Hi guys, just some quick backstory:

I've bought a 46k miles, 1.6 TDCI DuraTorq C-MAX (2012) from a family member. They've hardly used this vehicle over the past few years, and it's spent countless months parked on the drive between uses (and I imagine these where fairly short journeys when it did occasionally move).

It's been regularly services throughout its life and not abused or driven harshly (aside from those last few years of stagnation).

I believe Injector 1 failed maybe one or two years ago. This was replaced at a garage. Either at this time or since the fuel filter was also changed.

Now a week into ownership the car ***** the bed on the dual carriageway, the RAC fella showing me Injector 3 has now failed.

With that history, what would you do? I want to get to the source of the issue before spending time and money replacing them. Fuel contamination seems to be fairly likely to my novice mind. I don't imagine sitting for all those months did the car any good. How would I go about doing a fuel system flush/ inspection? I should also probably check if these injectors have clogged or failed in a different way.

I aim to keep this car indefinitely and really look after her with regular servicing. I just want to feel secure that the other two wont suddenly go, or god forbid and new injector fails in a years time.

Thanks in advance.

The injectors on these are weak.  Many had to be replaced under the 3 year warranty so I'm not surprised that yours are failing before 50k.  I had one of these on 42k several years ago with 2 dodgy injectors.  I would definitely budget for replacing all 4 on this engine.  They don't usually fail catastrophically though.  So perhaps something else is going on in your case.

You can send a sample of the fuel away for testing to confirm whether that's contaminated.  No point changing the filter yet if the fuel system needs to be drained.

3 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

The injectors on these are weak.  Many had to be replaced under the 3 year warranty so I'm not surprised that yours are failing before 50k.  I had one of these on 42k several years ago with 2 dodgy injectors.  I would definitely budget for replacing all 4 on this engine.  They don't usually fail catastrophically though.  So perhaps something else is going on in your case.

You can send a sample of the fuel away for testing to confirm whether that's contaminated.  No point changing the filter yet if the fuel system needs to be drained.

That's very good advice thank you, I will look into doing this.

There is biocide that may help if contamination by bugs/algae etc is confirmed or otherwise to ensure all contamination is removed e.g.:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DERV-Control-Litre-Biocide-Diesel/dp/B00O7QI8UW

I dunno. My 2012 has 224klm on injectors and I’ve had scans run twice on it, after bizarre intermittent historic temporary faults, indicated 4th cylinder had a problem with glowplug as well. Took it in to replace plus the fuel filter, which also hadn’t been replaced in over 120k, and they couldn’t find any current faults. They suggested it was a fuel filter problem. I’ve driven it 1000klm after and only had one instance of rough running, engine fault, that repaired it self after stopping for an hour. Since then driven another 2500 without problems. I’m totally baffled, just unhappy with return of bigger problem. I’ll try to find a link back to my problem. 

@syrahnose so what is the actual current problem (may have been better in a new thread?):

10 minutes ago, syrahnose said:

after bizarre intermittent historic temporary faults

Very surprised it would even run after 120km with no fuel filter change!

Faults can reset when ignition switched off so really need the codes when it happens (Forscan + approved lead, yawn!)

I made the same comment in this thread so watch out for confusion (I am!):
https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/162227-engine-malfunction-service-now-rmp-below2k-limp-home-mode/

 

And that thread I quoted the fault codes which disappeared mysteriously. 

I took car in for a scan and nothing showed currently. Historically two codes showed up that might be related. PO37D00-28 Glow Plug Relay malfunction CMDTCS  Odd because the car has never refused to start up on first button push. 

The second historic fault is P1264:00-28 A possible injector malfunction on cylinder 4 CMDTCS.

But neither show as current problem, just historic incidences. Mechanic told me he wouldn't charge for digital check because there was no current malfunction to fix."

Ironically, today I had an engine fault code, with no symptoms, turned off the engine and it disappeared. Driving without problems, except the worry of this intermittent fault returning. Is the fault system at fault or is there a real fault not quite making itself full? The big question. 

In discussing the possibility of replacing injectors, I suggested just the one that the historic fault cade threw out. Mechanic said better to replace all at once. Their experence was if only one was replaced, the other 3 would fail within a year or so. 

Sorry I interjected, but I thought 2 points I've made were relevant. First is changing fuel filter is clearly important, which mine wasn't for 220000klm. 2nd was I managed to get 220,000 klm out of my injectors so far so not convinced they are necessarily weak in this model. 

My problem is will injectors and glow plugs carry on for another 20-80k before needing changing. 

Again, fault codes need reading (Forscan) when they are on, switching off and they clear isn't helping.
If injector leak off test was done, that would check that specific aspect and kits are available at a reasonable price (to me)

If it is something to do with delivery then I'd ask a diesel specialist to test them - if that is still a "thing" (are there still such people?)
Injectors and glow plugs lasting  a further 20 000 km (12 000 miles) - maybe, who knows? Another 80 000km (48 000 miles!) is anyone's guess! (replacement would perhaps be expected before 300 000 km!)
You still haven't said if the fuel filter has actually been changed as there is a mention of garage suggesting fuel filter problem (can occur even with relatively new filters  - if in doubt, change it, again?) Unless I've missed something?

CAR: Cash Always Required so at this mileage escaping spend is more luck than anything else?