Yet To Be Converted.

[online_cowboy]

Hello I am a new user of this site. I have just bought a T reg Galaxy 2.3ghia x. For the past 12 years I have owned Toyota Estimas/lucidas, 3 in all and have found them to be the dog's dodah's. I had the offer of a Galaxy with a 12 month ticket on it for a pony and after a quick look around I bought it. It's had 3 owners in it's life and the last owner was a woman with a childminding business, with a service history the length of my arm I was fairly chuffed with my acquisition.

So far Ive discovered that the air con does not work which is notsurprisingg to be honest. There is a fair amount of rust on it but a little TLC might eliminate most of the surface stuff.

Can I ask you for your advice on what the usual problems are with these vehicles. Things that are easily sorted out by a fairly competent spanner jockey. Does it have cruise control? and how do you get it to work?. There is no manual to refer to so any help as to what to look out for on the forum would help enormously.

I hope to be a frequentent user of the site.

Kind regards.

Nigel.

[chrispb123456]

Hi Nigel

Welcome to the forum

There is a wealth of information on the site, most will be accessed by doing a search in the box at top right, more common info is in the FAQ's which is in the technical section.

 

As you already found out aircon not working this is one of the weak points on the galaxy this can be a leaking condenser/drier, corroded/leaking pipework or knackered compressor.

You could go to kwik fit and try a regass, cheap option but beware it probably wont last, most parts can be changed by a good DIY'er but me personally I leave this one to an aircon specialist.

 

Another common thing is water in the footwells, this can be sunroof drains blocked or pipes disconnected, scuttle drains blocked, even windscreen leaking, but as you just got the car remove the screws from the rear end of the front wheel arch liners pull the liner forward, you will find this area full of mud leaves dirt and rubbish.

Wash this area with the hose pipe then direct the hose at the w/screen, check the water drains down behind the arch, you can also make sure there's no rot in this area before replacing liner.

 

Thats just a few of the common things but don't let that put you off they are still a good car with most things being pretty easy to fix, there are a lot of guys and girls with hands on experience in repairing these cars just be patient if you don't get an answer straight away.

[online_cowboy]

Hi Chris,

 

Thank you for yourinformative reply.

 

I spent a chunk of time yesterday with my girlfriend cleaning the car inside. We took all the seats out and where possible the panels and washed them. I also rubbed down the metal on some of the seats and painted hammerite on the patches of rust on some of the seat mechanisms underneath.

 

The plan for today is to wash and Tcut then wax and polish. All the outer handle recesses have scratches so I will spend time on those and see if I can remove as much surface scuffing as possible. Where the rear wiper arm comes out of the body work there is a sizable point of rust which has gone through the skin of the door and eaten its way a couple of millimetress into the body work. I have bought some filler for this so I will be addressing that sooner the better.

 

I was a member of the estima owners club site and if this site is anywhere near as good as that one I know I shall find all the help I need.

Once again thanks for your reply.

 

Kind regards Nige.