Got a little bit of a late start, but I got a few things checked out and fixed. There was an oil drip, but that was just the oil drain plug. I pulled it out and found that there was no washer whatsoever. Fortunately, I found a copper washer to seal it up. The oil had just been changed before I bought it, so slightly annoying to have to change it again. At least it's now running the oil I want (Rotella Synthetic 5W40). I'm a Baldwin filter guy being from Nebraska, but I was able to find a Wix here in town today. It will have to do for now.
The front suspension and steering is all tight. Surprised there isn't something since it has that many miles. The inner pad on the left rear brake is worn more than that rest. I might have a caliper sticking. I'll replace the pads/rotors/calipers when that pad wears down to the point of needing replaced.
I fixed the rear pinion seal. Pretty easy since I've done so many on various cars over the years. Amazing how the lighter duty stuff is easier to work on. I'm used to my 3/4 ton pickup and old farm equipment. The oil was in good shape, but I'm not sure if the diff cover is leaking or the pinion leak was just running down. I'll have to keep an eye on it.
I checked and cleaned the MAP sensor per the noob guide. It was pretty dirty. I'm not sure if it made a difference in power. I haven't gotten through a tank yet, so I don't have a mileage baseline.
I was able to pull the timing cover back a bit and look at the belt. It looks decent, so I have some time to find out if it's been done or not. I'll definitely do it if I can't determine for sure.
I'm thinking a bit about the GDE tune once I get my wife's Focus sold. I noticed there's a reduced torque and full torque tune, which one is recommended for stock? There was a reprogram done per a sticker, but I'll have to get the program number off of it.
Do the GDE tunes still pass CO emissions if anyone knows? On the emissions sheet, there is an EGR test that has "passed", but I'm not sure if that means anything. Will I need to reload the stock tune for the emissions test and retune after it's done? Yet another reason to move back to Nebraska.
On the intercooler hoses, how do you tell when they've become "soft"? There are a couple of portions that feel softer than the rest, but not really soft like a radiator hose that is about to blow. They are gunked up, but I wasn't sure if it was worth cleaning them out or just replace them at this point.
I did a couple of other minor things including wiper blades and lift cylinders for the rear glass.
So far, the wife is very happy with the new car. She actually never drove it before we bought it, but had driven a V6 version of the same year before. I guess she trusts me. I like it because I don't have to drive my pickup all of the time if we go somewhere. Her Focus was like a clown car for me. Our 2-year-old thinks he's hot stuff because he gets to ride in it and can see better out of this one. He also figured out he can reach the window controls in the back with his feet.
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