Mondeo mk3 - what to look for?

acevuk

acevuk

acevuk

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25 Apr 2008
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Location
Orpington, Kent
Hi guys,

I am going to be looking at Mondeo mk3s over the next week or two with a view to purchase - is there anything I should be looking out for (potential generic problems etc)?

My engine of choice is the 2.0 petrol, and between 2004 & 2006 (post-facelift) so was wondering if anyone had any experience of these that could advise?

Thanks in advance!
 
I'm interested in this thread although i'll be going for a 2001-2003 model. I too have decided on a 2.0 petrol as well.
 
The most common problem is DMF (dual mass flywheel) failure, more common on the diesels though because of the torque. A rattling at idle gives that away.
Other than that, they're pretty much bullet proof. Earlier cars had some problems with rusty doors and the estates can have problems with some rear bushes of some sort
 
I was lead to believe the rattle at idle was the belt tensioner (very very common problem on diesel mk3s). Replacements have a completely different design.

DMF failure usually means the car won't start very easily, as bits of iron filings start to wear off the flywheel and land in the conveniently placed starter motor!

Petrol engined mondeos are to some degree more 'bulletproof' than the diesel variants, for loads of info, visit Honest John
 
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MrFunex said:
I was lead to believe the rattle at idle was the belt tensioner (very very common problem on diesel mk3s). Replacements have a completely different design.

DMF failure usually means the car won't start very easily, as bits of iron filings start to wear off the flywheel and land in the conveniently placed starter motor!
Click to expand...

DMF can definitely make idling rattly (pretty badly too!), along with a slew of other things. Mine's on it's way and has manifested itself as a squeaky release bearing and a lumpy idle.
 
In 2005 the design of the seal on the doors changed to prevent the rust problems. If you look in the bottom corner of the door the sealant goes flat into the corner rather than a continuous bead around the door.

Other problems to keep an eye out for are rear suspension bushes can still go, but it's a straightforward repair now as just the bushes can be swapped.
 
MrFunex said:
I was lead to believe the rattle at idle was the belt tensioner (very very common problem on diesel mk3s). Replacements have a completely different design.

DMF failure usually means the car won't start very easily, as bits of iron filings start to wear off the flywheel and land in the conveniently placed starter motor!

Petrol engined mondeos are to some degree more 'bulletproof' than the diesel variants, for loads of info, visit Honest John
Click to expand...

The belt rattle would casue a small virbation at idle. The dmf i would say you will notice the noise lol
 
mk3 mondeo alternator

i have a 2.0 petrol duratec mondeo mk3 and i have noticed a rattle in the engine bay so popped the bonnet and the rattle sort of comes and goes and was hard to locate it but i put my hand on the alternator and wen the rattle came i cud feel it through the alternator weather its the alternator itself i dont know but it rattles on idle and as i press the accelerator it rattles the n goes etc any ideas thanks????
 
have a 2.0 petrol duratec mondeo mk3 and i have noticed a rattle in the engine bay so popped the bonnet and the rattle sort of comes and goes and was hard to locate it but i put my hand on the alternator and wen the rattle came i cud feel it through the alternator weather its the alternator itself i dont know but it rattles on idle and as i press the accelerator it rattles the n goes etc any ideas thanks????
 
What's the rough asking for a late version of the Mk3? Managed to persuade the GF to look at other things rather than beatles (I had a thread before on that) and she 'likes the mondeo, but not the new one'.
 
No real problems with mine apart from an annoying "whirring" noise when the car is moving.
I can only describe the noise as being similar to a train running along the lines with the clicking as it goes across the joins.

Everything else as been tickety boo so far.

Car is a 2003 2.0TDCI Ghia X
 
Had my Mk3 for around a month now - it's just returned from having a wheel bearing done (at no cost to me) from the garage I bought it from. It had new bushes at the rear at last service and new rear calipers two years ago according to the paperwork I received with it.

Other than that everything is spot on - can't really fault the car at all.

2001 Y plate 2.5l V6 Ghia X with 96k on it.
 
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