6 August 2024 Reading time: ~1 minute

After months of mechanical upgrades, I turned my attention to the car’s appearance. The exterior got a full repaint, restoring the original Blazer Blue to a deep, glossy finish.

To add a sportier, more upscale vibe, I installed the Titanium S exterior kit. The subtle bodywork details and styling touches give the car a more dynamic and modern presence without being over the top.

20 December 2023 Reading time: 2 minutes

The first-generation Powershift gearbox on the Mondeo Mk4 has a notorious reputation. I hoped it wouldn’t be that bad — at least on the EcoBoost — but it was.

Despite regular maintenance — clutch replacements, seals, fluid changes — the gearbox finally gave up. One November evening, it started skipping the even gears. This points to a failing valve body, meaning a full teardown, inspection, and repair — expensive and inconvenient.

So, I went with plan B: convert to a manual gearbox, which proved surprisingly complicated on the EcoBoost.

28 February 2023 Reading time: 2 minutes

As part of preventive maintenance, last month I performed a serious engine service, which included:

• Replacing the timing chain
• Cleaning the cylinder head (direct injection engines tend to have very dirty intake valves)
• Replacing piston rings, seals, gaskets, injectors, spark plugs, lambda sensors, PCV valve, and MAP sensor<
• Repairing the injection pump (the lifter showed some wear)

5 November 2022 Reading time: ~1 minute

This custom module enables the use of a Sync3 navigation system (originally designed for models from 2016 onwards) in a 2014 Mondeo Mk4 by bridging communication and control signals:

• Built around an STM32 microcontroller
• Features two CAN buses: one interfacing with the Mondeo Mk4, the other with the Sync3 system
• Includes a LIN bus dedicated to controlling ambient lighting
• Provides a timed power output for the rearview camera
• Analog input to read steering wheel control signals
• Two additional analog inputs for extra button interfaces (useful on a Ford Escape)
• An analog input for ambient light level detection — unused on Mondeo but handy for other models like Focus Mk2 and Escape
• Ultra-low standby power consumption below 1 mA

4 November 2022 Reading time: 7 minutes

When I needed a crossover with some off-road chops in the Kuga class, I started looking around. I was considering a Ford Maverick (2001-2003) or even a first-generation Ford Explorer, but since one of my friends already spends way too much time and money on Explorers, I thought I’d go with the Maverick instead.

Knowing that Radu once owned a Maverick with the classic Duratec-HE engine gave me some confidence and a good place to start my search.

Not long after, I spotted one for sale in Brașov. The price was right, but the color... well, it was green. "Any color, as long as it’s blue," I told myself. What surprised me even more was that this 2005 Maverick was actually a Ford Escape Hybrid - something I hadn’t expected.

4 November 2022 Reading time: 9 minutes

A while back, a Facebook listing caught my attention: a facelift Mondeo Mk4 Titanium, 2.0 EcoBoost, accident-damaged, at an unusually low price. Suspicious? Sure. Worth a closer look? Absolutely. The car had light damage on the right side, with deployed curtain and passenger seat airbags. Asking price: €2,800. By the next day, I was in Ploiești, ready to make it mine.

I know the Mk4 platform well - I previously owned a 2.2 TDCi pre-facelift for years and regretted selling it. When the opportunity for a new project appeared, I didn’t hesitate.