Ford Problems

IT'S not uncommon for water to be expelled from the exhaust at start-up, particularly when the engine is cold. It is condensation that accumulates in the exhaust system as the engine cools down after being run, and is then expelled when you start the engine again. It's nothing to worry about.

MOST ad agencies and film companies approach car clubs to source cars. Maybe you should talk to a Ford club. Or you could produce an information pack on your car and send it to ad agencies and film and TV production companies.

TRANSMISSION specialist John De Sensi of Gear-Matics says he hasn't heard of your problem. He says the main issue with the Falcon auto is it's not well enough cooled and this leads to problems at 150,000-190,000km. The auto oil pan is too small and doesn't contain enough oil, which leads to the oil overheating. The best solution is to fit an oil cooler, which adds to the volume of oil available for cooling. The other problem is that the tiny brass oil cooler in the radiator breaks down and flakes of brass pass through the system and clog the filters in the transmission. This also causes overheated oil. One possible cause of your problem is a high idle speed. To check this you need to see a Ford specialist and have them run their diagnostic program over the engine.

IN A word, yes. For a start you should have your car serviced before departing. Also have the airconditioning serviced because it will be working hard. Falcons can have cooling-system problems, and certainly have the auto trans serviced and an oil cooler fitted. The Falcon auto really doesn't carry enough oil and the result is that it can overheat when asked to work hard, such as when towing.

GET an auto electrician to go through the electrical system. I'd be most suspicious of the electronic control module for the body. They often go on the fritz.

LPG specialists recommend running your car on petrol for 10km once every week or two. That's to run petrol through the fuel pump to prevent the seals drying out.

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.

I TAKE it you're talking about a removable steering-wheel lock that you fit to the steering wheel while the car is parked. If so, I can think of no reason it would damage the airbag.

VICTORIAN Autogas Supplies is developing a sequential gas injection system for the F250 and expects to have it available in six to eight weeks. Ph: 1800 620 945 for more details.

YOU would recoup the cost of installation in 18 months to two years, which makes it worthwhile, particularly if you plan to keep the ute for a few years.