Ford Problems

Are you having problems with your Ford? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest Ford issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the Ford in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

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Taxing horsepower

Answered by Graham Smith · 02 Dec 2005

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.

Ford Escape 2003: Brake disk rotor replacement?

Answered by Graham Smith · 02 Dec 2005

UNFORTUNATELY brake rotors do wear out much faster than they once did. There was a time when brake drums or rotors were never replaced, but the brakes back then weren't very efficient. If you revisit old road tests, you'll find them littered with criticisms of the brakes. The improvement is caused by a range of things -- pad material, fluid and disc design and construction are some of them. But one of the consequences appears to be greater wear of rotors. You seem to accept that tyres wear out, but you're not prepared to accept that discs will wear out, even though it's inevitable.

Shudder to thank

Answered by Graham Smith · 06 Jan 2006

PETER Koning, of Hopper Stoppers in Werribee, says this is a problem in EF/EL Falcons. Every disc rotor has a small amount of face run-out. All modern brake calipers have an internal seal design that causes the pads to pull back slightly clear of the disc. When the seals get old and hard, the caliper doesn't retract properly and the pads rub lightly, even when not using the brakes, and take the high spots off the rotor as they go past. This causes disc thickness variation, and that causes your brake pulse. Koning is seeing a lot of EF/EL Falcons and, though the calipers may not appear to be seized, he finds the car often comes back with warped rotors if he only machines the discs and doesn't recondition the calipers as well.

Falcon appeals

Answered by CarsGuide team · 23 Dec 2005

THE price is about on the mark for the AU II, so it sounds a good buy. Look for power-steering oil and radiator leaks, and make sure the auto shifts smoothly and there are no noises when you drive it.

What's a reliable two-wheel-drive ute?

Answered by Graham Smith · 27 Jan 2006

IF HIS priorities are reliability and costs, I would recommend a Toyota Hilux, either a diesel or a four-cylinder petrol. But I'm guessing he wants a little more zip. If he wants a Holden or Falcon ute, then the six-cylinder models are the way to go. They are equally reliable, but the Holden will be a little cheaper to run. Lowering the suspension would cost $500 to $1000, depending on what he wants done.

Extract the digits

Answered by Carsguide.com.au · 25 Nov 2005

IT'S not common. You should take it to an instrument repairer. Generally, it won't be a problem with annual checks, provided the speedo is working so you know how fast you're going.

Lost in the void

Answered by CarsGuide team · 02 Dec 2005

THE problem you've experienced with the Explorer is not unknown, but I would have thought the best course of action would have been to repair it rather than replace it. In any case, I would have thought you had a legitimate claim against the insurer and you should pursue it through the small-claims tribunal or other body for problems such as yours. You will need to produce all relevant documentation about previous servicing and the cost of repairs for the engine replacement, and if you can do that, you should be able to prove your case.

Ford Falcon: LPG alternatives

Answered by Carsguide.com.au · 25 Nov 2005

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.

Used Ford Falcon review:

By Graham Smith · 28 Jan 2006

That same car retailed at almost $40,000 when it was new.Now, my dealer mate added his profit to the price before he retailed it out of his yard at $20,500, but even then it was still just a tick over half the original sticker price.The BA Futura used here is just an example of the bargains out there in near-new cars, particularly the Falcons, Commodores, Magnas and Camrys.The BA Falcon was a make-or-break car for Ford. After the disastrous AU the BA had plenty of ground to make up if the company was going to be viable going into the future.Thankfully for all of us it turned out to be a pretty decent car, far and away better than its disappointing predecessor.Ford pumped lots of new features into the BA, far more than it really would have, had it been a normal upgrade.The 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine was given a major overhaul with double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder with infinitely variable valve timing. In base form the Barra engine put out 182kW at 5000 revs and 380Nm at 3250 revs, more than sufficient to give the BA plenty of zip. There was the choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed auto, the latter having sports shift.The suspension was also revamped, particularly the rear suspension.The overhaul continued inside as well with an all-new layout focused around a central control console. Standard features in the base XT included airconditioning, CD sound, power driver's seat, power front windows, trip computer, cloth trim, dual front airbags, anti-skid brakes, 60/40 split-fold rear seat.In addition to that, the Futura had cruise control, power rear windows, 16-inch (40.64cm) alloy wheels, rear centre armrest, cup holders, grab handles and courtesy lamps.Make the next step up to the Fairmont and you also drove away with dual-zone airconditioning, velour trim, six-stack CD, woodgrain dash, leather-trimmed steering wheel, side airbags, and traction control.The last step, sporty XRs aside, was to the Fairmont Ghia which had the added features of a six-way driver's seat with memory for settings, adjustable pedals, 17-inch (43.1cm) alloys and fog lamps.With just 30,000km or so under its wheels there should be little that's gone wrong with the Falcon. To date there is none of the head gasket, radiator, power steering problems that were a regular occurrence on the AU. And rental car agencies say they're having a better run out of the BA Falcon than they are with the equivalent Commodore or Magna. In reliability terms they are rating it as high as the Camry.Mechanics working on roadside assistance are reporting an annoying BA problem.It seems they simply stop and can't be started again without being towed to a Ford dealer where the electronics can be checked.With decent handling from independent suspension front and rear and anti-skid brakes the Falcon delivers quite good primary safety.On the secondary level it has dual front airbags, and on the Fairmont, side airbags.There are lots of compelling reasons for buying used large cars, but saving money is the best one. At auction, BA Falcon XTs are being knocked down for as little as $14,500 on average. At retail prices, the same car will sell for $3000 more. The Futura sedan retails for about $18,500 and the equivalent wagons will cost about $18,500 and $19,500.

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Used Ford Falcon review: 1967

By Graham Smith · 14 Jan 2006

It's often the original model that becomes the much-admired classic in later life, and that's certainly the case with the first Falcon GT Ford, launched in 1967. The XR Falcon GT can lay claim to a number of firsts. It was the first Aussie muscle car and the first V8 to conquer the Bathurst mountain.MODEL WATCHThe GT was one of the smartest marketing moves ever seen in Australia. Ford was building a high-speed pursuit car for the police when some smart marketing men thought it would make a great high-speed road car and, perhaps more importantly, a potent race car for events like Bathurst.Using the police pursuit specification as a base, a GT spec was developed. The GT was based on the XR Falcon sedan, the first to offer a V8 engine, and was enhanced with some special go-fast gear and dress-up equipment so it looked the part.All apart from a handful of special build cars were painted GT Gold with black GT stripes down each sill and across the boot lid, while the grille was also blacked-out for added effect. GT badges adorned the grille, boot lid and the C-pillars.It wasn't over-the-top to the point of being garish, it looked just about perfect.Inside, there was a Mustang-style woodrim steering wheel, extra dials with the speedo going all the way to 140mph (225km/h), and there was a Hurst shifter jutting out of the centre console. The engine would be a more powerful version of the standard 4.7-litre pushrod V8. The compression ratio was boosted, it had a sports camshaft, four-barrel Holley carburettor, special intake manifold and exhaust system. All that added up to 225hp (168kW) at 4800 revs while torque was 305lb ft (413Nm) at 3200 revs, enough to power it to 100km/h in a little more than 10 seconds and, at 195km/h, it was the fastest car ever produced in Australia at the time.The V8 was linked to a four-speed manual gearbox with the final drive delivered to the rear wheels via limited-slip diff.Underneath the glittering gold panels, the suspension had been stiffened with heavier springs, bigger shock absorbers and a larger front anti-roll bar. The steering ratio had been reduced, disc brakes were fitted to the front, and the wheels were wider and fitted with radial tyres.IN THE SHOPThe XR GT is almost 40 years old and will have many of the problems that affect all old cars. Rust can be a particular problem, and their high performance meant that many have been crashed, some a number of times. That means a thorough inspection is needed to determine the condition of the body.The good news is that it's not too difficult to find replacement body parts as they're the same as those on regular XR Falcons.Finding second-hand body parts in good condition, however, requires patience and persistence. Mechanically there is nothing daunting about the GT. The 4.7-litre V8 is a simple and durable unit and there are plenty of parts available to rebuild them.Same goes for the gearbox, rear axle, suspension, steering and brakes. The difficulty with the GT is replacing those special GT parts that might be missing.CRUNCH TIMEThere's not much to talk about on the safety front. Airbags were a thing of the future in 1967, even seat belts were optional, although the GT did come with lap-sash belts up front.FORD FALCON GT 1967Not recommended for daily drivingRumbling V8 performanceAuthenticity is a mustRust and crash damageMust be complete with all special GT featuresGreat looksRATING12/20 A head-turner that's fun to drive and appreciating in value.

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