1994 Ford Mondeo ST24 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Rear anti-roll bar bushes replaced by the dealer at the 60,000 mile service. Also both rear brake callipers and handbrake cables had seized and were replaced(luckily under extended warranty).

Front door locks internal locking mechanisms broke - this also switches off the alarm system - I have replaced the driver's side lock but as yet not the passenger side.

Water pump failure at 76,000 miles - I had to strip both cylinder heads off it on the drive and replace the gaskets - Ford quoted 20 hours labour plus parts for the job. I would advise a check of any higher mileage V6 water pumps as they are a particularly cheap and nasty part which is relied on to cool several thousand pounds worth of all-aluminium engine. The pump itself consists of a steel shaft with a plastic impeller pressed on the end. There isn't even a pin through the impeller to stop it turning on the pump shaft. The impeller on my pump cracked and stopped turning, seriously overheating the engine.

Both exhaust catalytic converters changed due to a manufacturer recall - check yours has been done.

Rear and centre sections of the exhaust have been replaced - can't really complain about that one due to the mileage - apart from the fact that I had to dealer order the rear section as the aftermarket exhaust dealers did not have the part listed at that time.

New front discs. Rear diskc now need replacing, as do the fronts again, due to warping.

Started pulling to one side under braking and full power on mode. I ended up changing the front lower suspension arm bushes on both sides. TIP - if it happens to you check the bushes in the rear of the front arm on both sides first. They are of a split design, presumably to absorb some movement. The lower arm bushs in the front of the arm are solid and tend not to fail.

Started stalling and not idling - I replaced the idle air valve.

Started misfiring under load - I had to get a new set of leads - dealer part only of course.

Despite the list of faults above, and the fact it has been the most unrelible car I have ever owned, it is also the best car I have owned. It blends in nicely, but 323's can't keep up. It will exceed the stated max speed (on the speedo)quoted by Ford, and it corners wonderfully.

I have added some bits to the car as below:

The car sucks through an after market Escort Cosworth K&N Cone filter - it makes the most wonderful induction roar and is supposed to give 8bhp. Body mods are limited to 16" RS 7 spokes and a twin headlight kit.

I have read other reviews of ST24's on this page. One states that tyres cost £130. I use unidirectional Toyo TS1 Proxes 205/50/16's on mine and they cost less than £85 per side fitted and balanced. A very good tyre both in the dry and the wet.

My car is a Nov 94 model and one of the early V6 models. Therefore it seems to have shown signs of aging before the aftermarket has geared up for spare parts. Consequently most of the spares I have had to purchase have come from my local dealer.

I own a 1994 Mondeo 2.5 litre, 24v Automatic. Water pump has just failed at 72,000 miles and as a result of the overheating means that the head gaskets have to be replaced.

I bought the car in November 1998 with 45,000 miles on the clock, full service history would appear to corroborate this mileage.

Obviously the performance of this car is not so great - having the automatic gearbox and relatively small wheels and tyres for such a powerful engine means that cornering hard is not a pleasant activity.

Previous car: 1987 Rover 827Si Automatic (Honda engine and gearbox). No cat - 4 star petrol - very quick motorcar in a straight line - cornering hard was also an unelegant experience!

I have owned a 24v V6 manual Mondeo for two years, bought it secondhand, the car has electric heated front seats, seat adjustment, sports suspension etc.

A beautiful torquey engine, lovely gearbox, sensitive and sufficient brakes, very good also in the snow with the traction control switched on.

A most comfortable car to drive, cruises very well at 80 with power to spare and returning a steady 32 to the gallon at this speed.

New rear bushes last year and apart from that no problems.

I still own a 1994 24v Mondeo, after nearly 3 years and an added 30,000 mile I have no argument with the car, and still look forward to driving it.

Only problem's I have had was at about 70,000 the water pump went to heaven, but I was lucky enough to see the rise in engine temp before anything nasty happened. I replaced the pump (surprise Ford Genuine part was cheapest available).

However a few months later the car got stuck in snow, then towed into a curb which busted the bottom of the radiator. It was driven till the point the engine went up in a pile of steam and oil. Radiator was replaced and car ran fine once more, but I had a sneaky suspicion that the head gasket (s) had blown. Sure enough after a few months it blew of the top cooling hose. I replaced both gaskets and had the heads skimmed.

Unfortunately it's never ran the same again - It's got a lumpy tick over and uses too much oil. But never the less it keeps starting and still goes well.

I have removed the cat (well the big one) - It's made the car pull slightly stronger and improved economy slightly. Only other work was replacing front brake disk and pads all-round.

Economy mainly around town is about 25 mpg.

I know I will miss the car when I come to sell it - but then I might replace it with another.

Bought my 1995 24v SI for £25 with a dead engine. Was difficult to source a second hand engine, eventually got one with a noisy crank for £125.

Had crank reground + new shells cost about £150 now runs sweet as a nut. Can't complain at £300 for a fairly powerful fun car to drive. All mechanical work was done by my mate so didn't pay labour. Only other problem was heater blower & pollen filter, this was cured with a visit to scrap yard for blower motor £15 & filter £8.

Found that most performance parts etc are cheaper to buy on line from US as this car is really just the Ford Contour. This means it is quite easy to bring it up to ST200 spec.

Still got my 24v si now has piper x filter, twin exit stainless exhaust from zaust £340 supplied & fitted.

Added new stereo (Panasonic) JBL 6x9's all doors, Jbl1200watt amp. JML incar dvd player Dirt cheap @ £150 from Woolies. Had new slave cylinder fitted with clutch plate also added st24 alloys. Still love it to bits. My mate drove it he liked it so much he bought one just like it. Go get one if you can.

Robert

hi. i'am looking for a 2nd hand driver complete seat

in half blue leather.

You won't get 8bhp just from cone filter, need direct forced induction to get that increase.

Overheating can distort the bore liners, hence the oil burn and uneven tick-over.