Ford Falcon Engine Problems

TAXABLE horsepower does not reflect developed horsepower. It's a calculated figure based on engine bore size, number of cylinders and a presumption of engine efficiency. This measure was instituted by the Royal Automobile Club in Britain and used to denote the power. As new engines became more efficient, it was no longer a useful measure, but kept in use by UK regulations which used the rating for tax purposes.

YOU'D expect to get 10 to 12 litres/100km on average, so your fuel use is high. The car has done low kilometres, so it's not engine wear. Check the peripherals -- filters, plugs, coils, injectors -- and have a mechanic check for diagnostic codes that might give you some clues.

THE place to start is the ignition system and that's where your mechanics have started, but they perhaps haven't gone far enough. Backfiring is common and experienced mechanics replace the spark plugs, spark plug leads and even ignition coil packs if they are fitted. If the problem is with the coil pack, replacing the leads will improve the problem, but won't solve it. The coil will simply kill the new leads within days and the problem will come back. Replace all three components in the ignition system. If that doesn't fix it, look at the mixer because backfire can damage it.

THE mileage is low to be having a major engine problem, unless the car hasn't been regularly serviced. I would get a second opinion before replacing the engine -- it probably would be cheaper to replace it than rebuild it, but I would have the diagnosis confirmed first. If I replaced it, I would keep the car.

I'M NOT aware of any major problem with the BA PCM, but your problem could be caused by a problem with the interface of the dual-fuel system and the Ford system. Normally, the two talk to each other in running the engine, but it's possible the dual-fuel computer isn't properly integrated to the BA's original system. The installer should be able to find the problem.

I would have someone look at the fuel injectors, and think about having them cleaned. It could be a blocked or partly blocked injector, it sounds much like a problem I had a few months ago and that was fixed by cleaning the injectors.

SEVERAL dual-fuel kits are available for the XT, but Ford doesn't recommend the BA be converted because the regular engine doesn't have the extra provisions of the e-gas engine to protect it from valve recession. It also doesn't have the stronger connecting rods that Ford fitted after one of its e-gas engines bent a rod when it backfired on test. The LPG industry says many BAs have been converted and haven't had the problems Ford forecast. I wouldn't have any problem converting, but recommend you get a gas-injection system fitted rather than an older mixer-valve system.

THANKS for the report. As you say, drivers of LPG-powered vehicles should be aware of these problems and perhaps not be so quick to blame Shell. We have also heard from Shell (below). LPG with a higher-than-normal level of residue was delivered to some parts of Victoria from our facility in Lara, west of Melbourne. As a result, motorists who purchased gas from certain retail service stations (including some which are not Shell-branded) from June 17-28 could have experienced problems with their vehicles, such as cold starting or rough running. The quality issue was quickly resolved and the Shell LPG supplied since that time is fit for purpose. We have been asking customers whose vehicles have been affected to contact our customer service centre on 13 16 18 to discuss the problems they have encountered. Claire Wilkinson, Shell senior media adviser APPRECIATE your advice. Hopefully motorists running LPG-powered cars will be reassured the LPG they buy will cause no further problems.

THE mileage is low to be having a major engine problem, unless the car hasn't been regularly serviced. I would get a second opinion before replacing the engine - it probably would be cheaper to replace it than rebuild it, but I would have the diagnosis confirmed first. If I replaced it, I would keep the car.

THE Australian LPG Warehouse has a kit. There is a problem with the spare wheel, though. It has to be relocated to accommodate the LPG tank under the vehicle. The solution most owners accept is to leave the spare at home and take a puncture repair kit.