Okay back in June of 2017, I purchased my Ford Taurus SE with 180k miles. Keep in mind, the previous owner, a mechanic, replaced the water pump at 125k miles, just to throw a new one in. Heating and cooling are great, the car never overheats. He also replaced the serpentine belt, and spark plugs, as well as the suspensions. This was one hell of a deal, the car was like new. I drove it for about 2 months, and suddenly the brakes didn't feel as if they were working. I nearly went through an intersection braking about 600 feet ahead of time, I put the pedal on the floor before any brake response was given.
I checked my brake fluid level, sure enough, the reservoir was empty. I added the fluid and was still having the same issue. So I found one of the lines was blown out, and replaced all of them, just to be sure, and sure enough, the car had the same issue. I replaced all 4 rotors and pads because I was having to really slam on the brakes just to stop. (I apologize to drivers behind me). I took it to a shop, and they were puzzled as well. So I had my uncle who was a mechanic for 47 years check it out, he couldn't find anything.
I took it to a Ford dealership and asked if they had any idea what would cause the issue, they didn't but they were very kind and let me leave them with my car, so they could look at it. They called me about 3 days later saying my proportional valve was no longer functioning, and that was why the brakes were so loose and delayed. They looked up the part and it was around $600, and another $800 in labor and installation since they basically would have to take the exhaust system and most of the under frame of the car apart just to replace it. I didn't want to spend the money because of the transmission being sh*tty.
The car is basically going to give out in the near future, so I am saving for a new one, and trying to pay for college at the same time. I now have just over 210k miles on the car, so any repairs over $300 I will not do.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Okay back in June of 2017, I purchased my Ford Taurus SE with 180k miles. Keep in mind, the previous owner, a mechanic, replaced the water pump at 125k miles, just to throw a new one in. Heating and cooling are great, the car never overheats. He also replaced the serpentine belt, and spark plugs, as well as the suspensions. This was one hell of a deal, the car was like new. I drove it for about 2 months, and suddenly the brakes didn't feel as if they were working. I nearly went through an intersection braking about 600 feet ahead of time, I put the pedal on the floor before any brake response was given.
I checked my brake fluid level, sure enough, the reservoir was empty. I added the fluid and was still having the same issue. So I found one of the lines was blown out, and replaced all of them, just to be sure, and sure enough, the car had the same issue. I replaced all 4 rotors and pads because I was having to really slam on the brakes just to stop. (I apologize to drivers behind me). I took it to a shop, and they were puzzled as well. So I had my uncle who was a mechanic for 47 years check it out, he couldn't find anything.
I took it to a Ford dealership and asked if they had any idea what would cause the issue, they didn't but they were very kind and let me leave them with my car, so they could look at it. They called me about 3 days later saying my proportional valve was no longer functioning, and that was why the brakes were so loose and delayed. They looked up the part and it was around $600, and another $800 in labor and installation since they basically would have to take the exhaust system and most of the under frame of the car apart just to replace it. I didn't want to spend the money because of the transmission being sh*tty.
The car is basically going to give out in the near future, so I am saving for a new one, and trying to pay for college at the same time. I now have just over 210k miles on the car, so any repairs over $300 I will not do.
- Alec R., Dowagiac, US