Very strange problem with my XR5T Mondeo

[Fent-Dog]

After parking my XR5t Mondeo on a hill the other day, my wife asked, “what if the hand brake fails?” I explained that since the car was in gear, it would not role away as the compression of the engine would hold it firmly.

Unsurprisingly, my wife did not believe me, so to prove my point I demonstrated by putting the parked car in 1st gear and releasing the hand brake.

Imagine my surprise when the car began to roll down the hill, surprise and confusion.

The car held for a second before ‘shuffling’ forward a short distance before holding again for a second, and the shuffling forward before holding again.
It seemed that it was turning the engine, it was allowing the cylinders to the move up and down.

Now, I have owned many many different cars over the years, and they all held when in gear. Everyone I’ve spoken to, (people who know about these things) agree that the car should always hold in gear.

The boof heads at ford service said “of course the car rolled forward, the compression will leak through the vales and rings”. I think this is rubbish, but they had no Mondeo or Focus Turbos to test.

So I need your help...

If there is a Mondeo XR5t owner on the forum with a hill outside their house, could you PLEASE try and park the car in gear and see what happens. Obvioulsy don’t park the car over night, it should shuffle forward immediately.

I am at your mercy!!