I unfortunately own a MK3 Mondeo TDCI 130 (nice when it doesn't need a repair).
A few months ago I noticed a bit of smoke coming out of the radiator grille when standing in traffic, I mentioned it to the mechanic when it was serviced, he thought it was a diesel leak that was dripping onto the engine which was causing the smoke but as the leak was so small he could not actually locate it.
Knowing how much Ford charge to look I thought I'd leave it to see if it got worse. For about 6 months I've seen a bit of smoke at times but still cannot actually see anthing and the MPG has not dropped at all so I've not been too worried.
Tonight however it seems to have got worse, there is a fair bit of smoke coming out after hard driving (was late for work) that smells of Diesel. I called the RAC, the patrol bloke looked for a couple of mins, said he could see diesel over the front of the engine but could not see the actual leak. He suggested it was the fuel pump that was cracked which could cost around £1000 fitted.
Now my question is if the pump was cracked would it take months to get worse? Would I notice any difference when driving (I havn't, it drives fine and has plenty of power).
The £1000 bill has got me worried and I'm thinking of trying to p/x it quick.
PS It's done 120k miles, 100k or so of it on the motorway.
Thanks in advance.
s
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The pump on a Common Rail diesel operates at extremely high pressure. So I wouldnot run it if you suspect damaged. And if the pump fails the engine and more importantly the rest of the injection system will be damaged.
At least go somewhere for an opinion!
Could well be expensive to fix. Could get more expensive if you ignore. And sell it on knowing the problem could end up with your health effected (they might come back mob handed).
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Is it me but do diesels seem to bet getting more unreliable. I know all this electronic wizzardary gets fantastic MPG for the power they give but they are expensive to fix when they do go wrong. I think I will go for a plain and simple petrol next time.
Do the VAG units compare better to the Fords?
I had a Pug 406 before 1.9td, although no where near as fast as the Mondy, it was soooo reliable. 198k miles when it was written off in motorway pile up (not my fault) and all it had done was the radiator and 1 brake slave cylinder.
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At risk of raising howls of protest from Delphi fans I will offer you my opinion as you have asked.
The Delphi fuel system used by Ford is manufactured in house by a subsidiary Company. Diesel fuel systems are both difficult to make well and very expensive. By taking the manufacture of fuel systems in-house rather than buying from a specialist such as Bosch, Ford are able to exercise complete control over costs. This can often conflict with product consistency and durability.
My VAG engine has a Bosch engine management system. It's not perfect (MAF sensors are a weakness) but the unit injectors and associated tandem pump and control electronics are made by a Company with considerable expertise in this field. Unlike an in-house supplier, if Bosch make a cock-up, they stand to lose business over a wide range of customers.
My answer to your question - given correct maintenance, which is difficult because of poor documentataion and some inept dealers, in my view, the VAG engine is a better long term bet than the Ford.
659.
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My TDCi has done 122,000 miles, if it were a VW it would have had cost up to £1000 in cambelt changes by now.
Re the OP, cant see how a cracked pump would:
1/ Still work and:
2/ Cause smoke because there is nothing that gets excessivley hot in the region of the pump.
If the car drives ok, power is normal and there are no warning lights then the pump should be OK.
Look for diesel leaking around an injector, there are return pipes that a clipped on, if one of these come loose then you get a strong diesel smell, though one could possibly work loose.
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When I had a smell of diesel on my TDCi it was a return fuel pipe from the injector.
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Thanks for all your replies. The car still drives and ticks over fine and has plenty of oomph, but there is evidence of diesel spillage at the front area of the engine. I don't think it's the return pipes as they are bone dry exept where it clips onto the final upsidedown 'L' shaped pipe that goes into the pump, even there though I cannot see anything actually coming from it it just looks a bit damp. I looks more like it's coming from the back of the pump but it's so hard to see.
TBH its the first Ford I have owned and probably the last, its had the belt pulleys done, subframe bushes done, the water hose to the intercooler, the aircon has a leak and now this fuel problem. I know people slate french cars but my previous Peugeot was so good in comparison and it had a Bosch injection system.
It's of to another independant garage tomorrow morning for someone else to have a look. I don't use Ford anymore after they charged me £70 labour to change the bulb behind the rev counter.
Next car I get will be the most plain and simple petrol engined car I can find with nothing to go wrong whatsoever :-)
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The car still drives and ticks over fine and has plenty of oomph but there is evidence of diesel spillage at the front area of the engine. ..............even there though I cannot see anything actually coming from it it just looks a bit damp. I looks more like it's coming from the back of the pump but it's so hard to see.
Mine is also a bit "damp" in that area, has been for most its life, drives pretty much as new at 122k.
It's of to another independant garage tomorrow >>
If it s diesel pump related then i reckon a main dealer is the best option however the symptoms dont sound like it.
Can you smell burning oil/diesel?
Could it be steam from a water leak?
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Or a hole in the intercooler?
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If it really is leaking diesel from somewhere stop driving, you might injure or kill a motorcyclist.
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Yes, its definately diesel.
When I drive easy it's not too bad, only a tiny amount of vapour coming out of the grille when I stop, but when driving hard I can see faint diesel mist behind me in the headlights of any car behind me.
It's not causing a slick though and I'm only driving to and from work which I have to as it's 40 miles along the motorway and public transport is out of the question as I work 12 hour shifts and don't really fancy a 2.5 hour commute there and back with 2 buses and 2 trains.
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If you are seeing diesel mist, you have a high pressure leak somewhere.
Years ago when working for a UK diesel fuel systems Company I had a Peugeot 504 diesel with an experimental fuel system on it. I became aware, driving down the M1 back towards West London that I couldn't see too well - the screen was smeared and wouldn't clear. I then became aware that I had gone through rather a lot of fuel.
I stopped on the hard shoulder and tried to lift the bonnet - very difficult because it was so heavy. The sound insulation on the bonnet underside was saturated with fuel.
I found a leaking (cracked) HP line and luckily, some spare ones in the boot. I was just bending one of the spare HP lines on a kerb stone to fit the engine when the police rolled up. They were actually very good about it and were both helpful and interested in the roadside repair - especially as they fully appreciated the dangers to others of a diesel leak.
I woud have a good look at this problem asap.
659.
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redders
If you're leaking diesel mist at a visible level; then the back of the car would be plastered in it - is it?
I would also think that, if it was leaking that badly, it would be saturating the whole engine bay and it's source would be very obvious when revved.
Are you sure that the smoke in the following headlights isn't the normal soot?
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Had it looked at, the mechanic said he needs to steam clean it as there is so much diesel round the front of the engine he cannot make out where its coming from so it's back in next Monday for that. He reckoned it's highly unlikely it's the pump cracked, he reckons it would not be running properly if it was that and he's 99% sure it's going to be a hose. He did comment that there was quite a bit of compression coming out of the oil filler cap so that means the engine is fairly worn.
In response to the previous comment. the bottom of the rear bumper has got a layer of diesel on it and you can see a mist when you drive hard, but not when ticking over or driving it easily, infact there is only heavy smoke coming from the grille when it's been driven a bit harder.
I asked the mechanic who seems to know quite a bit whether the VAG units were better, he said there was not much difference in them regarding reliablility. He said they are both pretty good but as expensive as hell when they fail. He reckoned Japanese petrol engined cars where the most reliable/cost effective option.
Oh well, I'll find out Monday whether I will keep the car or not.
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redders
That explains a lot. Breathing from the filler is not a good sign. Still; if he can find your leak, at least that's progress.
I agree with his assessment of current cars too.
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When I said it was breathing from the oil filler cap, I meant with it removed. Does anyone elses behave like that, little puffs of steam/smokey stuff coming out of it?
Off to look at Accords on Autotrader now :-)
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redders
Puffs are an even worse sign - go buy that Accord.
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Sorry to drag this back but just seen it.
A guy over on the MEG (Mondeo Forum) had the same problem and it was a fuel pipe to an injector that was leaking and the heat was causing smoke from the grille.
www.fordmondeo.org/forum/showtopic.php?tid/754915/
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