Mental note - fords are bad

Carl Gibbs · 2006-04-24T21:51:43+00:00

Of the watery variety that is. Took the missus on a quick trip round the top of Portsmouth as we were out there picking up some Volvo bits from round there. Decided to show her the ford where our mate smashed up his mini. It was only a few inches deep and i took it relatively slowly.5 mins later I take a look at the dash and the oil pressure gauge is almost nothing, the temp is in the red and the voltage is in the orange. Oh joy. So pull over - check oil and its fine, plenty in there, no leaks. Engine doesnt feel too hot. Go to start the car and there's nothing. Check the fanbelt, and it's still attached and is tight. Look in the boot and I have very few tools, but liberally sprayed a bit of WD40 about in the hope in might help. Obviously it didnt. So phoned recovery. An hour later he turns up. Hooks up his power pack, but the starter just clicks. Checks the voltage and it's about 12v. Hooks up the jump leads to his van instead, still nothing. Plays with a few connections on the starter (which are covered in oil after a wee accident a few weeks ago), still nothing. Gets out a crow bar and gives the starter a few whacks whilst I'm on the key which just about turns the car over but wont start. So decide to give it a bump start and it finally roars into life.With nothing on it's chraging at about 13.5v, with the headlights on it drops to about 13v. I thought this was far too low (opinions?) but he reckoned it was ok. But the car was running so decided to try and get home. Made it the 20 or so miles home, with gauges reading nonsense and the voltmeter in the orange. As soon as I switched it off it wouldnt start again - no power.So what thinks you? The alternator sounded like it could have been making a bit of noise as we got home. Maybe that's on its way out? I've read on the OMOC forum that someone else had a similar water related problem. It would be hours, or even overnight before the alternator started working again properly. Another person...

Apr 24, 2006 27 Replies

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Carl Gibbs 20 years ago

Is this the sort of thing you mean?

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PS learn to read

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Vamp 20 years ago

that's not a "wave" that's the kinda s*it that caused floods in asia!

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NeedforSwede2 20 years ago

Yeah, but he likes Capris. And no self confessed Ford man would ever admit that the Manta was the better coupe.

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Conor 20 years ago

Heh-heh...the common Vauxhall fault. Forgotten how many I've had where I've had to change the earth cable to the engine. MK1 Cavalier, MK3 Cavvy ,MK1 & MK2 Ashtray.

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Conor 20 years ago

Far more Capris around than Mantas which kind of tells you all you need to know about the build quality.

FWIW I really love A series Mantas and would give my right arm to own one.

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Conor 20 years ago

No.

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Carl Gibbs 20 years ago

Does it? I dont think so

I would have liked a capri v6 but they go for stupid money. The Manta is rarer, the engine is far better than the equivelent capri offering, and tuning parts are just as plentiful. Havent found the build quality too bad TBH.

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Carl Gibbs 20 years ago

Well I bet I got through quicker than your method :p

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