Seals Ford Granada Ghia

[Sealtainn]

So after my epic road trip collection and faultless drive home, I thought I would post up a thread.

Upon purchase Rob advised me that she was losing a small amount of coolant so sent me on my way with a 5 litre bottle of the stuff. Turns out she only needed 1 top-up about halfway through the journey.

After driving her around for a couple of weeks, her coolant loss has become more pronounced so she is currently waiting at my local (see 25 miles away) retro Ford garage. The proprietor has a lovely 1990 Escort XR3i to be investigated. The brake pad warning light flashes up occasionally as does the ABS light so that will be looked at while she is there.

She had her 1st FTP yesterday evening when I jumped in and turned the key to be greeted with a whining from the starter motor as it failed to engage. On the 3rd attempt she fired into life. She did it again today as I went to take her to the garage so there is another thing to be looked at.

On the plus side, I have managed to source:

a Ford FX3000 single DIN CD player

a pair of doorcards (as the current ones are peeling at the top)

a replacement info display unit (as the current one the LCD has bled)

a replacement gear gaitor so I don't keep hurting my hand on the cable tie round the top of the current one

a replacement indicator stalk as the rubber on the current one is split and looks tatty

Current spend before garage bill £70

Pictures to follow when the car is back and I have fitted the new bits

[Ben_O]

I was ferried around in these as a kid so am very fond of the old busses.

 

Good luck with it

 

Ben

[R9UKE]

Look forward to pictures!

[RobT]

Sounds like regular use is starting to throw up a few issues, hope it all gets sorted cheaply Wayne. The rate of coolant loss was a bit random during the time I owned it.

[tooSavvy]

... Aye, fukkitt

 

MrSavvy came with a 'faux' leatherette gear gaiter [$hite]

 

I just took a 'ballsout' line, here, and installed a Toyo 4x4 CV boot as an alt 'stickSkirt'... 200% inprovement

 

 

TS9

[Sealtainn]

Got the verdict and it's OMGHGF and it isn't even a Rover. The head will be sent away South to be tested so going to be without the old girl for the best part of the week. Tbh I expected some issues with her being in regular use so she will be getting what she needs.

 

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[Bren]

Pics?

 

What motor does it have?

[Richard]

2.0 twin cam.

[Bren]

I assumed it had a cologne - they just get noisier with age.

 

I had a sierra with the I4 engine - even though it was low mileage with new chains and tensioners I felt it was somewhat thrashy and not as nice as a pinto.

[Sealtainn]

[Sealtainn]

As Ford offered the Mk3 Saloon in black as a Taxi, I thought one of these would be suitable as a period feature. Autoshite Cabs anyone? Just don't vomit on the velour

 

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[The Reverend Bluejeans]

2.0 twin cam.

 

 

I'm guessing after the hits dried up in 1991, the V6 was out of reach.

[doobietoo]

Owned a few of these when they were £50 a time.. all mine had driveline shunt if you changed gear too quick...  lovely old bus ...well Jelly...

[Sealtainn]

Been on the phone to the garage and the news isn't good for the old girl.

They have done a pre-MoT check and she needs:

Head Gasket (Head to be sent to a company on the mainland to check for damage)

Radiator

Rear discs & pads

Couple of ARB's

Lower arms

Both sills are corroded and will need replaced for MoT.

All in all with labour I am looking at a bill in the region of £1,000

Although her MoT isn't due till March, I'm thinking I'll get all the work done and they can MoT her too.

 

Wallet now seriously empty, kids Christmas presents on eBay and Mrs Seal forced to stand on street corners

[Uncle Jimmy]

I'm guessing after the hits dried up in 1991, the V6 was out of reach.

Said popular musician bought a 2 litre Probe instead.

[Sealtainn]

Was driving past the garage this evening and thought I'd pop in to see how the old girl is getting on. Head away on the mainland for testing but hoping to have her back in the next couple of weeks.

[fordperv]

Let me guess failure was at no 4 cylinder? Please please use a genuine ford multi layer head gasket meant for the scorpio on this while it's all in bits, an aftermarket one probably won't last 12 months then you will be back at square 1, the finis number is 1101405

[Station]

I'm glad you are giving it some care instead of letting it die.

[Sealtainn]

Thanks for that Fordperv, I'll let the garage know.

 

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[Sealtainn]

Got a phone call from the garage today to tell me that what looked like replacement sills that she'd had at some time in the past were in fact sill skins and upon removal the inner sill was packed with.........................expanding foam !!!!

It's all getting replaced and as the MoT is due end of March then she'll get a fresh 12 months ticket too.

In other news, the head was warped and has been sorted, they are waiting on the plastic inserts on the injectors from Ford before she can go back together.

I could have paid for 1/5 of my new house with the bill I am getting for the Granada - going to be so worth it when she is back though and I am a mere apprentice compared to some others on here with their recent garage bills.

[danthecapriman]

I know what you mean about big bills.

But, it's well worth it on a good car like this one. A little expenditure will bring it back to it's best and it should be good for many more years. It beats the hell out of buying some modern blob too.

[Cleon-Fonte]

I could have paid for 1/5 of my new house with the bill I am getting for the Granada

 

Ah, but the house would function poorly as a Granada, whereas the Granada could easily function as a house (should the bills keep coming in).

[fordperv]

they are waiting on the plastic inserts on the injectors from Ford before she can go back together.

 

Those plastic inserts love going brittle and crack when you try and do anything with them

[Bren]

Just forked out £180 for the audi on a service and feel like I have been anally burgled.

 

Why I will never own an exotic.

[Sealtainn]

All 4 of the decided that they no longer wished to remain in 1 piece. The chap from the garage phoned when I was at work and spoke to Mrs Seal. He asked if there was some sentimental attachment to the car due to the likely size of the final bill, Mrs Seal replied that "No, it's just that he loves his old chod and he's worth it" - think I picked well although considering I've just bought her a house I'd best hear no more about the size of the bill.

As an added bonus, I have just found out the one of the barns at the house has an inspection pit

[Sealtainn]

So the old girl finally has a years MoT, he's sorting out the bill and advised I stick one of my kidneys on eBay :-S

 

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[Captain Furious]

YES! A fellow Granada man

 

I have a 24v Which I acquired a couple of months ago, it's been a testing time but I think I'm nearly getting to the bottom of the issues list now, thankfully they've mostly been cheap DIY fixes, sounds like you (your wallet) have had a tough time of it with yours

 

(This is mine, pics definitely do flatter)

 

[fordperv]

Glad it's finally done, now let's have some pictures

[Split_Pin]

There are absolutely not enough of these MK3 Granadas around. Pretty much the last prestige car made by a mainstream manufacturer. I recall a friend I had at primary school whose parents were somewhat well-to-do and I was over the moon at getting a lift back in his dad's black hatch version. I'd never been in an automatic either and I recall it didn't have very many gears and was so smooth. It was a 4 cyl example too.

 

Sod the bill, it looks a cracker and you have done it proud. Just in time for summer too.

[Bren]

Watch this space for further granada related matters.