I have a few issues with my Mondeo.
I've been advised my car has a belt and chain system but Ford says only belt; can you confirm? It's a 2012 Mondeo 1.6 TDCi.
Also had issues with engine rattle after a dealer changed injectors. He says they need time to relearn. I have symptoms two weeks later still. Just wondering is this accurate because the dealer didn't mention chain or fuel pump. How long should the ECU take to relearn injectors?
Also, the steering wheel is shaking under braking. Should a dealer replace worn discs six weeks after purchase?
Niall Reynlds (Ennis)Oct 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Niall,
We asked Ford Ireland about this for you. First of all, it was confirmed that your car has a timing belt, not a timing chain.
With regards to the injectors, a longer response was given:
"Mondeo DV6 has a Continental fuel system and the fuel injectors fitted on this system have correction factors on them. What this means is that they have a unique ID number that the engine's PCM need to know so it can operate them. The pump has nothing to do with how the injectors operate and its role is simply to bring the fuel up to the high pressure demanded by the system. When an injector is replaced the PCM needs to know the new number of the injector installed. This is inputted using Ford IDS Diagnostic tool. If the injector is installed and the correction factor is not learned using the Ford Diagnostic tool the vehicle will not run at optimal level and the engine may exhibit excessive noise and emissions."
Finally, with regards to a shaking steering wheel, that could be something as simple as a wheel going out of balance, so check that before you consider changing any brake items. Whether the dealer should replace warped discs after six weeks is not so clear - it really depends on the terms of your warranty.
When does my Mondeo's timing belt have to be changed?
At what mileage interval does the timing belt have to be changed on a 2012 Ford Mondeo 1.6 TDCi Titanium?
Niall Durr (Roscommon)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Niall,
It's every 140,000km or 10 years, whichever comes first. We would recommend going a little earlier than the recommended intervals on all cars.
Do I need to change my Mondeo's timing belt?
Hi,
Our 2007 Ford Mondeo 2007 just passed its NCT, had a service, got a new battery etc. Just wondering (as I do not have a notion!) when I may need to get timing belt replaced? Seen a similar reply on a Mondeo but unsure if it is the same with our 07 saloon model.
Thanks,
Karen
KAREN MARIA O'MALLEY (DUBLIN 13)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
You've not mentioned the engine size, but assuming it's either the 1.8- or 2.2-litre TDCi diesel then the timing belt should be changed every 125,000 miles (just over 200,000km) or every 10 years.
When do I need to replace the timing belt on 2010 Ford Fiesta?
When do I need to replace the timing belt on a 2010 Ford Fiesta?
Ede Osullivan (DUBLIN 13)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Ede,
It depends on which engine your Fiesta is powered by. The 1.4- and 1.6-litre TDCi diesels have change intervals of 10 years or 125,000 miles (just over 201,000km), while the petrol engines (1.25-, 1.4- and 1.6-litre) have timing belts that need to be changed every eight years or 100,000 miles (160,000km).
We'd always advise readers to have the timing belt changed sooner rather than later, especially if the service history of the car is unknown.
Does my Ford Focus have a timing belt or chain?
Does the 2009 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec have a timing belt or a chain?
Dave Kelly (Dublin)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
Our information is that this car has a timing belt. It should be changed at least every 125,000 miles (201,000km) or every 12 years.
Is this Ford Focus too high mileage?
Is 170,000 miles on a 2004 Ford Focus 1.4 TDCi a bad buy or would it be ok for a couple of years? I only do about 4k a year?
Sarah Kinge (Gosport)Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Sarah,
It's a little bit high, but it's all down to the service history and the overall condition of the car. If it comes with a thick wad of receipts and a service book full of stamps that show it's been looked after properly, and if its overall condition shows that it's been cared for, then it should be good for plenty of miles yet. If it looks and feels shabby though, and if any of the services have been skimped or skipped, walk away.
How much to tax a 2006 Ford Galaxy diesel?
How much is road tax on a 2006 Ford Galaxy 2.0 TDCi diesel?
John T Jamieson (Kilmarnock)Sep 2015 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi John,
The 2006 model is taxed according to engine size, and it fits into the '1,901- to 2,000cc' band, which costs €710 per year.
Honda Accord, Passat or Mondeo?
Hi,
Two weeks ago I was down to three choices for looking at secondhand 2011-2013 saloon cars: Honda Accord i-DTEC 2.2-litre diesel (150hp), Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-litre diesel (140hp) and Ford Mondeo TDCi 2.0-litre diesel (163hp). But on Saturday I test drove a very nice 2012 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0-litre diesel (160hp), which was very nice to drive.
Just wondering how would this compare to the three above in terms of reliability, handling and resale value. Which would you choose between these four?
Best regards
Barry
Barry Gilbert (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
The Insignia's really nice and I do have something of a soft spot for it. A car that feels more sophisticated and more engaging the more you drive it. The Passat and Mondeo are nice choices too, but to be honest, the one I'd go for out of all of them would be the Accord. Comfy, smooth, frugal, nice to drive and above all it will almost certainly never break down. There's nothing quite so nice as the feeling you get from driving an utterly indestructible car.
Which of these four saloons would you choose?
Hi,
Two weeks ago I was down to three choices for looking at a secondhand 2011-2013 saloon car: Honda Accord i-DTEC 2.2-litre diesel (150hp), Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-litre diesel (140hp) or Ford Mondeo TDCi 2.0-litre diesel (163hp). But on Saturday I test drove a very nice 2012 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0-litre diesel (160hp), which was very nice to drive.
Just wondering how would this compare to the three above in terms of reliability, handling and resale value. Which would you choose between these four?
Best regards
Barry
Barry Gilbert (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
OK, all are good, solid choices and in terms of reliability, I'd rate them as Accord the best, the Volkswagen slightly behind and the Ford and Opel together, slightly behind the Volkswagen. The Ford would be the most fun to drive, the Volkswagen probably had the nicest interior but the Opel is arguably the most handsome and, as you point out, really very good to drive. If it were me, I'd go for the Accord - no question. It'll be the most reliable and that sells it for me.
Should the garage change my Ford Focus timing belt?
Hi, I very recently bought a 2008 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi with 94k miles on the clock. I asked the garage where i purchased it from about the timing belt and for them to replace it. They said I had "30k or 40k miles left" before it needs doing and wouldn't entertain my request to get it changed. Can you give me some information about when it needs doing or about what mileage I should get it checked out at?
Thanks in advance.
Therese Norton (Offaly)Aug 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Therese,
Ford's official guidelines for that car are 125,000 miles or 10 years, so the garage is perfectly in its rights to refuse to do the work. Personally speaking, I'd get it done a little earlier than the manufacturer says, say 115,000 miles or so.
Hope that helps