07 Mondeo TDCi Wont start unless clutch depressed. DMF??

irjudge

Looking for some expert opinions please.

I have a 07 Mondeo TDCi with 215,000km on it. I had a problem last year where it wouldn't start without a lot of time spent turning it over. I was advised at the time that it was probably the glow plugs. So in Nov of last year I had the glow plugs replaced while the timing belt was being done.

When I got the car back it still wouldn't start. Guy from the garage came out tried it a couple of times and then pressed in the clutch and it started no problem. He advised me that it was most likely the Flywheel and that it would need to be changed. As I had just paid over €800 for the glow plugs and the timing belt I took it home and have been driving it since.

So 15,000km later I'm still starting it using the clutch and on the face of it I'm not having any other problems. He asked if it was vibrating at low revs (around 1250) but not so you'd notice, also if I ride the clutch on hill starts there's no problem (although I've given up that habit since googling dmf's and clutch costs.) Note up to last Oct I never needed to depress the clutch to start it.

So my question is, does the diagnosis sound right and am I just delaying the inevitable and potentially racking up more cost or is there likely to be a simpler solution.

I had a TDi Passat before and was told that the gearbox should be changed at a cost of €4,000 for genuine parts yet I drove it for a further two years without so much as a cough out of it so you'll understand my scepticism.

Thanks in advance

Going Forward

irjudge wrote: »

Looking for some expert opinions please.

I have a 07 Mondeo TDCi with 215,000km on it. I had a problem last year where it wouldn't start without a lot of time spent turning it over. I was advised at the time that it was probably the glow plugs. So in Nov of last year I had the glow plugs replaced while the timing belt was being done.

When I got the car back it still wouldn't start. Guy from the garage came out tried it a couple of times and then pressed in the clutch and it started no problem. He advised me that it was most likely the Flywheel and that it would need to be changed. As I had just paid over €800 for the glow plugs and the timing belt I took it home and have been driving it since.

So 15,000km later I'm still starting it using the clutch and on the face of it I'm not having any other problems. He asked if it was vibrating at low revs (around 1250) but not so you'd notice, also if I ride the clutch on hill starts there's no problem (although I've given up that habit since googling dmf's and clutch costs.) Note up to last Oct I never needed to depress the clutch to start it.

So my question is, does the diagnosis sound right and am I just delaying the inevitable and potentially racking up more cost or is there likely to be a simpler solution.

I had a TDi Passat before and was told that the gearbox should be changed at a cost of €4,000 for genuine parts yet I drove it for a further two years without so much as a cough out of it so you'll understand my scepticism.

Thanks in advance

It's not really a diagnosis is it?

I would get the codes read instead of taking chances.

A good independent garage should be able to read ford codes.

Sure it has a timing belt?

(I always start an engine with clutch depressed, better for transmission, I know it's not the point you're enquiring about though.)

irjudge

Thanks for the response.

Correct and right. It's not a diagnosis. Poor service given it was a main dealer.

Timing Belt/Timing Chain?? Whatever it was it needed to be changed at 125,000 miles.

As you may have guessed I wont be choosing Motor Vehicles as my specialist subject on Mastermind, was just wondering if anybody might go "Ah, I know what that could be".

I'm on the lookout for a decent independent garage.

Greyfoot

I think they either start with brake or clutch depressed and in first round it checks the brake switch or on either basis? That might be faulty and then checks clutch signal? I remember some other cars equipped like that, Renault comes to mind but my memory a bit hazy tbh.