Mondeo TDCi Dual Flywheel nonsense

rca779

I am looking at getting a New (ish) Mondeo, probably on an 05/55 plate. I am looking at the 2.0, 130 bhp model, with < 50k miles.

I have read numerous posts about these cars having problems with the flywheel(s?) and that it can cost up to £1,000 to fix.

So my question is what do I need to look out for?

If I chose an automatic (I've seen a nice one I like), would could I still be exposed to similar problems?

Is there anything else I need to look out for?

Unstoppable_2

You need to look for vibration when changing gear and driving down the road. No idea whether you get the problem with the auto as the DMF is there to reduce engine vibration so I expect that the auto has the same arrangement but whether or not the fact it uses a torque converter, which reduces the rate at which forces are applied to the flywheel, has a beneficial effect or not I don't know.

The forums at http://www.fordmondeo.org are the place to ask.

As for £1k bill for the DMF, that sounds a bit excessive by a few hundred quid. AFAIR, if they're going to go it'll be around the 80-90k mark.

The only other real thing to look for is knocking from the rear end which is likely to be rear subframe bushes. Once upon a time it meant a new subframe but Ford produced bushes instead. £300 my main dealer quoted me when I asked. HOWEVER, Superflex make polyurethane bushes which can be found for under £50 a set on eBay and it's an hour a side labour to have them fitted. Polyurethane replacements should outlive the car. Don't think of it as a dealbreaker but as a way to get £400 off.

As there are plenty of examples out there, get one with full main dealer service history. As even ones with 100,000 miles on should drive like new and have an interior that virtually looks new, don't settle for anything less. They're an extremely hard wearing and long lasting car.

At under 50,000 miles, it should have had a major service at 37,500 (£175) and be due a minor one at 50,000 which is around £125 at a main dealer.

Oh, and the TDCi is chain driven so no belts to change. You change the chain when it starts rattling. At 115,000 miles, mine is still dead silent.

Hintza

Interesting post. I don't know if they give any warning before failing but will be interested to hear.

Whilst waiting for an anaswer what about the petrol version?

Animation of DMF:- http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YnaXB8q3uzQ

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=115

Hintza

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=50897

Worth a read

RaCinG_SnAkE_3

The 1.8 TDCi engines in the Focus used to have problems with the DMF (dual mass flywheel) too. Symptoms to look out for are a massive vibration when trying to start the car coupled with a metallic squeak. Try and imagine someone coughing in a high pitched voice!

They aren't cheap to fix. They are complicated components, buried in the drivetrain system so require a few hours labour - £££

harveybobbles

It's a common problem on quite a few cars, main one is the mondeo and the GM stuff with the 1.9 engine.

Back to the Mondingo, yes the DMF can be quite dear. Early signs are incresed vibration and changes in the engine sound as you lift/dip the clutch.

I just paid £165 for the DMF and while the box was open I decided to chuck a clutch in for the extra 70 quid.

Another sign on DMF failure is the starter motor not wanting to engage as it gets full of the iron particles from the DMF falling to bits.

FlameCloud

They are decent enough cars, big and cheap.

We just need conor to come on and rave about how they will outhandle a Ferrari and outdrag a Veyron now!

harveybobbles

And not to mention the fact he gets 4589mpg from it...

Mondeo's are ok, do what they say on the tin, really...!

ozvaldinho

I have a Mazda 6 diesel on my work fleet, basically a Mondeo clone. It's on a 55 plate, driven very gently and well looked after. Clutch and DMF went at 67k miles, absolutely no warning whatsoever. Clutch went while cruising at a steady 60 on the motorway with the cruise control on.
Turbo failure on another one on the fleet completely wrecked the engine at 110k miles.
I'd get a Passat if I were you.

harveybobbles

With dicky electric handbreak and all sorts of other electrical problems...

you did well getting a Mondeo DMF to 67k!!

Rolandtheroadie

rca779 wrote: »

I am looking at getting a New (ish) Mondeo, probably on an 05/55 plate. I am looking at the 2.0, 130 bhp model, with < 50k miles.

I have read numerous posts about these cars having problems with the flywheel(s?) and that it can cost up to £1,000 to fix.

So my question is what do I need to look out for?

If I chose an automatic (I've seen a nice one I like), would could I still be exposed to similar problems?

Is there anything else I need to look out for?

I hope theres nothing else. I've just had all the injectors off the wifes Fiesta TDCI (1.4 but common on the 1.8 TDCI Focus as well)to replace all the seals due to exhaust/diesel fumes in the cab.

2.0 TDCI Mondeo (55 plate, 130BHP, 6 speed, 32k miles, ghia-x, all leather, heated seats, cruise control, air con, 6 cd multiplayer, MOT'D October, £145 tax, 2 new front tyres, may swap minibus for ever expanding family) was returning 52 mpg but recently it's got a bit noisier an dropped to 44 mpg. Coincidently just changed the 2 barely legal front tyres and the fuel economy has improved to 48 mpg.
I'm suspecting a slight blow from the exhaust. I'd say injector seals (similar sounds)but I've no fumes in the cabin.

PLEASE dont tell me i'll have problems with this too.