Project: ST220 Estate

[AmgGT2015]

Hi everybody.
I have just bought an ink blue st220 estate as a running daily/project. It needs alot of work but I am wanting to document the journey to get it from where it is now to hopefully fully restored. There will be ups and downs no doubt and setbacks especially considering its done 202k miles. But I believe that it's worth saving. I could've bought a sorted nice one for 3/4k but where is the fun in that ??. I'll upload some photos of the car as it is in it's current condition. The bodywork is rough and needs some attention. I'll keep this post up to date regularly as I am taking it to the garage in a week or 2 to see what I've gotten myself into. Any advice with what preventative maintenance or anything I might have missed when checking the car I'd appreciate it.
Thanks

[BillyWhizz888]

Look forward to it.

I sold my 220 last year. With only 88k miles. For £800. Bought from a family friend who had it for 10 year then it sat for 2 year before I ran it for a year. Pulled well and regretted selling it. But when was under it the floorpans felt paper soft so didn't have time to start welding

[FilH]

Following with interest too, as a 220 estate owner.

[AmgGT2015]

BillyWhizz888 said:

Look forward to it.

I sold my 220 last year. With only 88k miles. For £800. Bought from a family friend who had it for 10 year then it sat for 2 year before I ran it for a year. Pulled well and regretted selling it. But when was under it the floorpans felt paper soft so didn't have time to start welding

Yeah that's the problem now they are at that age where alot of being scrapped for parts or are super low miles and ppl don't want to drive them. I hope it's as solid underneath as it appears. But with a restoration it's going to cost more than it's worth but will be worth it in the end

[AmgGT2015]

FilH said:

Following with interest too, as a 220 estate owner.

Nice is there anything to look for specific to the estate besides the rear subframe being an issue and some parts are harder to find? How long have you had yours?

[FilH]

AmgGT2015 said:

FilH said:

Following with interest too, as a 220 estate owner.

Nice is there anything to look for specific to the estate besides the rear subframe being an issue and some parts are harder to find? How long have you had yours?

Had it 2 years now.

I pulled out all the boot carpets to inspect the rear arches from the inside, after seeing a fair few baddly rotted. Fortunately no signs on mine.

Downside of the engine is they leak and near on Impossible to stop it! Ive done the sump and rocker gaskets and still leaks from them. And also the cam belt bottom pully , i suspect. So you really need to keep an eye on oil levels, as slightly low and they have a good chance of bearing issues.

[AmgGT2015]

A few photos I've gotten hopefully will try to get some more underneath when I get it up on the ramp.

[AmgGT2015]

[stevemiller]

Looking forward to this, bookmarked.

[AmgGT2015]

Not too much to update thus far. Have had a better look underneath before the garage gives it a thorough look over in a week or two. Car looks solid from underneath not to jinx it yet, knowing fords have a habit of rusting through. The car has a few issues the engine light came on after driving it yesterday so have ordered an obd reader hopefully nothing serious. Wonder if anyone has had a similar problem though. My rev counter is haywire. It bounces around without any rhyme or reason. Going to try and show a video of it just curious if anyone has had an issue like this before?

[FilH]

Only issue I've had with mine was a leaky water pump, but knew about that when i bought it, quite common for the lower plastic pipe to crack.


Best bet is get in facebook and serach for the st220 group, load of helpful people on there.

[Cambs_Stuart]

I had an ST220 about 8 years ago; it was a fantastic car. Loads of room inside, comfortable seats, good fun to drive, made a nice noise, but the main crank bearings failed at 59,000 miles, possibly due to the constant oil leaks (Although checking on the dipstick the oil level was never lower than 3/4). And it was incredibly thirsty.

I'd love another.
If I remember there was lots of talk about swapping the 3.0 duratec from a jag as they made slightly more power...?

[Fastdruid]

I'm not sure if the Mk3 Mondeo suffered it but I know the Focus suffered from dodgy soldering in the instruments.

[AmgGT2015]

Fastdruid said:

I'm not sure if the Mk3 Mondeo suffered it but I know the Focus suffered from dodgy soldering in the instruments.

Will definitely going to bring that up with the garage and see hopefully that's all it is thanks 👍

[AmgGT2015]

Update: Have taken it to a garage to see what needs doing to it and tbh alot better than I thought. Have to change both exhaust flexi pipes as one is corroded and the other is twisted. Rear brake pipes have corroded. Need to have all the fluids changed due to brake fluid being contaminated, and having an oil leak and power steering leak. I am having a second opinion due to the first garage not being able to pinpoint the leak, wouldn't clean it up and check 🙄. Thankfully the underside is pretty solid no corrosion underneath on the sills, thank god 😂 Had a slight knocking on the rear, feared the worst but was only rear arm bush and rear shock absorber. I am taking it for a second opinion see if we can identify the oil leak fingers crossed it's nothing major. I will upload some photos when I have it up on the ramp. Want to get it mot ready before I start on the bodywork and mods I have planned. I'll keep the thread updated if there is anything else you want an update to or more photos I can get them