Ford Galaxy - Stalls After 25 Mins

[jem-of-hillhead]

I have a Ford Galaxy (Ghia), 2 litre Petrol, Fuel Injection (year 1996)

 

From cold, engine starts and runs PERFECTLY for 25 minutes on IDLE but then STOPS VERY ABRUPTLY (i.e. no shuddering or misfiring). If driving - it stops more quickly (dependent on speed). If I try to immediately restart - it then runs extremely roughly before quickly dying again. Leaving it for 5 mins or so results in it starting and running perfectly again but only for the short time it takes to reach the same temperature at which it failed before.

 

This happens EVERY TIME - not randomly.

 

Perhaps coincidently, this happens just as the thermostat opens and allows coolant through into the radiator.

 

I have so far replaced: (1) thermostat (2) coolant temperature sensor (3) crankshaft position sensor.

 

I am now thinking about replacing the Lambda sensor and/or the Throttle Position Sensor - although I would have thought that these would have kicked in much earlier if there was a problem with them. It's also getting expensive!

 

The only other background I can give is that the problem started immediately after I'd put the car in for an MOT. Although it passed - there had been problems with the emissions which the garage said they had to struggle with to overcome. I don't know what they did - but it is possible they might have inadvertently damaged/disconnected something.

 

The only other thing to mention is that the radiator top hose recently cracked leaking coolant resulting in the engine overheating for a while until it was noticed.

 

Any help greatly appreciated - the family summer holiday depends on it!

 

Many thanks

 

jem-of-hillhead

[jem-of-hillhead]

I have a Ford Galaxy (Ghia), 2 litre Petrol, Fuel Injection (year 1996)

 

From cold, engine starts and runs PERFECTLY for 25 minutes on IDLE but then STOPS VERY ABRUPTLY (i.e. no shuddering or misfiring). If driving - it stops more quickly (dependent on speed). If I try to immediately restart - it then runs extremely roughly before quickly dying again. Leaving it for 5 mins or so results in it starting and running perfectly again but only for the short time it takes to reach the same temperature at which it failed before.

 

This happens EVERY TIME - not randomly.

 

Perhaps coincidently, this happens just as the thermostat opens and allows coolant through into the radiator.

 

I have so far replaced: (1) thermostat (2) coolant temperature sensor (3) crankshaft position sensor.

 

I am now thinking about replacing the Lambda sensor and/or the Throttle Position Sensor - although I would have thought that these would have kicked in much earlier if there was a problem with them. It's also getting expensive!

 

The only other background I can give is that the problem started immediately after I'd put the car in for an MOT. Although it passed - there had been problems with the emissions which the garage said they had to struggle with to overcome. I don't know what they did - but it is possible they might have inadvertently damaged/disconnected something.

 

The only other thing to mention is that the radiator top hose recently cracked leaking coolant resulting in the engine overheating for a while until it was noticed.

 

Any help greatly appreciated - the family summer holiday depends on it!

 

Many thanks

 

jem-of-hillhead

 

Result!

 

After, trying everything else - it turned out to be the MAF - Mass Air Flow sensor.

I think the MoT garage's efforts to get the car through the emissions test included spraying Carb cleaner fluids down the air inlet which terminally damaged the MAF wires and/or associated resistors. I am told that the only fluid that can be safely squirted at the MAF is electical contact cleaner (basically isopropyl alcohol).

[Mirez]

Interesting reading, thanks for taking the time to post the conclusion :blink: