Carlos,

98 ML owner here also. 117K miles

I just finished going through some of the items Gilly mentioned
(Brake fluid flush, coolant change, fuel filter upgrade, and rear pinion seal) and happen to have the "My Benzo" folder with me.

Fuel Filter:
The old part number: 163-477-02-01
The new part number: 163-477-05-01 ($51.00) ACK

Lines and hoses:
001-997-83-90 Clamp ($1.40)
163-470-37-64 Loop to 1634 ($16.50)
163-470-29-64 Line to 1634 ($14.50)
163-470-28-64 Line to 1634 ($18.50)

Labor = $120

Next are shocks/struts (doing them myself)

I'm interested in learning more on the level of difficulty (or not) swapping/changing the door moldings. The 40 mph thump is driving me nuts.

__________________
Fast Robert

I was looking at your part numbers and I noticed a few differences, especially in the price:

Job: R&R Fuel Filter -- 2.50 hours

1 163-477-07-01 Fuel Filter $99.18
1 PKMLFL Fuel Lines Press Re No Charge
1 001-997-83-90 Wire Tie, 15 $3.80
1 163-470-37-64 Line $35.03
1 163-470-29-64 Line $23.00
1 163-470-28-64 Line, Fuel $23.00

Totals:

Parts: 184.01
Labor: 275.00
Totals: 459.01

Also...I had my oil changed as per "A" Service

on the invoice I have Oil Filter F as part: 000-180-26-09. I know this is the filter insert since I bought one from the parts department so that I may try to do the oil changes in the future. However I noticed another part number amongst the charges...163-835-00-47 - Filter $40.12. What is this filter for?

Also, since I haven't opened the sealed filter insert, does it come with the Ring, General (Part No. 007603-014106)?

All told the oil change cost me $282 which includes 8 quarts of 0-40 Mobil 1.

After 7,000 miles of light driving (rarely above 90 miles/hr), and after an additional 2 quarts of Mobil 1, the oil is dark black in color with the FSS showing 5700 miles till next service. Is this normal? My Nissan Maxima ('95) uses 4 quarts of Mobil 1 and it has 4000 miles on it (129,000 total) since the oil change but its oil color is amber to light brown. It's a DOHC engine compared to the ML's SOHC engine. I am guessing perhaps the oil was never changed!?!...I don't know and I can't prove it since it's been 7000 miles since the change.

Thanks for reading this long thread...any advice would be welcome.

Chance.

please cc cneale@panix.com as well.