kevinp

Gave my 1.9Tdi 110 a good 50 mile run up the A12 at lunchtime today. The major power loss did not re-occur but at about 80mph/3000rpm I could occasionally feel the power just "cutting back". It certainly doesn't feel quite right. I was hoping for the power loss to occur so I could whip out the MAF connection and re-try it. Just a point about running with MAF sensor disconnected (because I am a coward) - is it OK to run at high speed and for some distance or can it cause any damage/problems. If OK then I may unplug it and repeat my 50 mile run again to see if there is any difference. Interested in everyone's comment on the EGR gumming up. Not sure if I interpreted SA Intruder's comments correctly about "cannot be done on engine". I assume you meant you need to remove the valve for cleaning but noting you saying "...slide the engine forward...." suggests something more major - you didn't infer the engine has to come out did you? (sorry for my stupidity). Sounds like it may be worth doing an EGR clean.

I've only had the car since end of May but always been serviced from new by a local Ford dealer according to service history - therefore must assume that all parts fitted etc are genuine Ford.

Monday am - Fully intended to drive it a short distance to confirm the problem then unplug the MAF but guess what. The car is as good as gold this morning. This worries me as therefore may be an intermittent problem. I will try to pop out from work later and give it a good thrashing in the warm to see if it re-occurs. Anyone know of history of sensors or electronics failing when hot etc? Doesn't bode well for the forthcoming holiday! :angry:

:) :) Oh Dear Oh Dear. After keeping reading all the loss of power topics, I fear it's happened to me this very afternoon. (1998 Galaxy TDi, 90k). Driving round the south M25 with no problems at a steady 75-80mph (sorry 70 mph, officer) including the uphill Pole Hill section, at about Swanley the power dropped away and I struggled to keep going at 50 to 60 mph. It seems like I've lost the Turbo boost???. Limped home and checked for anything obvious - nothing seen, no loss of fluids or nasty messes under the bonnet. Reading the above and other pages, I assume the MAF sensor - no evidence of this being replaced before according to service history. Strangely enough over the last couple of weeks I was noticing a "flat spot" at about 60mph/3000rpm which seemed to disappear when the revs increase. I was noticing this more today before all the power suddenly went. Interested to read also the possible EGR valve or air inlet or indeed boost solenoid possibilities. Unfortunately, I need the car for holidays in a couple of weeks time so it looks as if I'll have to get it into a Ford dealer straightaway if i can, rather than spend time to have a look myself. I may well try disconnecting the MAF sensor first thing tomorrow, looks like it's easy to do quickly (top left according to the Haynes manual). Will keep you informed. :( :(

Interesting stuff. Looking back in detail last night through my Ford service history for my '98 Tdi (I've only had the car for 2 months), I note it went in earlier this year for the engine management light flashing. Fault found - new brake light switch fitted, cured problem.

:( Fred/Ivor - Intapart actually posted them to me. I was a bit disappointed with their packaging, they just placed them together, put some bubble-wrap around the protruding studs and wrapped the lot in an industrial type cling film. That's it, as delivered by a courier! They did remember to put in the rubber mounting boots though. There is no doubt that a bit of abrasion in transit took place and I need to touch up the ends of the rails a little with a spot or two of black paint, although only minor. No, I'm not really looking for more bits but, as you mention it, I wouldn't mind a grey luggage cover & fittings (as on a company 2.3 Ghia X Galaxy I had some years back. This did about 23mpg as I remember!, that's why I've bought a diesel).

:( :( Sorry for the delay in following this topic up (kids, wife etc!) but I'm pleased to report that my Galaxy now sports a pair of roof rails! (ex V6 Sharan, I believe). Obtained them from Intapart (thanks Fredt) and fitted them on a very hot last Saturday. Holes/blanking plugs in the roof were all there and the job was relatively straight forward. The headlining was no problem so long as you remove seat belt mountings, trim, interior lights, grab handles etc and do one side at a time. The only extra bit of work was to make neccessary cut-outs in the existing rail channel rubber strip to make provision for the rail mountings (I assume a different strip is fitted as standard to factory fitted roof rail models). Should anyone else attempt this task, I will gladly pass on my experiences. Galaxys look much nicer with roof rails!

Sounds like you maybe living close to a radio ham if you do really mean 14MHz. (although 100 feet to the car seems pretty close!). From my many years of EMC testing, I would be surprised if you have a problem at this frequency but you never know - it is more usual at VHF & UHF requencies. Kevin

Chaps - Thanks for your help & advice. I have looked at both suggested links & can see the options for fitting roofbars. I would still like to persevere with obtaining and fitting some original roof rails however - Galaxy's look so much nicer with them than without! So anyone still got any ideas where?if I can obtain original roof rails? Kevin :(

I have just bought a 1998 S-reg TDi GLX Galaxy. Very pleased, 1 owner and a full Ford service history and is in superb condition. It doesn't have roof rails whereas a friend's R-reg TDi has. I thought a GLX trim would have the roof rails? Can I obtain and retro-fit roof rails (how are they fitted etc)? Surely people occasionally write off Galaxys, Alhambras, Sharans so maybe I could find some roof rails at a breakers? Anyone got any comments please?