Robertminchin

What sticky do you mean ?? This just shows the disconnect bewtween admin and the way we use the Cmax Forum! Nick has maintained a list of TSB/SSms for the max for some considerable time and was clearly asking if he would able to continue to provide the service. I would not be surprised if he will want to take it with him now. Bob

Rich, Thank you for your comprehensive reply. I have concluded that whilst membership covers a range of services that may very justify the fee, they are not what I am looking for in a forum. FFOC is a club with a Forum as just a part of its activities. I joined here as I crave information as to how my car works and how I can service and mend it without being dependant on garages. Ford (and many other manufacturers) have chosen to be highly secretive about how their cars work in detail and forum discussion has been one way to share knowledge, observations etc and discuss/debate the optimum

I'm certainly not asking for anyone to be out of pocket on my behalf. Maybe I don't understand the economics of forums but where does the money go. I just can't believe the other forums I belong to run at a loss. They carry modest advertising as this forum does and it is only focusowners .com that even has the ability to donate money. Maybe a member here can sumarise the accounts for this forum - I assume the organisers publish them? Bob

I'll not be joining up. I'm a member of quite a number of special interest forums on a range of subjects and not one makes a charge. I also object to way it has been announced with replies being prevented. Hope to see you guys over at the other place soon! Bob

Excellent post Rob: Thanks Anyone got build codes for 2006 &2007? Is it the case they repeat every4 years - maybe we could guess 06/07 with a warning note Wonder why they dont run in simple sequence?? :idea: Mods: Please could we have this as a Sticky in each section of the forum?? Bob

You could confirm this by looking at the date codes on almost any plastic part of the car. These rarely hang around long between manufacture and assembly as they are low value, easily damaged and bulky to store and so are delivered to the assembly plant on a just in time basis. Bob

The website give the build dates of cars affected. You will still have to use the dealer to get the recall work done. Faith and dealer in the same sentence??? LoL bob

http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp TSBs & SSMs are listed in this forum on a sticky here http://www.ffoc.co.uk/modules.php?name= ... ic&t=51289 HTH Bob

Rear ones should be connected to the reversing lght bulbs and you should find a switched supply for the front ones in the region of the hazard light dash switch. Some models have switch in this area for front sensors. Otherwise there will be an ignition switched supply at the back of the headlight switch. Bob

I think the Silver cadmium system is meant to be longer lasting provided that it is charged within slightly different voltage limits and that those limits are changed with temperature. Having the car stuffed with computers and sensors means that it is possible to do this. Ford did get it wrong though and had to issue a software upgrade in the early stage of the max. If the car is going to a Fraud agent, it might be worth getting them to look up the VIN number and see if it is due for any software upgrades. Not sure if they will do them free or perhaps make a charge for connecting up the comput

Yes you are correct Silver Calcium is the type (still mainly lead but no antimony that standard batteries use) Sorry if I mislead anyone. Bob

To avoid being called back to the job and provided you are not trying to do it as cheaply as poss, do the alternator & battery change together. I've heard of alternator being £300 fitted and battery about £100. Silver lead batteries are becoming more common so you should be able to better that price by shopping around although this time of year it maybe more who has one in stock! Good luck Bob

I think it is highly likely to need an alternator. The Max does have a complicated charging scheme not only due to the silver-lead battery but also on economy grounds as I have read. However if the charging system has not started charging under these conditions then that does cat a doubt on the alternator. You may also need a battery but I'd suggest alternator first. I'm sure the EPB problem report is down to low voltage hth Bob

If the engine won't keep running after the jump starting battery is removed then it sounds like that the aternator is not producing any charge because if it was, that would be enough to to supply the engine. As well as duff batteries, dodgy alternators are quite common too. I suggest you measure the battery voltage with the jump battery attached and the engine running. the voltage should be about 14 volts. turning on headlights, heated windscreens etc should not make the voltage drop. If it drops or is nearer 12 volts then the alternator is not working properly. Good Luck Bob PS Ghi

That is because there is a Ghia as well as an Ultima model Bob

The black disc is indeed an extra part I've made as my way of revising the pin spacing of the original Draper tool. and is quite simple to make. perhaps is should have said 'enhancement' rather than 'modification' If however this is too daunting, then the two existing pins can be driven out and re fitted into new holes at the correct spacing which is 22mm between centres I have assumed that most owners wanting to work on their cars will have some basic engineering/mechanical skills. This may not be a valid assumption. If you need further information then feel free to contact me. Bob

The black disc is indeed and extra part I've made as my way of revising the pin spacing of the original Draper tool. and is quite simple to make. perhaps is should have said 'enhancement' rather than 'modification' If however this is too daunting, then the two existing pins can be driven out and re fitted into new holes at the correct spacing which is 22mm between centres I have assumed that most owners wanting to work on their cars will have some basic engineering/mechanical skills. This may not be a valid assumption. If you need further information then feel free to contact me. Bob

I understand that pressure needs to be applied whilst rotating the piston to avoid damage. The obvious way is to use a tool. They are not expensive. I bought a Draper one from Amazon for around £6 - simple modifications adapt it to fit the max calipers. Picture here http://tinyurl.com/2t3k2l Now £7.36 from http://tinyurl.com/36ekoa HTH Bob

RTV, These dodgy Intercooler pipes. Are the faulty ones found on just 1.6 diesels or other engines too? I have the 2litre diesel and careful driving will get me 50 mpg on a run and driving like a nun on the motorway at about 60mph I can see 60mpg. Do you think this is reasonable or might I benefit from an air flow meter change?

I hope you do get a generous contribution from Ford but if you do end up having to pay it all, then you might be able to get a better price from an independant automatic transmission specialist. Good Luck Bob

If you look at the fuel capacities of the petrol and the diesel you will see that the diesel apparently has 2 litres less than the petrol. this is because when the gauge says empty then the car goes into limp mode to maximise the remaining mileage obtainable on the 'reserve' of 2 litres to get you to a garage. As Andy says the pump must have fuel for lubrication and Limp mode protects it and make it pretty obvious to the driver that it is not happy. Bob

Hi Doug, I've yet to change my fuel filter but I did do a dummy run to see what the filter looked like. the top unscrews quite easily. element lifts in and out. I just reassembled and started the engine. lots of air bubbles in the clear pipes but the engine did not falter. Bubbles soon cleared and job done. Nothing to bleed, prime or whatever. Might be a different story if you were changing the pump or had the system open for a long time. hth Bob

I can confirm the filter top just unscrews and the filter element can be lifted out. Not sure what size nut but it is metric and a standard size in my 1/2" socket set. I bought oil and cabin filters on ebay oil filter is purflux L337 Fuel filter is purflux C489 as used on Citroens, pugs Volvo and fiat 2 litre diesels. Induction air filter is Purflux A1171 as used in focus/max & volvo C30/S40/V50 2 litre diesels lots of info here http://www.filtrauto.com/ Oil is semi synthetic 5W30 marked as meeting ford spec I use http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/Car,+Leisure ... ku=CP03784 Just over £16 f

Sorry I can't help you Pete - mine is a diesel. Oil type should be in the service book and hopefully someone here can help you locate the filter. Good luck and apologies for my facetious reply earlier. Bob

Engine size? Fuel? are you sure you should be left in charge of your oil change? :D :D Bob