22nd Apr 2010, 15:52

Hi, I have now written - through my lawyer, to both the chairman of the dealership and John Fleming, Chairman & CEO Ford of Europe, Eagle Way, Brentwood, Essex CM13 3BW.

They have asked me to allow them to inspect the car again, but no admission or acceptance of this as a broader issue or any comment as to their intended course of action, if they agree the unit has failed on both winters I've owned it.

I hope enough people do write to Ford and use other public forums to vent their concern, as in my opinion this is a very serious matter, and simply disconnecting or continually replacing the unit is not an acceptable solution.

I now do not feel comfortable in continuing to own the vehicle, but also am trapped in that I would not sell it onto a unsuspecting family, knowing what it could do next winter.

Good luck with your correspondence with Ford - let's hope one of the motoring organisations or Watchdog type organisations picks this up and takes Ford to task over it - Graham.

16th Nov 2010, 05:37

I wrote the comment from March 2010, and thought I would follow-up.

After the glow-plug was replaced in our Galaxy (2002 1.9 TDi) by an independent garage, and with the smoke problem unresolved, we went to Ford. They were unable to see the problem happening (improvement in the weather), so would not investigate further. I also contacted Ford, who gave me a case reference and some reassuring words, but no advice apart from replacement of glow-plug and assurance that excess diesel would 'burn-off' after a couple of hundred miles... Basically I had the Ford dealer and Ford themselves just sitting shrugging their shoulders.

The weather then changed, the problem then stopped (not cold enough for aux heater to kick in). Like Graham above I considered just getting rid in the summer, but how irresponsible would that be, selling to another family a car that fills the cabin with diesel fumes when it gets a bit parky?

Now it's properly cold again, of course the problem is back. Kids in the car, diesel fumes in the cabin. We cannot afford to write off the vehicle, so we have booked in with the Ford dealer again - let's see how we get on.

Am heartened by Graham's comment above - thanks for the Ford contact address. As he says, this cannot be right that a part wearing out has such a dangerous effect, and that Ford seem to take no responsibility for correcting this design flaw.

26th Nov 2010, 12:47

Now the cold weather is here, my Aux heater is playing up on my 06 seat Alhambra 1.9 TDI. It has always been a bit smelly in cold weather, and sounds like a jet plane when I pull up after a short journey when the weather is below 5 degrees C. However, today it decided to start filling the cabin with diesel fumes and smoke though the passenger side front seat belt slot while I was driving. Not very nice, and very worrying.

I grabbed a fire extinguisher with me, and drove to the local friendly garage who stuck it on the ramps, sure enough it is the aux heater. How the smoke was pouring in to the cabin, I'm not sure, as I could find no holes, however I cannot transport my kids in the car like this, so I unplugged the thing. Now no smoke is coming in, I am sure the heater in the car will not be too good, but I would rather be cold than gassed. I decided to do a bit of searching on the web about the problem, and found this helpful place. So I am glad I have unplugged the thing, and roll on the warm weather.

:)

20th Mar 2011, 07:19

Check fuses in fuse box. Fuse number 33 and 35.

5th May 2011, 13:50

I have a 54 reg TDI Galaxy and have fumes coming into the car via the front passenger seat belt. I have young kids and worry for their health.

Just wondered if anyone of you got the problem sorted?

13th May 2011, 04:25

Hi, I have a 1999 1.9 TDI Zetec Galaxy. We are having a problem with starting and smoke. Once you start it and a massive clouds of white smoke come out it, then OK, but occasionally it will lose power, a massive cloud of smoke comes out, and then of she goes running lovely again. Once she warms up, she seems to be OK until she cools down. We have had a diagnostic test; nothing showed up. A full service, all glow plugs changed, but still no one can find the problem. She is a lovely car otherwise. Please can someone help, I don't know what else can be the problem?

18th Aug 2011, 14:28

Wipers only go half way up, then stop/start. Changed the wiper motor, still a problem. Any ideas? E-mail me at warrior512@hotmail.co.uk if you have any ideas.

Many thanks, Steve.

22nd Aug 2011, 02:32

I also had the same problem with the smoke coming under the car, and I was going through Rotherhithe tunnel, and it scared me as I thought the car was on fire.

Pulled up outside the tunnel, switched off the ignition, started up again; seemed to be okay until a couple of days ago; after then it started again. Only seems to happen in cold weather. I have a 05 Galaxy 1.9TDI, and again when I turn the engine off and start it again, it seems to be okay.

18th Oct 2011, 03:26

I have a 2003 Zetec, and it does the smoke thing in cold weather. Luckily it only comes out under the vehicle. It does look quite scary though, and is very embarrassing. Ford should deal with it!

18th Oct 2011, 05:40

It's a common fault with the Galaxy.

Check out http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/

There is a step by step guide on fixing them. I did mine following these instructions and fitted new o-rings (one on each spindle). I also used silicon grease on them, put it back together, and it's all working perfectly. My driver's side spindle was all but seized; in fact I was amazed it was working at all.

17th Jan 2012, 07:36

Hi, I have Ford Galaxy, and I have changed the glow plugs but last year, but recently my car is smoking from the middle, and I can smell fumes in the car. I am sure it must be the auxiliary heater. With my kids, I don't know if it's safe with all that smell. Please can someone advise me what to do, as I am using the car daily. How do I switch it off or which fuse to take out to stop it? Please reply to molvifaiz@msn.com

17th Mar 2012, 18:17

My 2004 Ford Galaxy that we bought second hand last year, has now also had smoke coming out of the passenger seat belt area - we have two children, so it was quite a shock! Can I ask Graham or anyone else if they managed to get this problem fixed, and what they did?