Ford Mondeo III (2000 - 2007) - 01 1.8 Serious engine problems

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Mon 20 Apr 2009 01:01
01 1.8 Serious engine problems - DavidHM
Faced with a list of symptoms like this, what would you suspect (other than hoping that the price of scrap goes up?) Mileage is low and genuine at 68k with previous MoTs to support.

? Collected from auction 15.04.09

? Running unevenly, engine management light on, temp gauge erratic, down on power ? revs freely in neutral but not under load;

? Faulty coil pack diagnosed and replaced by garage 16.04.09, not firing on cylinder 2;

? Picked up 17.04.09 out of hours; ran smoothly on 4 cylinders but smoking heavily, worse than later when running on 3 cylinders

? Temperature gauge was reporting and apparently correctly; car heated up to approximately 70°C but then seemed to stabilise;

? On 18.04.09 coil pack checked, leads replaced, not firing on cylinder 1;

? EML initially went out, now flashing/illuminated constantly, smoking heavily, temperature gauge permanently on cold;

? Oil clean, no signs of mayonnaise, heater and air con working correctly at all temperatures

? Spoke to previous owner (not seller), valve leak on cylinder 1 apparently diagnosed but no oil residue on plug; advised that plugs were apparently changed shortly before car was traded in.
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Tue 21 Apr 2009 12:23
01 1.8 Serious engine problems - spikeyhead {p}
I suggest you sell it through a different auction site and buy from a dealer.

I appreciate this isn't the message you want to hear but if a garage can't sort otu the fault, what chance has anyone over the internet on limited information.
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Tue 21 Apr 2009 15:47
01 1.8 Serious engine problems - doofer
Is the car losing oil or water?
Remove and check the spark plugs' condition yourself, trust no-one!!!
Make sure they're the right ones for the car, if in doubt go to a dealer and get proper Ford plugs.
While the plugs are out do a compression test (or a leak-down test) if you have or can get hold of the equipment.
Take it to a garage with proper diagnostic facilities (NOT just a code reader!). Make sure they can do live data checks on the coolant temp sensor, air flow meter, injectors etc..
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