DIY Servicing: Ford Galaxy Titanium 2.2 TDCI

The second-generation Ford Galaxy is generally straightforward, although the oil and pollen filters are a challenge, says Richard Gunn.

The original Ford Galaxie was a leviathan of the 1950s and 1960s, which was dormant from 1974 (although it continued in Brazil until 1983) before the company revived its name for its MPV launched in 1995. Apart from being the size of a small galaxy, the two machines had nothing in common.

The new Galaxy was a joint project with Volkswagen, meaning that it was also badge-engineered as the Volkswagen Sharan and the SEAT Alhambra. By the time of the Galaxy MKIII, introduced in 2006, the links with VW had been severed and the platform switched to the contemporary Mondeo, although the vehicle shared more in common, at least visually, with the smaller S-MAX. This meant the Galaxy could grow to be practically a minibus in miniature, with a third row of seats in the rear load area.

The wide range of diesel engines was complemented by a couple of petrol units, along with a further 2.2-litre TDCI oil burner in 2008, shared with Peugeot and Citroën. It’s this engine fitted in our vehicle here. Unfortunately, this increases the complication of servicing, as the location of the oil filter at the front of the engine means you have to use a special multi-angled ‘crow’s foot’ filter wrench. While it isn’t particularly expensive to buy, it’s quite fiddly to operate and the filter’s position seems somewhat random and ill-considered. The pollen filter isn’t especially easy to get at either, but those two tasks aside, servicing is pretty simple with just basic tools.

Equipment required

› FORD/PSA ‘crow’s foot’ oil wrench › small inspection mirror › torch › flat-head, crosshead and Torx screwdrivers › funnel › jack › axle stands › waste oil container › sockets and spanners › pliers › tyre tread depth checker › wheel brace › long bar › antifreeze hydrometer › wire brush › electronic brake/clutch fluid checker › abrasive paper › copper grease › general purpose grease › spray grease › tyre pump › torque wrench › rags for cleaning › disposable gloves

electronic diagnostic tool (optional).