Paul B

By the way, I love the idea of a Seat Shaped Tank! I'll have 5 please, preferably in Leather! LOL

I reckon we could have an East Anglian Galaxy convoy eh folks? That would be a laugh. If it's hot, let's see who's got their windows down, judging by all these AC Compressors these Galaxy's eat! :rolleyes: Sorry Neil, you can get back to it now!

TDI's can run on Biodiesel and this is renewable ( although not really practical for domestic use when fossil fuels run out. ). Can you tell me where you're getting this Biodiesel? As it's certainly not readily availble in my area? Don't forget, if you're mixing your own "Biodiesel" you need to declare the duty on it!! Which is why it's not readily available here! The government wants too much of a share. My company produces about 60 litres of Waste Vegetable Oil per week, and I give this to Holland (foc) to be made into BioDiesel to be used on the continent as there's no duty on it there! LPG requires more than double the size of tank to travel the same distance as a Diesel ( much more filling up ). At double the size tank, at less than half the cost per litre, aren't you going just as far or further? I can't see what the concern is. When your Diesel tanks dry, you'll stop. When my Gas tanks dry, I'll switch over to 70 litres Petrol if I wish! No seriously, I can understand this comment. I admit, it is a bid of a bind. Filling up more often, messing about at the Gas Pump. But when you've driven a Petrol v6 Galaxy for the last 6 years, you quickly learn to live with that for what it saves you. Even taking into account the cost of conversion, it's still cheaper for me rather than change my car for a Diesel Galaxy of the equivalent Spec and Mileage which would probably have cost me another

Sounds like you've had some real luck!! Glad to hear it! I drove my Galaxy (this is the 2nd I've had) for 2 years, just assuming Galaxy Air Con was crap, until it started frying me at 28C on my holiday!! Did Kwik-Fit, system looked ok but they could not get it any cooler than 28 either. Went elswhere, had it diagnosed as a Dead Compressor (much to my disbelief) and decided to fix the whole lot myself, rather than re-mortgage the house, and hey presto!! That was about 2 months ago, and it's absolute luxury!! Can't believe my luck. Have I just jinxed it?? The Dryer on the Mark2 is an absolute pig to replace!

Don't worry, there's more chancing of defecting to the KGB, you can't even get a reply out of them!LOL Anyway, proves my point, at least I've learn't something new today! Other than how to end up driving round a bend into a non bendy tree after buggering my PAS up! It's not verbal diarrhorea, it's foot and mouth, everytime I open my mouth I put my foot in it! I wonder......Does Diacalm work the other way around?? If I put it in the other end, will it cure my problem?? Anyway, I will have a look and try and find this info. If I'm available I'd love to come along. I think East Midlands was the closest description to my area. I'm in the outback, back of beyond, NORFOLK!! Well, Norwich actually. Where everybody drives in "Economy" mode, especially on a Sunday. Better not go into that, I'll end up getting banned! LOL Thanks for the info though. If I can't find it, I will get back to you. Cul8r

It's official!! I am a Divvy!! Just noticed the logo at the top left on the home page, Ford Galaxy Owners Club, I have never noticed it before!! What an idiot! But then why did they never email me back?? Any ideas?? Is it because they don't divs like me?? LOL

Thanks MO4! I need to get some Diacalm, suffering from verbal dirrahorea today! I meant to ask too, is there ever a meet of Galaxy owners? I did try and join the FGOC (Ford Galaxy Owners Club) I followed their online instructions, but never heard a thing back, you're supposed to within 24 hours. Don't know what that's all about?? Anyway, I work quite a lot and don't have much time, but I just wondered whether there were any set dates when Owners meet up at a set venue or anything? I can't find any info anywhere else about it? Unless I'm looking in the wrong places, which is highly possible!

I'm sorry, but I thinking I may be getting addicted to this forum, and John's other post was the cause!! "How to Double the Fuel Economy of your Galaxy". It never ceases to amaze me how we all have different viewpoints, some well informed and some not so well informed. I just cannot image anybody going to the lengths that he describes, or am I naive? If things are that tight, why not just put a brick in the toilet cistern? (Before you ask, NO I don't have one my cistern!) Yes we all want better performance, and better fuel economy, but you can go too far! By the time you've bought the basic Galaxy and stripped it down to resemble a Fiesta, you might as well have bought a Fiesta in the first place! I love my Galaxy, sad as it may be, but I want it to be a Galaxy. I want to keep all 7 seats in it in case I need them (no good at home in the garage), I want to have the Climate Control on and use the Heated Seats in the winter. If I didn't enjoy these things, I just wouldn't have bought a Galaxy. OK so I've LPG'd mine to get better Fuel Economy and I'm proud of it! But that's as far as it goes. There is more to life than watching the Fuel Gauge and Driving round 20 mph under the Legal Limit just to save fuel. I simply can't be bothered. It's far more important to drive safely and sensibly than be worried out of my mind the two extra seats I'm carrying are costing me a extra few pence! I love to read and hear other people's point of view, I think it's an important part of life. There is a lot to be learned from others. But sometimes, just sometimes............you do hear some daft suggestions! Maybe I'm daft for not following these ideas, I dont' know? But I can vouch for driving with no undertray and losing your PAS when you've been through a big puddle!! Happened to me in July (rainy July, you remember it too well) after I had removed it to repair my Air Con, and it certainly ain't nice! Especially without Bendy Trees around.LOL Anyway, just to say, this forum is gr8! I love reading through it, keep it coming. I might disagree with you, but I'm always willing to hear the other side! I love the little digs certain people have at each other, I don't complain, after all life's too short to take it all seriously. We all use this forum for the same reason, to learn from others experiences, or to put across our own to help others. The forum has definitely saved me some serious money in the short time I've been on it, and I don't think my life would be the same without it, sad eh?? Now all I need to do is learn to condense these essays.......... :rolleyes: Where can I find the essay condensing forum I wonder?...

MikeJ you have exactly the same set up as me. Latest Sequential Romano system, with an 80Ltr Donut (torroidal) tank in place of the Spare Wheel. I get a max fill up of about 57 litres usually. As you say, the loss of MPG is neglible, and I am convinced there is absolutely no loss of power either with this system. In fact, mine definitely runs better on it, much smoother, you can notice the difference (though some will say it's in the mind...). I'm impressed enough to never look back and never consider running an ordinary Petrol again! I can't afford to! The price difference in LPG to Petrol has been guaranteed by our Former Chancellor for about another 3 years, so hopefully we will be ok. After all, it's a greener fuel. I agree you will never win the LPG versus Diesel argument! My own Brother will not hear a word against Diesel! Him and I have had some real debates on the issue. As you say though, with Diesels getting much better these days, it's certainly an option worth considering when buying another car which I wouldn't rule out, but my preference is the Dual Fuel without a doubt. Petrol performance at a Diesel price, what could be better, and the back of my car isn't permanent covered in black soot! When the government talk about Climate Change etc, I'm always amazed when I sit behind Buses (one of their other favourite transport topics) and wonder why they aren't gassed? The fumes they omit are disgusting. But that's a whole new issue, never discuss Religion and Politics.....LOL

Well, if it's still possible to get 44mpg from the 2.0, observing the advice given, then if it were LPG Converted, with LPG 2.2 times cheaper it would equate to 96.8 MPG. However, as you will already be aware, you get slightly less MPG whilst running on Gas, but it would be easy to reach nearly 90MPG Equivalent, and certainly not totally impossible to reach nearer the 100 mark. Providing the car was in optimum shape - including a Clean Air Filter!! Which most people and most Garages never change! Like you though, I have nothing to prove. The difference is in my wallet everytime I drive. I have no reason to quote inflated figures, because I'm laughing all the way to the bank! If you speak to anybody with an LPG Conversion, they all say the same. It sure is worthwhile in the long run, and that's the real way to Double your Fuel Economy! Pay less than half the price for the fuel in the first place!

Highly possible, but it's absolutely true! Maybe he hadn't taken any of the advice above and had a lead foot! Also possible. But then I'm not particularly impressed with 44 mpg on a motorway at 50mph by a 2.0 petrol with a feather on the throttle, though with an LPG Conversion a Petrol equivalent of a possible 100 MPG, that would be impressive! That's how to Double the Fuel Economy of your Galaxy! I've got 2 extra cylinders to feed, an Automatic Gearbox and I have everything running with the Climate set to 18C all year round and I can get this in the city, where it's stop start! All I know for sure, is how much I am saving on LPG now, and it's highly recommended! I was sceptical like everybody, and wanted assurance before taking the leap, but at some point you just have to go for it! Wish I'd done it years ago. Put it this way, my next car will not DIESEL nor PETROL solely!! Dual Fuel Petrol/LPG all the way!

Hi, yes I can see that a Diesel LPG would sure be economical without a doubt. There is interesting info on Go LPG's website which delves into Diesel Conversion, as there is on numerous other sites. They suggest that Diesel Consumption is reduced by 25% and replaced by Gas in part relating to an 18% saving approximately. I'm not convinced you could reach the equivalent of 70mpg, as you would be using 75% Diesel at full price and only 25% max LPG at 2.2 times cheaper, plus you would get slightly less MPG from the LPG part, unless this is taken into account the findings on their site? I calculate you would be about 14% better off? Which if you add this on to the 45 MPG, this comes to 51.3 mpg? Working out on a basis of 94.9 per litre for Diesel and 42.9 for LPG, you would be paying 86% of the cost of a normal Diesel Gallon price. Can you tell me where I have gone wrong? How do you arrive at 70MPG? I could be convinced to going Diesel LPG!! When I had the kit fitted, they fitted an ECU to control the system. I would presume the original ECU was remapped to meet the Calorific Value of the LPG, and I'm not sure whether this is done by the extra ECU fitted, or whether this simply intercepts the Petrol Injectors and operates the LPG system once the system is activated? As the car can run on both Petrol and LPG, by Manual selection or Automatically, thinking about it, something must tell the original ECU that the car is running on GAS or PETROL - therefore changing the Calorific Value each time?? I will have to investigate this further. Although, on the other hand, surely if the Calorific Value is lower, it would simlpy result in more fuel being used, which would equate to less MPG on LPG which is the case, therefore negating the requirement of remapping the ECU?? Though on these new systems the loss in MPG is minimal, and the loss in any performance is certainly not noticeable. It runs better on Gas! Or maybe that's psychological! Thanks. Paul

I like it!! :) :)

Yes, I will try and do that at some point. I took some photos while I had it all apart with the forum in mind! I've learn't lots of interesting information off here myself, and it's good to think you may be able to help others. I can sympathise with frustrated Galaxy owners with no Air Con!! Been there, done that, using the T-shirt as an oil rag! No seriously, if you knew me, you'd know I'm not the sort of person to take a job on like this. I would normally pay somebody else to have the agro, but at that price even I had to think twice! My Dad, having worked on Cars his whole life told me I couldn't do it.....had to prove him wrong! With 5C air blowing from my Centre Vents, he had to swallow his words pretty quickly, before his Saliva iced up! That was nearly 2 months ago, I wouldn't mention it on here or to anybody until I was reasonably sure I had cured it and it was not just an exciting temporary blip! The moral to this story for me is, jobs like this should be left to the experts! But, having said that, it is possible to do it yourself with patience, research and common sense! I'm living proof, never thought I would be able to manage, but Air Con just fascinates me for some reason! More to the point, my Climate Control has never worked better than it does now. Could be luck, but it certainly involved one hell of a lot of determination too! All that and working a 7 Day week (self-employed, you know how it is), don't how I did it. Phew.....I hope I can just sit back and stay cool now....Though these Galaxys like eating Compressors! Next time, it will get a brand new one, no questions asked! 2.8 LPG Mark 2 Multimedia with Dual Air Con!! I have two dogs who love it!

Are you speaking from experience? I never believed how economical this could be until I experienced it for myself. I spent months researching it before taking the plunge! Now after running a V6 Galaxy for the last 6 years (Mark1 Ghia X followed by Mark2 Ghia Multimedia), I wished I had done it long ago! If I had a bigger tank fitted, coupled with the range from the Petrol tank, a range of 1000 miles would be easily achievable! All without "Diesel" performance too! I'm not anti-Diesel, I have also ran 2 Diesels for the last 10 years! But I'm dead impressed with this, and before long the Diesels might be biting the dust! This is without doubt a better solution than a Diesel Galaxy, in my opinon. The 2 cannot be compared. Whilst I readily accept in Petrol form these can be expensive to run, compared with the 2.3 the 2.8 is still more economically viable, Power to weight Ratio etc!!. I had a mate who had a 2.3 from brand new, when I had my new Mark 1, and he did 70k in 2 years and could never get anymore than 23 mpg. I was doing that around the city, without taking any economical measures! Now with LPG I don't have to drive along at 50 mph anywhere. I simply drive normally, and fill it up when it's empty. Plus, it's more enviromentally friendly too and the government acknowledges that by giving me a Road Tax discount! Alright, so it's only

Sorry!!!! I normally do quiet, but I just couldn't resist this time! :)

Hi, I have a Mk2 2.8 Petrol. When I was looking at changing my belts and compressor, there was mention of a "special tool" for the diesel version. Not sure if this is the case, but I'm sure there will be a way around it. On the 2.8 you have to wind an M8 bolt into the thread to push the tensioner back and release the belt. The Compressor went on mine, much to my disbelief or refusal to accept it. I was quoted between

Sorry to break this to you folks, but I have a recently converted LPG 2.8 v6 Auto Galaxy. Ignoring all the advice given above, I can crack the petrol equivalent of 44 mpg around the City, and hit nearly 60 mpg on a run with ease! I have no Turbo Lag or Diesel Knock, and unlike the 2.0, I can pull the skin off a rice pudding! If you want some good advice on economy, get yourself a 2.8, LPG it and you'll never look back! I should have done it years ago! This thing's more efficient than my wife's Scenic Diesel, with over twice the BHP! It doesn't take long at these fuel figures to get your conversion money back - believe me. It's a real joy filling it up for

Hi SEATKID, yes that's the theory I'm working on at the moment. I think for some reason the Swashplate is sticky. The car has not had much use since I have had it, last 2 years, and that certainly hasn't helped the air con. I now have the front bumper off and the underside cover removed, and can see clearly to everything. I have taken apart and WD40'd all the electrical connections, High Pressure Switch, Outside Sensor, Compressor Supply, in the hope there may have been a dodgy connection somewhere. I have checked the voltage to the fuses, and checked the voltage down to the compressor supply, but this is fine. It is still working intermittently, and I just cannot figure what triggers it to work, and what causes it to fail. The Clutch on the Compressor seems ok, the compressor runs the whole time once activated as it should do, and switches off when deactivated (econ). I'm still waiting for the Air Con bloke to have a look, other than that the next job will be a Discharge, and then I'll have to remove the compressor and see whats happening inside. Just hope it hasn't got Black Death, or it will be a major job, one which I won't be taking on. I will keep you informed. Thanks. Paul

Hi Kev, yes you're right that would be a good way to check on it. I have been looking at this for days now, and my Low Pressure/Suction side Pipework does not appear to be getting as cold as it should be. I had already checked the pressures on the system myself, and they seemed to be ok. So yesterday I took it to an "expert" who declared the Compressor dead - possibly, the Expansion Valve dead - possibly, and said it would require both of these plus a flush through and new dryer - total cost 700 - 800, oh and a possible case of Black Death too. When I picked myself up off the floor I drove home, resigned to the fact this was a major job, the Air Con worked nearly all the way home and ran at it's coolest vent temperature than it had before of 11C! I couldn't believe it. So I decided to test the pressures again myself, as my gauges had not at any point read what his did, only to find they were this time reading the same. I could not get the Air Con cool at all. The Compressor ran, the pipework was all warm, but nothing was happening, vent temp 23C. Drove home from my parents in it after doing this, and the damn thing worked yet again nearly all the way home down to 11C again, 5 minutes away from home it packed up again and started rising back up towards the 20's. I should have stopped and checked the pipework whilst it was working, but was so fed up with it by now I didn't. I'm hoping to reproduce this problem again and be able to check it. The point is though, I don't understand why it is working intermittently (could be Black Death blocking the Suction Side of the Compressor, then clearing itself and operating again), I'm just not convinced 100% that the Compressor has gone? Could it be something else? I don't want to put on a new compressor, expansion valve etc, to find it does the same. There is information on the internet about these pumps, and in America these types of pumps are sometimes mis-diagnosed, as the fault can be caused by a faulty Refrigeration Control Valve on the pump itself - still needs de-gas and re-gas to do it. Any ideas anyone?? Also, does anybody know where I can get a reconditioned compressor if I need one, or where's best to get a new one from?? I have never workd on Air Con before, but feel certain I have enough knowledge to replace these items myself especially if I can convince somebody to Discharge it for me, then Vacuum and Regas the system when I've finished putting it right. Most specialists I've come across really don't want know once you say Galaxy! One other avenue I'm pursuing is my neighbour, who is an Air Con Technician. I've asked him to take a look, he usually works on Commercial Vehicles only and has reluctantly agreed to take a look, especially as it turns out he worked for Ford and knows the Galaxy system well! Fingers crossed, he might be able to give me an answer. Also, I have a TIS disk with loads of fault codes on it. If I could get to a Diagnosis machine, would it not be possible that the fault would appear on it, allowing me to check against my code list? I asked the Air Con buff yesterday, but he just grunted at me and said I've just given you a diagnosis, what more do you want?? Can I buy a lead for my car, and if so what software do I need to get the Diagnosis system onto my PC? Is it expensive? Might be worth a try before I agree to either have a compressor fitted, or spend time doing it myself. Looking forward to any info anyone can give me. Thanks. Paul

Hi SEATKID. They put in the correct amount, I had checked all this info out prior to letting them touch it, and I watched the whole time! 1.050 KG (Mark 2) is what my system requires (1.350KG on Mark 1 Dual Air Con). It's marked under the bonnet with the capacity, but I had also checked out information elsewhere, I have a TIS disk and and AutoData disk which gives the same information. I'm certain it has the right amount in it, it's just pulling hot air in from somewhere, there must be a Blender valve stuck somewhere inside the heater or maybe an actuator has gone, but I think I have to take the dashboard out to get to it all? There is info on the TIS about measuring the resistances of all the various parts, so maybe I will try to go for this first. I'm off hopefully today to see an Air Con bloke just to check the system is ok. I'm pretty sure the Compressor is running ok, but it's possible it could have gone. I will keep you all updated, but any ideas are welcome. Thanks for your replies. Paul

Yeah, nice one! Never mind Siberia, I'm cooking from the outside in, and at these temperatures, I won't need turning over!! (especially not by Frauds Local Dealership!). Just tried it again today. Started car from Cold, Air Con went down to about 12C, but as soon as the engine started to warm and I drove round the block, it wasn't long before I was back up to about 30C. The compressor is running, and I have not had any flashing from the Climate Control panel at all! It's a complete mystery that's driving me nuts! Yes, the Kwik-Fit service was good. The car they'd dealt with before mine had it's Air Con reduced from 26C down to 4.5C!! Sadly, mine was not to be the case. But for the money (free as mine was unsuccessful) they do quite a lot. They de-gass, vacuum, leak test and refill with oil and gas to the exact specification of the car, all for 44.95 only if it reduces the vent temperature by 10% or more. Mine was not reduced at all! Free. Is there anybody that's had this problem before, mine can't be the first?? There must be a light at the end of the tunnel - not a steam train coming towards me either?? Forget Diesel, Go LPG, you won't regret it! Thanks. Paul

Hi all, I'm having problems with my Mark 2 2.8 Galaxy. I have read about 30 pages of Air Con problems, but have not come across the same problems as I'm having. I have Dual Climate, yes it has 5 vents in the roof. It has not been cold for some time, the Centre vents were reading 28C with the Climate set to Low and Recirculate. I suspected that it was low on gas, so I took it to Kwik-Fit for a "Charge or No Charge". After De-gassing, Vacuuming, Leak Testing, Refilling and De-Stressing, it still read 28C! The Compressor cuts in as it should, the fans on the Radiators begin immediately, but no matter what I do it does not cool properly. It did at one point come down to 18C in the front and the lowest I have seen the roof vents is at 13C, but that's it! With the Air Con off, ie Econ mode, ambient temperate yesterday of 23C, the air coming through was over 30C. I have a Renault Scenic, high miles and totally beaten up, but even the Climate on that cools down to 5.7C!! In fact set at 19C, we usually have to increase it as it's so cold! Works perfectly even in last years 34C temperatures! Where do I start?? Please don't say by checking your bank balance!! I suspect there may be a sticking flap or a dodgy sensor? I'm really fed up with it, as I love the car, so much so I have just had it LPG converted, but I want to cure this problem, without having to drive round with the windows down! The Air Con has never been that great on this one, where as my previous Mk1 got down to 5.7C from the Centre Vent, without ever being touched in 4 years! If it ain't broke, don't fix it! On a lighter note, the LPG conversion is great! Minimum of 44 mpg equivalent in the city!! I look forward to any advice you can give me please. Thanks. Paul