Mondeo TD Glow Plugs

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Thu 17 Nov 2005 17:03
Mondeo TD Glow Plugs - DaveKent
This is this first time i've owned a diesel in my 21 years of driving so I dont really know much about them.

I have a 97 Mondeo TD 1.8

Starting to have trouble getting the car starting now the colder weather is here. Took about 8 or 9 goes today.I wait for the little light to go out, and do that twice before I try to start the car.

Couple of people have said the Glow plugs might need changing.

Could this be the case or could it be something else?
(Battery seems good).

If it is the glow plugs are they easy to change? (As easy as spark plugs)?

If they are can someone point me in the right direction.

Many thanks,

Dave
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Thu 17 Nov 2005 17:23
Mondeo TD Glow Plugs - bell boy
see escort starting problems further down the page the engine is nigh the same.

{Link added as the "link further down the page" could be one day anywhere in this forum depending on further replies to either this thread, or the other one. DD
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=36316 }
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Thu 17 Nov 2005 18:05
Mondeo TD Glow Plugs - RichardW
It does sound like the glow plugs - when it starts does it then give out a cloud of white / grey smoke? It might be an air leak, but this usually also gives hot starting problems. Try pumping the fuel primer a few times before trying to start the engine. If this makes it fire up first time then it's got an air leak somewhere.

In theory the glowplugs are as easy to change as sparks, but....they're somtimes (like on the Pug / Citroen XUDT lump) very very inaccessible. Have a look under the bonnet for 4 small plugs screwed in the head joined together by a thick cable to get an idea of how hard they will be to change.
--
RichardW

Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
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Thu 17 Nov 2005 18:47
Mondeo TD Glow Plugs - bikemade3
Dave,
Assuming that your car was fine before the temperature dropped and the battery/starter spun the car up fast enough before then definately the glow plugs.

Changed mine on my Mondeo TD last year and it still takes 2 sessions of charging beofre it'll start first thing in the morning. Apparantly ford diesels of this era can be a bit troublesome to start if it's got a single plug on the way out.

As for changing them pretty sraight forward, the plug behing the fuel pump is a bit difficult for access. Copper grease the threads of the replacements.Other than that it's straight forward. IIRC i paid about £6-8 each for Bosch items from my local motor factor.
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Sat 19 Nov 2005 18:00
Mondeo TD Glow Plugs - DaveKent
Thanks for the help guys. All is now done. The plug behind the fuel pump was a sod to get to like you said.

Cheers again,

Dave
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