Ford Mondeo - TDCI Zetec 2ltr Advice Needed

finisklin

Hi,

I need some practical advice as I am unsure what to do with a number of problems with the above.

Ok background.

I have a 2005 Mondeo TDCI with 85k miles. I bought it in 2007 with about 25k miles on it.

I had it serviced in early January. Subsequent to that the coil springs went on the passenger side. Replaced them. Fine again.

This week the engine cut out while overtaking.....no power in the steering etc. Luckily I pulled in safely. Turns out there is a problem with the fuel injectors. The guy that looks after my car worked it out at costing €2k to fix and even this may not be successful. In addition, he also discovered that I need a new clutch, with a cost of €1200 to that.

Over the last two years I had a problem with the injectors previous. I noticed diesel on my drive underneath the car. It was on the drivers side. I got this fixed twice by the same mechanic and didn't think much of it.

I am not that mechanically minded and if any one has any advice to offer would be great. I need a car and can't afford to replace this with either a new or 2nd hand one! But get the feeling that might be the easy option.

It's not worth putting €3200 into it really unless you intend keeping it for the next few years. €2000 seems looney for injector work especially considering he won't assure you that will sort it, your mechanic may be lacking in diesel expertise. I would think you would get a good 2nd hand engine fitted for that. Clutch and flywheel for €1200 is about right though but saucy for an independent garage.

I'd think about changing mechanic if I was you.

Plug

I wouldn't think the injectors have anything to do with cutting out like that! Has it happened more than once? 85k is not a lot of miles on it. Is the car running bad or is it ok?(performance wise)

finisklin

Yeah its happened twice.......I think there is a problem with the fuel injectors as I had them fixed twice before. For some reason I don't think that metal etc got into the diesel pump, could it be stones/pebbles?

I have had on going problems - coil spring replaced, injector problem with leak on the driver's side X 2, and now the clutch. Have I given it TLC when needed? Probably not.....Plus my wife drives it as well.

The mechanic is back street and in fairness he is pricey. For example, for the oil change and filter in January he charged €130. He did get a second opinion which confirmed his diagnosis. Will see if I can suss out a another opinion.

Thanks for help so far......

-Corkie-

130 euro for oil and filter change is scandlous for a indy. Get yourself a new mechanic first and foremost. Where you based??

Plug

finisklin wrote: »

Yeah its happened twice.......I think there is a problem with the fuel injectors as I had them fixed twice before. For some reason I don't think that metal etc got into the diesel pump, could it be stones/pebbles?

I have had on going problems - coil spring replaced, injector problem with leak on the driver's side X 2, and now the clutch. Have I given it TLC when needed? Probably not.....Plus my wife drives it as well.

The mechanic is back street and in fairness he is pricey. For example, for the oil change and filter in January he charged €130. He did get a second opinion which confirmed his diagnosis. Will see if I can suss out a another opinion.

Thanks for help so far......

It could be a crankshaft position sensor or something else. Has he done a diesel leak back test? If I was you I'd get a Ford master technician to diagnose it correctly. Also some Ford dealers are doing oil and filter services for €99.

finisklin

Based in Mayo......plenty of good insight so far and hopefully not as bad as originally thought.

neeko

Ah yes, the old "i have a TDCi Mondeo and it keeps giving me trouble" thing.

Short story: get rid ASAP. That's what i plan to do with mine.

I got a Mondeo 04' TDCi Zetec back in 09. Literally, the day i got it it started acting up. Heater plug light comes on in the dash and the car loses power (if not cuts out altogether). This is a kind of safe mode the car goes into to prevent excess fuel from flooding the engine ==> IMV (inlet metering valve) problem ==> injector problem. This engine is famous for it.

Got the IMV replaced and the problem did appear to go away for a while but it came back. The problem isn't really a concern for me any more as i've learned to "drive around it". If you keep the revs high and dont let the car struggle even slightly you might be okay. This works for me.

Also, the Dual Mass Flywheels is known to cuase trouble. As the flywheel disintegrates, metal shards can be thrown into the starter motor. Also had some trouble with this.

And my clutch "sticks down" when turning on a decline!!!!

The funny thing is that my previous car was a MK2 Mondeo; pure tractor of a car. Never a problem. But after this i'll never buy Ford again.

By the way, you put up a hell of a lot of miles in a couple of years...

Leonard Hofstadter

neeko wrote: »

Ah yes, the old "i have a TDCi Mondeo and it keeps giving me trouble" thing.

Short story: get rid ASAP. That's what i plan to do with mine.

I got a Mondeo 04' TDCi Zetec back in 09. Literally, the day i got it it started acting up. Heater plug light comes on in the dash and the car loses power (if not cuts out altogether). This is a kind of safe mode the car goes into to prevent excess fuel from flooding the engine ==> IMV (inlet metering valve) problem ==> injector problem. This engine is famous for it.

Got the IMV replaced and the problem did appear to go away for a while but it came back. The problem isn't really a concern for me any more as i've learned to "drive around it". If you keep the revs high and dont let the car struggle even slightly you might be okay. This works for me.

Also, the Dual Mass Flywheels is known to cuase trouble. As the flywheel disintegrates, metal shards can be thrown into the starter motor. Also had some trouble with this.

And my clutch "sticks down" when turning on a decline!!!!

The funny thing is that my previous car was a MK2 Mondeo; pure tractor of a car. Never a problem. But after this i'll never buy Ford again.

By the way, you put up a hell of a lot of miles in a couple of years...

I'm sure the OP's problems have been well sorted at this stage, seeing as this thread is almost a month old, but to turn to your point about the DMF - unfortunately this is a problem with just about every modern diesel - it is something that is far from exclusive to Fords. That said, I've never heard of the DMF throwing metal bits into the starter - that is very unusual.

captainspeed

captainspeed wrote: »

I'm sure the OP's problems have been well sorted at this stage, seeing as this thread is almost a month old, but to turn to your point about the DMF - unfortunately this is a problem with just about every modern diesel - it is something that is far from exclusive to Fords. That said, I've never heard of the DMF throwing metal bits into the starter - that is very unusual.

It's really very very common for Debris from a DMF to ruin a starter. Even when it happens to the best cars out there What are DMFs made from?

EPM

I think you can get a small shield for around the starter now to protect it.