TDCi Mondeo lumpy idle... eek!

MrFunex

MrFunex

MrFunex

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Over the last few days the idle when engine is cold has become a bit lumpy. This goes away after it's been running for a few mins.

Now I'm conscious of injector failures with these engines are a known problem, even more so because I have a tuning box fitted (a few months ago). However, I recently added a bottle of Wynns (I think) diesel injector cleaner as it was suggested by a friend as being a good idea to prolong the life of the injectors.

Was wondering if any of you have had lumpy idle issues when using these kinds of additives on a mondy or any other car, or whether I should start saving for a not unsubstantial repair bill :( It's a tad inconvenient that the fuel economy is so good on the car, I'll have to do another 550-600 miles before I can refuel with fresh diesel!

It's the 130bhp mondy if that helps diagnosis... though I might take it into a friendly local garage for a check-up next weekend.
 
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its around 43500miles... I don't know where I read this, but is there some sort of goodwill thing from Ford to replace borked injectors on cars under 45K?

I should mention that the idle isnt lumpy all the time, just it's happened 2-3 times in as many days now and I'm naturally a little concerned!
 
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43k seems too low for the engine to have developed injector problems. Have you checked the condition of the glow plugs and also tried running it cold without the tuning box connected?

edit: spark>glow
 
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MarkDavis said:
43k seems too low for the engine to have developed injector problems. Have you checked the condition of the spark plugs and also tried running it cold with the tuning box connected?
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I'll have a go at running on cold idle without the tuning box tomorrow morning.. and no spark plugs i'm afraid.. diesel :) Cheers for the advice - maybe it just needs an "Italian tune-up"... I've been driving about rather gently over the past few weeks.
 
MarkDavis said:
Oh course! lol. Glow plugs? Seems odd to be developing a fault at such a low mileage.
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Not at all, Glow Plugs on older diesels are often replaced every 15-20k miles as they are rather stressed. On modern common rail diesels like yours they don't get used so often, but they will get used

If you're getting lump idle on cold starts, especially first thing in the morning there is a good chance there is your problem.
 
TDCI 130bhp engine may suffer from starting problems and uneven idling, may misfire between 1,800 and 2,000rpm, may sometimes cut out and may not be particularly economical with 42.5 mpg fairly typical. Partially cured by a an ECU software download, but head and injectors have also been modified on later cars.
Also reports of the TDCI smoking and of high oil consumption, which may be turbo oil seals.

Reports of problems with camshaft position sensors of TDCI 130s. Spate of clutch and dual-mass flywheel failures on 2003 built 2004 model year TDCIs. Starting problems with diesel may be due to impending clutch failure. Iron filings from failing dual mass flywheels can get into the starter motor and cause starting problems. 13/10/07 Voluntary Recall letter to some owners of TDDIs and TDCIs to replace faulty dual mass flywheels. Ford will sometimes contribute to the very high replacement costs of dual mass flywheels and clutches if the car has done less than 45,000 miles.

TDCI injectors seem to be very fuel sensitive. Many have needed to be replaced after 3-4 years and circa 60,000 miles. Report of turbo oil-seal failure in 2.2 TDCi turbo caused engine to run on its sump oil and self-destruct. Bill for replacement engine, turbo, catalytic converter, exceeded £7,000.

Diff problem starting to crop up on TDCI 130 6-speeds at around 3 years old, so any vibrations just before the warranty ends, make sure you notify the supplying garage in writing.

[From HonestJohn]
 
The idle rpm is about 750 i think (from the rev counter) and when lumpy it bobs up and back down to about 800-850rpm, so not much, but noticeable. It seems the engine rattles a tiny bit when at 750rpm too. Raising the revs very slightly to about the 850rpm mark makes it a lot amoother and a bit quieter on idle. I shall remove the tuning box tomorrow and see if that changes anything and if not give Ford a call. Maybe they could raise the idle speed a tiny bit if it goes in too...

Oh, and cheers for the advice so far
 
Mark - Thanks a lot... that forum is a gem of information! :)

Seems like my problem may be with the MAF or a blocked EGR gubbins... Hopefully it's not as terminal as I first feared!
 
MarkDavis said:
TDCI 130bhp engine may suffer from starting problems and uneven idling, may misfire between 1,800 and 2,000rpm, may sometimes cut out and may not be particularly economical with 42.5 mpg fairly typical. Partially cured by a an ECU software download, but head and injectors have also been modified on later cars. [From HonestJohn]
Click to expand...

Could have been written based on my car, although its only the 115! Lumpy idle is annoying when its cold, but its only for a few seconds, and only when weather is freezing. Its been doing it the 2 years I've had it, so I don't think you have much to worry about.
 
I have to say, I'm getting less and less concerned about my car now...

The idle isn't THAT erratic (compared to some members of those forums), just a little noisy and rattly (but last car was a 6cyl BMW and this is my first diesel, so I may be worrying about nothing). I have none of the usual symptoms of injector failures etc (no hesitation, flat spots, excess soot, missfiring or poor economy).

I may just follow the old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" rule... probably cheaper that way...
 
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