See also Ford Galaxy owners club page – a few with the same problem
Also on Yahoo.
Car running fine
Heater system – heater blowing hot and cold
Car overheats intermittently.
Car runs absolutely fine round town and on most journeys, no loss of power miles per gallon as good as it’s ever been.
When travelling along the motorway heating can be blowing fine warm / hot air and the temperature gauge is fine. Start to go up a long incline and the heater starts to blow cold and by the top of the incline (2 to 3 miles) the temperature gauge will start to climb up sometimes going right into the red and warning lights start to flash. Start to go along the flat and the temperature gauge will either come down slowly or drop to 90 degrees within half a mile. If facing down hill the temperature gauge will do as above and the heater will start to blow warm / hot air again.
Having driven up and down to Leeds for the last 2 weeks and done over 1,800 miles
this has happened on most journeys but not all !
Could it be an airlock in the cooling / heater system?
When the problem first occurred, the system was drained and re-filled and it went away for 2 weeks without the problem.
Thermostat has since been changed.
The vehicle has never overheated when the heater has been working properly and blowing out warm air !!!
Could it be a water pump problem?
Head gasket has been suggested – have seen no signs of water contamination in the oil or visa versa.
Having thought back about the heater problem – this started happening weeks before
there was any problem with the temperature increasing.
Had to put approx a pint of water in this weekend after 3 weeks of constant overheating.
Had exactly these symptoms. Changed the water pump. Problem solved.
temp, May 2010
I run as small garage bussiness and only today solve a TDi engine boiling problem. It was the pump impeller that had work loose.I had spent hour after hour going through various checks and knowing the timing belt was due for changing decided to remove the pump an uricka found the problem.I had the same thing on a 3.2 Jag with the BMW engine ,that had totally disappeared.
Al, September 2009
hi ,, iv also got the same problem,,my ford galaxy over heats ,,had new waterpump , new egr valve , new rad ,new thermostat , ford dealer check head ,,has any body got any answers plesae ,,
roxy, August 2009
I have exactly the same problem I was told by mechanic that my head gasket has a small leak after he pressure tested the cooling system
allan, June 2009
Update
Its now been in the garage for over 2 weeks.
All pipes have been removed and blown through.
Auxilary pump has been checked.
New thermostat fitted.
Pressure cap changed
Now new water pump fitted.
I think the garage are now at a loss as to what it may be.
I am surprised that with so many people having the same problem Ford dont seem to have an answer.
If I wasnt so attached to the damn thing I would trade it in !!
Runs like a dream - No loss of power - Just wish I new the answer.
Cheers everyone
Glyn
Glyn, May 2009
Hi Steve / gtwannabe
Have put the car back in for inspection this week with a copy of what was posted above.
No water contamination to Oil - No oil contamination to water.
The sytem has been flushed and re-filled and the mechanic is taking the car home tonight and try to replicate the fault.
My opinion is change the water pump - they seem to think its okay (Rock & Hard Place or what)
Will advise all when I know more.
Cant complain too much - 7 years of no major problems
Regards
Gyn
Glyn, April 2009
there is a known issue with the water pump impellor breaking loose of the driveshaft and causing a problem like this.advise on fgoc has been to replace the water pump when doing a cambelt change on these.head gaskets and faulty cracked heads have also been mentioned.if you do your own repairs on these joining ford galaxy owners club is recommended.great help to diy freaks!
steve, April 2009
you appear to have answered your question it is most likely to be the water pump the impeller comes loose on the drive shaft and does not circulate water around the cooling system efficiently if left this will do damage to your engine .a quick check is to remove the return hose from the top of the coolant bottle and start the car then give it a rev if you do not have a steady stream of coolant being returned to the bottle then the pump is not circulating .its the small hose into the top of the bottle
