Edit: I'm tidying this up as it had all sorts of weird code embedded.
"The fuel pressure regulators can leak fuel back into the intake manifold which causes hard starting (hold the throttle about one-third of the way down while cranking and it will start). It can also cause sluggish performance and poor fuel economy, but the hard starting is the most reliable sign. Replacement takes about two minutes."
Thanks for that @Spac , mine was shot. And thank you very much for the excellent write up.
More Phase Monster stuff. I'm currently up to four or five parts that have not been compatible on my Phase 2.
This is more a Phase 1 & Phase 2 at-first-sight-externally comparison. As for the dreaded Phase 1.5….don't ask me, I always screw them up
Side external profile views.
Phase 1
From left to right, a small side skirt behind the rear wheel, smaller side indicators, a longer side protection strip that extends to the front wing (making it three pieces) and a usually grey bottom splitter on the front spoiler.
Phase 2
Larger side markers, deletion of the small sideskirt behind rear wheel, side protection strip finishes on the front door (making it a two-piece), bottom front spoiler splitter is colour coded.
Useful to know:
-I found out there are Phase 1 & 2 mudflaps, Phase 1 rear items have a large notch for the rear side skirt, Phase 2 do not.
-Side indicators are mirror copies of the diagonally opposite. LHS front as the same as RHS rear, RHS front is same as LHS rear.
Front Views
Note: Due to flak about the handling of Phase 1's, the front suspension was revised with stiffer springs and softer shocks.
The Phase 2 extended the wheelbase 12mm from 2550 to 2562mm and the track was widened 18mm from 1454mm to 1472mm. The modifications meant re-designs for front wings and spoiler. The bonnet remains the same.
Phase 1
Wheel arches are a little more flush, notched out area for number plate, fog lights (when equipped) are rectangular, only one hole for air dam in front spoiler, bottom splitter is in a tasteful shade of grey.
Phase 2
Wheel arches are flared wider and the front fit of the wing fits a little different to fit in the re-designed spoiler, number plate "notch" has been smoothed out, fog lights are a oblong D shape, three holes in air dam, bottom splitter is colour coded and of a different design.
Another front view of the Phase 2 front spoiler design.
Useful to know:
- Phase 1 usually have the "Waterfall" and Phase 2's the "Eggcrate" grille, however this is not a reliable indication as they get swapped around a bit.
-Bottom splitters usually go to Valhalla due to impacts with speed humps and spoon drains. Splitters on marketplace are snapped up quickly. The centre piece of the Phase 2 is missing on lots of pics around the web. Mine is missing the whole deal.
-Colour coded bumper strips, side protectors, door handles with chrome and headlamp wipers are more prevalent in Japanese, UK and US markets but i have seen a few examples in Australia as add ons.
Clear side indicators were another overseas option on very late Phase 2s as were 17" Arcadia rims. This was most likely to clear stock before the introduction of Ford platformed S40/V50.
IMHO the pinnacle styling-wise of this series. It's a good looking car.
