Ford Problems

I CAN'T really give you a definitive answer because many factors can affect your decision. If you buy a new smaller car, the Fiesta, you have to be sure it will be big enough to transport your family. You will also suffer the depreciation that affects all new cars in the first year of ownership, but you will have the new-car smell and the coverage of the full warranty. If you buy a secondhand car you run the risk of having problems simply because it has been on the road for a time before you buy it. For me, the big advantage is you can get into something that is bigger and better equipped for the same money.

ACCORDING to Mark Lynch of Carcool Airconditioning, the problem is caused by a small vacuum leak in the heater control system. When driving normally the engine supplies enough vacuum to overcome the leak. But when you accelerate hard the engine vacuum drops to zero, which allows the system to default to demist. Firstly, try driving the car with the heater set to warm. If it is OK the fault is in the heater tap, if not it is behind the dash. A quick fix can sometimes be achieved by fitting a vac check valve at the engine supply hose.

FORD six-cylinder engines are generally thought to be thirstier than rival sixes, and it's reasonable to expect consumption to increase significantly when towing something as large and weighty as a caravan. Depending on the conditions, size and weight of the caravan, consumption could double, but to go up four times seems extreme. Do a consumption test with and without the caravan so you have actual numbers to make an accurate assessment.

SOUNDS as if there's a sealing problem on the dash. I haven't heard of a widespread problem with the EA, so it's more likely to be a one-off related to your car. The EA is now getting old and it could be many things, from rust around the windshield or in the plenum to holes in the dash itself. If it has been worked on by a previous owner they could have left seals out or not refitted them correctly. The seals could be old and brittle and no longer sealing. Try putting it through a car wash and trying to locate the leak.

THE LPG gas engine in the BA has stronger connecting rods than the standard Falcon six. They're the same rods as in the new FPV Typhoon and were put in the gas engine because in at least one instance in development a rod was bent after a back-fire. I haven't heard of a widespread problem in service.

THE squealing is probably caused because the mechanic who did the last reline didn't use anti-squeal compound. You can find anti-squeal products at your local auto retailer and that should fix your problem.

IT'S generally safer for a child to be seated in the centre rear position. The next safest positions are the outer rear seat positions and, if that's where the booster seat fits correctly, then that's where you should seat the child. It's a good idea to have a trial fitting of any child restraints you're thinking of buying to make sure they can be correctly fitted in your car.

THE short answer is no, you shouldn't use an additive. The Territory has been developed to run on unleaded, so using straight Optimax is fine. An additive is needed only for cars built before 1986 and developed to run on leaded petrol. The additive provides protection against valve-seat recession, something the lead provided.

THE BA XR6s you are seeing in used-car lots may be ex-lease cars that have been turned over after the lease has expired. There's no other explanation. The car is sound and a good buy if you make sure you get one that hasn't been flogged by an uncaring owner.

THE XF Falcon ute has an alloy-headed engine, so it should run a coolant rather than water. But I'd be reluctant to recommend you change now. After 380,000km, it seems to be going OK. I wouldn't change anything.