Ford Fiesta (1995 - 1999) - 98 1.8 D - Black smoke and major loss of power

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Wed 16 Apr 2008 11:47
98 1.8 D - Black smoke and major loss of power - ellisplace
Fiesta 1.8 Diesel (Non Turbo)
R Reg 74000 miles

I bought this car a couple of months ago and It has very quickly deteriorated.

Firstly I noticed it was difficult to start but putting my Clutch and Accelerator down solved this. Starting first time.

Then I found that it was starting to struggle getting up hills and smoking when I applied any torque. I dismissed this as being part of owning a diesel. But now it smokes when I accelerate and will not go up even the flattest hills in more than second gear.

I apply the accelerator and black smoke pours out the back. If i manage to get the revs to increase significantly the exhaust instantly stops smoking and you get an incredible burst of speed.

I am in the process of having it looked at by my mechanic but he is stumped at the moment. He has checked for cracked pipes, cleared the exhaust, filter and put some injector fluid in, this does not appear to have helped.

He suspects the injectors, pistons or pump. A diesel specialist has got another fiesta with the same problem and he is waiting to see if they come up with a solution.

I thought I would try to get some help on the internet but I cant seem to find anyone with the same symptoms.

Thankyou in advance
Ellis

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 16/04/2008 at 13:20

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Wed 16 Apr 2008 12:38
98 1.8 1.8 D - Black smoke and major loss of power - daveyjp
If you haven't had it done yet get the cambelt and all tensioners changed.

Mine went and it wasn't cheap to fix. After having it fixed the car didn't run properly - wouldn't start very well, lumpy, smoky, lsmell of unburnt diesel from exhaust, lack of acceleration. Took it back to the garage and they reset the injector timing and all was fine after that.

This was at 72,000 and I sold shortly afterwards. I saw it again with 130,000 on the clock and all had been fine for the new owner.
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Wed 16 Apr 2008 12:43
98 1.8 1.8 D - Black smoke and major loss of power - ellisplace
Thanks daveyjp

Will pass that on to my mechanic as soon as I can

Just out of curiosity, how much money are we talking to have that done, ball park
Considering the car cost £700,

problem is, I don't want it to run to more than half the value of the car, and if I had owned the car for years I would just leave it but I cant afford to buy another car too soon. I think I have been ripped off.
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Wed 16 Apr 2008 13:33
98 1.8 1.8 D - Black smoke and major loss of power - daveyjp
To have the belt and tensioners done is relatively inexpensive - I wouldn't think it would be more than about £150.

To ignore it could write the car off - £500+ depending what gets damaged when it goes - double this if it kills the fuel pump.

These belts and tensioners are known for failing before the 36,000 recommended interval and after my experience 30,000 is as far as I would take one.
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Wed 16 Apr 2008 14:08
98 1.8 1.8 D - Black smoke and major loss of power - ellisplace
Ok will mention this to him

Also other forums seem to be pointing to the EGR valve, whatever that is
All fiesta diesels that have the exact same symptoms as mine were fixed by blanking this EGR valve off, or at least its vacuum pipe. (forgive my crude knowledge I am a sparky).
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Wed 16 Apr 2008 14:59
98 1.8 1.8 D - Black smoke and major loss of power - ellisplace
Does the Fiesta 1.8 non turbo have an EGR valve?
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Wed 16 Apr 2008 15:23
98 1.8 1.8 D - Black smoke and major loss of power - Screwloose
ellisplace

Yes it does - and yours is sticking, or it's control system isn't working correctly.

Find a mechanic that knows even the basics of modern cars and doesn't faff around wasting your money - that simple fault should have been found in a few minutes.
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Wed 16 Apr 2008 17:52
98 1.8 1.8 D - Black smoke and major loss of power - jc2
If it's the EGR,it must be stuck open;no sophisticated control on this;just on/off.Remove and fit a blanking plate under the valve.
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