Ford Territory Problems

VALVE recession rises on engines running LPG because it's a dry fuel with none of the lubricating properties of petrol to protect the valves. Your Territory will be no different and my contacts suggest the head will need a rebuild at about 100,000km. I have no experience with the Flashlube system so I can't offer an opinion.

I DON'T know how Ford can say it covers only the front end for 3000km. I wouldn't take that.

MANY Territory owners have responded to our call for information about their cars. It seems there could be a problem with rustproofing on the locally built crossover wagon. No doubt there will be questions about the effect of living near the sea when you approach Ford, so do your homework and be prepared to answer them.

FUEL consumption is such a can of worms I can't really give you a number that would mean much in your context. I would say, however, the 18 litres/100km is too high and it should be more like Ford's figure.

THE LPG tank is generally mounted under the Territory where the spare wheel is. The spare is then mounted on the side in the back of the cabin. That's no problem for a five-seater, but it does present a problem for a seven-seater. You really need a swing-away spare wheel mounting to hang the spare on the rear. Phone the offroad specialists who might be able to supply you with an appropriate bracket. There shouldn't be any issue with the engine, but be aware Ford doesn't recommend converting its cars and your warranty will be affected.

THERE will still be a station wagon and a ute in the next Falcon range, but the Territory was always planned as a family four-wheel-drive and not a workhorse. So, sorry, there will be no Territory ute. And the Crewman lost money for GM Holden and has been discontinued, leaving the four-door ute field to the Japanese imports.

THANKS for the tip. Yours is the first report we've had of suspension and drive-shaft problems with the Territory. Perhaps other readers could let us know of their experiences with the car.

YOURS is a common experience. It's one thing to have problems with a car, but it's something else to have the company argue about fixing them. Maintain the rage. Keep up the pressure to have the car brought up to the condition you expect.

CONTACTING your dealer is the first thing to do when you have a problem. If that doesn't work, go direct to the company. Now you've done that, you need to enlist the help of a brake expert. Ask them to assess the noise and give you an opinion on what might be causing it. Armed with that information, go back to the dealer, and Ford if necessary, and seek a resolution.

RUST is an unusual problem today with the body treatment used by every carmaker, so it's worth pressing your case on the basis it is a production problem. Maybe other Territory owners could let us know if they've had the problem.