Hi im Ash, im new here

Ive just brought a 2004 SportKA, it has some minor accident damage which has started to be repaired but the guy i got it from decided to give up and sell as his wife no longer wanted the car. From what i can see it needs a new front 'slam' panel and a headlight. So my questions are,

- Is it a nightmare job to replace the slam panel, will i need any specialist tools ( im a diesel fitter, so i have a limited tool kit), is there any welding required?

- Will a slam panel and headlights from a standard KA fit my Sport KA?

- Finally, is there a Haynes manual / workshop manual for the SportKA, had a look online but cant seem to find anything?

On a separate note, couldnt be happier with my purchase, i get fun little car while the wife sticks with the bring family car...bingo. B roads have just become very intresting.

Cheers

You have just bought yourself a pregnant rollerskate that will give you years of troubled motoring.

Seriously I wish I hadnt bought mine now.

If I had known how many faults they have i wouldnt have bothered.

I dont think you will need any welding gear is plug and play.

Check previous posts on here to see what you might be in for in future.

I would get an OBD diagnostic device from ebay £20 - it will save you hours of hair tearing.

In order of faults I have encountered and most of them are quite common:-

Car would judder and intermittently slow - OBD solved it - Lambda sensor 2 Replacement.

Door handles stick and break if you try and force them.

Sunroof leaks.

Door seals leak around the top of the windows and under dashboard - usually above the pedals or ac pipes leaving pools of water in both footwells.

Tyres wear quickly

Boot alarm goes off randomly caused by faulty switch in the boot / hood compartment

Heater temperature control valve fails causing real grief

Check the fuel filter - it comes off , rusts like a real yin and rattles around at the back and has a nasty habit of leaking , leading to poor fuel consumption

Suspension is keech! - bushes , suspension joints seem to wear quickly etc

On the plus side they dont rust and can withstand a hefty knock and the body bounces back without a scratch

Have a look here:-

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/76813-suspension-leg-top-mounts-and-ball-joints/

Apparently even the wrong type of battery can cause problems!