New Fairmont Ghia AU II - Questions

[brayza]

Hi all,

Had aquired a 2001 Ford Fairmont Ghia AU II series i6 Auto (sedan).

Just had new rubbers put on it, serviced, fixed hand brake, replaced drive belts, replaced coolant, engine tune up.

Am considering adding a spoiler to it.
Anything i should know about or be wary of with spoilers? How much would i be looking at?

Also, the MDC (Message Display Centre) is kinda buggered. The LEDs figures tend to be missing parts and come and go. I understand that this is a common problem with this type of car? I read here that theres a guy in Melb who fixes em. Can someone whose used them comment?

Last of all... LPG gas conversions.
What would it cost to convert the car to LPG? Pros/Cons?
I would be doing about 15,000 Ks a year. 80 % city, 20 % highway.

regards,
Brayza

[GK]

Originally Posted by brayza

Hi all,

Had aquired a 2001 Ford Fairmont Ghia AU II series i6 Auto (sedan).

Just had new rubbers put on it, serviced, fixed hand brake, replaced drive belts, replaced coolant, engine tune up.

Am considering adding a spoiler to it.
Anything i should know about or be wary of with spoilers? How much would i be looking at?

Also, the MDC (Message Display Centre) is kinda buggered. The LEDs figures tend to be missing parts and come and go. I understand that this is a common problem with this type of car? I read here that theres a guy in Melb who fixes em. Can someone whose used them comment?

Last of all... LPG gas conversions.
What would it cost to convert the car to LPG? Pros/Cons?
I would be doing about 15,000 Ks a year. 80 % city, 20 % highway.

regards,
Brayza

I've read many a happy and satisfied comment from the Melbourne dude that fixes the climate control display. IIRC he gives a lifetime warranty on the job as well.

Go the gas conversion. Will set you back 2.7K for a Impco or Vialle mixer ring setup. They work fine. You should get your money back in a year and a half. If you are keeping the car more than a few years, get it done. In fact, with the government's grant, you'll start saving money in about a year. Go for it!

I would also have a flashlube upper cylinder lubricant kit installed. You can buy them from Repco for about $65-70. The gas installer would probably source and install it for you for $100.

Both my AU's are on gas. Awesome. I run each car for 30kms each tank on petrol and more on longer trips, just to keep the fuel system in order.

Welcome to AU ownership!

Cheers,

GK

[peterban]

Found this post regarding fixing the MDC

Originally Posted by Lil Monty

Missing AU Fairmont/ Ghia Climate control digital segments? It's an easy fix!!!

1.0 Tools Required;
1.1 Phillips head and flat blade screw drivers
1.2 Cloths iron
1.3 Baking paper

2.0 Remove climate control unit from dash;
2.1 Removing clock surround, allowing access to retaining screw, remove screw,
2.2 Pull unit forward and to the left, unplugging 1 air sensor and 2 electrical plugs.
2.3 Unit should now slide right out

3.0 Dis-assemble control unit;
3.1 Depress and pull plastic retaining legs where appropriate
3.2 Slide unit out rear of casing.

4.0 Re-attach control ribbon
4.1 Pre-heat iron to sub steam temperature
4.2 Clean/ trim ribbon and contacts if required (do not use solvent as will destroy ribbon/ adherence)
4.3 Re-align ribbon with circuit contacts
4.4 Place baking paper on top or ribbon to stop ribbon melting onto iron
4.5 With moderate pressure, press iron onto ribbon and contacts
4.6 Check contacts/ test in car before refitting into casing.

5.0 Re-assemble in reverse order