Saint Billy

Update, bad news I'm afraid. The plate had a rust hole in it so probably the leaking of oil has been going on for some time. A temporary fix was done to see if an oil refill would correct the problem but it has not made any difference, so the Gal is next to useless. I will probably take other posters advice on here and break for spares although it has crossed my mind to get another same model Galaxy that is road worthy and use other for spares and sell the spares that are left, but I may stear clear of autos. Thanks again for the advice everyone.

I'll let you know next week but you've got me worrying now.

Thanks for that. It looks like I may be lucky (fingers strongly crossed and touching any wood I can find). I had an update from the garage and they are 99% sure that the cracked plate is the culprit. Unfortunately the crack is too big to do a temporary fix so it does need replacing. As for the auction, that was a huge error on my part. I went to bid on a Galaxy 1900 TD but got stuck in a bidding war and pulled out as the price was getting too steep. Unbeknown to me, the Galaxy I have now followed, which I never noticed on the list or even noticed when inspecting the vehicles beforehand, and on the spur of the moment I bid for it and won. It was only after that I realised that this Galaxy was being sold as 'Sold as Seen', this was displayed on the windscreen but I never noticed it doh!, which means you have no recourse. If a vehicle is labelled with 'No major Faults' you have a period of time to return it if indeed there is an obvious mechanical fault. Anyway, its done now and I will learn from that.

Thanks great advice from members above, it has certainly given me food for thought so far. I am at present trying to hunt this part down from scapyards etc although I am not sure what the correct name for the part is, but hopefully when found it will be a lot cheaper than Ford are quoting. Will keep you informed as to how it goes but will still appreciate any other comments or similar problems experienced. Cheers.

Firstly, new to this forum but what a great source of information!! I have always wanted a Galaxy and purchased one eventually at a car auction. Yes I know, rather foolish and impetuous , but it was an early model and cheap and I am treating it as a project to get it back up together. Externally it is in great shape but inside and mechanically is another matter. I bought it sold as seen so I am now stuck with the problems, and the main issue is the dreaded auto gearbox which I have noticed has been covered on here many times. When driving the auto gearbox slips almost like a clutch not engaging, if you put your foot hard down on the accelerator it revs instead of pulling away. It is driveable but I have to keep going into 3rd gear until I have reached a decent speed and then plant it back into drive. I have taken it to a local garage and they have inspected the gearbox. Firstly, there is little to no oil left in the gearbox and this is because there is a crack in the end gearbox cover, not the bell housing end, but the other end. To replace this part is