MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Another one for the mechanics out there - it's a '52 plate 1.8 TDCi
Driving home down the M1 yesterday when, without warning, I lost power. The engine just started running down, slowing gradually as I got over to the hard shoulder. The glow plug light was flickering but no other warning lights were on, then as soon as I dipped the clutch the engine died.
Being from an IT background I decided I'd just turn it off and on again and, hey presto!, car went through the usual start up and idled fine. I left it a few minutes, checked it revved OK, accelerated down the hard shoulder with no bother and eventually got home without skipping a beat.
So, what de heck was that? Fuel problem? Cosmic ray hitting the ECU? Just 'one of those things'? Can't see much point getting it looked at as it's running fine now.
Cam sensor?
A few hundred other things....check out TalkFord forums
Coil Pack most likely
It happened to me once in my 1.8TDCi Mondeo, both the RAC and Ford failed to diagnose it.
The chap from the RAC thought is was the EGR valve and recommended driving it like a hooligan (not too hard for me!) once in a while to clear the crud from the valve.
Its not done it again but occasionally hesitates
Coil Pack most likely
In a diesel?
They use the glowplug light as a general uninformative cry for help... Reading fault codes would make sense, you can get a USB reader/clearer off ebay for not much at all, if you have a laptop (search F Super), handy things to have if you look after your own car...
But I bet 10 scottish pence it's the crank or cam sensor. If it were a TDDI it'd be the crank, TDCI could be either, hopefully codes will tell you more. If I'm right, then it's likely to get worse though.
When my Mondeo 2.0TDCi did that, it turned out to 'probably' be the injectors. I never did find out before I sold it fast... But what I do know is it took my usually very reliable independent to not be able to fix it, me limping it to Fraud, who reset them, suggesting I might be best rid of it very quickly. They didn't seem interested in part-ex either! 😯
EGR valve.
My brother Mondeo had problem and I think he said EGR valve change sorted it
You don't need to change the EGR, remove it and give it a good going over with a toothbrush and carb cleaner.
Our mondeo TDCI did this and it turned out to be the cam sensor.
Cheers all - will see if my fettling skills can cope with the EGR & maybe cam sensor.
EGR is probably worth cleaning out on general principles tbh! THe sensors are simple but cost money so not much point getting into that without hard facts (though, last time I did my crank one, it just needed cleaned and refitted)
It's partly me being a nerd but I would check out diagnostic tools- it could save you money in the long run, modern cars are a pain in the arse with all the sensors and such so you might as well get the benefits. Costs about £17 for the F Super box and Formiddable software, though you do need to be able to connect it to a PC (ie, have a laptop or a veeeery long USB cable!)