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| buoy |
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I've actually been a car enthusiast for a while, but I am now considering getting a nice cruiser car which I will also use for work purposes.
The EF fairmont really catches my eye and a few really good ones are floating around the trading post / car yards. I'm not exactly sure if there are any problems with the EF, except I just read that the 6-cyl is prone to headgasket failure? Is there anything especially important I should be checking in these cars before I get one (ie any common problems due to kms, age, wear & tear). Any help appreciated. Thanks. |
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| comhelp |
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Age: 41 Posts: 638 Joined: 6th Nov 2004 Ride: 1994 Ford EF Fairmont Ghia Sedan Location: Melbourne |
basically if ya troll through this forums you will find a few things, but off the top oif my head:
if over say 220,000 kms then check the auto check auto oil to see if it is black/burnt take it for a test drive and see how the idle sits check head lights if they are yellow or not make sure a/c and climate control works these are a few things off the top of my head that i can of atm. I am sure once others have woken up, they will post some more 
_________________ 1994 ford fairmont ghia - Currently 302 with T5 - Work in progress |
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| buoy |
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cheers for that.
i read in a thread re kilometres started by Ef Mont Ghia that about 200,000+ you need to perhaps rebuild the auto/trans and even engine block. i've seen some ef's odo readings as low as 130,000-160,000k's - you think it's worth shelling out the extra $$$ (perhaps $1000 more) for the lower k's? i plan to keep the car for perhaps 1-2years. thanks for all those other tips. i will be checking that stuff out. |
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| uglybob |
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all depends on how the car has been driven/treated - i'd rather have a well-driver car with 200,000kms than one that has 100,000kms but has been thrashed. just make sure you check it over well, and get an RAC check or something done on it - very worthwhile
_________________ R.I.P. Scotty |
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| 4.9 EF Futura |
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Yeah the lower mileage the better IMO and worth the money, which you may well save not having to repair.
I wouldnt think the trans needs a rebuild after 200+... assuming its been looked after (very hard to tell unfortunately). If the boxes are neglected they are not likely to reach that distance. Yeah check idle quality, may indicate dirty fuel system or sub-par ignition system. Have a listen at cold startup for noisy lifters.... characterised by the sound disappearing once the oil gets going and the lifters bleed up. Check for noises in steering/suspension. The engine/trans have great durability when well serviced but suspension/steering components may have been neglected. Check for all accessories/electrical items. Fairly easy to fix that kinda stuff so may be agood bargaining point to knock a few bucks off the purchase price.
_________________ I promise..... I will never die. |
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| azza |
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Kms mean very little when u are talking about cars this old....... as ugly bob said that it depends on how they have been treated.... my mate just bought a EF with 130k on it and he has nufin but trouble with it... mine now has 217k on it and have had it for a year and half now and have not had a problem simply bcoz it had been well looked after a regularly maintained........ as long as the auto tranny has been serviced once or twice in its life it should be all good
_________________ BA XR8 manual ute black |
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| char |
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Just seconding what azza said.. My car's done 208,000 km now and I've owned it since about 178,000 and not a single problem.. but I know people with the same car and have more problems than I do with less k's so it really is just down to how hard of a life it's had.
*touches wood*
_________________ -charzar.
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| hickmanioz |
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ive had my car for 2 years now bought it at 184000 ive now done 222000 and its still purring very nice, regular servicing and she will go for ages
no problems at all.
_________________ Team EGO |
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| Timmeh |
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My 96 EF II GLI has done 253,000ks and its still the best condition one I've seen inside and out. The engine is awesome. Hasnt had a head gasket change yet and it has no leaks. Makes s**t of power for a stock I6.
Auto is a bit worn but its fine in power mode. I get 650-700ks out of a tank of fuel. Ks dont mean anything for me. I've bought two Fords over 200,000ks and I havent had any trouble with either of them. |
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| buoy |
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thanks guys. looks like the I6 is quite resiliant... i wonder when the inevitable cylinder warping happens on this engine? it must be well over 200,000 clicks because it looks like lots of guys are still running the original internals without needing a valve job.
i suppose as long as it's done say 190,000km or less it should then be down to condition. |
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| bowsaw |
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Above all, check the coolant, if it is brown, be very careful, if you do buy one, get the radiator cleaned professionally, straight away, check every button works, windows etc, did i mention check the colling system?and if you gat a series 2 Ghia, EF, you get the XR motor, LSD diff etc.
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| Greg |
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if u got the money i would go for the lowest km's possible check for oil leaks behind the timing cover this is common, cooling system seals on the radiator tanks, see if there is scum floating on the surface of ur coolent, elect windows can also play up. if ur not sure get a rac/nrma check there good.
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| Greg |
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i hav an el fairmont and the features are great but if u want the works go a ghia XR6 motor, better susp (car is lower factory std), premium sound system, leather seats(i hate them in summer) wood grain dash, LSD diff, better mags look at factory specs for more...
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| XRFan101 |
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If you do get an EF fairmont Ghia 6cyl make sure you get a series 2 as then you will have the Tickford enhanced 6 init
 Also check that all electrics are working properly such as windows, climate etc.
Good luck they are nice cars 
_________________
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| specterum |
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fairmonts are a little easier to drive around the city. Extended wheelbases can be a bastard. A lot of them can also have condensation problems in all lights including indicators. Nice cars though, can do alot to them and the torque control dramaticly improves take off speeds.
_________________ I don't hate holdens. They're a fine car. I just hate holden drivers. |
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