Ford Fiesta Zetec 2011 Faults

[bethieb]

Sorry folks, this is quite a long one, although I'd appreciate any opinions.

I bought an 11 reg Fiesta Zetec diesel 1.4 in March. Two weeks after purchase it suffered complete engine failure because the engine coolant pipe had been disconnected and there was no coolant in the system. I'd rung the garage two days earlier as the air conditioning unit had failed and was told I had to wait three weeks for an appointment, despite owning the car for a grand total of fifteen days. Now I know this was a signal of a problem with the coolant system.

Then I discovered it had the wrong number plates on the car and I'd been driving around with illegal plates for the two weeks, which the dealership didn't even seem bothered about.

I took it into the garage once the AA had rescued me and explained the problem. After three days they told me that they had fixed the issue, which was a pipe leaking and there were no problems with it and no issues with damage to the engine, even though I'd been driving it for around 200 miles since the air conditioning unit failed (signalling the start of the problem). They had not checked for engine damage and I had to push for them to properly inspect the engine. Does anyone know how likely it is to have damage sustained to the engine by driving for around 200 miles with no coolant on the engine (it was completely bone dry) and resulting in the engine overheating and completely cutting out?

The dealership and Ford have been giving me the complete run around and I have no faith in the vehicle any more. I'm trying to reject it but they are saying that they have fixed the problem, which I do not believe that they have as the garage admits that damage may become apparent over time and that Ford may only fix it with a good will gesture (which essentially means that I could be liable to a massive repair bill out of warranty because of a manufacturing fault).

I took the car to be tested at an independent garage who told me that there was indication of damage with the cinder block test (not sure that's the right name?) and that gases were present in the engine. I took it back to the dealership who tested it again, admitted that the test did show that there were gases in the engine but a like for like test shows that this is the same in all brand new Ford fiestas. Is this true? I would have thought a car less than a couple of months old shouldn't show any sign of engine damage?

The pipe they said they had fixed is still in the car, albiet now connected, and the one they changed was another faulty pipe connecting to the engine. So that's at least two pipes that had faults when I bought the vehicle.

The oil engine light remains on for a few seconds longer than all the other lights and also comes on if the engine stalls. Is this normal? The garage says that they thoroughly checked the car and found no more faults.

The engine revs occasionally when I am driving at a stable speed, without pressing on the accelerator. Is this common in diesel engines? Also I have to be quite heavy handed with the accelerator and clutch or the engine stalls easily. Do other people find this with diesel fiestas?

Ford and the dealership are telling me that as the car has been fixed and is running at the moment that they won't do any more about it. I am really upset and disappointed in this vehicle, especially as I purchased it brand new and I have no confidence in it anymore. I do a lot of mileage for work and am worried about the possible damage caused in the engine that might not be showing up now. I'm also concerned that I'm not going to be able to sell it on as I know I wouldn't buy this car.

Any opinions would be really helpful as I'm really struggling to know what to do next.

[irononreverse]

I can't really say much since I drive a petrol but the oil lamp is the last to turn off when I start my car, so that's probably normal, about a second later for me.

[PumpkinSteve]

You said it suffered a complete engine failure but then when Ford checked it they found no damage to the engine, so what you mean is that the car broke down?

[arbgarry]

My 11 plate zetec 1.4tdci has also has the coolant pipe failure, the second time was tonight, the first was 11 days ago,

considering ive had the car from new for a whopping 28 days, im a bit dissapointed to say the least.

[cyb]

Not sure I like the ‘customer service’ approach of your dealer and I for one would be seriously looking to use another Ford dealership for any future issues. Saying gasses are present in all engines is a little ambiguous and I would have asked for a print out of the results and sent a copy to Ford HQ for their opinion.

With regard to using independent garages just be careful you don’t give Ford a reason to back track on the cars warranty and if you need a second opinion I would suggest you use another Ford dealer first rather than an independent.