On 12/7/2020 at 10:43 AM, mjt said:

It's quite a while since I owned a 1.8TDCi and I can't remember if there are 3 or 4 pins but they should all push into rubber inserts. If your cover feels wonky it may be that more than one of them came out.

Thanks for the advice all sorted 🙂

On 12/5/2020 at 9:35 AM, TomsFocus said:

I've got a private car park (well, my flats, not me specifically!), can't see it getting nicked but it only cost £2 anyway so I'm not fussed lol.  More worried about it blowing away if it's windy overnight!   

That youtube video is for the 1.6 TDCi, the injector leaks on those are from the engine cylinders which why they chuff.  Not a common 1.8 TDCi issue, if yours are leaking it'll more likely be fresh diesel from the top of the injector.  The engine cover just pulls off, it has rubber mounts on each corner so just give it a sharp tug at each corner.

Hi Tom, I posted some pics of injectors they look bone dry minus orangey rust colour this was after 5min drive - weather dropped to 0 degrees I did 15sec ignition then clutch start as the new starting procedure - started after a slow agonising approx 10 seconds with a good cloud of white exhaust smoke - what happens when we drop to minus figures will be eventful 😞 Any input appreciated and let me know about windsceen cover?

49 minutes ago, Riky#MK2 FOCUS 1.8D 2008 said:

Hi Tom, I posted some pics of injectors they look bone dry minus orangey rust colour this was after 5min drive - weather dropped to 0 degrees I did 15sec ignition then clutch start as the new starting procedure - started after a slow agonising approx 10 seconds with a good cloud of white exhaust smoke - what happens when we drop to minus figures will be eventful 😞 Any input appreciated and let me know about windsceen cover?

The windscreen cover, well it wasn't a resounding success!

First night I put it on a wet window...it kind of worked as there were just small patches of thin ice underneath next morning.

Next night it slipped down so I came out to find 3 quarters of the screen frozen and just one perfectly clear quarter! 😄

Think it would've worked ok if it was the type that tucks in the doors but I wouldn't recommend the magnetic one tbh.

 

As for your starting issues...  The injectors look fine, no leaks there as you say!  They might be worn internally but you can't really year that without garage equipment.  I'm not really sure what else I can suggest as DIY tests now.

22 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

The windscreen cover, well it wasn't a resounding success!

First night I put it on a wet window...it kind of worked as there were just small patches of thin ice underneath next morning.

Next night it slipped down so I came out to find 3 quarters of the screen frozen and just one perfectly clear quarter! 😄

Think it would've worked ok if it was the type that tucks in the doors but I wouldn't recommend the magnetic one tbh.

 

As for your starting issues...  The injectors look fine, no leaks there as you say!  They might be worn internally but you can't really year that without garage equipment.  I'm not really sure what else I can suggest as DIY tests now.

Ok so it's a no go for magnetic one but was worth the try at the price 😂👍 personally I would be looking at some way of stretching some string from the corners across the car somehow, 2 lower corners could go around wing mirrors, but you would have to be really anti ice man for that solution 🤦‍♂️

I appreciate the input, if AA are required I'm not sure what they could test anyway as alternator & battery changed last year, starter was tested

I'm just baffled as to whether a failing injector could be causing starting issues but then it's only if it drops to 0 degrees or lower - it would explain the white exhaust smoke on start up hmmmmm... Anyway if I don't hear from you I appreciate the help and have a safe Christmas 🎄

 

 

 

 

 

13 hours ago, Riky#MK2 FOCUS 1.8D 2008 said:

Ok so it's a no go for magnetic one but was worth the try at the price 😂👍 personally I would be looking at some way of stretching some string from the corners across the car somehow, 2 lower corners could go around wing mirrors, but you would have to be really anti ice man for that solution 🤦‍♂️

I appreciate the input, if AA are required I'm not sure what they could test anyway as alternator & battery changed last year, starter was tested

I'm just baffled as to whether a failing injector could be causing starting issues but then it's only if it drops to 0 degrees or lower - it would explain the white exhaust smoke on start up hmmmmm... Anyway if I don't hear from you I appreciate the help and have a safe Christmas 🎄

 

Haha, I might just buy another Ford for the heated windscreen instead!  

No, not AA, would need a proper garage to test the glow plug system (plugs, power, relay) and the injector flow rates.  Obviously you'd have to pay by the hour until they find something though so it could get expensive.  If you do ever find the cause, please do come back and let us know what it was as it may help someone else in future.

29 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Haha, I might just buy another Ford for the heated windscreen instead!  

No, not AA, would need a proper garage to test the glow plug system (plugs, power, relay) and the injector flow rates.  Obviously you'd have to pay by the hour until they find something though so it could get expensive.  If you do ever find the cause, please do come back and let us know what it was as it may help someone else in future.

Omg I can't imagine life without a heated screen, even with it I still struggle on those nasty mornings

I will update most likely sooner than later if it gets to minus & doesn't start but I'd rather we get an unexpected heatwave haha 

Have a good and safe Christmas everyone 🤠

On 12/10/2020 at 10:11 AM, Riky#MK2 FOCUS 1.8D 2008 said:

Omg I can't imagine life without a heated screen, even with it I still struggle on those nasty mornings

I will update most likely sooner than later if it gets to minus & doesn't start but I'd rather we get an unexpected heatwave haha 

Have a good and safe Christmas everyone 🤠

Hiya Tom and anyone else reading 🙂

Hoping everyones having a decent start to the new year......just wanted to take time to add an update as I remember you saying it can help others

So I have a cold start problem (cold meaning around 4 or lower but would eventually start with smoke) you said to put clutch down which has been a priceless edition to getting car started as we went into minus temps over Christmas period

In the coldest winter months I have always attempted to start car by letting it keep ticking/turning over for a good 10secs  then try again, however now I found that if I let it turn over for about 5 secs and it doesnt start, I stop turning, then turn it over again and it will start on the 2nd attempt after about 5 secs and also sound alot better - exhaust smoke is still there but its only the once so cant complain

Im alot more confident going into next winter as this was the sole reason I had enough of this car

🙂