Fords - Worst cars to work on?

Mr Joshua

Mr Joshua

Mr Joshua

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18 Oct 2002
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Having been through the ordeal of changing a bulb behind the binacle of my Mk3 Mondeo which involved removing 4 or 5 other panels to gain access, I now find myself with a new headache.

The washer pump appears to have died or at least the connection has become loose. A quick look through the Haynes manual reveals that to remove the bottle/gain access involves removing the front OS wheel, removing the lower radiator cover, removing the wheel arch liner and possibly the entire front bumper, just to gain access.

The Vauxhalls we've had to date have been so easy to work on in comparison.

So please share any stories of jobs that should be simple but turn out to be a complete ball ache when put into practice!
 
You can remove the washer bottle pump without removing anything, access from underneath. I've done this on my Granfather's MK3 Mondeo. I've always found Fords very easy to work on and parts readily available and fairly cheap.
 
IIRC the large undertray is missing on my Grandfather's car so you may need to remove that if yours is in place.

Ford replaced the washer pump for him, the pipes then kept coming loose from the pump and leaking all of the screen wash . Ford refitted the pipes a couple of times but they kept failing. I refitted them and then used cable ties to hold in place, the pipes were all mangled at the ends (plastic inserts). I just removed these, cable ties have been secure for a year or two now.
 
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Mr Joshua said:
Having been through the ordeal of changing a bulb behind the binacle of my Mk3 Mondeo which involved removing 4 or 5 other panels to gain access, I now find myself with a new headache.

The washer pump appears to have died or at least the connection has become loose. A quick look through the Haynes manual reveals that to remove the bottle/gain access involves removing the front OS wheel, removing the lower radiator cover, removing the wheel arch liner and possibly the entire front bumper, just to gain access.

The Vauxhalls we've had to date have been so easy to work on in comparison.

So please share any stories of jobs that should be simple but turn out to be a complete ball ache when put into practice!
Click to expand...

Remove a diesel injector from a Vivaro/Trafic van...
 
Clearly you've never worked on a Alfa GTV. To change the alt, you need to drop the gearbox mounts, remove the offside wheel and gubbins and then attempt to move the engine enough to get a single hand in there. You can then complete a blind rubix cube to get one out and the same to get back in.

One of the many ridiculous jobs we've had to complete...
 
If you are a man with reasonable size hands it is impossible to change the light bulb on a renault laguna without removing hal the engine.
 
Many newer cars require holding a headlight bulb base between 2 fingers to precariously manoeuvre into place, but they aren't quite that bad :)
 
rodenal said:
You've clearly never worked on a french motor or a mid engined car with a boot behind if you think a mondeo is bad!
Click to expand...

I hear you, got a 1.6 206 barely enough room in the engine bay to get a babies hands in there let alone my plates of meat, tried changing a headlight bulb the other day, half an hour and blood dripping everywhere it was done, I can see now why people want garages to do even the smallest jobs lol
 
Haynes manuals vary and are sometimes just daft. I find owners club forums tend to offer better guides a lot of the time.

Bulb changes are becoming a bit of a nightmare on many cars though definitely. All very well carrying a set of bulbs with you, but if you need to dismantle half the car it's pointless without a set of tools!
 
I've done the washer bottles on a few MK3 Mondeos, more than happy to give you advice if you want, or if you're in Lancashire I'll take you through doing it.

In short, you'll need a large philips screwdriver, a T30 torx, some long pliers (or long fingers!), and that's it.

1) Pull the fuse since you're about to get the contacts wet if you aren't careful
2) Get under the front of the car and remove the protection tray from the front of the car (about 6 screws)
3) Pull the pump off the electrical connections
4) Pull the water connections off the pump
5) Go and dry your face
6) Connect water tubes to new pump
7) Check contacts are dry and plug new pump in
8) Stick jug of water in wash bottle, replace fuse, check it all works
9) Replace front tray
10) Job done!

Probably take you 30minutes depending how awkward the water connections are to wriggle off and on.
 
Lifting the lid on the mondeo fuse box is tricky enough, stuff doing anything else on it.

Have a look at an old Citroen DS if you want a laugh.
 
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