Willie Krashitt

You don't need roof rails on the mk 3's - Things have moved on, and the 'rails' are now integral with the sides of the roof. You now have to buy feet to fit over these rails that hold the cross bars. Its not just Ford - VW and others have all gone this way with their latest models.

Am fairly certain there is a light, but cannot say for sure - Doesn't the handbook have a dashboard display diagram what shows up all the various functions and indicators? Have spoken to the electricians downstairs, and their answer was that loom and module isn't plug and play, but needs configuring with IDS or WDS to work properly. However, this is also stated in instructions for the Focus loom and my one worked simply by plugging it all in.... Sorry I can't be more definitive. George.

Can't say too much, but if you look at what engines are in the LR Freelander, it might give you a hint as to what is just around the corner. Watch the press reports during the next few weeks.

Without any discount, Ford ones are

Unless you go around towing at maximum revs, it is the TORQUE not the power you should be interested in, and at 320Nm the 150PS Mk2 and the 140PS Mk3 have the same peak torque. In fact, the Mk 3 has more, as it has a transient overboost function, adding another 20Nm. The 10PS peak power difference only effectively occurs at 3800 - 4000rpm, so is completely useless for towing unless you tow at 120MPH. I cannot recommend remapping as it will put several engine parameters beyond their design limits, and will probably give rise to all kinds of failure issues, especially overheating and premature turbocharger failure. George.

...And while you are at it, have a good look at the thick cable that goes off into the main wiring harness. When my fuse box began to melt, I replaced the both the fuse box and the alternator wire , only to notice some slight heat damage at the auxiliary fuse box within a few weeks. The terminal to the main loom was blackened, and when you gently flexed the cable , you could hear the terminal/cable joint creaking. I had to cut the main wire back about 4 inches before I got to wire that wasn't blackened. A new piece of 80A cable spliced on, and all has been well ever since. George.

No it isn't Tim - The previous series Mondeo used/uses the 2.0/2.2L Ford 'Puma' engine. (The same basic engine as in the Transit Van). As regards to the problem, really needs a diagnostic code reader to find the fault quickly. If glowplug light is now flashing, it will be in 'limp home mode', with very much derated performance. George.

For engines with variable nozzle turbochargers like the 115PS and above, a generic answer to this is that the vacuum pump provides the vacuum, which if the boost control solenoid is fully closed (0% duty cycle) goes fully to the turbocharger and pulls the vanes in. At high engine speeds, and high load operating points, the solenoid may have a 100% duty cycle, meaning no vacuum goes to the turbo, only atmospheric air, and the vanes are fully open. Virtually all the time you are driving, the solenoid is operating somewhere in between 0 and 100%, blending a mixture of vacuum and air together to give the desired movement of the vanes. Except for when either fully open or closed, the solenoid is always moving, and is controlled via a pulsed 'duty cycle' of voltage / current that is dictated by the ECU. There is a feedback control system in place, whereby the duty cycle output would initially be as per a 'map' in the ECU, but this can be varied higher or lower depending on how the actual boost pressure (measured by the MAP sensor)compares to the pre programmed boost value for that particular operating speed/load point. If less boost is required for example, the solenoid is opened to allow some air into the system, and simultaneously limiting the amount of vacuum being supplied. and conversely, for more boost, the air is limited and more vacuum applied. Fixed geometry turbo's as used on the 90PS engine use a similar system but instead of vacuum, mix boost pressure with outside air to modulate the boost pressure going to the wastegate actuator. George.

Hi, Have a look at the attached picture: All part numbers quoted are for 24-5-2004 on. Kit 19 (Black squares) is described as kit - repair, finis 1311390, water_heater.pdf

Not really worth messing about with. You can buy new ones from Ford quite cheaply. You do need to know what trim colour you have though. There are lots of combinations depending upon specification, year and trim colour. The current Ford List prices are as follows: RHS 4 switch trim is

Running any petrol car with a misfire is highly likely to melt the catalyst, especially close coupled ones, unless you a/ didn't run it long enough for the cat to get hot (about 2 minutes) or b/ you were very lucky. However, it is worth checking that the various hoses on the engine breather system are intact and not split, also that the HEGO sensor is working. Any diagnostic code reader will let you find that one out. Also, could be worth looking at the throttle position sensor. If this is not working, there is no way of sensing throttle input, and acceleration will suffer. Again a code reader will tell you if it is ok.

Glowplug Details from Ford e-CAT: Prior to 24th May 2004, heater unit D5W-S was fitted (D5W-Z for those with "engine super heating system" - cylinder block heater?). For these units, the Ford glowplug details are FINIS 1257205, and RRP is

The answer is probably not, unless you specified it when you ordered it. Your dealer will be able to tell you by looking at the build data on e-cat, or post your registration and I'll do it for you. Unless you are very familiar with the difference between catalyst and dpf/catalyst assembly it is difficult to tell from underneath. If you want to try for yourself, the simplest way is to look from the top and see if you can see some stainless steel pipes coming from above and below the cat, which will have silicon rubber pipes on them going to a presure sensor. It isn't easy as the whole lot is tucked up out of harms way behind the engine. George.

All is fixed now. There were many repeat failures due to dealers fitting old level parts. George.

Not sure about the info on reprogramming, but the towbar wiring harness is available from the dealers at

Push starting your Galaxy - If it is a PD engine, it won't start unless the PCM "see's" a cranking demand signal, i.e. the ignition has to be turned to the cranking position or it won't fire. This is now common practise for most vehicles made nowadays. Not sure when Galaxy got this feature, but my 2001 115ps certainly has it. George.

Virtually all fuel (both petrol and diesel) sold in the UK will have detergent additives in it. Exceptions are most likely to be (but not limited to) small independent outlets. ALL main brand (Shell, BP, Esso etc) and mainstream supermarket fuels use additive packs which are put in the fuel as the tanker is being filled. The additive packs are different depending on which brand you use, but will include a detergent. The refinery near to where I work will see tankers from several different oil companies and supermarkets come and go, and I know that the dispensing point has additive pack dispensers from rival as well as for their own brand. The likes of BP Optimax diesel, and the similar equivalents from others will and do have a higher specification additive, including more and /or better detergents, and can be a good thing especially when coming up to MOT's when smoke gets measured. For what it is worth, I did see a small improvement in economy when running optimax, but not enough to justify its higher cost. Note: Unlike the UK, visitors to France and Spain should be aware that there is a definite 'split' between main oil companies and supermarkets. Main oil company supplied fuels are very close to 100% with additives, whereas supermarket fuels are almost always without them, as it lets them sell the fuel at a lower price. George.

From Reuters:. A New Jersey importer has asked the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for help in recalling about 450,000 light-truck tires made in China after a fatal rollover crash. The recall under circumstances reminiscent of the recall of millions of Firestone tires a few years ago is the latest of high profile incidents involving China-made products imported to the United States from tainted pet food to toys with lead paint. The tires, made by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co., have an insufficient or missing gum strip -- a safety feature to prevent belts from separating -- Foreign Tire Sales Inc. of New Jersey said in a report to the safety administration on June 11. Foreign Tire Sales told U.S. safety officials tires sold under the names Westlake, Telluride, Compass and YKS could fail at highway speeds. It also told federal officials at least six other U.S. distributors had sold tires of similar construction by the same manufacturer. 1.4 billion Chinese might be wrong after all.

Coolant temperature switch failed? Been covered a few times here. 3000rpm seems a bit high though - most reach around 2000. Does your temp gauge read normal? If it is the sensor (Vagcom or WDS will tell you) make sure you replace the sensor with one of the same colour, or it won't work properly. Been there, done that. George.

Hi, Short answer is Yes. Mine was doing the racing start up too, however my gauge either didn't work at all or would go up to 90 as normal, then drop back to 50 and stay there. New sensor fixed the problem. See: where it has been covered before. Check what colour yours is before you change it - you must replace with the same colour or it won't work properly. For sale: 1-off 'blue' 2-pin sensor, used for 1 week only. Cost

Unless there has been a very recent change, the new Galaxies/S-Maxes on the UK market are available with or without a DPF. 1.8L diesel definately doesn't have one, nor will it be getting one either. 2.0L is available with or without. DPF failure rates are not very high, and virtually all have been caused by the drive cycle adopted - short runs (less than 3 miles or 5 minutes) at low speed are the worst. Continuous low speed operation isn't really a problem, as the regen (burn-off) cycle will be able to do its job. Cruising on a dual carriageway at anything over 50mph will almost certainly invoke a 'natural regeneration' of the DPF as the exhaust gas will be hot enough to do it. Best advice if you do have one fitted is to make sure that the car gets a reasonable run each week - at least 20 minutes continuous running, preferably in a non urban environment where a reasonable road speed can be used. This applies to any vehicle fitted with a DPF. George.

Part numbers as you quoted are correct, but as SK says, you need lots of other bits as well. BTW, Ford dealer price is

DPF's and Bio Diesel: DPF's will work very well with bio diesel, It is the common rail engines which have a problem with bio diesel, in that it can wreck the high pressure fuel pump, as some bio fuels will turn to a jelly like substance if exposed to heat and pressure. Incidentally, I believe that it was the fitment of DPF's and their need to regenerate at idle was one of the reasons VW dropped the PD engine and went common rail (another was that CR engines are substantially quieter), as regeneration can be induced under light load driving conditions by injecting fuel on the exhaust stroke and having the fuel burn in the exhaust manifold. PD engines have no reserve of fuel pressure to do this unlike a CR engine. A DPF is most likely to fail if you continuously do journeys of less than 5 miles and at low speed as it will never get hot enough to naturally regenerate, nor be running long enough to complete the regeneration cycle. George

Ian, I can genuinely recommend a company near to the cricket ground in Northampton. A "one man band" bodyshop called Mend a Bend, in Stimpson Avenue, Northampton, Tel: 01604 638132. Over the years have had the odd repair done there, always been a first class job and prices have always been reasonable. George.

Update to my post ftom yesterday: Just like in the fashion industry, Black is the new grey. The reason Ford don't list a grey sensor, as it has been superceded by a new one which is black! The part which is available with the FINIS code 1459209, 6M21-10884-AA cross references to VW part 06A 919 501A, an upsuffix on the original part. (And it is