Ford Mondeo 1.8 TDCI (Some Questions)
Discussion
Hi all
Don't change my car that often so a very boring car is exciting to me!
Just got myself a mondeo estate with a 1.8cdti engine. Its a huge step up from the Vectra in comfort and handling.
I have post buyers paranoia though and would like to ask anyone who has one a few questions.
1. The engine is quite rattly if I'm pushing it just below where the turbo kicks in. Reminds me on the noise of an older transit.
2. Twice I've felt a slight miss in the engine when accelerating and theres a slight smell of diesel round the engine. (Presumably connected. Any common issues with diesel leaks on these?
Don't change my car that often so a very boring car is exciting to me!
Just got myself a mondeo estate with a 1.8cdti engine. Its a huge step up from the Vectra in comfort and handling.
I have post buyers paranoia though and would like to ask anyone who has one a few questions.
1. The engine is quite rattly if I'm pushing it just below where the turbo kicks in. Reminds me on the noise of an older transit.
2. Twice I've felt a slight miss in the engine when accelerating and theres a slight smell of diesel round the engine. (Presumably connected. Any common issues with diesel leaks on these?
Definitely have a nosey around the injectors with the engine running, a leak can be fairly obvious. They are a rattly engine, as said above it's an old design. There are plenty for sale, maybe track one down and listen to that then compare.
Faulty injector seals can damage an engine, but it's very much down to how bad the leak is and where the diesel is ending up. If the seals were properly buggered, you wouldn't have bought the car as it would have run like s
t.
The diesel return pipes have been known to leak.
Is it thirsty? I wouldn't be too worried about diesel clatter and the odd misfire, but it shouldn't be smelling of diesel.
Faulty injector seals can damage an engine, but it's very much down to how bad the leak is and where the diesel is ending up. If the seals were properly buggered, you wouldn't have bought the car as it would have run like s
t.The diesel return pipes have been known to leak.
Is it thirsty? I wouldn't be too worried about diesel clatter and the odd misfire, but it shouldn't be smelling of diesel.
Edited by exgtt on Thursday 7th December 15:21
Maybe just a very slight leak as it idles smoothly and 90% of the time is running good. I've only picked it up yesterday and had a long trip back where it was sitting at 50.1mpg on the computer. Engine was clean when I bought it too. Will take a look when I go out, see if there's any diesel spray.
The diesel smell - possibly split injector leak off pipe o rings. You can buy these o rings from Ford and replace yourself. Very common.
The clatter resolution is a software update from Ford. Specific for 08-09 tdci diesels. The update is TSB 27/2012. 08-09 1.8 TDCI Fords should have level 3 injectors, these injectors have been known to overfuel. The software update stops the overfueling and should eliminate knock. i think the fact your getting knock pre boost backs the above up. Should reduce cold engine smoke and bump up your mpg too.
The clatter resolution is a software update from Ford. Specific for 08-09 tdci diesels. The update is TSB 27/2012. 08-09 1.8 TDCI Fords should have level 3 injectors, these injectors have been known to overfuel. The software update stops the overfueling and should eliminate knock. i think the fact your getting knock pre boost backs the above up. Should reduce cold engine smoke and bump up your mpg too.
Edited by exgtt on Thursday 7th December 16:15
Great Thanks for the help. I shall look into getting the software update done. Probably just book it into a local place to get seals/O-rings sorted as I got 0 time this week and heading back to England for Christmas next weekend.
Even with the above problems its been great so far.
Huge load space and very comfortable. Believe it or not I'm actually missing the much hated indicator and wiper controls from the Vectra though.
Even with the above problems its been great so far.
Huge load space and very comfortable. Believe it or not I'm actually missing the much hated indicator and wiper controls from the Vectra though.
Just a short update on the mondeo. Left it in to be looked at, they couldn't find any dampness. I had looked myself and didn't find anything major. The garage just tightened some of the metal diesel fittings as they were slightly loose and so far diesel smell has disappeared. Still quite a narrow power band and quite rattle though I think I'm getting used to it now.
I have a thread in readers with the same car.
Good engines but the last run ones are a bit of a bodge/rework in the constant retrospective upgrades. The biggest issue is the rubber timing belt in oil. These fail prematurely.
Injectors earlier ones are known to be weak point, easy to change and they don't need coding.
My advice would be to give it a full service, the fuel filter can be neglected on these as it doesn't have a self priming system.
Good engines but the last run ones are a bit of a bodge/rework in the constant retrospective upgrades. The biggest issue is the rubber timing belt in oil. These fail prematurely.
Injectors earlier ones are known to be weak point, easy to change and they don't need coding.
My advice would be to give it a full service, the fuel filter can be neglected on these as it doesn't have a self priming system.
GIYess said:
Just a short update on the mondeo. Left it in to be looked at, they couldn't find any dampness. I had looked myself and didn't find anything major. The garage just tightened some of the metal diesel fittings as they were slightly loose and so far diesel smell has disappeared. Still quite a narrow power band and quite rattle though I think I'm getting used to it now.
Chap I knew had this on his 2005 TDCI when we put a tuning box on it and took it for a blat. Tightening up a couple of nuts fixed it!Chris
Wee arty pic for anyone interested. Not much to make this thread interesting thankfully.
]|https://thumbsnap.com/OmNc6fbt[/url]
Hmm that didn't work any tips on linking to flickr?
]|https://thumbsnap.com/OmNc6fbt[/url]
Hmm that didn't work any tips on linking to flickr?
Edited by GIYess on Tuesday 2nd January 11:26
Edited by GIYess on Tuesday 2nd January 11:37
Edited by GIYess on Tuesday 2nd January 12:05
I was thinking this morning I might document a bit of my experience with the mondeo and compare it to the Vectra just incase anyone might be looking at a shed money daily.
So, as said previously, the Mondeo was bought to replace my 09 Vectra 1.9CDTi when it blew the water pump and I gave me an excuse to change the car. Both cars are similar age (although the Vectra was at the very end of its production line and the Mondeo towards the beginning of its model life.) Both cars are in a similar section of the market so overall it should be a good comparison.
Some observation:
- Price. A Vectra can be picked up for 1.5k or under for a decent low mileage example. Mondeo, more like 3-4k.
- Spec. Mondeo has toys like aux, Bluetooth, adaptive cruise and (my favourite) Heated windscreen. Vectra SRi spec so just bog standard really.
- Engine. Vectra had 200hp's, Mondeo 125hps.
Opinion so far
Having heard popular opinions on here with regards to the Mondeo, such as "so much better than Vauxhall"/"great handling"/"great build quality" I expected to be blown away by it. First impressions were good. Soft touch dash, half leather and metal buttons definitely make the interior a lot more premium looking. I feel it might not last that way very long though. It already rattles like a tin can full of nuts. Yes the Vectra has hard plastic and cheap looking fabric on the seats but at 165k it looked as good as the day it had left the showroom. There was also a surprising lack of rattles from the Vectra even with a quarter of a million miles+ on very bad country roads.
Another aspect that's bugging me, the seats! The drivers seat in the Mondeo is not comfortable at all. This is somewhere Vauxhall some how manage to do well in my opinion. While we are inside, I actually miss the indicator and wiper stalks in the Vectra because to dip the head lights, it required one touch. Its replacement requires the lever to be pulled through two positions and into your chest.
While I realise the difference in power is quite substantial, I can't say I'm warming to the 1.8 duratorq in the Mondeo. Its rattly, rough and power delivery is all bunged over 2000rpm. Looking back, the 1.9CDTi in the Vectra was a great, smooth running engine.
Anyway. If you are still reading, here's some things I love about the Mondeo.
- the looks. It is very sleek looking
- the gadgets
- the suspension. It handles very solidly in comparison although it does float about in the rear on a fast corner.
- the quietness. It does a good job of hushing the outside world and you could drive at 40 or ahem.. 90 and not notice a huge difference in road noise.
- The size and comfort of the rear seats and boot. Its HUUGE!
- The visibility. Bar reversing in pitch black with tinted glass, it is very easy to park for its size.
Thanks. Hope you don't mind my rambling.
So, as said previously, the Mondeo was bought to replace my 09 Vectra 1.9CDTi when it blew the water pump and I gave me an excuse to change the car. Both cars are similar age (although the Vectra was at the very end of its production line and the Mondeo towards the beginning of its model life.) Both cars are in a similar section of the market so overall it should be a good comparison.
Some observation:
- Price. A Vectra can be picked up for 1.5k or under for a decent low mileage example. Mondeo, more like 3-4k.
- Spec. Mondeo has toys like aux, Bluetooth, adaptive cruise and (my favourite) Heated windscreen. Vectra SRi spec so just bog standard really.
- Engine. Vectra had 200hp's, Mondeo 125hps.
Opinion so far
Having heard popular opinions on here with regards to the Mondeo, such as "so much better than Vauxhall"/"great handling"/"great build quality" I expected to be blown away by it. First impressions were good. Soft touch dash, half leather and metal buttons definitely make the interior a lot more premium looking. I feel it might not last that way very long though. It already rattles like a tin can full of nuts. Yes the Vectra has hard plastic and cheap looking fabric on the seats but at 165k it looked as good as the day it had left the showroom. There was also a surprising lack of rattles from the Vectra even with a quarter of a million miles+ on very bad country roads.
Another aspect that's bugging me, the seats! The drivers seat in the Mondeo is not comfortable at all. This is somewhere Vauxhall some how manage to do well in my opinion. While we are inside, I actually miss the indicator and wiper stalks in the Vectra because to dip the head lights, it required one touch. Its replacement requires the lever to be pulled through two positions and into your chest.
While I realise the difference in power is quite substantial, I can't say I'm warming to the 1.8 duratorq in the Mondeo. Its rattly, rough and power delivery is all bunged over 2000rpm. Looking back, the 1.9CDTi in the Vectra was a great, smooth running engine.
Anyway. If you are still reading, here's some things I love about the Mondeo.
- the looks. It is very sleek looking
- the gadgets
- the suspension. It handles very solidly in comparison although it does float about in the rear on a fast corner.
- the quietness. It does a good job of hushing the outside world and you could drive at 40 or ahem.. 90 and not notice a huge difference in road noise.
- The size and comfort of the rear seats and boot. Its HUUGE!
- The visibility. Bar reversing in pitch black with tinted glass, it is very easy to park for its size.
Thanks. Hope you don't mind my rambling.
Engine is definitely marmite, real throw back thing it definitely cannot compete with newer units in performance.
My main issue is it isn't particularly economical but my last fill was 41mpg worked from brimming the tank maybe that's not so terrible for a huge wafty thing? Prob being a bit picky.
One thing I find odd though is your issues with rattles, coming from a new Astra that drove me insane with its rattles and creaks previously I find the Mondeo a wonderful silent place to be, the old mans is the same no rattles. Where are yours coming from?
My main issue is it isn't particularly economical but my last fill was 41mpg worked from brimming the tank maybe that's not so terrible for a huge wafty thing? Prob being a bit picky.
One thing I find odd though is your issues with rattles, coming from a new Astra that drove me insane with its rattles and creaks previously I find the Mondeo a wonderful silent place to be, the old mans is the same no rattles. Where are yours coming from?
Yea the engine is not very economical. I'm getting about 43mpg from the trip computer. That's from fairly sedate A road driving. I did think it should have been a bit less thirsty.
The ratles are coming from the seatbelt height adjusters. Right beside my ear, and I think from the driver and passenger door. May be something simple but its not inspired me with confidence. Its making me wonder if they have been removed at some stage.
The ratles are coming from the seatbelt height adjusters. Right beside my ear, and I think from the driver and passenger door. May be something simple but its not inspired me with confidence. Its making me wonder if they have been removed at some stage.
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