Everything that I've found wrong with my Mustang after a week of ownership

"Autohaus Derp" (autohausderp)
03/29/2016 at 11:45 • Filed to: Mustang

Inspired by !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! about his new Ninja, I sat down and made a list of all the issues I’ve discovered about my also new-to-me green toy.

I’ve owned the 2005 Legend Lime green GT just over a week so far, and found the following things need attention, ordered in terms of how serious they are/how much they bother me:

Handbrake does not work (suspect failed rear cables - front seems intact)

Stripes cracked, faded, generally nasty and need to go

Hurst shifter rattles at 3k + RPM

Rubber seal on cone filter on CAI severely perished

Minor knock in front end suspension (suspect wishbone bushes)

Hood has minor corrosion around stone chips (yay early ford aluminium painting!)

Fuel EVAP canister blocked preventing you from completely filling tank (hold pump upside down solves this - but do so at your own risk!)

Exhaust corroded throughout but not leaking

All in, not bad, some items on this are common to a lot of S197s - namely the hood and EVAP canister - to be expected for 90,000 miles. I’m sure more gremlins will eventually surface!

A few of these items I’ve already got parts/tools/stuff on order to remedy (shifter, stripes) and hopefully the rest of the problems I can at least properly diagnose this coming weekend. Also, I’m sure some can be remedied with carefully chosen modifications (Intake!).

Here’s hoping she soon becomes the devil I know.

DISCUSSION (23)

RightFootDown > Autohaus Derp
03/29/2016 at 11:49

Some would be interested to hear purchase price of said vehicle. And the trick to fill up the tank all the way - probably not a good idea and can cause more harm than good.

Autohaus Derp > RightFootDown
03/29/2016 at 11:54

I’d rather not disclose the purchase price - but it was right around KBB’s fair market value for my area. Certainly seemed average based on what I found for sale at the time.

I agree that the pump-holding trick is a dumb way around the problem, best way of doing it I’ve found is to slow the flow right down for the last gallon or so.

ranwhenparked > Autohaus Derp
03/29/2016 at 12:06

The corrosion isn’t limited to early aluminum Mustang hoods, its all of them. Ford doesnt properly clean them before painting, so iron particles get trapped under the paint. That causes a chemical reaction in the presence of moisture that results in corrosion.

Yours doesn’t seem as bad as some. If its just happening around rock chips, then that’s probably the only place where the metal is getting in contact with moisture. It usually starts on the leading edge of the hood - there’s a cavity on the underside from where the metal is crimped and welded that can collect water.

jimz > ranwhenparked
03/29/2016 at 12:10

hell, I had front lip corrosion on my 2012.

jimz > Autohaus Derp
03/29/2016 at 12:11

Minor knock in front end suspension (suspect wishbone bushes)“

pretty sure it’ll be lower control arm bushings.

ranwhenparked > jimz
03/29/2016 at 12:21

I had hood and trunk lid corrosion on my 2013, and the trunk issue is coming back now.

Nobi > Autohaus Derp
03/29/2016 at 12:23

You don’t live in south eastern Massachusetts do you? If so, I’ve seen this Mustang, or one just like it, around my town for years.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Autohaus Derp
03/29/2016 at 12:23

My S197's handbrake is much the same. I have a front suspension clunk and it’s very likely your strut mounts. Corrosion on the hood is everywhere on the underside front lip. S197s are fun stuff.

Autohaus Derp > jimz
03/29/2016 at 12:23

Sorry, am english. I’m still learning to speak american

jimz > Autohaus Derp
03/29/2016 at 12:25

no worries. it could also be the upper strut bearing plates.

Autohaus Derp > jimz
03/29/2016 at 12:27

Good call!

Autohaus Derp > Nobi
03/29/2016 at 12:29

No Sir. I’m in MI, car was previously registered in Ohio.

Autohaus Derp > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/29/2016 at 12:32

I will be sure to add the strut-top mounts to my basket when I buy new springs then! I’ve only been able to look under the car briefly, hopefully when I can take the wheels off I’ll be able to figure it out.

Autohaus Derp > ranwhenparked
03/29/2016 at 12:35

Sounds like I got off lightly with ths one! It has two spots visible from the outside on the leading edge, both about 1" across. Underneath the front of the bonnet though, very bubbly!

Autohaus Derp > ranwhenparked
03/29/2016 at 12:36

Wow! Makes me wonder what these 15 F150s are going to look like in a few years.