sparky Paul

If you want to buy off fleabay, I dont think you can go wrong with Mintex, as Nik says, expect to pay

I'm just the other side of Gainsborough and I don't mind admitting it put the wind up me... :wacko:

AFAIK, 205/60x15 were fitted to some early 2.8 V6s with 15" wheels. Reinforced or Extra-Load is a must in this size, as stated earlier.

Mintex here too, I'd recommend them. Had discs and pads on for a few years now, wearing perfectly flat and lasting well.

It certainly is... and it threw me when I fitted mine as well. :wacko: If you have one, the diagram in the Haynes book is correct, IIRC.

While you are under there, I would also check the idler pulley too - just to the right and above the tensioner. It's another common problem, and can cause similar issues to tensioner failure. It's only about

I've got four Sumo Firenzas in the shed ready to put on the Galaxy, when I get round to it... I read a few favourable reports in other forums on the net, and they do look a nicely made tyre.

Its likely that the low pressure switch is acting. From the symptoms, i.e. working for a while before stopping, then nothing at all, it sounds like the system needs regassing at the very least - there's a good chance that you have a leak somewhere. Check all the pipework for staining, also check for leakage under the small cap on the dryer end of the condensor - this is quite a common failure on the mk.2, and there's a thread about this on here somewhere... check out this thread... http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php?showtopic=13221

If you look through the front grill, the big thing that looks like a radiator is the AC condensor. The rad is behind it.

You might be better posting in the MkIII section for a better response from other MkIII owners. :35:

If you over-inflate, steering will feel a little lighter, but your tyres will wear in the middle. In theory, grip will be affected too as there won't be an even pressure exerted over the width of the tyre. In general, you should stick to the pressures on the sticker on the car door pillar/fuel filler flap - unless the wheel/tyre type has been changed at any point. However, bear in mind that these are only a guide, you may find you need to adjust either way by a psi or two... keep an eye on tyre wear.

Its not unusual to have nasty pongs coming out of the air con if its not used for a while, it doesn't indicate that any servicing is required. All you need to do is spray some Dettox into the air around the recirc vents under the dash, with the aircon and recirc on and let it pull it through the system. It should kill any bacteria that are taking hold on the evaporator. I would only think about a recharge if the aircon was not working as well as it should.

Any evidence of edge feathering on your old tyres? If not, don't bother. The best thing you can do if keep a regular eye on them and get the tracking adjusted at the first sign of any trouble. When it comes to budget tyres, I would look around the 'net to see what folks experience is of the tyre you are looking at. Read the reviews. Then try them - if you don't like them, try something else, and don't forget to warn us on here... :lol: I haven't found the wear rates on budget tyres any different to be honest, and although it is a fact that some tyres have less rolling resistance and hence improve your mpg, the effect is relatively small.

To be honest, I think it has more to do with the type of driving you do regularly, your engine size, and your driving style. I reckon the mileage I get out of tyres on the Galaxy is pretty average reading others posts, but my last pair of front tyres were quite cheap (Fortuna F2000) and have lasted marginally longer than the Dunlops, though there's not a lot in it.

No personal experience, but Yokohama are a pretty reputable tyre manufacturer, so they should be okay. The 'Falcons' you were quoted for were probably Falken, who are part of Dunlop. They aren't a top tyre, but

Unfortunately, some police officers do think they are the law, rather than merely the upholders of the law. Only the other week I can remember having a discussion with OH about how people have been prosecuted for eating whilst driving, whilst smoking at the wheel seems to be acceptable - I know I'd sooner drop a curly wurly in my lap than a lit cigarette... Then blow me, a police car goes past us the other way, the uniformed driver munching on a cob sandwich so big he could barely see over it... ;)

If it's the usual problem with the lock barrel internals, there's still the seller on fleabay selling the repair kit, if that's any help to you... do a search for 'galaxy lock'. :lol:

I find the nearside tyres always wear slightly more - its all these roundabouts! I do get your point though, I was thinking more if you had a beyond repair puncture/punctures and wanted to shift wheels around when fitting a new tyre/tyres.

Directional tyres are undoubtedly the best tyres in terms of outright grip, however they have one distinct disadvantage - the directional tread means you're limited when swapping them around the car, and obviously they're no good on the spare. I understand blocky symmetrical tyres are supposed to grip better laterally, giving slightly better steering response, and asymmetric tyres are a useful compromise between the two.

As mo4 says, this has been discussed many times on here, and it's worth having a search and reading some of the threads - there's some good info. I got about 15,000 miles out of the Dunlops, but it was the terrible road noise that really put me off them. The Fortunas I've still got on the front have done about 17,000 miles now, and still have a little life left in them. Even now they're quieter than the Dunlops ever were - better tyres than the Dunlops IMHO, and half the price. Unfortunately, Mytyres doesn't have them in stock at the moment, so I was considering Kumho Ecsta next, but I prefer symmetric or asymmentic tyres rather than directional. Cheaper, but also directional, are Sumo Firenza at

Depends where they were... the surge effects are localised and not easy to predict. Walcott on the Norfolk coast seems to have had a fair bashing. EA are saying that the surge measured 2.5m+... but it didn't coincide with high tide as predicted, so things didn't turn out so bad.

Great pics there katman. Apparently the tide was only 8" lower than was expected, but the EA are saying this made all the difference... Living on an east coast tidal river myself, I wouldn't like to see the effect of another couple of feet... :blink:

You havin' a bid then? ;)

I agree with mo4 - it sounds like the vehicle is not on the insured vehicle register. If you can't get hold of the guy, have a chat with the cops - there's a chance the vehicle could be on false plates and/or uninsured.