longer in use.

 

[Wanted33]

I used to DIY when I wore a younger mans cloths, but that has changed. Like Michael above I would rather let the dealers Techs do the work while I walk around the lot with a cup of Joe, looking at the new cars/trucks, or just shoot the breeze with a couple friends that work there.

 

[Big Boss]

I used to DIY when I wore a younger mans cloths, but that has changed. Like Michael above I would rather let the dealers Techs do the work while I walk around the lot with a cup of Joe, looking at the new cars/trucks, or just shoot the breeze with a couple friends that work there.

Yep

When I had my 04 and then 07 Mustang I used to like changing the oil and doing some work my self. Not anymore. I'd rather just let them do it. I just told the wife the other day that her explorer is going to be due for brakes soon. I am fully capable of doing brakes, I just hate doing it now.

 

[dgorsett]

1. The 2.7 it is on top of the engine towards the front, super easy, but it is a canister, replace the filter, and o rings, then just make sure you use a torque wrench to re-install.

edit: see next comment by @Rick Astley about ranger/2.3 oil change.

2. both engines seem to have the coils and plugs pretty accessible. The 2.3 may be slightly easier (in the pictures all the coils are right on top, and I suspect the plug is just a deep reach extension. Mustang or ranger guys may have more input on this though.)

for my 2.7, I haven’t had to bother with the plugs yet, they last for nearly 100k, but having seen some videos on it, same process, pull the plastic engine cover, pull the coil out, deep reach wrench and pull the plug.

3. Brake pads are going to be roughly the same as any other modern vehicle....

4. Haven’t gotten to this on my 2.7 yet (haven’t needed to) but I've heard they don’t use a tensioner, and instead you slip it on then rotate the engine (like installing a bike chain). With all the plumbing it definitely won’t be as easy as the 5.8 on my 96 bronco was.

5. Both engines it’s on the front of it, getting a good seal may be a little bit of a pain if you try and work around the plumbing, personally I’d pull all the intake ducting before doing this. That being said, I haven’t heard of water pump issues with either of these engines.

6. All pictures show the battery should be easily accessible.

edit: typos.

Your narrative is encouraging, your photos depressing...

 

[L8apex]

Betting that on Bronco there was consideration for impact while operating in reverse (such as getting down from high-center, or backing down rocks to take a better/different line up), and that would be what necessitates having to remove bash plates to access the oil drain plug.

Hoping that the bash plates are extended, but they still leave an access hole to remove the drain plug.

 

[dgorsett]

That‘s got to be the most accessible engine I’ve ever seen. ?

This is the illustration for step #457 of the "how to replace the water pump" in the service manual

 

[Raptor911]

Let's pray that Ford uses a metal oil pan on the 2.7. BTW .. the 3.5 use to have a plastic oil pan and on Feb 28, 2018 Ford replaced it with a metal oil pan. YAY!

PLEASE FORD! I don't care about a white top. I care about functionality. A metal oil pan allows me to use a Fumoto valve so that oil does not gush out all over my drive way.

BTW .. no one has mentioned this. The bronco uses a electric parking brake so there is a sequence you must go through to release it before you can access the rear pads.

 

[wjfawb0 [hacked account]]

I wonder how you release the parking brake for a dead battery? Seems like some BMWs had an access plate to ratchet the mechanism. It's still more work than just releasing a handle or pushing a pedal. If your brakes fail going down the road, is the procedure to apply the parking brake to hold the lever out from the dash and pray?

 

[Broncocito]

I wonder how you release the parking brake for a dead battery? Seems like some BMWs had an access plate to ratchet the mechanism. It's still more work than just releasing a handle or pushing a pedal. If your brakes fail going down the road, is the procedure to apply the parking brake to hold the lever out from the dash and pray?

Hmm, dead battery would be an issue. I would install a mechanical emergency disc brake at the end of the driveshaft where it connects to the t-case. They work incredibly.

 

[Brocked]

Let's pray that Ford uses a metal oil pan on the 2.7. BTW .. the 3.5 use to have a plastic oil pan and on Feb 28, 2018 Ford replaced it with a metal oil pan. YAY!

PLEASE FORD! I don't care about a white top. I care about functionality. A metal oil pan allows me to use a Fumoto valve so that oil does not gush out all over my drive way.

BTW .. no one has mentioned this. The bronco uses a electric parking brake so there is a sequence you must go through to release it before you can access the rear pads.

I know newer Lincoln’s all have electronic parking brakes. You can put the car in “brake service” mode from the dash interface. This will allow you to service the brakes.

 

[splatrd]

So, the Bronco looks amazing and it appears the designers emphasized ease of adding/removing accessories. However, I want to know what really matters....

1. Is the oil filter in easy accessible location for replacement?
2. Do I have to take the whole top end apart to replace the spark plugs?
3. Are the brake pads easy to replace or do I need some stupid special metric tool?
4. How about changing that serpentine belt? Is the tensioner easy to get at?
5. Is the waterpump easy to get at?
6. Can I access the battery terminals to jump start a friend?

Modern cars should not require that much in the way of maintenance other than routine oil changes, tires, and air filters. If I have to do anything more than that to a new vehicle in the first 100k miles, than I trade or sell it. The biggest problem with modern engines is direct injection that in some makes can wreak havoc in as little as 40k miles, but some can be attributed to owner and driving habits. If I had to replace spark plugs or water pump inside of 5 years or 100k miles, I would never buy another vehicle from that manufacturer. My wife had a Subaru Crosstrek we ordered brand new. Inside of a year it started have oil burning issues. Dealer would just top off and say nothing wrong even though there was evidence factory knew they put wrong piston rings in. Sold that POS and will never buy another Subaru again.

 

[Imissmy1996bronco]

Let's pray that Ford uses a metal oil pan on the 2.7. BTW .. the 3.5 use to have a plastic oil pan and on Feb 28, 2018 Ford replaced it with a metal oil pan. YAY!

PLEASE FORD! I don't care about a white top. I care about functionality. A metal oil pan allows me to use a Fumoto valve so that oil does not gush out all over my drive way.

BTW .. no one has mentioned this. The bronco uses a electric parking brake so there is a sequence you must go through to release it before you can access the rear pads.

a bit more expensive than a fumoto, but there are options like this that work on the plastic pans. I suspect we will see more options of these come to market in the coming years too.

https://roninfactory.com/products/ford-f150-raptor-oil-drain-ronin-factory

putting the brakes into maintenance mode takes like 30 seconds and no tools on the f-150, I suspect the bronco will be similar. I wouldn’t consider this a detriment to maintenance.

 

[Raptor911]

I called fumoto 2 months ago. They have been trying to develop a valve for the plastic oil pan BUT from the sounds of it they were not having much luck then covid hit. I told them the bronco is coming so additional sales could be had if they get back and try again.

Fumoto is the biggest player in the market .. I doubt we see someone else trying to do something. Ford plastic oil pans have been out for over 5 years now and ronin is the only one doing it right now.

a bit more expensive than a fumoto, but there are options like this that work on the plastic pans. I suspect we will see more options of these come to market in the coming years too.

https://roninfactory.com/products/ford-f150-raptor-oil-drain-ronin-factory

putting the brakes into maintenance mode takes like 30 seconds and no tools on the f-150, I suspect the bronco will be similar. I wouldn’t consider this a detriment to maintenance.

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