Battery terminal check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
Caution: Before carrying out any work on the vehicle battery, read through the precautions given in “Safety first!” at the beginning of this manual.
1 The battery fitted as original equipment is “maintenance-free”, and requires no maintenance apart from having the case kept clean, and the terminals clean and tight.
2 To clean the battery terminals disconnect them, after having first removed the cover (later models) - negative earth first. Use a wire brush or abrasive paper to clean the terminals. Bad corrosion should be treated with a solution of bicarbonate of soda, applied with an old toothbrush. Do not let this solution get inside the battery.
3 Coat the battery terminals with petroleum jelly or a proprietary anti-corrosive compound before reconnecting them. Reconnect and tighten the positive (live) lead first, followed by the negative (earth) lead. Do not overtighten.
4 Keep the top of the battery clean and dry.
Inspect the battery tray for corrosion, and make good as necessary.
See also:
Electrical fault-finding - general information
Note: Refer to the precautions given in “Safety
first!” and in Section 1 of this Chapter before
starting work. The following tests relate to testing
of the main electrical circuits, and should not ...
Timing belt and sprockets - removal and refitting
Note: The belt tension should be checked
using Ford special tool No 21-113 after
refitting. A suitable puller may be required to
remove the sprockets. If the camshaft
sprocket is removed, a new re ...
Cooling, heating and ventilation systems
The cooling system is of the pressurised pump-assisted thermo-syphon
type. The system consists of the radiator, water pump, thermostat, electric
cooling fan, expansion tank and associated hoses. ...
