Conference terri::cars_uk

    
    	I've just recently bought a second-hand XR2 Mk2 (1988) it's
    done about 20,000 miles, has no problems with oil-consumption
    etc. One thing that disturbs me is on a cold-start first thing
    in a morning, when the engine is running it sounds a bit like
    a diesel, this noise disappears when it reaches it's normal
    operating temperature,  is this normal ? or should I get on
    to my garage about it ? (In the owners manual it says something
    to the effect that a cold engine will make a "knocking" noise
    and will gradually disappear (B.T.W owners' manual is in Dutch)
    as it reaches operating temp.) Can anyone help me on this one ?
    
    Tim

    
    
    Re: -1
    
    I had a 1987 XR2 for just over 2 years and I can't remember it having
    any problems starting first time or making excessive noise. The
    only thing I did notice was that the exhurst smoke was "thicker"
    and more abundant while the choke was on.
    
    
    Regards
    
    Sean 

The engine knocking is due to a lack of oil in the big end bearings (connect
the con-rods to the crankshaft).  This is usual in Ford 1600s and goes away 
after a few seconds, when the oil has had time to circulate.

It is not a very good design feature as there is bound to be a little wear 
while the knocking occurs.

It might help to change to a lighter grade oil, particularly in cold weather - 
try a 10/30,  15/40 or similar.

If your noise lasts longer than a few seconds, I would suspect a bigger 
problem, but others in this conference will have more experience of this 
engine than me.

Mike.

    Hi,
    	My RS Turbo sounds very rattily on cold starts, but is o,k after
    a few minutes. I asked at the garage if this was o'k and they assured
    me that it is a "feature" of the Ford 1600 engine as mentioned in
    the previous note (poor oil circulation). The garage advised letting
    the engine tick over for a couple of minutes before driving off.
    
    Bruce

    I lifted the bonnet last night to have a listen and I noticed
    that the hose, the one made of tin foil, that goes from the
    exhaust manifold to the air cleaner unit, had broken and the
    two pieces were rattling together and that air was either being
    blown out or sucked in (whatever) and that made quite a noise
    too.
    Thanks for all your replies. B.T.W. what does that hose/system
    actually do ?
    
    Tim

re: .15

 The hose system allows pre-heated air into the carb. They never last
 long, and I've never noticed any performance difference with or without
 the hose ...

 Mark

    
    Re.14, rattly turbo,
    
    It was pointed out to me a while back that the worst thing you can
    do to a turbo is arrive in style, screeceh to a halt, Vroooom !
    the engine and switch off.  Apart from all the usual damage the
    you do by washing the oils off the cylinder walls, you leave the
    turbo spinning furiously with rapidly diminishing oil pressure.
    Dandruff of the bearings follows rapidly !
    
    Ian

    
    Re .17
    
    Yep,
    
    Always let the engine idle for a few seconds before turning off.
    
    This really annoys some people!
    
    Mark

    
    it doesn't annoy people really...
    
    it just seems like a retrograde step in technology :-)

    
    >    it just seems like a retrograde step in technology :-)

    That's rich coming from someone who drives a Mini :^)
    
    Mark

    
    ah, but the mini was hi-tech in it's time...
    
    it's just not changed much :-)

    
    we are going to have someone complaining about basenotes and XR2's 
    in this topic soon ;^)

    Aren't we getting off the point here. I would like to see some more
    discussion about the Mellotron (The first Music Synthesiser, as
    popularised by King Crimson and Early Genesis).
    
    So please, lets get back to the matter in hand.
    
    Thanks.
    
    Mark.
    
    P.S. My Owners manual says to keep the engine running until the turbo
    has stopped spinning. As I usually don't drive furiously to my house
    (There is a 30 mph speed limit!!). I don't have to wait too long.

	Mark,

	how do know when the turbo's stopped spinning ?! Especially if
	your playing "In the court of the Crimson King" for instance .

	Gordon who's_got_a_relatively_quiet_turbo

	

    
    I seem to remember, in a long tucked away brain cell, that that
    was a problem on early escort rs turbo's.  Or was it something related
    to that ?  Damn, this is what happens when you grow old :-(
    
    Nigel

    Hi there !
             Can any of you XR2 owners give me a bit of advice on
    replacement tyres ? In a couple of thousand miles' time I will
    have to replace the Pirellis which are fitted as standard and
    I was wondering if it was worth looking at another make of tyre,
    or just to buy Pirelli again. Any comments ?
    
    
    Tim

    
    
    I ran mine on P6's for the first 27000 miles, not too good in the wet !
    
    P600's are a good alternative but more expensive and difficult to get a
    lease co to agree to.
    
    I now have Goodyear NCT's which are much better in the wet and not
    noticably different in the dry.
    
    
    Nev.

    I've not had any problems getting PHH to fit P600's to my Pug (4 so
    far, 2 more soon).
    
    John

    I like Firestone SS660's (i think). These have a very square front
    on profile, and give very good stability. Plus only cost #40 each.
    
    Rich

    My vote goes with the Goodyear NCT's
    
    
    
    Brilliant

    I'm on the look out for a second hand set of (Ford) alloy wheels
    for my XR2. Over here in Holland there aren't many XR2s about and
    consequently not much of a market for second hand wheels etc.
    What would be the going price in U.K. for a set in very good
    - immaculate condition ? Any info/offers would be greatly
    appreciated.
    
    Thanks
    Tim

    Lewis - offer him yourscould cover the cost of prospective insurance
   
    :-)

    re .32
    
    Tim,
    
    You may get 2nd hand 'pepperpots' for maybe �30-40, but not any
    less (in immaculate condition - if you can find them!).
    To be quite honest, go to Ford and buy a new set. Not quite sure
    how much they would be though. But they will look ALOT nicer. Or
    maybe the RS wheels. I think the new xr2i wheels fit aswell.
    
    Sorry but mine are not for offer - yet !
    
    Lewis.

    Last time I looked in the local 'Auto Mart', there was several sets of
    XR2 rims for sale.  The prices averaged 250 pounds for 4-5 rims with
    tires.  The only thing with buying 2nd hand XR rims is most of them are
    being sold without the owners permision (if you know what I mean).
    
    Craig.

    I put my car into the local garage, this weekend, they had a set of XR2
    alloys lying around there, I asked why out of curiosity/boredom of
    waiting for my car to be done, I was told that the car they came off of
    was recently parked outside the garage ,a nd the wheels were stolen.
    The garage insurance paid for a new set which were bought and fitted to
    the car.  Anyway, the theifs were caught a week later, and the wheels
    returned to the garage, which they now want to sell, all monies going
    to the insurance co. !!
    They were the RS type wheel, with low profile tyres, and I was quoted a
    price of approx. 200 pounds UK, including the tyres (which look pretty
    expensive to me ) these RS 8 spoke designs, I think are more expensive
    than the standard "pepperpot" design. I can get an exact price on them
    from the garage if you like.
    
    Carl.

    re. 36
    Thanks Carl, but I prefer the "pepper pot" design, or the new RS
    type wheel. 
    
    re. others, please keep your eyes open !
    
    Thanks
    
    Tim

    re ;36
    
    Carl,
    
    If your'e in Basingstoke, can you find the exact price out for me?
    
    I much prefer the RS alloys, so if i get them i'll have some pepperpots
    for sale ! ;-)
    
    Lewis.

    I just phoned the garage, they came off an Escort, not a fiesta as the
    other mechanic told me on the weekend, they are 14 inch rims, but have
    low profile tyres, so they may well fit the fiesta, anyone comment? 
    the price was #200 pounds exactly, if your interested,
    
    The no. is; 0980 70348
    
    At a garage called "Rod Smith,   The Garage"
    situated in a place called Netheravon, near Amesbury in Wiltshire, I
    live near, so I could collect them, and bring them to Dec Park if you want.
    
    Carl.
    

    
    
    I think I started something here ;-)
    
    
    Tim

    I don't think they will fit. Isn't a xr2 13.5 ?

the standard XR2 wheels are 13 inches diameter.  The XR3 wheels are 14 inches
and the XR3 RS wheels are 15 inches.  The last are unlikely to fit an XR2 even
if the bolt holes and offset are right since there may not be sufficient
clearance with the wheel arch.  I assume that you would use 50% profile tyres.
the standard XR3 wheels would fit the XR2 if the bolt holes and offset are OK,
and if you use 50% profile tyres the final drive ratio will be unaffected
(more or less).  Since I don't like the standard XR3 wheels, I wouldn't bother!

Mike.   

A friend in England has fitted RS Escort wheels to his XR2, with low
profile tyres (can't remember what size). 

It can be done, but seems like a bit of a waste of time IMO.

Graham

    RE -2 "ESCORT RS WHEELS ARE 15 INCH"
    these are definitely not 15 inch, but do have quite low-profile tyres

    
    Xr3i's are 14 inches with 185/60 tyres.
    
    Are RS Turbo's any different ?
    
    Nigel

    RS Turbo =  195/50  15 inch rims I believe.
    
    
    I could look at mine tonight..
    
    
    
    Bruce

There's also the inset / outset to consider, particularly for FWD cars.  Could
seriously affect handling on the higher performance models if you fit wheels
with the wrong offset.

Scott.

    
    Yup,RS`s got 15 inch wheels last time I looked.
                                                 Dougie

I saw a picture in the paper last night of the new Fiesta RS Turbo 
which was previewed at the Vienna ? Motor Show last week.

Can,t remember the details though but it had grills on the bonnet for 
cooling and a 1.8 engine. I,ll post a note here when I find the article 
again.

Tony.

    
    XR2 Turbo.   
    
    1.6 CVH, Garrett T02 turbo and intercooler.

    133bhp. 130mph circa 8 secs 0 - 60.
                                                              
    Different suspension/steering rack etc from standard Fiesta.
    
    

    re -1
    
    I heard that the new turbo was a 1.8 engine ?
    
    And if this 0-60 time is anything to go by, this is going to be
    one of the biggest flops Ford have made, when compared to the R5gtt
    and PUG 1.9 GTI.
    
    If they have introduced the XR2i in the PUG 1.6/Hot hatch market,
    and the turbo will fall in the R5gtt/PUG 1.9 market, then i can see 
    both failing miserably...
    
    Lewis.

    
    -1
    
    I heared the new engine is a slightly modifided turbo Escort unit (new
    turbocharger), definitely 1.6.
    
    133 BHP , Top speed 130 MPH , 0-60  7.7 - These times beat both the PUG
    1.9 & R 5 GTT on paper.

RE: 414.52

Depends on What paper you read.

Manufacturer's figures for the R5GTT are 8 seconds 0-60 and 128 mph.

Most Papers/Magazines say the 0-60 is pessimistic, and generally agree on
7.3 seconds, and that the top speed is optimistic, and that 120 mph is closer
to the mark.

If the Fiesta succeeds, it will be because it is a Ford, and not for any
other reason.

Incidentally, I've not seen many XR2is on the road. Are they popular??

Mark.

    re ;-2
    
    The Ford times for the  MkII XR2 were 0-60 8.3secs !
    
    The What Car times for it were 0-60 9.5secs !
    
    Now that is some difference.
    
    re;-1
    
    No i don't think they are very popular.
    
    Lewis. Who-has-a-mkII-xr2-and-doesnt-like-the-new-shape.

    the RS Turbo is going to cost �12,000 - �12,500.
    
    maybe the RS Cosworth will be better.

    Grant
    
    P.S when the new Escort shows up the top model will be a 150mph
    RS Cosworth!!!!!

	I noticed in a mag recently that 3 times as many Fiestas are
	sold as 205s in Britain. This wasn't Gtis but just generally.

	Given that the 205 is a better car (in my and most reviewers
	opinions) this is a bit surprising.

	But these cars are still mainly sold in the Private Buyer area
	where overall cost is seen as important and Ford's reputation
	for low ownership cost lingers on. Whether this is a fact or
	not I'm not sure.

	-John

    
    RE: few back
    
    	Performance figures vary according to source plus bias &)
    A quote from a P*s*d off engineer from SVE was something along the
    lines, "The turbo is same preformance as the 205 1.9 and R5 Turbo, but
    handling still is lacking" The expression I got from him was that Ford
    can make faster, better etc cars, but marketing scrap them. Again his
    quote "Ford make cars for Sun readers" ie the masses...
    
    	Re New Fiesta turbo, the 1.8 engine story probably originates from
    a project that Ford SVE have currently got going now. The engine is a
    turboed diesel with apparently better performance than the new fiesta
    turbo. I let you now after I have had a drive...
    
    
    Badger
    

    
    
    The new Escort (just the thing in an XR2 note) will have a 1.8 diesel
    turbo option available at launch in September (if you can believe
    what Autocar write). Again according to them, Ford will give GM
    a Christmas present by releasing the new 16v 1.8 XR3i with 140+bhp.
    
    

    	I've had my XR2 now for about 5 months and have covered just
    over 5000 miles, mostly short distance work of about 1 - 2 miles.
    I've kept a close eye on the oil-level dipstick checking it about
    once a week/fortnight. When I got the car the oil level was about
    2 mm. above the "MAX" mark on the dipstick, and when I checked it
    yesterday it was exactly *on* the "MAX" mark. 
    	I'm just wondering if this is normal or am I being a little
    too fussy ? BTW. The car is due for a service this week and I've
    never had to top up the oil. Any comments ?
    	re .- quite a few back...have now replaced the Pirelli P6 
    tyres with Goodyear NCTs and am very pleased with them.
    
    Tim

    
    My sister-in-law wants to sell her 'D' Reg XR2 - does anyone know what
    sort of price she would expect to get around the Reading area? 
    She lives up in the Midlands, and wonders if I could get a better price
    if I sold it for her down here.
    
    It's black, good condition, average milage, one careful lady owner etc
    
    (Yes, I know about the used car guide, autotrader etc, I'm just being
    lazy!)               

    
    She's not interested in trading it in against another car - she and my
    brother have more vehicles on their drive than we do - they've decided
    that the XR2 has got to go, rather than one of the Land Rovers!

    I paid 5000 for a good condition D reg, black one, average mileage,
    FSH etc. in april. I expect the price has gone down a wee bit since
    then.
    
    (��)Munce.

    Can anyone tell me how much a replacement exhaust would be in the U.K ?
    Prices of both original and Kwik Fit please. Are there any
    disadvantages of fitting a non-original (Kwik Fit) exhaust ? Any
    recommendations ?
    
    Tim

I believe that Bainbridge after-market exhausts are quite good.  Dunno if
Kwik-Fit do them; Humphries certainly do.  Dunno prices though.  Original
equipment will be a *lot* dearer for this sort of part, though...

    Only just recently my speedo needle has started to "vibrate", instead
    of a giving a steady speed indication it vibrates about 1mm. 
    The car, a 1988 XR2 MK II has done 60,000 km, could the problem be
    caused by a worn speedo cable, or is it something more drastic ?
    Any advice appreciated.
    
    Tim 

    
    
    Could anyone hazard a guess as to why my 89 XR2 front end vibrates like
    hell. I have had new shocks, disks, pads, tyres. The tracking has been
    set up and countless wheel balances. The wheel bearings are good. 
    
    It's driving me scats. 
    
    
    TA,
    
    Gary 

    
    I can think of a couple of reasons....
    
    1. It's been involved in a serious accident and the front is no longer
       square
    
    2. One of the wheels is buckled - although it balances ok, it doesn't
       run exactly true over the hub and so causes the car to vibrate.
    
    Good luck,
    Richard.

    
    
    Assuming -1 .2   
    
     if I swap fronts to back will I achieve anything ?.
    
    
    Gary

    
    re .last
    
    Certainly worth a try. If it changes the vibration you know you may
    be on the right track.
    
    Richard. 

    Also check the top mountings on the struts. I had similar problems on a	
    Golf so I replaced them along with the shocks (strut inserts).	
    To check them, jack the car up and check for any play vertically in
    the front suspension. (It may be the mountings have just worked loose -
    they just bolt through the top of the inner wing).
    
    Richard

    ...& suspension rubber bushes & drive-shafts...
    
    
    Tell us more about when & how you get the symptoms.
    
    Tony.

    
    Re more please..
    
    
    
    the problem occurs with varying ferocity. Motorway driving is worse.
    8 out of 10 times you get a severe wobble which feels as if the wheels
    are actually bouncing. 1 from 10 it will drive no problem and the
    remaining 1 will shake so much that I have to slow right down to 30-40
    mph so I can keep control of the wheel. 
    
    I swapped front for rear wheels last weekend and it's no different.
    If anything the wheel alignment has gone out. I haven't checked the
    mounting struts that bolt through the wings, but I would assume that as
    it has recently had a new shock absorber these would be tight.
    
    It's pi��ing me right off, shame I haven't got the money to get it
    sorted properly. 
    
    Anyone fancy a minor head on ??
    
    Gary

    
    was it doing it before you had theshox replaced ? If not I'd suspect
    the units themselves or the way they've been fitted - it sounds like a
    severe damping problem to me.
    
    G.
    
    BTW, swapping wheels front to back may well have made the situation
    worse if there was nothing wrong with the front wheels to begin with -
    your rear wheels may not be balanced.
    

    I'd go along with .75.  
    
    You say you've just had the shocks replaced, but aren't these McPherson
    strut inserts? This raises three questions...
    
    1	Why were the shockers (inserts?) changed in the first place?
    
    	Perhaps this was done to cure a problem and ended up accentuating
        it.
    
    2	Was the problem there before the shockers/inserts were replaced?
    
    3	Was the work done by a reputable garage who you know and trust?
    
    	Maybe you should take it back to them and state that you are
    	dissatisfied with the work.
    
    Leaping to conclusions, I would say that it is possible that the work
    done may have been done so incorrectly, or with defective part(s).  The
    alternative is that there is a more serious suspension problem which
    was being masked before by sloppy shockers, and which is now all too
    apparent.
    
    Above all, I would recommend getting it looked at quick, before mroe
    serious damage still is done to you and the car.
    
    Chris

    I don't know if this is relevant, but I fitted Monroe gas-filled shock
    absorbers to my '87 XR2 about a thousand miles ago. Since then, under 
    heavy braking, (60-30 quickly) I get a severe vibration right through 
    the steering/front suspension. I put it down to the increased damping 
    that was taking place, or possibly the new tyres I'd had fitted at the 
    same time. Reading your notes, I am now beginning to wonder, and it is
    getting more annoying. Normal braking and driving shows no problems.
    I am thinking of removing the gas-filled dampers and putting in
    standard ones.
    DaveT

    Not a XR2 but having had QuikF*** fit new coil springs to my sierra
    1.6 last year they "managed" to smash a brake disk. They fitted new
    disks and pads to the front free of charge. Now the car pulls to the
    left and vibrates under heavy braking.
    After spending many weekend mornings in quikfit services to be told the
    tracking is OK susspension is OK the brakes are OK and sorry sir I dont
    know why the car is pulling to one side I gave up and left it at that.
    As it is now due for another full servie I will have a go at the brakes
    my self.
    The only thing they suggested was that as the traking was OK it must be
    the back axel that is out of alinment. As it was all OK before they
    fixed every thing and no accidents then I asume it was something they
    have done....
    
    Trev.  

    
    
     The problem was there before the shock was replaced. The last one was
    leaking. I'm going to change the wheels back before I end up with
    four bald edges instead of two.   Out of curiosity I went to a Ford
    Dealer and they suggested an ? Omnitrack �. One of there blokes
    suggested it may be faulty lower arms (thats what he called them).
    He said that they are weak on the XR2 and cause such problems. 
    Trouble is its another �60 to get it tested with a further �60
    per arm to replace them. I can't shake the feeling that I'm just
    wasting money on all this tracking/testing stuff. 
    
    Has anyone had one of these tests ?. Apparently it tests for steering 
    and suspension faults. Well I know thare's a fault but will they know
    what it is after ??.
    
    
    GAry