Zen and the art of automotive maintenance

Well the day has finally arrived.  The mustang is due for several maintenance items but I'm not worried.   I've done my research, studied up on how to complete all of the work, and now almost all of the supplies have arrived.  I guess I should mention that I intend on doing all the work myself.  Here's the list of the work that needs to be done:

Spark Plugs

Coolant Flush

Tranmission Flush

Air Filter

Cabin Air Filter

Fuel Filter

Don't worry.  I had help.  My best friend of some 37 years, Jason came over to lend a hand or two and provide intellectual and emotional support.  

I must say that it feels good to do the work myself.  I get a sense of accomplishment after being successful.  Each new challenge brings the opportunity to learn more about my car and how it works. Besides, I have always planned on keeping the 'stang for as long as Jen will let me keep it.  In order to do this, I need to stay up on the maintenance schedule.  Being that it's a used car, I'm not sure when all this was done.  So, I'm finally making sure it's done now. 

Well, the fuel filter was more of a pain that I thought.  Firstly, there is a protective plastic cover that needed to be removed.  Which doesn't sound so awful.  However, the bolt was about and inch too longer than it really needed to be which rendered my socket set practically useless.  Mental note to buy a deep socket set (Yea!  More tools!).

In order to remove the nut, I had to use an open ended wrench that due to the tight clearance, I couldn't turn but a 1/8 or so per turn.  In case you aren't following, it means it takes FOREVER to remove the bolt.  All while laying on my back, half under the car.  But, after many minutes and a few choice words about some Ford engineers, I was able to finally get the shroud lose enough to get to the fuel filter.  The rest of the job went pretty well.  Due to the extended time it took to access the fuel filter, I wasn't able to get to the coolant and transmission flush.  I get to tackle that tomorrow!  The spark plugs will have to wait until Monday.  I'm still waiting on some supplies for that.  

All in all, it was a pretty successful day.  I'll keep you all posted with the rest of the stuff tomorrow.  It's day 11 and I'm feeling great!  

Fortunately, it wasn't this bad.  Close though.