Andrew T

Funnily enough...............

An interesting point, I said the same thing recently about our Xantia diesel (same engine) but was told that petrols had better braking due to the throttle.

I was going to try and top that with a picture of a Suzuki wagon R camper which I've seen, however image search has failed me. I kid you not though, a wagon R with a pop top and a cooker and sink. Cozy ?

If you want to go the whole way...............

Does it have the same make/type of tyres as you've had previously ? I've noticed a tendancy to this type of behaviour with ours, and wondered if it's down to the high pessures demanded for the 16" Reinforced tyres. The earlier models on 15" wheels require much lower pressures for normal running.

There have been sightings of some petrols fitted with auxilliary booster heaters...........worst of both worlds? That said it was -5C this morning and it must have taken 10 miles for the engine to reach working temp, so perhaps I could do with one.

A 1.8 x 0.9 Metre sheet of plasterboard will go in (flat obviously) with a bit of room to spare, is that about 6' x 3'?

Ours is a Mark2 01Y with a lap belt. I reckon it goes with the early MK2 spec, which also has Mk1 sized brake discs and solid head restaints, although our handbook does show a 3-point belt, so maybe it was optional at this time. The full MK2 (version 2.1?) arrived in about August '01 and had see through head restaints, 3 point belt and the larger discs (Blatters already knows about that though). 51 plate onwards should be safe then, unless it was very old stock.

I think it's worth stating a general point here (and this certainly isn't aimed at you purplemadboy) that the best way that anyone can thank the forum is to conclude the thread with the solution to your problem. Some newbies come on here with a question and then disappear, never to post the solution and depriving the forum of the knowledge they have gained.

Petrol Turbo perhaps ?

Taking the thermostat out is a classic bodgers trick used to sell a car with dodgy head! Possibly they removed it because they found the problem persisted after the Gasket was changed. If the head really has been replaced that would eliminate the possibility of a cracked head. Does it use any coolant now ? Sounds like it's time to involve trading standards.

I'm proud of the way I resisted the temptation to annoy you with a sarcastic answer. Have a look in the engine technical data section of your handbook, I'm sure it's listed there.

The scuttle drains are towards the rear of the wheel arch, you have to take some of the fasteners off the liner to locate it.

This shining example of a competent Ford dealership is Rufus Carr in Clitheroe, Lancs tel 01200 422173.

I've voted good. Although on cost grounds I only use a main agent when there is no alternative, I've been pleased with the service I've received. On one occasion I'd booked the Gal

It could also be the immobiliser, which appears to knock out the starter circuit. You could simulate this by taking the microchip out of the key head and see how it behaves when you try to start it. Also if you're on hill when it happens try rolling off and bump starting it. Relay 30 doesn't seem to exist on MK2s, not sure if it's been deleted or renumbered. Having just re-read your post the, I see it's cutting out as well, so it can't be immobilising the starter. I've had the none starting but never had it cut out on the move, so El-dingos idea sounds plausible.

What we are talking about here is the differance between outright performance and flexibility (where a Diesel would be expected to excel). I'll wager that a 2.3 would be faster from say 30-80 through the gears faster than a 115 diesel, which would need at least one extra (time consuming) gear change. Also according to Fords own website the 115 does 0-60 in 13.8 Secs not 12.8.

The question of the relative overtaking performance of Petrol and Diesel is an interesting one. I admit that I have not driven any of the

I suspect if I'd done this 6 months ago the calculation would have been in favour of the Diesel, as I'm sure the recent hikes in fuel prices will have put used Diesel values up and Petrol values down. Anyone buying new would be crazy to buy a petrol if there's only a thousand or so difference in cost, however in the secondhand market cars find their own value and I think this illustrates it pays to think carefully before you chose which to go for and not assume the Diesel will be always cheapest.

Okay, let

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IIRC There was an incident towards the end of the JPs service life with the RAF when a stick sheared off in the Pilots hand - lucky they have a co-pilot really. A fleetwide check revealed widespread cracking. If you look at the base off the stick you should find a triangular reinforcement plate bolted on each side. Even the youngest JPs must be well over 40 years old now so you have expect things like that to happen. I wonder how close AVTUR is to Diesel ? I believe that it's almost identical to domestic heating oil (28 sec Kerosene) and my guess is that's what widu13 is running his Galaxy on. I must admit that during the fuel crises in '00 I was very tempted to use some of the 1500 litres of Heating oil I had in the tank, but I wondered what it would do to the injection pump, which I believe relies on the Greasiness of Diesel for it's lubrication. I certainly wouldn't risk it on the precision components that fuel a PD engine.

I don't want to worry you John, but isn't there a problem on the JP with the Pilots stick snapping off at the base during high G manoeuvres ?

The Customs and Excise mobile fuel testing unit is a regular visitor to the livestock markets round here, not that I'd suggest that farmers are renowned for creative use of Red Diesel of course. I have noticed that some Landrovers have very big padlocks on their fuel caps though.