DW and myself are 'down' to 2 vehicles. Hers is a 2007 Towncar nearing 100k mi. and mine is an 2003 F-250 (5.4l) with 75k mi.
For most PM matters (Oil and other fluids, filters, anti-freeze), I feel confident that the Dealer's service dept and myself have a good,conservative maintance schduele using quality products .
Belts and hoses are another matter. I'm lost.
Since the Towncar is going on 5 yrs/100k, due a coolant change, I want to replace the serpentine belt and hoses. DW drives mostly alone, has bad knees, and makes several 100+ mi. trips weekly and will be going from KY to FL a couple times this summer.
I looking to replace the hoses and belt on my 03 F-250 due to age at 9+ yrs. (I did replace the coolant at 6 yrs).
My problem what 'Brand' hoses and belts to have installed?
Motorcraft or Gates or something else?
The last time I had Ford change hoses and belts on an older vehicle, the serpentine belt and lower raditor hose looked to be equal to OEM, however, the upper hose was a piece of 'poop', was soft and thin, even though it had 'Motorcraft' 'Made in Mexico' stamped several times.
I don't mind paying extra for a quality product (cheap insurance, peace-of-mind) as my goal is to keep both vehicles in tip-top shape for a long time.
Your thoughts and comments are appreciated-Fred
2003 F-250 4x4 Reg Cab 5.4l V-8 Gas 6spd 4.10 Camper Package Bilstiens Michelin XPS Traction Prodigy Brake Controller
2009 8.5x24 Diamond Cargo Soon To Be Converted to Toy Hauler/Travel Trailer
But make perfectly sure that the CORRECT Motorcraft part was used.
There are often 3 or 4 different part numbers, each part looking the same on the outside, but are quite different and fit.
So it is easy to scam.
Dealer parts counter guys often cheat --- and use the one on hand vs. the right one.
Or charge you for the expensive one and give you the cheap one.
Alternators are real bad on this score, as the high duty cycle ones are often identical looking but cost a lot more (e.g. $200) and dealers just toss in a similar looking one with the "right" amp rating, not knowing the duty cycle (never specified) is a fraction of the amount needed.
If you buy non-Motorcraft, you need to know the OEM specs vs. Motorcraft, not worth the trouble in your case.
Make sure the parts are as new as possible.
I usually get to know the parts counter people, buying them coffee etc.
Then ask them to special order in what I need (even if they have it in stock) to get the freshest part.
You don't want a hose that have sat in distribution for 3 years.
Sometimes, there is a date code you can read (as in tires), but often not.
Hit Auto Zone and ask for a Duralast belt. It is a top quality Gates belt, and US-made (where the MC usually is NOT) About one third the cost of a belt from a stealership.
As for hoses...ditto. My Caddy's Duralast hoses are Gates. They fit perfectly. (I had to trim the upper half an inch, but that is due to my thicker custom radiator.)
John and Elizabeth (Liz), with 3 nutty cats
My beloved St. Bernard, Marm, lost him 1/2/12
Current rig:
1992 International Genesis school bus conversion
I typically only use Motorcraft parts on my Ford's, but it is a case by case basis. In the case that a Motorcraft part has a quality issue (which is very rare) I will look to a quality aftermarket like the other brands mentioned.
Keep in mind that Motorcraft (Ford) does not actually MAKE anything! It is all purchased from some other manufacturer, wherever they can get the best price.
There are actually very few manufacturers of belts, hoses, filters, batteries, etc. No matter what "house brand" is on them, chances are they all came from the same factory, they are just different colors and come in different boxes!
My personal preference for belts and hoses would be Gates.
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
There are actually very few manufacturers of belts, hoses, filters, batteries, etc. No matter what "house brand" is on them, chances are they all came from the same factory, they are just different colors and come in different boxes!
Nothing can be further from the truth.
There are parts that are in fact identical but sold under different names / boxes / brands / colors.
But there are also parts that come off the identical line, but are substantially different just from the way they are tested, validated, and QCed.
Example:
Exide batteries have about 80 percent market share, but every one of their brands that is not in the same group perform quite differently.
For some reason, their Motorcraft OEMs tend to last a long time.
For rubber products such as belts and hoses, stick with Gates or Goodyear if you're going to buy it from an auto supply store. If your Ford dealer is going to do it, you'll get Motorcraft. Unknown who makes each part for them, but they have to meet specified minimum standards, and Ford backs it up with a decent warranty.
As far as batteries go, I know for a fact that they use regional suppliers and distributors. Batteries are "blank" (no stickers) until the retailer buys it, and then that retailers sticker will be applied. The retailer specifies a certain quality and size, and thats what they get. Locally, I would not have any problem getting batteries from a Ford dealer, as they specify minimum standards and Ford stands behind it since the Motorcraft sticker was applied.
2011 Ford F-150 Lariat Crew Cab 4x4 EcoBoost
2014 Cruiser RV Fun Finder 215WKS
2012 Harley Street Glide -ember red sunglo
Yamaha Grizzly 660 (his)
Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O.(hers)
I've got 234,000 on my F150 and it's my daily driver. I replace the belt about every 2-3 years anyway, so I just go to the local parts store for them.
I replaced the upper/lower rad hoses about 6 years ago with ones from the Ford Parts counter and not an issue. Speaking of which, I should probably think about doing them again.. Just for the sake of age alone.. The lower hose is a special one for the 5.4 with the engine oil cooler option (your F250 will have it too). It's got 2 extra smaller hoses that branch off from it and go the the oil filter area where it provides extra cooling for the engine oil. I think it cost around $75 just for the lower and around $25 for the upper.. Yes, a "C" note for upper/lower hoses!!
But, they had the hose clamps on them too. The OEM style and I was a bit apprehensive about them at first, but when all you have to do is release the clip holding them open once you get them on, that was a life saver! Especially for the lower hose connections! They have not leaked a drop in 6 years..
Good luck!
Mitch
*Anything I post is for entertainment purposes only and what usually works for me.. Your Mileage May Vary..
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