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My other half has a Ford KA, 70K ish miles but has been reliable even though the service history is patchy to say the least. Its not worth a lot, so Ive decided to service it myself as best as possible. Its had a new clutch recently, doesnt have a cambelt so shouldnt need too much more doing I hope?

So what things should I do?

Ive tightened the handbrake(wow)
Topped up all fluids
Will change oil and filter this weekend
Will change air filter/pollen this weekend

Now after this little list what else is considered regular maintenance/service stuff.

Im thinking spark plugs?
Brakes?

 

Is a replacement fuel filter a routine service item on the Ka?

 

Good point.........

 

Sounds obvious, but you could ring the local ford garage and ask them the cost of the service, and exactly what it entails?

I'd imaging, air, fuel, oil, pollen filters as you mention.

Plus checking brakes, tyres, tracking, steering arms, ball joints, CV gaitors, suspension pick up points, engine mounts, major body hinges etc.

I've serviced quite a few 'standard' cars in the past by ringing the dealers then running through the checklist!

Have you got you 'M' back yet?

 

Nope!

Hoping to get it back at the begining of the month - dont want it any earlier otherwise itll be a waste of tax(it has none right now) come to think of it there is no insurance on the car either. Forgotten what it looks and feels like, will feel mad when I get it back - looking forward to it.

Have a Forrester Turbo at the moment which is proving usefull and rapid in a kick up the bum type way.

 

Watch out for the sparkplugs on those old 1.3 push rod engines, they are known to sieze, spray WD40 on them 10 minutes before hand.

Also on that engine you should check valve clearances and change the rocker cover gasket.

At the rear of the engine there is an oil seperator / cranck case vent, always a good thing to flush them out while you are servicing.

Other than that just the usual grease hinges and terminals and check wiper rubbers.

 

brake fluid change and coolant change - probably due every couple of years

 

lloyd on the money with the sparkplug point.

if engine is the older 1.3; cork rocker cover gasket, and sparkplugs on the front-side of the engine.
if you do have that engine, and plugs havent been changed, then remove 'em on a weekend where you can get to a car shop to get some easy-outs (you might get lucky and they'll all come out, or they'll snap off and you'll need to easy-out the plug casing)

another common issue on KA's are the rear-most bush, on both the front lower arms. the rubber peals away from the metal part.

final common issue is the spare wheel; the wheet nut cones rust up if the spare hasnt been used; so grab an electric drill & drill wire-brush to clean 'em up. put some regular grease on them to stop them rusting again and maybe a binbag to stop the wheel getting too much of the weather.

 

Had a Ka for a while after g/f disposed of it ! Great town car actually.

I serviced it twice and changed the huge drive belt (this one had air con
and pas). Yes plugs can be tight. There is no cam belt, its a chain.
And both front wishbones c/w bushes I did (very easy).

Worst thing is rust, pump loads of hot Waxoyl into the sills. Lift up the
door seal to expose holes you can stick your nozzle in.

Russ.

 

Hers has rust down the bottom of the drivers side door where it meets the body(actually on the body)