2.0 TDCi Starting prob and possible Clutch fail?

[igiveup]

Hi all,

Just after some advice on 2 issues on my 08 plate C-Max 2.0 TDCi.

Starting from Cold or Hot the engine can take up to 3+ times to start, once it is going it is fine. Starter motor turns over very strongly and I can keep it going for about 10 seconds and nothing happens. Turn off and try again, repeat until it starts.

Possible clutch issue? In 4th Gear doing 40mph, if I put on full power (Foot to the floor) then just after 2,000rpm the rev needle slides up and down by about 300 - 500 rpm. Car still seems to pull OK, but I'm not 100% convinced it is (all in the mind type of thing) . Does anyone know the cost for a replacement clutch, I've seen scary prices of around the £1300 mark, I could get a whole car for that!!

Car is booked in to be looked at next Tuesday, it is still under warranty on an '08 Plate C-Max.

Thanks for any help.

[igiveup]

Anyone??

[igiveup]

[igiveup]

[focusboy]

Poss a dodgy crank sensor?

[igiveup]

a reply!!

I hope it is something as simple as that or fuel filter blockage maybe??

[Taita]

Its under warranty, can you not just chuck it at the garage?

[igiveup]

as per my OP its going in tuesday. Just want a virtual diag advice.

[hijacker]

I have a similar issue with my 07 2.0TDCi Galaxy.

Dealer has investigated and diagnosed worn clutch. Reason given as fear wear and tear. The car has only done 30k!!

Not happy. And yes it's expensive to repair.

[igiveup]

Thats what I was afraid of, Mine has done 17,000miles and we have only done 7,000 of those.

What is the price you have been given for a new clucth, if you don't mind me asking?

[neiljohnson]

igiveup said:

Hi all,

Just after some advice on 2 issues on my 08 plate C-Max 2.0 TDCi.

Starting from Cold or Hot the engine can take up to 3+ times to start, once it is going it is fine. Starter motor turns over very strongly and I can keep it going for about 10 seconds and nothing happens. Turn off and try again, repeat until it starts.

Possible clutch issue? In 4th Gear doing 40mph, if I put on full power (Foot to the floor) then just after 2,000rpm the rev needle slides up and down by about 300 - 500 rpm. Car still seems to pull OK, but I'm not 100% convinced it is (all in the mind type of thing) . Does anyone know the cost for a replacement clutch, I've seen scary prices of around the £1300 mark, I could get a whole car for that!!

Car is booked in to be looked at next Tuesday, it is still under warranty on an '08 Plate C-Max.

Thanks for any help.

Starting issue could be an air leak allowing the fuel to drain back to the tank?? (a guess) clutches can be short lived on these vehicles and normally take the flywheel with them which is expensive to repair & unlikly to be covered under warranty. The faults may be related as flywheel issues can often cause starting issues hth Neil

[EFrancis]

I have exactly the same issue at the moment with my Focus 2.0 tdci.

When it refuses to start, I find there is a puff of smoke / exhaust gas from the back of the engine and a distinct smell of unburnt diesel. Slightly worrying

It is in the dealer on Monday; they suspect it needs a new clutch and possibly flywheel. No comments on the starting issues and gases...

ETA - whoops I have been a bit of a lurker!

Edited by EFrancis on Wednesday 3rd February 20:56

[igiveup]

EFrancis said:

I have exactly the same issue at the moment with my Focus 2.0 tdci.

When it refuses to start, I find there is a puff of smoke / exhaust gas from the back of the engine and a distinct smell of unburnt diesel. Slightly worrying

It is in the dealer on Monday; they suspect it needs a new clutch and possibly flywheel. No comments on the starting issues and gases...

ETA - whoops I have been a bit of a lurker!

Edited by EFrancis on Wednesday 3rd February 20:56

Hi Lurker, same as mine by the sounds of it, yes it does ommit a puff of white smoke. eekk!!

Yours goes in Monday, please update Monday night if possible, need to know if I need to do a bank job or not (that was a joke by the way!!!)

[hijacker]

igiveup said:

Thats what I was afraid of, Mine has done 17,000miles and we have only done 7,000 of those.

What is the price you have been given for a new clucth, if you don't mind me asking?

For a clutch, flywheel, thrust bearing and slave cylinder you are talking £1250.

[igiveup]

Thanks for letting me know.

[edfrancis]

igiveup said:

EFrancis said:

I have exactly the same issue at the moment with my Focus 2.0 tdci.

When it refuses to start, I find there is a puff of smoke / exhaust gas from the back of the engine and a distinct smell of unburnt diesel. Slightly worrying

It is in the dealer on Monday; they suspect it needs a new clutch and possibly flywheel. No comments on the starting issues and gases...

ETA - whoops I have been a bit of a lurker!

Edited by EFrancis on Wednesday 3rd February 20:56

Hi Lurker, same as mine by the sounds of it, yes it does ommit a puff of white smoke. eekk!!

Yours goes in Monday, please update Monday night if possible, need to know if I need to do a bank job or not (that was a joke by the way!!!)

I managed to get the typical garage response of "we can't find any problem Sir with your car." This is after it refused to start twice the night before and the revs were rising in 4th, 5th and 6th on the way to the dealer. They have kept it overnight, so there is nothing useful for me to add at this time.

I would interested to hear how you get on. There maybe something I can feedback to the garage at a later date...

Edited by edfrancis on Tuesday 9th February 00:32

[igiveup]

No worries, I dropped it off at the Grarage last night, they will be looking at it today!! Expecting the call this afternoon.

The clutch slip only happens once the clutch is warmed up and yes typically I drove mine for 50miles before dropping off at the Garage (Drive to and from work) and it's started first time each time

Will see what they say, but I'm expecting the worse. My mate (a trained machanic) says it is due to the clutch dust building up and making the starter motor slip when trying to start it and will also cause the slipping of the clucth.

We will see...I'll update later.

[igiveup]

Well I just picked it up and NO FAULT FOUND. No error codes either. It also started first time aswell! Seems its going to have to go back in again if it happens again.

[edfrancis]

igiveup said:

Well I just picked it up and NO FAULT FOUND. No error codes either. It also started first time aswell! Seems its going to have to go back in again if it happens again.

I had no error codes stored on mine as well. The garage however (or I) got lucky this morning as when they came to do a cold start they had problems with it. They investigated further by testing the fuel lines and found that the fuel filter was leaking. It was allowing air into the system thus not allowing it to start until it had got rid of the air. By leaking, I assume it was depositing fuel as well, hence any smoke and the smell of unburnt fuel.
Should be getting it back tomorrow hopefullywith that side of things fixed. The garage still hasbn't recreated the revs or clutch problem, but I am wondering now if the problem is related. Maybe something with air in the system. Will have to try it out and see how much of a difference it makes.

I'll let you know...

[igiveup]

Thanks for the update, my Independent Approved Ford Garage said that Air bubbles in the fuel line is normal for that type of engine. I'm not 100% convinced myself.

I took the cover of the engine and the fuel pipe at the front had lots of little bubbles congregating on the left hand side as it comes through. When you rev the engine the bubbles got bigger and then a big bubble that filled the tube went through.

I think I will take it to a Ford Dealer to look at. But I have never trusted dealers.