johnb80

I was sort of hoping you'd have more ideas ;) My favoured ones are still EGR or Valve timing in that order. Regards - JB

You didn't read all the posts, a genuine Ford one has been fitted. Regards - JB

When you say it has been checked and cleaned, how was it checked? Try diconnecting the vacuum pipes and blocking them temporarily and see if it makes a difference. It's important that this valve works correctly, if it's open when it shouldn't be performance will suffer, it effectively reduces cylinder capacity. Regards - John

I don't know the mechanical layout on the 2 litre,I offerred the suggestion because on my 2.9 24v Cosworth the chain guide had worn and the chain had stretched a little. The result was the exhaust cam jumped 2 teeth. The engine ran ok and revved freely but the 0-60 time was awful as was the fuel consumption. The engine just felt lifeless and had done only 45,000 miles. It's a long tail of woe with mis-diagnosys every time until a technician from Cosworth was called in by the ford Dealer. He confirmed my guess from 4 weeks earlier that the valve timing was out. The Ford dealer had cost me over

My Cosworth Granada was very much like this when the valve timing was out. I don't know how easy it would be to check on the Gal but it must be worth a look. Regards - John

Without physically seeing the vehicle it's difficult to comment, your diagnosis of clutch drag seems to fit with the symptoms. Taking the clues onboard i.e. biting point just off the floor would suggest a master cylinder problem or a mechanical linkage problem, such as slave cylinder adjustment, bent arms etc. Regards - John

VR6GALAXY Look out, there's a new scam around, be careful, here are the details:- What a racket. We must warn you. Yesterday, one of my mates was car-hijacked at a traffic lights! A young woman proposes to wash your car window while you wait at the red light, and another one takes advantage of it to open the back door and steal everything she can grab. Be warned, they are very well organized !!! Don't leave your doors or windows open if you drive up to a red light! If your windows get washed . . . Don't look at them, they will try to distract you. They've got us 10 times already on our way to gigs..... See below ....... We took pics so you can be ready for them Have A Great Day, Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3 Picture 4

It's very difficult to concentrate with your AVATAR on screen, I've had to get 2 new pairs of glasses since she's neen there. Time for a change ? :)

And may one ask why you dont apply that argument to 6 cylinder engines :)

Are you sure your battery is OK? it's possible that it can't supply the cranking amps required, the voltage falls and that resets everything. The other possibility is that the starter motor has had it and is dragging too much current. Get your battery charges and try and start it with a GOOD set of jump leads attached to another vehicle, dont try it with the 99p jump leads from the local garage, you need some very heavy duty ones. Regards - John

The base idle is normally set with the Idle control valve defeated, centred if you like so that it can add air or reduce air. The ECU can then increase fuel and air to increase speed and of course adjust the mixture, I'm still convinced there will be a valve there somewhere. Regards - John

I don't think they'd get away with that, mixture is pretty critical with cats and the idle would never be smooth. All the cars I've worked on that have fuel injection of an idle speed control / air valve call it what you like. The ECU has direct control over the injectors and needs to be able to control the air as well. In some vehicles MCC Smart for example where they have drive by wire systems, the throttle butterfly can be controlled by the ECU and thus doesn't need a seperate valve. Regards - JB

A Galaxy without aircon in the summer doesn't bare thinking about. There are lots of companies that do aftermarket aircon and a good job they do too. It would probably be cheaper to sell the Gal you've got and buy another with it already on. Regards - John

I've had mixed experiences, my local Ford dealer in Gainsborough I would not let them service my garden wheelbarrow. My Galaxy goes to Lincoln Ford who's customer care is terrible but their workmanship I can't fault. Strange contrasts, I have a

Which method did you use in the end ?

Goto your nearest agricultural dealer eg Massey Ferguson etc, they've been dealing with aircon a lot longer than Ford dealers and have sorces for generic parts as well as equipment to make up pipes. Wifeys Ultima was leak detected, repaired and gas replaced along with lube for

How does it increase or decrease the idle speed if it doesn't have control over the air supply ? Regards - John

As I understand it the internals are the same it's only the casing to include the transaxle that makes it different. The point I was trying to make IF it is the same internals once sorted it should be fine or indeed don't write off Ford Auto's because theyre good. Regards - John

I would assume that the 2.3 uses the same box as fitted in the Ultima which I think is the electronically controlled A4LD. If it is that box you should worry little, very reliable and can do mega miles, wifeys ultima currently on 140,000 + Regards - John

I don't know the layout on your Gal but if you look at the pipework you will find a pipe that goes from the air cleaners side of the throttle body to the manifold side of the throttle body. Somewhere along this pipe you will find a small cylindrical device around 150mm long and perhaps 40mm dia, this may be attached directly to the manifold or air cleaner housing. It's a small valve that allows more of less air into the engine at idle, if they get gummed up they stick and you get problems like yours. Regards - JB

Idle air valve needs replacing or cleaning, while you're at it clean the throttle body too. Usually a good squirt of carb cleaner and a good brushing with a tooth brush (use the wifes) does the trick. Regards - John

You could put an airline down and give it a good blast in the hope that the item would get blown out or, see if the item floats if it does wash it out with a garden hose. You would need to take out the spark plugs and turn the engine over by hand and then on the starter before replacing the plugs, one cylinder would fill up with water. I would go with the air hose first and plenty of air. Regards - JB

I have a feeling that the two 'vents' you mention are in fact sensors for the alarm. Regards - John

I would be asking the garage how replacing the gasket would solve the gearchange problem, how did the oil manage to become burnt in the firstplace and if you're close to the end of the warranty a guarantee in writing that there's nothing wrong with the box if thats what they're stating. Regards - John

Sounds to me like the brake bands are slipping due to wear / incorrect adjustment. In this state when a gearchange occurs it doesn't stop the outer ring of the planetary gear from turning and therefore you have a partial gearchange (a bit like a slipping clutch) but more importantly the brake band will get very hot, very quick and burn the oil. Normall there's a distinctive smell and the oil changes from red to brown. This is a sure sign that damage has been done. I would challenge the garage about the bill and insist on a replacement gearbox. Regards - john