Fiesta XR2 help

[Bigletch]

Hello

I have just bought an XR2 and looking for some advice.

car jack is missing, did ford use the same jack on any other model or can I buy one from somewhere.

The car is in great condition for a 23 year old but once this weather passes I plan to start work on it..
Wheels refurbed..
The tailgate is a little rusty at the bottom corner so initially repair and paint then sourse a new tailgate (any advice on cost and were)
Same with the passangers door..
Colour is the met grey, does anyone know the name of it?

The interior is in very good condition but the drivers seat has lost a bit of its firmness, has anyone every fixed this?
I have not removed the seat to look underneath it yet.

Finally, theres a smell of unburnt fuel/exhuast coming into the car when you stop moving?
I am guessing a new boot seal as there are no holes under the car as its just had all relevent welding done.

Thanks in advance

[Wing Commander]

Bigletch said:

Hello

I have just bought an XR2 and looking for some advice.

car jack is missing, did ford use the same jack on any other model or can I buy one from somewhere.

The car is in great condition for a 23 year old but once this weather passes I plan to start work on it..
Wheels refurbed..
The tailgate is a little rusty at the bottom corner so initially repair and paint then sourse a new tailgate (any advice on cost and were)
Same with the passangers door..
Colour is the met grey, does anyone know the name of it?

The interior is in very good condition but the drivers seat has lost a bit of its firmness, has anyone every fixed this?
I have not removed the seat to look underneath it yet.

Finally, theres a smell of unburnt fuel/exhuast coming into the car when you stop moving?
I am guessing a new boot seal as there are no holes under the car as its just had all relevent welding done.

Thanks in advance

The car jack is fairly unique, although I think it is shared across all the mk2 fiestas. I am back home next weekend and can take a picture of mine for you if you want?

With regards to the boot, just keep an eye on ebay - shouldn't be too much, but depends on how often they come along. To give you an idea, I got two new front wings (pattern rather than original) in the primer for £5 each.

Can't remember the name of the paint - I always used to refer to it as gunmetal grey, but that isn't of any use to you!

The seats - I would just buy a new one. Where in the country are you? I do have a spare set of seats which I could maybe be convinced to part with, in separate parts.

Not sure on the smell of exhaust - you could be right about the boot seal. Try cleaning the seal with WD40 on a rag.

Not trying to be rude, but how much do you know about the XR2s? Do you know the main areas to check? If not, I shall explain.

The battery tray collects water so is prone to rust. Have a check.

If you car has a sunroof (most do - those without are like hen's teeth, and therefore expensive), the 4 tubes that run the water away go down into the sills. Stupidly, Ford decided to have the tubs empty into the sills and then just have holes drilled into the bottom of the sills to drain it. Therefore they rust out from the inside out. Drill out some holes in the bottom of the sills and pull the tubes through so the water drains to the outside. You can seal the pipe in place with silicone sealant etc.

They are the main areas, but the cars are all at least 23 years old now. Rust is a problem anywhere and everywhere. Have a look at my partially completed restoration thread here

All the best - hope you enjoy using the car. They really are brilliant fun, and the little foibles make them even more interesting!

[drmotorsport]

Wing Commander has the main points for XR2's. The colour would be officially Mercury Grey though. Also the wings and front panel rot behind the bodykit.

Yes they rot everywhere but remember they are a hoot to drive

[Bigletch]

Thanks guys.
I was pretty sure the paint was mercury grey but couldn't be sure.
I have loads of fiesta experience and knowledge but it's all 17yrs old!!
My first car was a 1.4 ghia followed by an xr2 then a xr2i that was my first 6yrs of motoring.
I did all my own servicing and repairs and became pretty efficient around them.
I am now in a position were I can paint and repair the bodywork as well, but not weld!
I have a few issues with the car so far.
The fan doesn't kick in when it start to heat up!
The smell of petrol has been sorted.
A combination of running rich and a bit of a poor boot seal

A picture of the jack would be great as I desparately need one.

Thanks

[Wing Commander]

Bigletch said:

Thanks guys.
I was pretty sure the paint was mercury grey but couldn't be sure.
I have loads of fiesta experience and knowledge but it's all 17yrs old!!
My first car was a 1.4 ghia followed by an xr2 then a xr2i that was my first 6yrs of motoring.
I did all my own servicing and repairs and became pretty efficient around them.
I am now in a position were I can paint and repair the bodywork as well, but not weld!
I have a few issues with the car so far.
The fan doesn't kick in when it start to heat up!
The smell of petrol has been sorted.
A combination of running rich and a bit of a poor boot seal

A picture of the jack would be great as I desparately need one.

Thanks

Mercury grey - of course! I should have known. After all, my car is the same colour!

Welding was new to me too, before I got my latest XR2. It really isn't too hard to learn, if you have a garage or workshop to put the car in. I have a Clarke 135 I think. £220 and it's perfect for my hobby DIY needs.

Not sure on the fan. Have you tried replacing the switch that goes into the block? Also, hook the fan directly up to the battery to test the fan itself. Being such a simple car, it is basically one of those two, I would say.

Will take a picture of the jack when I am home at the weekend and post it in this thread.

[Bigletch]

Nice one...
Just bought a jack and wheel wrench from a breakers for £15 delivered.
Now looking for a new tailgate but there's no real rush as don't think I will be able to paint anything until after Xmas!! So going to hold out for one in the right colour..

[Bigletch]

Hi wingcomander
Two questions.
Do you have any advice with regards re aligning the bonnet?
If I remember correctly the hinges are welded on.
You mentioned having spare seats, what sort of condition is the drivers seat?
I think it's only really the base I need as it's a bit soft, with the weather being so bad and working 6 days a week just now I have not investigated why?
And how much.

Ps I am in Edinburgh

Thanks
Stu

[D6GMB]

I have a spare mk2 xr2 seat base,it is excellent condition,also have lots of interior spare parts.
I live in Kilwinning,Ayrshire so not too far away.

[drmotorsport]

IIRC the fan switch is mounted in the thermostat housing on the end of the head. Probably that or a gunged up rad fan.

[Faust66]

Bigletch said:

Hello

I have just bought an XR2 and looking for some advice.

car jack is missing, did ford use the same jack on any other model or can I buy one from somewhere.

The car is in great condition for a 23 year old but once this weather passes I plan to start work on it..
Wheels refurbed..
The tailgate is a little rusty at the bottom corner so initially repair and paint then sourse a new tailgate (any advice on cost and were)
Same with the passangers door..
Colour is the met grey, does anyone know the name of it?

The interior is in very good condition but the drivers seat has lost a bit of its firmness, has anyone every fixed this?
I have not removed the seat to look underneath it yet.

Finally, theres a smell of unburnt fuel/exhuast coming into the car when you stop moving?
I am guessing a new boot seal as there are no holes under the car as its just had all relevent welding done.

Thanks in advance

Worth checking out the XR Owners Club forum... been a member on there for years myself.

http://www.xrstyle.co.uk/forums/index.php

[Wing Commander]

Bigletch said:

Hi wingcomander
Two questions.
Do you have any advice with regards re aligning the bonnet?
If I remember correctly the hinges are welded on.
You mentioned having spare seats, what sort of condition is the drivers seat?
I think it's only really the base I need as it's a bit soft, with the weather being so bad and working 6 days a week just now I have not investigated why?
And how much.

Ps I am in Edinburgh

Thanks
Stu

Hi

Sorry for the delay. Am back home now and have got a picture of my jack, if it's still any use to you



Also, my spare seats are in Devon so quite a distance from you! I think the other poster will be a much better et or you unfortunately.

Re. Bonnet alignment, I think the brackets are welded to the car but the ones on the bonnet are moveable? To be honest, I can't remember! Pretty sure you should be able to adjust them to make it fit though.

Cheers

[drmotorsport]

The bonnet hinges are welded to the bonnet, but then bolt to the front crossmember which allows for a little adjustment, the striker plate on the firewall can also be adjusted easily enough.

[997ted]

the fan on my mk2 fiesta ghia had stopped kicking in and changing the thermo switch on the block cured it straight away.

also, i found that mk2s tend to collect a lot of moisture from the road at the front around the fan area and many connections seem to get dirty quickly. Regularly taking them all off, cleaning them and replacing with a good coat of WD40 seems to be the answer....