Ford Duratorq Engines - Kuga mk1

leaskovski

leaskovski

leaskovski

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Hi all,

I'm currently umming and argghing over replacing our second car with a new motor. The Mrs really likes the ford Kuga and in the mk1 format. This basically means derv territory as having another 2.5 litre motor on the drive isn't going to cut it. So its looking like a lowly 136ps variety titanium spec model which looks to be the selection.

I took one out for a test drive today, and all seems good. A tidy example with a few minor things that I think I can use to do some haggling with.

Anyway, I'm sure there will be the usual buy an m5 posts, however what I am really after is finding out how reliable the desiel engines are....

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Duratorq_engine

When I bought the 325i it was simple, the n52 is pretty bullet proof. I guess I am after finding out if I am going to get smacked with some common issues if I go down this route.

Anyway, if there are any Kuga owners here then I would love to get your opinion on the engines, or if you are an ernbine nerd, then even better.

Ta.
 
These use the DW10 engine which was designed by PSA Peugeot-Citroen.

They are generally reliable. They are belt driven, but Ford quote a belt life of over 100K. Injectors, turbos and dual mass flywheels are the main problem areas, but that goes for any diesel really. Avoid anything that looks like it's been used around town a lot, and regular oil changes will help keep the turbo good.

You'll find plenty of problem posts on the web, but bear in mind these engines have been fitted to millions of Ford, Peugeot, Citroen and Volvo cars over the last 10 years. The current versions have higher power outputs, but are still the same core design.
 
The injector problems mentioned by blueboy is mainly just them getting horrifically dirty and then clogging up. Most people seem to just replace the tops (good few hours if comfortable doing that sort of job) as cleaning them isnt worth the hassle for the cheap parts.

Sign of it needing doing is a overwhelming smell of diesel apparently.

Other than that and the usual cambelt and dpf issues with diesels (making sure the cars not just stop starting round town all its life) and they are pretty universal and decent which also, parts should be easy and cheap if anything does end up happening
 
Low mileage is often a giveaway. A 3 year old ex-fleet with 60k is likely to have been used a lot on the motorway. A 5 year old with 20k is likely to have been used for short journeys.
 
While that might be true, has anyone had a fleet car that they have actually taken care of and driven sympathetically?

From experienced getting ragged from cold on off short trips, long trips, dont careaboutthat pot hole.

would a car bought new by an individual wanting to protect their investment be any less well kept, as long as you can see it's had its service schedule and wasn't owned by a moron?
 
I have the 136PS engine in my 2007 Focus (end of line mk2 pre-facelift).
The Kuga will have a DPF.

Very gently rest your foot on the clutch. It the clutch feels wobbly and the engine sounds a bit rough then the dual mass flywheel is dying. Happened to me and I got a new one at 84000 miles. I needed a new clutch too as the excessive play in the flywheel had caused it to dance around on the clutch plate, causing it to swarf up. I did not need a new slave cylinder luckily.
 
OK, the one I drove was a 5 year old motor with just shy of 50k miles on the clock. 10k a year sounds like an average use.

Ta muchly on the check as well.
 
leaskovski said:
OK, the one I drove was a 5 year old motor with just shy of 50k miles on the clock. 10k a year sounds like an average use.

Ta muchly on the check as well.
Click to expand...

Yeah I was meaning when you/wife are driving it as it'll cause problems later on. 10k a year does sound just about acceptable though so I wouldn't worry too much about that. its just something to be aware of.
 
Well, all a fruitless exercise as it sold after the test drive. Sods law. It had been on the forecourt for 3 weeks and then we decide to have a look and bang... lol
 
Too late I guess. My wife has a Kuga. Diesel 2.0 Duratorque engine. She does the school run, commutes to work and the occasional run to the shops. To be honest it was a DPF problem waiting to happen but.....we have had 4.5 years of trouble free motoring. Its been such a good car that she has no inclination to want to change it and at 32k miles its not into any heavy wear and tear.

Have changed front tyres at 20k and rears at 27k. No other issues apart from regular servicing and brake pads.

Fuel economy is decent at c45mpg and thats with here pitiful journeys. Definitely a good car in our book. PS I work for a rival manufacturer aswell!!
 
Thats good to hear! Thanks for the reply.

That said, cars can always be hit and miss... depends if the factory went on a bender the night before the thing was built. :D
 
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