Hi guys, newbie here to this site

Currently own a Mk2 Mondeo 1.8 Petrol. But an opportunity has come up to bid on an ex company car at where i work. The car in question is a focus TDDI, (52 plate), with 173k on the clock. The car has been maintained regardless of cost and serviced every 10k. I know they are not the fastest of engines but its going to be cheaper to run and insure than my Mondeo.

Now i could do with knowing when the cambelt is due for change, im pretty sure its had at least one by now!?



Hope you guys can help me out.

 

The cambelt is due every 100,000 miles on the TDDI.

It is an unusual setup as it is half chain half belt. The chain goes from the crank to the pump and is obviously sealed. The belt then runs from the pump up to the cam.

I've got a 1999 TDDI with 155k on it and love it. I cannot see the point or need to change it.

The only biggy could be a sudden failure of the Bosch VE fuel pump. That is a risk you have to take. Note that big miler VW/Audis use the same pump. It is a luck of the draw type thing but they do sometimes fail. Sometimes.

 

Thanks for your reply Colin.

I thought it was every 100k miles! but just wanted to confirm, at least i got another 20k miles before its due.

Yes i thought the fuel pump may be the only thing that may be expensive to go wrong. I have just orderd some 'Forte' diesel treatment for the car, so will fill tank up and add this and Im sure using good fuel will help to keep it going for longer.

Will be giving it a service soon ans will change fuel filter whilst im at it.

Thanks

 

After a bit of dismantling the cam belt on the TDDI is about the easiest there is. If in any doubt, do it. You are more likely to have problems with the aux belt, water pump and the aux belt tensioner.

Fuel filter, be very careful doing this and make sure you prime the new one with fuel. If there is any air ingress these can be a pig to bleed.

As said, I love mine.

 

Hi Colin, thanks for the info.

Ive had the car 4 days and it is a bit of a pig to start, once its been running once, its fine the rest of the day, its just when its been sat overnight.

Now last night i was in the car with the engine running, and noticed the lamp in the boot is on, strange, cos i think it should only come on when the tailgate is open, anyway i went to it this morning in the dark and checked to see if it was on with the engine off, and sure enough it was flickerin on and off, i am just wondering if its doing this constantly and trying to drain the battery??

I have since pulled the bulb out of it and see how well it starts in the morning.

Have you ever heard of starting problems???

 

I think they reduced the glowplug pre heat time which caused starting problems.

Try cycling through two pre-heats.

Other than that, check the leak off pipes in the injectors as they can let air in. Try parking it engine facing downhill. LOL