Common Problems with the AU??

[Stormboy]

sounds like your gear box slipping check fluid is full and have a service done on it catch it quick and all should be good

[KR1STO]

LIL MONTY..... just wanna say thanks heaps man. just pulled my climate control apart and followed your steps and 20 mins later its perfect....we'll see how long it lasts i suppose.. i'll keep you informed...thanks again man...

[grantm]

1. Heater pipe tube at the back of the water pump leaking. This I think was a design fault, the steel heater pipe tube that comes out of the back of the water pump only had an Oring to seal it. I went to ford to get another Oring and they said they had a fix for that and sold me an Oring and a small bush to fit in the tube/water pump to positively locate it, ie give it some mechanical strength. This worked well and only cost about $3, although took me about 5 hours to do the whole job .(remove radiator, water pump etc clean everything new gaskets, then reinstall)

2. Misfiring and explosion under hood, blew off the air cleaner, fixed by replacing the crappy motorcraft plug leads with bosch hellicoil wound ones $70.

3. My car is dedicated gas and was really hard to start when cold, fixed by cleaning the main LPG solenoid just above the gas in line. Remove the plunger and clean all the wax off it with carby cleaner, cost $4 for a spray can of carby cleaner. I am still rapped about this fix as it was a real pain in the **** and thanks to "injected 250's " advice it starts first go every time.

No other problems other than changing oil, filter, plugs, auto trans oil, brake-fluid, battery, air cleaner and radiator coolant. When I bought the car I said "well thats the end of fixing it yourself" as it all looked a bit too complicated, everything computer controlled, but I haven't had to take it to a mechanic yet.

[nikos]

My jack snapped the other day dropping my car on the ground, has anyone else ever had this happen?

It looked like it had never been used previously & is no in four pieces, I was thinking of sending it back to Ford with any angry letter, not that I think they'd care but it would be good to get it off my chest.
I could have been badly hurt if I didn't always keep the spare under the car when jacking.

I was pulling my wheels off the other day, and I was just about to put the jack under the car when I noticed something. The main pin that supports the scissor lift (in the middle of the X) was snapped, and bent into a C shape! Someone had obviously snapped it, and put the jack back in the boot. Real smart. Lucky I hadn't needed it in an emergency.

Anyways, I needed to get my wheels off so I hunted around and found a nice looking bolt that fitted snuggly where the pin did. Started winding the jack, and about halfway up I hear BANG and the car drops an inch. Scared the SH!T out of me!

I managed to lower the car safely down, and found that the bolt had snapped and bent into the same C shape as the original pin! Talk about a poorly designed jack.

Has anyone else had this happen?

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by nikos

I was pulling my wheels off the other day, and I was just about to put the jack under the car when I noticed something. The main pin that supports the scissor lift (in the middle of the X) was snapped, and bent into a C shape! Someone had obviously snapped it, and put the jack back in the boot. Real smart. Lucky I hadn't needed it in an emergency.

Anyways, I needed to get my wheels off so I hunted around and found a nice looking bolt that fitted snuggly where the pin did. Started winding the jack, and about halfway up I hear BANG and the car drops an inch. Scared the SH!T out of me!

I managed to lower the car safely down, and found that the bolt had snapped and bent into the same C shape as the original pin! Talk about a poorly designed jack.

Has anyone else had this happen?

It happened to me. Jack looked like it had never been used. The centre thread was in a mess. I thought maybe it was just my jack. First time I've heard this happen to anyone else.

I took the jack back to my dealer and they sent it back to ford and they gave me a new one. Only problem was is that it took over a week to get a new jack. They had to check that it was covered under waranty. :

[nikos]

Wish mine was still under warranty. I can't go and find another bolt either, because the holes have been majorly stretched! Didn't hurt your car did it? Luckily the remaining piece of bolt in mine held in one side of the scissor.

[Robe]

This was probably an excellent resource when it started but now with nearly 400 posts on a really wide variety of issues it is getting to be a bit too much to troll through.

Can I suggest that we thank this thread for its service to AUs and put it to bed? Then we can tackle these sort of Q and A matters as individual topics.

[KITBAG]

Good day everyone I'm New at this.........
Just got my ride (2000 AU11 Wagon)
And just like to no if the clock in dash is to light up at night.

[zdjoe]

I have an Au xr6 series 2 and it is at my local Ford dealer getting its 4TH CLUTCH put in!! : It had the original clutch replaced at 10,000 kms (before I owned it) that clutch was replaced at 34,000 kms and now that one is being replaced at 85,000 kms, What the heck is goin on? HELP anyone!!

[stouty01]

I have an AU xr6 ute with the original lock nuts still on each wheel. The other day i was removing a wheel when the locknut removal tool cracked in a number of places. It looks unable to be fixed. How should i take the lock nuts off? Any help would be great.
Thanks

[congo3sr]

Originally Posted by 87 XF - AU11

Good day everyone I'm New at this.........
Just got my ride (2000 AU11 Wagon)
And just like to no if the clock in dash is to light up at night.

Hi and welcome to the mob.
The clock should be back lit when you turn your lights on.
cheers george

[s1775031]

My other half asked me to look at the headlight of the Fairmont. She had been to a secive centre and they took the lamp out, tested it, it was ok, then they said that the lamp needed to be fitted properly.

I have had a look at fitting the lamp securely and find it to be an impossible task. Does anyone know if the spring clip is the only fixing for the bulb. If so the bulb is very loose and wont be secured, let alone work.

Has anyone got any advice?

I would take it to the Ford guys, they in turn will probaby charge an arm and a leg.

[messanic]

I have had my au about 8 months. Because of the problems i had heard of concerning the head i check the oil and water very regularly.

about 2 weeks ago i noticed pinky/white sludge in the over flow bottle and immediately rang my mechanic. i was told worst case scenario it was the head but it came back to being the trans cooler had a slight crack and had leaked a small amount of trans oil into the coolant. i was told i had caught it very early.

ive had a new radiator fitted and a full cooling system flush but my mechanic recommended a trans service just to be sure there is no water in the oil. i rang a trans place and they told me if there is any water in the oil at all i would need a rebuild because the glue for the seals is water soluble. is this true or is he having me on because im a chick and should know nothing about cars? ??? i dont mind spending the money if i need to.

[Mechan1k]

Never heard of that before ... that's a new one to me.

I suggest getting the trans service done at a mechanic's your trust ... a transmission place isn't the only place that does them.

First of get a service done on the auto (new pan seal, filter and correct transmission fluid) and see how it goes from there.

[messanic]

thanks for that. i just wanted to make sure i didnt spend money i didnt have to .

[cossy]

Help I have a s1 falcon 6 . The exhaust manifold is leaking at the head .Have i got a problem with the head or the two pice manifold ? Are the manifold known to warp ? I have change the gasket and it seamed to be ok but after two days it started leaking again . Any help would be good thanks cossy

[messanic]

i got the trans service done and a full flush just to be sure at work (a nissan dealership but there all the same) and apparently i caught it just in time. some of the coolant had made it into the box but because i didnt drive it it didnt cause any damage. ill have another service done in 10k just to be sure. and its getting the seperate trans cooler at the same time just to be sure!!!

[mailmann]

Replaced split header tank,79,000.k.About $50.00 from Ford.
Machined front rotors,81,000.k.About $300.00 with new pads!
Boot struts loosing pressure,on the 2 do list.
Replace leaking water pump.92,000.k.Under harrier warranty.
So that just about it i hope.I have had just about every 1 of the most common failures seen on this forum so it should be plain sailing for my AU from now on!LOL.

[daz_]

Only owned it 2 weeks... AU2 XL

Windows hard to wind up - Use silicone spray and all good!
Using a little too much fuel for my liking - Going to check Oxy sensor / thermostat

[blacklabel]

My 98 AU Futura -255,000km;

Faults:
Boot lid struts -gutless- gotta watch my head when I'm in the boot!
Rear windscreen rubbers -gone weird on bottom and shrunk away from window.
Dreaded rotor warping -only got 60,000km from last set,need those DBA's!
Console lid broken off hinge-TWICE!

Mechanical stuff like transmission problems are,I believe maintenance induced,not faults as such.Been there,done that with my tranny!
Engine is sweet,touch wood.

[Eu-GenixX]

I'm having problems with my air con in my 98 Futura...

sometimes the fan won't turn on.. at all.. but if i turn off the car.. and back on.. sometime it works.. the longer i leave it off.. the more chance i have of it working...

also when i press the a/c button.. it doesn't stay on... as soon as ai take my finger off the button the light goes off and a/c disengages....but the a/c max button works fine... any idea on these faults??

also my brakes a sqeeky after i release the hand brake... i'll drive for a little while and they squeek and it eventually goes away.... any idea whats causing that?.. other then those things.. the car is running sweet and is very healthy for 230,000 km...

[daz_]

I'm going to update my list I think I missed a few things last time:

3 weeks of ownership

Heater not working right
Remote locking not working
Broken stereo control
Dodgy roof mounted brake light not installed very well = holes in roof and rust
Steering wheel slightly loose in centre
Plastic floor not lying flat
Windscreen not sealed properly!
Dodgy mounting brackets (broken tabs) internal panels
Someone soldered the electric connections onto the back of the map lights and I lost the springs when I had to pull it apart in order to get the roof out

[FS5]

powersteering switch,the cars done 2300 000 k's and i'm about to put my 4th one in.

[CliffM]

Originally Posted by Eu-GenixX

I'm having problems with my air con in my 98 Futura...

sometimes the fan won't turn on.. at all.. but if i turn off the car.. and back on.. sometime it works.. the longer i leave it off.. the more chance i have of it working...

also when i press the a/c button.. it doesn't stay on... as soon as ai take my finger off the button the light goes off and a/c disengages....but the a/c max button works fine... any idea on these faults??

also my brakes a sqeeky after i release the hand brake... i'll drive for a little while and they squeek and it eventually goes away.... any idea whats causing that?.. other then those things.. the car is running sweet and is very healthy for 230,000 km...

brakes squeek because of dust build up behind the disc pads, if you can imagine little ball bearings of black dust causing the pad to float very slightly, this causes your squeek. Pulling your hand brake on must stir them up a bit, enough to get the pads loose.

[tonyjako]

I have an ABS problem. It activates for no reason as I am about to stop when I am pulling up at an intersection or lights.

PS. I am only new to this site and have no idea what I am doing.

[daz_]

Stop braking so hard?

[daz_]

Some more additions after 6 weeks...

Seat needs a lot of work padding is buggered
Not starting very well when cold...

[peejayau99]

Originally Posted by tonyjako

I have an ABS problem. It activates for no reason as I am about to stop when I am pulling up at an intersection or lights.

PS. I am only new to this site and have no idea what I am doing.

Tony,

If your front struts are worn, your brakes will lock when going over bumps and corrugations, the wheels can bounce and lock while in the air.

[series1]

Hi everybody, you may of noticed that this is my first post but i am in need of some advice, quickly..........
i started to look through this thread but then realized that there are alot of pages and alot of posts, so i figured that i may as well just ask the question.
i have an AU XR6 series 1 with IRS. The diff shat itself at the normal 120000kms, the alternater at 145000 and just your general problems since then...........but now i have a weird problem that i am hoping is common and easy to fix.
i have been getting a sqeak from the left hand rear for the last few thousand k's and has gradually got worse. it took it to my mates workshop tonight and ripped the wheel off to find that centre large nut was loosish to the point where the disc was moving around on the bearing, i managed to do it up a bit but fu@k me it made it worse. now it almost feels like the cv joint is about to explode..........anybody else had this problem?

[Arch]

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Originally Posted by Casper

no, not a drama and you are right, it is a VERY common problem. I'd just not give any ideas to lurkers etc.
If its not mentioned, it may stop just one theft.

I have a rather intrusive alarm on mine specifically to deal with this sort of method however I'd rather not have to pay for the repairs.

Your ok, no dramas here, just want to keep that little issue away from the spotlight if possible.

Another way to prevent this from happening is to have your car converted to LPG. The LPG cylinder fills up the whole space thus preventing any entry. The only way through would be with an angle grinder and I'm sure if any 'would be' thief tried this they'd only do it once!

While what I say is tongue in cheek the downside of this is that you can't get in there either should you have to. I'll find some way around it.

All the best
Arch