New Owner - Maintenance & Repair Q’s

[Focal4X4]

Just picked up a two owner 2012 Expedition EL Limited with 140K miles. Carfax shows oil changes and maintenance being done regularly at Ford throughout its whole life.

It seemed to idle a bit rough so I scanned it and it has a misfire on cyl 1. Does anyone have a diagram showing which cyl is which on the 5.4 engine? I’m going to be playing with plugs and coils to try to nail it down. The plugs were supposedly changed 7K miles ago according to carfax, but who knows.

Also, according to the carfax it doesn’t look like the timing has ever been done. What’s the recommended mileage for this on this engine? Does anyone here have a write up or links to good information regarding doing this on this truck? Should I go with OEM components like my gut tells me to or are there any aftermarket kits out there like this one that anyone has used that are high quality?

https://www.carparts.com/details/Fo...VCYizCh16ggDBEAQYASABEgJZmfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I was only looking at kits because I don’t have a full parts list of what I need yet. This was just an example. Seems too cheap to me haha.

Lastly what’s all of your practice when it comes to the drivetrain? Trans fluid, diff fluid, etc? What to use and when to do it?

I basically want to do every maintenance item I can that would be remotely helpful to the truck with this mileage. I plan on keeping it for a long time and winter is around the corner so before I beat on it I want to make sure it’s a happy camper.

Any input or information is appreciated!

Thanks

 

[JExpedition07]

Welcome to the forum and nice truck! I’d do the basics and change trans fluid, T-Case fluid, coolant if original. If the engine runs fine with no codes or odd noises don’t fix it if it isn’t broken lol. They are pretty stout.

Carfax doesn’t always tell you about overall service history and what was done. It’s great to check on prior accidents if any. Many independent mechanics/shops as well as vehicle owners won’t report repairs to Carfax. For example I had both the exhaust manifolds replaced on mine (ordered parts from ford) and payed upon completion, it wasn’t reported to any 3rd party. That wouldn’t show up if someone pulled a Carfax on my truck, but the new installed parts prove otherwise.

 

[FORD-EXPY]

Save up your money for the timing chain kit. Your car will be due for it soon

 

[Focal4X4]

Save up your money for the timing chain kit. Your car will be due for it soon

I figured, but which kit should I get, or should I piecemeal all OEM parts?

 

[Focal4X4]

Welcome to the forum and nice truck! I’d do the basics and change trans fluid, T-Case fluid, coolant if original. If the engine runs fine with no codes or odd noises don’t fix it if it isn’t broken lol. They are pretty stout.

Carfax doesn’t always tell you about overall service history and what was done. It’s great to check on prior accidents if any. Many independent mechanics/shops as well as vehicle owners won’t report repairs to Carfax. For example I had both the exhaust manifolds replaced on mine (ordered parts from ford) and payed upon completion, it wasn’t reported to any 3rd party. That wouldn’t show up if someone pulled a Carfax on my truck, but the new installed parts prove otherwise.

That’s true about Carfax, but there really isn’t any way to tell if the timing was done from looking at the engine haha. I didn’t want to just wait until I start hearing strange noises and risk damage or a breakdown so I was leaning towards just doing it myself anyway just because of the mileage.

Do you know what the first sign of the timing set going is on these engines? On some of my other cars (German) I’m able to check chain stretch with a special proprietary scan tool cable and software, is there anything like that for the fords?