Pollen Filter

[Mauser]

Hi guys,

Just read Seatkids excellent post on changing the above item.... question is how do I tell when its blocked ?. I have smelly air-con when first switched on but think this is bacteria in the cooling bit ?.

Am I correct in thinking that a spray of the anti-bacterial spray from Halfords will cure the smell and the pollen filter is fine as long as I don't suffer hay fever ?.

Don't mind changing the filter if required but not changing for no reason :(.

1 last question is it worth having Ford do a 100,000 mile service or is it worth having a go myself ?, looking at the engine and the location of some of the parts it seems hard going to remove the belly pan to reach the oil filter etc..... can this be removed without a ramp ?. Anyone know what the going rate for a service is compared to buying the bits yourself ?.

Might all come down to money, if its only a few quid then might just get Ford to change stuff.

Cheers Mauser

[ALARM MAN]

Hi Mauser

Nice to hear from you

 

109,000 miles

 

I got a local garage that i do work for they did

Full service

Cam belt

Pollen filter

oil etc etc etc

 

 

[Mauser]

Not bad Alarm Man,

I don't have a cam belt luckily :(, was hoping to get the service for around

[ALARM MAN]

Hi mate

Is yours chain drived then

 

If so then it would be a lot cheaper

I know best part of the engine is dismantled for the belt

 

Any road up good luck

Still think a good smaller garage has more interest

 

Ian

[Guest emjay]

Pollen filter: it is well worth keeping the airflow maintained otherwise you get allsorts of problems - misting, inneffective cooling/heating etc etc. There have been threads regards this issue and some contributors claim the filter can be washed?? - I haven't tried this but it could save you some money

[seatkid]

Yeah, I washed one just to prove it could be done. (Pics posted - try a search) but its messy and lots of hassle takes a week to dry. Only worth doing if your'e stoney broke and you have a spare.

 

Shop around and they're about

[Mauser]

Rang local Ford dealer for

[Guest T120]

Mauser

 

You do need a set of ramps it makes it easer to change the oil filter for 2 reasons:-

1 it is easer to remove the belly pan because you can support it with your knees getting it on & off. :(

2 You actualy get more of the waste oil out as the sump plug is situated at the rear of the sump, if you do it yourself don't forget to replace the sump plug washer and don't over tighten. :(

Another little tip get a piece of cardboard or thin metal to push up the back of the oil filter before removing it as it stops the oil making a mess running down the sump and under the plastic sump cover.

All the above applies if the layout is the same as the 1.9Tdi.

[springen]

I always change the Oil & filter myself. Mines a Tdi.

 

Once you've got the 'belly' cover off, its not very difficult (on the diesel anyway).

I have managed to remove the cover by putting one wheel up on the kerb and pushing it to the rear of the car, but it's far easier with ramps-but make sure they can take the weight !

 

I prefer to do it myself for several reasons :- the cost, ensure use of the correct oil (diesel must use VW spec), better to drain then suck out via dipstick tube and will always have some left over for topping up. I also change it more often than the recommended 10,000 miles (normally I do it every 5-6000).

 

Changing the pollen filter is fiddly, but not difficult - you can get it from Halfords. - At least your Air Con is still working !

 

Good luck.

[Guest T120]

my sentiments :(

if you do decide to change the pollen filter drop the wiper motor off not as difficult as describe in the haynes manual, but far easer. :(

[seatkid]

:( Nice one lads! Glad to see people willing to do the job themselves and treating their cars properly.

 

Always have had deep reservations about dealers/garages. Many stories I could tell.....

 

As a past collegue said when I asked him if felt nervous about doing a particularly tricky job on someone elses car which could be easily damaged - "It don't bother me - it ain't my car!" :(

[Mauser]

Thanks guys,

I have a pair of real heavy duty ramps... but always difficult getting the front wheels onto the ramp without hitting the front skirt, well it was a problem on my Carlton not tried the Galaxy yet :(. So belly pan comes off easy and then drain and fit new washer, will warm engine before draining as I am sure it helps it flow out :(.

Am I OK to use Ford oil & filter ?, was always told that the original filter is always the best you can buy and I guess the oil is good quality ?.

As you posted lads don't really trust dealers to do good job but was also thinking about re-sale value as the car would have a nearly complete service history...or do you think its not that important as long as I keep reciepts etc ?.

Sure Ford make filters hard to get to on purpose :(

Cheers Mauser

PS bit off the topic but must say the Galaxy is the best car I have ever had for comfort and pleasure to drive, shame it drinks petrol as only downside. If it was a diesel it would be perfect.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Make your own ramps out of chipboard, with a long, gradual slope - I had to make a set for my Rover 820, whose front bumper came close to the ground near the front wheels. Sadly the damp in the garage at our former house got to them and they got binned in favour of a metal pair on special offer.

[seatkid]

I'd like some ramps but am seriously short of storage room - and ramps that fold down?