Ford Mondeo Graphite TDCI 2003 several issues

bigjl

I have also heard that Morrisons diesel has more bio than others

In all honesty it was my mk3 Mondeo that made me realise there may well be something in the supermarket fuel was inferior suggestion

My 130tdci was lacking in power and used to smoke like a dog on supermarket fuel used to do less to the gallon aswell.

Mate I sold it to didn't believe me, he did after a few weeks when he seen it for himself

I used a 200:1 ration of semi synth 2 stroke in mine to keep the engine and injector clean, it used to run smoother on that mix.

The statement not to use additives is purely a legal disclaimer

Forte products have been used in the trade for years

Cetane improvers and injector cleaners all have a place

Though I would maintain using semi synth low ash 2 stroke is likely to be the cheapest and easiest to get hold of.

My mk3 was trouble free for over 150k in my and a mates hands and was bought at just over 3 yrs old with over 80k.

No injector problems, cleaned the egr valve once and the inlet manifold at the same time around 150k.
Mine got regular Redex or 2 stroke and also had ZX1 in the oil.

Air filters every 10/15k and oil and filter changes every 5/7k.

One of the most reliable cars I have owned

But due to the price for a runner in Autotrader if it have similar problems to the OP it would be down the road and replaced or broken for spares to keep the replacement on the road

All modern diesels can go from asset to money put very quickly

Not just Ford Mondeos

bigjl

spacey2012 wrote: »

The Snake oil may have attacked the silicone inserts in the diesel pump which can cause them to draw air in to the system.
Sounds more like one thing with the battery and another of very bad advice to put the fuel treatment in, the pumps on Ford are very sensitive to anything in the fuel.
As for your mechanic, sounds like a swap parts and hope for the best.

Snake Oil?

Redex has been used for years.

If you are unaware of the science behind fuel additives then don't post up as if you do, it doesn't help the OP or the thread.

The no additives advice by manufacturers is the same as the no Bio over a certain level, usually B10 from memory, a disclaimer.

As they are not going to spend money doing the research to prove that they can be used so simply say don't.

Redex eating silicon seals in a diesel injection system within a few miles!

Seriously?

I added Redex and 2 stroke on a regular basis for over 150k to a Mondeo TDCi, the only thin that happened was it was one of the least smokey 130bhp Mondys on the road and could still hit 60mpg on a run and was giving my mate a regular 52mpg when he traded it in with north of 250k on it.

Completely original apart from failed alternator at around 230k, two handbrake cables and servicing and brake replacements.

owen_money

At 10 years old isn't better to scrap the car off and buy a new one?

spacey2012

Yes it is very possible for any additive to erode the silicone insert seals in the pump.
This is why the handbook states very clearly do not use ANY fuel additives .
If a quantity was added straight in the tank , it can be drawn in to the pump in concentrate, parked up with it still in the pump and it can and does erode the seals.
Dumping the bottle in the tank, it sinks as it is heavier than Diesel and the tank draws from the bottom.
It states not to use these products for a very good reason, to limit warranty claims where people have used a snake oil additive.

The Only cleaning system that can be carried out is ultrasonic injector cleaning, as this problem started with the inserting of a full bottle of snake oil in to the fuel system, then this is a very good place to start looking.
Small fuel seepage on the low pressure side of the pump would be a good start and if it has seepage, Air is getting in, the pump needs stripping and the seal inserts renewing and the issue will stop.
Any Air entering the low pressure side of the pump, will froth the injection system and throw an error that emulates injection failure.

forgotmyname

I think its snake oil is so much as how much cleaning can a tea spoon of additive in a gallon of diesel clean anything when its contact period is so brief.

bigjl

Ok Spacey.

How do you ultrasonically clean the top of a valve?

@ forgotmyname

If you ask a question like that then you need to do some research into fuel additive packages.

The simple fact is fuel already contains additives some are to keep the injectors and valves clean some are to aid lubricity some to improve cetane in diesel.

forgotmyname

Yes fuels have all sorts of additives for lubrication and cleaning and anti-foam, Anti-wax properties.

But that still doesnt change my thoughts on buying a bottle of cleaner that adds 100ml to 100L. Not talking about the cetane improvers etc. Just on the principal of cleaning.

Such a tiny amount wont shift baked on carbon or cure knackered injectors.

As a long term prevention then who knows. So many products have been recalled over the years because independent tests have shown them not to do what they advertise.

5th gear tested some octane boosters and most actually lost power. I remember that. Few articles in the mags also and the adverts mostly got pulled.


Anyway back to the OP. Seems they posted in the wrong section. Now moved.

bigjl

I personally feel that the additve once fully mixed with fuel will be constantly injected through the injection system and therefore will reach the valve stems and the valves.

You are correct in that they are not a perfect solution but if you use one of the Trade additives that is meant to be used in a fresh fuel filter and therefore gets injected without any dilution you do get better and quicker results.

I do remember 5th Gear doing a show when they tried to improve a Corrado and without trying to find it on Youtube and watch it again i am sure they found a marginal improvement from using Redex. Backed up with rolling road data.

From the position you have assumed i take it you think that lead replacement additives also do nothing?

They aren't as good as leaded petrol but they do largely prevent the problems caused by the removal of the lead. Classis car owners have used these products for years without any issue.

tzb27

I scrapped this car for £196 three months. lol