Mondeo Mk3 Tdci Glow Plug Limp Mode woes...

[wiliferus]

Morning all,

Search function is still knackered - There's a few topics here which touch on the subject, but was hoping for some specific advice...

Got a '51' plated Mondeo Tdci 130 (5 Speed, EGR at the rear) with 130k on the clock, although it had a new engine at 90k.

After about 20 mins of driving its doing the Mondeo diesel trade mark of flashing glow plug light, then into limp mode. No smoke or anything scary just a loss of power. I can deal with it by dipping the clutch whilst still on the move and cranking it over, and it fires straight up. (did it in lane 1 of the M4 this morning !!)

I'm no mechanic but I know my way around an engine - I'm figuring with the abscence of smoke or nasty noises i'm thinking stuck/sticky EGR valve, and/or a clogged fuel filter?

I've ordered a blanking plate off Evil Bay as was planning on blanking it anyway, so now seems like a good as time as any! And as pointed out by many people here, garages often over look the fuel filter in a service, so it could well have been on there since the engine change.

Is my theory sounding sensible? I know the dreaded glow plug light can mean anything from a dodgy EGR valve to new fuel pump & injectors . I'm thinking start with the cheapest fixes, and work my way up. Oh, and it had a crank sensor in November so hopefully I can discount that.

Any thoughts gents, am I heading the right way?

[jds32]

I have the same car , from what I have read if the EGR is at fault it will smoke badly. You can do a fault code test yourself have a look on YouTube for mondeo dash diagnostics.

The most useful places I have found with info on these cars are http://www.fordwiki.co.uk/index.php/Category:Monde... and the talk ford forum. There is loads of information and you should find the problem quickly. Hope it isn't injector related

[Boobonman]

I've got a very similar problem, mine is a 2002 tdci 130 estate with 185k on it. It ran absolutely beautifully for 4k miles, but has now started started going in to limp mode under hard acceleration in 4th or 5th. I've changed the canister type fuel filter under the bonnet as a new pattern one was only £15 but no joy as of yet.

[jds32]

Another thing worth a try is the camshaft sensor. My car just cut out one day, all that happened is the glow plus light flashed when cranking. Then after i left it for a while it started. I did some searching and the camshaft sensor came up as a possible culprit. The car should have a grey coloured sensor as apparently the black ones do give problems. I changed mine for a grey one and its been fine for over 2000 miles. I think it was under £15 and took not even 5 minutes to change.