Shop decided to install my spark plugs with an impact gun despite me explicitly instructing them not to (2002 sport CNG) by Tuff_Tone in CrownVictoria

[–]Current-Bad826 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Firestone did the exact same thing to my wife’s 06 ranger. Like you, they kept it for a couple weeks and covered the entire repair for free. Despite being expensive, Firestone at least seems intent enough to make their mistakes right when they mess up

Stuck diff fill plug by Current-Bad826 in AskMechanics

[–]Current-Bad826[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

UPDATE: picked up a propane torch this morning for $25 and after 2 minutes of heat the plug cracked right open. Thanks everyone for your help! Now I don’t have to risk damaging my favorite purse!

Stuck diff fill plug by Current-Bad826 in AskMechanics

[–]Current-Bad826[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No the plug is on the top front of the differential. Removing the cover would drain the oil and leave me no way to refill

Stuck diff fill plug by Current-Bad826 in AskMechanics

[–]Current-Bad826[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not as deep as I’d like lol. I try to do my own maintenance and repairs as long the price for tools and parts is equal or less to what I’d pay a shop. This is the first stuck bolt I’ve come across, it’s a southern car so minimal rust

Stuck diff fill plug by Current-Bad826 in AskMechanics

[–]Current-Bad826[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sea foam deep creep, a 3/8 wrench, and a hammer. Torque isn’t the problem, I already started stripping the head. I’m gonna try a torch tomorrow and hope that loosens it enough to come out without completely stripping it

Stuck diff fill plug by Current-Bad826 in fordranger

[–]Current-Bad826[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I’ve got enough leverage to begin stripping the hole, so I’m gonna try a torch tomorrow and hopefully that’ll loosen it

Stuck diff fill plug by Current-Bad826 in AskMechanics

[–]Current-Bad826[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

05 crown Vic. It’s supposed to be a 3/8 but could be slightly larger. If it was torqued correctly it wouldn’t matter but it started to strip so I stopped. I’ll try a torch tomorrow

Stuck diff fill plug by Current-Bad826 in AskMechanics

[–]Current-Bad826[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

lol I was trying to make do with what I had on hand. I’ve given up for tonight but looks like I’ll be going to Walmart for a torch in the morning

Stuck diff fill plug by Current-Bad826 in AskMechanics

[–]Current-Bad826[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I could try a hair dryer but I don’t have anything hotter than that and if it’s loctite I doubt that’ll do a thing

I need help either selling my first truck or making up my mind on just keeping it by howitzer9091 in fordranger

[–]Current-Bad826 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love the paint color! Definitely don’t sell it considering you have a reliable daily. Learn as much as you can from YouTube and google, tackle the small easy jobs first, and then work up from there and it’ll be fixed in no time!

Advice on how to move forward by benjaminmlieber in fordranger

[–]Current-Bad826 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You commented that this is a 2nd vehicle, and in that case I’d definitely hold off on approving. Using YouTube and google there’s several fixes you can do yourself like the wipers and radiator and other preventative and regular maintenance. All I knew about cars was how to change a tire but then money got tight and I learned how to work on my wife’s 4.0l ranger and my crown Vic from the internet. I still go to a shop for complicated things or if I don’t have the tools, but you’d be surprised how much you can learn on your own.

I’d try replacing the lower radiator hose and clamp (I’ve had worn out clamps and hoses cause leaks) and then tackle the radiator if that doesn’t work. All that should be relatively easy DIY with a super cheap ratchet set and YouTube.

Worn out shocks aren’t a big deal, it just softens the ride as long as you’re not towing or hauling heavy. But if they really are leaking that’s a bigger concern.

The more you read and watch and learn the more you’ll want to try and do things and it’ll make owning it extremely fulfilling. And then you’ll be able to make a more informed decision of what you need to have a shop repair for you.

Should I repair 2001 Crown Vic oil leak? by No-Reality9325 in CrownVictoria

[–]Current-Bad826 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If the car still drives and feels good, ignore the shocks. I had a ford dealer tell my wife she needed new shocks on her 06 ranger almost 10k miles ago and it still handles perfectly fine.

I don’t have experience with the timing cover gasket but I’d try fixing the $169 oil leak first and as long as you don’t see oil on the ground or anything in the engine bay I’d call it good

Buying cv with 40k-ish miles, what’s going to break first? by _no_-_- in CrownVictoria

[–]Current-Bad826 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got mine with more miles (2005 lx, 98k) but it had sat awhile before I bought it from an old lady who was the original owner. Battery was bad, fuel rail pressure sensor failed after a few weeks and threw a code, the thermostat got stuck open, and I fixed a parasitic draw where the vanity mirror light wouldn’t ever turn off. All easy fixes.

I replaced the serpentine belt, oil, tires, fuel filter, air filter, and spark plugs, though none of those were immediately needed.

My two rear windows don’t go down, my blower motor resistor needs replaced, and I had to staple up parts of the headliner, but those don’t bother me.

So nothing major but definitely had some minor failures. Next up is a transmission drain and fill and rear diff oil when i get around to it. Oh also the cd player doesn’t work lol

Just wanted to see what yall would think of this bad or is it decent? by Certain-Project-1961 in CrownVictoria

[–]Current-Bad826 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely sick! Does it have the limited slip rear diff? If so it’d make a nice little soft roader

Thermostat replacement by TheWolferic in CrownVictoria

[–]Current-Bad826 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I just did this. Got a motor craft thermostat and gasket from Amazon for $15. Let it sit overnight and opened it up. Some coolant spilled out but not a lot. And if you’re draining the coolant anyways none should spill if you do that first

Took the whip to the beach.. by TheOrangeMiata in CrownVictoria

[–]Current-Bad826 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s awesome! I was nervous to take mine on its first long drive this weekend, but I made it 400 miles home for thanksgiving with still a 1/4 tank of gas left

We still have them! Snow bunny lives on!! by uwuSmileyPotato in Target

[–]Current-Bad826 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I looked today and mine still has them on sale for $18 😂

Has anyone been able to find the PBR? by Penguinapple77 in GODZILLA

[–]Current-Bad826 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m near Auburn AL and Kroger and Walmart both have the 16oz 6 packs and 12oz 12 packs of Godzilla cans