So assuming the shocks that got replaced were original, they lasted 149,619 miles and about 14 years. The ones on 2.0 leaked but these never did. Then again, 3.0's and Mom's '11 had a front coil spring break, but 2.0 never had than happen despite being driven aggressively for years.
Welcome to the Crown Vics ETC blog!
On April 6, 2000, I purchased a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria LX HPP with 23,490 miles. I decided to start a little website for it featuring a running log of my experiences with the car. Vic 1.0 was retired in 2015 due to rust and electrical issues. Vic 2.0 was a 2006 P71 in Blue Pearl that belonged to my boyfriend. It was a Ford demo and never saw actual police use. It was damaged in September of 2018 with well over 186,000 miles. It was replaced by Vic 3.0 in October 2018, a 2008 P71 in Silver Birch with 120,971 miles. To read posts prior to 2010, click a link at right, or go to Crown Vics, ETC.
Showing posts with label nells. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nells. Show all posts
Sunday, June 5, 2022
149,619 Mile Update: SHOCKING! ... again... really...
Vic 3.0 had new OEM shocks/struts installed by Taxi Guy... without a lift, thanks to two of his being down and a third having a car already on it. BUT it was done and I no longer need to think about a front coil spring taking out a fender! Amazingly, there isn't a "night & day" difference, but things like bridge expansion joints are way nicer to drive over. I'll have a better idea of the difference once the less-than-perfectly-balanced snow tires are off, which should be done today, and new tires are installed (hopefully later this week if Taxi Guy's lifts are repaired).
Sunday, June 5, 2016
2006 P71 RETIRED... replaced by a 2007... and 2008...
Yesterday Todd retired his mom's 2006 P71. After being squished twice by town trees, attacked by parking lots, and never washed, it is heading to a potential third life as a local taxi. Stupid me forgot to look at the odometer...
The car was officially replaced a couple of weeks ago by a 2007 P71 with about 168,000 miles. This one has the nice charcoal velour interior (I'm jealous). At the same time Todd picked up a 2008 P71 with about 126,000 miles. Both were never marked for police service, and judging by the options and condition, never saw mainline service. They are basically twins other than one has a black grille.
The '08 was SUPPOSED to be to sell, but Todd being Todd, has it registered and has been enjoying driving it. Let's face it... they are just nice to drive!
Both new (to the fleet) cars had hubcaps with all the FORD logos missing. While neither of us has ever heard of this being an issue, supposedly other folks HAVE had them fall/wear off. A search for used ones with the logos intact proved we are a minority... most didn't have any logos. But a couple of decent sets were found in the end...
OH, I almost forgot... Todd actually won 2.5 cars at auction. The .5 was a 2014 Interceptor Sedan that we took some parts out of and then junked. Cost him about $100.
The car was officially replaced a couple of weeks ago by a 2007 P71 with about 168,000 miles. This one has the nice charcoal velour interior (I'm jealous). At the same time Todd picked up a 2008 P71 with about 126,000 miles. Both were never marked for police service, and judging by the options and condition, never saw mainline service. They are basically twins other than one has a black grille.
The '08 was SUPPOSED to be to sell, but Todd being Todd, has it registered and has been enjoying driving it. Let's face it... they are just nice to drive!
Both new (to the fleet) cars had hubcaps with all the FORD logos missing. While neither of us has ever heard of this being an issue, supposedly other folks HAVE had them fall/wear off. A search for used ones with the logos intact proved we are a minority... most didn't have any logos. But a couple of decent sets were found in the end...
OH, I almost forgot... Todd actually won 2.5 cars at auction. The .5 was a 2014 Interceptor Sedan that we took some parts out of and then junked. Cost him about $100.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
168,600 Miles - Vic Gets Some Much Needed Attention
Vic 2.0 got some attention today. The steering has been odd... when the outside temperatures were cold, the steering would feel heavy and "notchy". The fact that as the engine bay/outdoor temps got higher, the steering was a bit better, made me rule out what the actual cause seems to have been, the upper steering shaft. The lower one was changed last year under the Ford recall. Taxi Guy lubed it up and says to try that. Seemed nicer during the drive home. Time will tell.
Another issue is the rear end has slowly been staining the driveway. The bearing in the differential needs to be replaced, but due to my financial situation, he topped off the fluid and we will simply watch it. I don't know how such a small drip makes such a large stain...
Next, the air conditioning had stopped blowing cold. Happened all of a sudden. I could hear the compressor turn on/off over and over, with no cool air coming through the vents. I figured it needed a recharge. Turns out the cause answered yet another issue.
Last week, I found a small green puddle under the car, sort of under the battery. I assumed it was coolant leaking from the plastic tank nearby. But it didn't smell like coolant. It ended up being from a rotted out a/c condenser. I had asked Todd if "freon" had a color, and he assumed it was a gas and therefore it didn't have a color. Well... it does.
In fact, all the years and miles Todd had the car, one of the very few repairs he had to do was to replace that part! So the car is now on it's THIRD condenser.
Vic also got a nice oil change. I have decided to go with Mobil 1 again, as Vic 1.0 seemed very happy with it.
Next on the list is a wax-job and taking off the snow tires.
Long time readers may like to know the BBS-style alloy wheels from Vic 1.0 helped to pay for today's bill. Taxi Guy has a buyer for them!
Another issue is the rear end has slowly been staining the driveway. The bearing in the differential needs to be replaced, but due to my financial situation, he topped off the fluid and we will simply watch it. I don't know how such a small drip makes such a large stain... Next, the air conditioning had stopped blowing cold. Happened all of a sudden. I could hear the compressor turn on/off over and over, with no cool air coming through the vents. I figured it needed a recharge. Turns out the cause answered yet another issue.
Last week, I found a small green puddle under the car, sort of under the battery. I assumed it was coolant leaking from the plastic tank nearby. But it didn't smell like coolant. It ended up being from a rotted out a/c condenser. I had asked Todd if "freon" had a color, and he assumed it was a gas and therefore it didn't have a color. Well... it does.
In fact, all the years and miles Todd had the car, one of the very few repairs he had to do was to replace that part! So the car is now on it's THIRD condenser.
Vic also got a nice oil change. I have decided to go with Mobil 1 again, as Vic 1.0 seemed very happy with it.
Next on the list is a wax-job and taking off the snow tires.
Long time readers may like to know the BBS-style alloy wheels from Vic 1.0 helped to pay for today's bill. Taxi Guy has a buyer for them!
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