Service

[west]

A story about a service..............

 

 

 

Every 12 months, or 10,000mls

(as it says in the book) i service the motor.

 

I let my mistrust of maindealers slip when i bought it, and asked for a full service

from ford.

I should have known better, so from know on, i do it myself.

 

anyway, i pinched the Galaxy of the missus for a drive test.

Twelve months ago, the car had no faults.

after my testdrive this is what i had to buy

 

5 bulbs - blown

1 steering pump belt - lost tension

1 oil filter - service

1 air filter - service

1 fuel filter - service

1 coolant - service

1 brake light switch - broken

1 speaker grille - broken

4 door switches - missing

2 wiper blade rubbers - worn

1 set rear brake pads - worn

1 Brake fluid and bleed pipe

1 oil (duckhams)

1 black colour match wax

1 tub screenwash

1 can plastic polish

4 wheel trims - broken

1 tub grease - starter motor

2 Antiroll bar links - worn

2 Antiroll bar bushes - worn

1 Glue - failed plastics in engine bay

1 Injector cleaner - 90,000mls on the injectors

 

:) :D :) :D :lol: :lol: :o :o :o

 

 

I changed all of the above,- but

 

* had to 'Unscrew' the brake pistons which let air into the system (hence fluid)

* Nearly had a flid trying to unscrew oil filter(Screwdriver)

* Lost all my fingers trying to remove starter motor bolts to grease the bendix

* lost the remaining fingers replacing brake switch (Which IS possible to do without removing any trim-honest)

*wasted hours pulling hoses of the radiator, yet no water?

 

The hardest bit was cleaning the thing (Full internal/External Valance), this took me a full day as the galaxy is so large.

 

In closing, the air and fuel filters and the injector cleaner made a massive difference, the last ones were stamped 2002, something the ford dealer did not pick up on.

 

I wonder how much that lot would have cost at ford???

 

 

 

Finally, any idea how to drain the coolant?

 

(Local ford dealer doesn't know as he has never done it!!!) :) :ph34r:

[NikpV]

remove Bottom hose from radiator :)

[seatkid]

* had to 'Unscrew' the brake pistons which let air into the system (hence fluid)

You need to "screw IN" the rear brake pistons (they are the self adjustment mechanism on the handbrake) - air should not get in - but it is recomended to undo the bleed nipples to allow the (dirty) fluid out rather than push it back to the brake reservoir (via the ABS block) - Remember to renew brake fluid every 2 or 3 years - it absorbs water over time causing corrosion and increasing the possibilty of vapour locks.

 

* Nearly had a flid trying to unscrew oil filter(Screwdriver)

Buy a genuine/OEM filter - they have a nut welded on the bottom for a socket or spanner - easy. Do not overtighten the new filter, - smear oil on the O ring, spin the filter on until it just contacts the mating suface of the filter housing, then tighten between 1/4 to 1/2 turn maximum by hand. Run engine and check for leaks. When tightened correctly, you should be able to remove by hand at the next service.

 

* Lost all my fingers trying to remove starter motor bolts  to grease the bendix

Why are you doing this? :ph34r: Not normally ever required....

 

*wasted hours pulling hoses of the radiator, yet no water?

Are you sure you pulled the right one? Bottom radiator hose and remove filler cap?

 

The hardest bit was cleaning the thing (Full internal/External Valance), this took me a full day as the galaxy is so large.

What a wus.... :)

[mumof4]

External Valance

 

 

 

isnt a valance a sheet for the bed????do you mean valet??? :) :)

 

Doesnt take me a whole day to do mine..that includes taking all seats out etcc...washing drying waxing..buffering to a nice gleam.......mind..if hubby did it..would prob take him all week!! :ph34r:

[Masked Marauder]

*wasted hours pulling hoses of the radiator, yet no water?

 

Sounds like wasted hours pulling the hoses off the turbo intercooler to me....

[Guest teddy_holiday]

Gee we are all happy bunnies in here arnt we.

 

I didnt even know that the intercooler had water in it !!!!!!!!

 

Maybe it was the vacuum pipes as well. only air going in on them ones.

[west]

* had to 'Unscrew' the brake pistons which let air into the system (hence fluid)

You need to "screw IN" the rear brake pistons (they are the self adjustment mechanism on the handbrake) - air should not get in - but it is recomended to undo the bleed nipples to allow the (dirty) fluid out rather than push it back to the brake reservoir (via the ABS block) - Remember to renew brake fluid every 2 or 3 years - it absorbs water over time causing corrosion and increasing the possibilty of vapour locks.

 

i did screw in the pistons

 

* Nearly had a flid trying to unscrew oil filter(Screwdriver)

Buy a genuine/OEM filter - they have a nut welded on the bottom for a socket or spanner - easy. Do not overtighten the new filter, - smear oil on the O ring, spin the filter on until it just contacts the mating suface of the filter housing, then tighten between 1/4 to 1/2 turn maximum by hand. Run engine and check for leaks. When tightened correctly, you should be able to remove by hand at the next service.

 

Filter last replaced by ford.

 

* Lost all my fingers trying to remove starter motor bolts  to grease the bendix

Why are you doing this? :P Not normally ever required....

 

Not normal for starter motors to squeal like a pig, but mine did

until i greased the bendix.

 

*wasted hours pulling hoses of the radiator, yet no water?

Are you sure you pulled the right one? Bottom radiator hose and remove filler cap?

 

I pulled of the wrong hose but am wary now, any pictures of what i should be removing?

(This is embarasing, ive pulled loads of bottom hoses off in my time!!!)

 

The hardest bit was cleaning the thing (Full internal/External Valance), this took me a full day as the galaxy is so large.

What a wus.... :D

Could do with a picture of which hose to remove.