Some of you may recall that i recently posted about a loss of power at around 3000RPM at motorway speed on my 130ps Mondeo TDCi.

However, now I am getting a lumpy idle at start up and some smoke from the exhaust. The idle settles down after a while and after I have driven it up the road the idle is perfect.
There is always a burning smell when i start it in the morning, but i presume that this is after the turbo was replaced. As I recall it dumped all the oil into the cylinders and intercooler. Could this oil residue be what is causing the burning smell after a night sat on the driveway?

Anyway, any help on the smoke and lumpy idle much appreciated.

p.s. i have heard rumours about EGR valves - could this be the cause? If so, how do i test to see if the valve is faulty? Read more

Mum and dad are both retired, and having done a few far flung trips since quitting work a year or two ago, they're keen to see all the places in the UK they haven't been to yet.

Dad's got his heart set on a camper van, and mum seems to like the idea too. I got excited at the mention of camper van, thinking of a cute VW one that I could steal/borrow, but apparently you pay a premium for a VW one so dad's looking at others. Today he looked at a Bedford one, I think.

Anyone any experience of buying camper vans? What to look for? Common areas of concern?

Thank you! Read more

During a 100 mile journey yesterday the engine cut out on two separate occasions, each time the symptoms were as if I'd turned off the ignition i.e. the ignition controlled functions went off as well as the fuel cut-off, but both times everything restored within two or three seconds without any intervention on my part. Fortunately both times the problem caused awkwardness but was not life threatening; however as it has happened twice it is likely to be reoccurring.

The weather wasn't wet or hot and the only clue is that both times I was using the indicators, however on the second occasion the hazards worked, so I think the only significance is the higher current draw from the flasher unit.

I am comfortable around basic vehicle electrics but the momentary intermittence of this fault is going to be challenging, so I am hoping someone may have come across this before. A poster on a Fiat Ducato forum apparently had exactly the same problem a couple of years ago, he called out the RAC who couldn't help as the fault had disappeared but suggested it might be the ignition switch. Unfortunately there were no replies or a follow-up post on that forum, however I've got much more faith in the backroom!

I will check all the obvious things today; ignition switch connections, fusebox connections, earths, but my fear is that the problem may be associated with the factory immobiliser or the aftermarket alarm which is linked to this; these are a black art to me; are these likely to cause such a fault?

----------------------------------------------

One mans junk is another mans treasure Read more

Does anyone know when the cam-belt should be changed on this car (1.6 Zetec SE engine).
Is it just on mileage or is it age as well ? Read more

Yes, another possible problem. When I bought the Mondeo (1997 2 litre Model) the guy told me he had filled it up with fuel. I now know that he is a habitual liar.

The fuel guage reads MAX all the time, even with ignition off. Is the car full of fuel or is it just shorting out causing it to read max?

I guess my main question is;

Should the fuel gauge return to 'empty' with the ignition off. I know some cars where the gauge stays up but should THIS one??

Cheers!! Read more