Hi,

Just joined the forum & looks great so far. While sorting out the finance paperwork yesterday, the salesman (2nd hand car dealer, not Ford Dealership) mentioned that the bushes are a thing to watch out for on Mondeos. I said I'd probably pick up on this developing by hearing a knocking noise, but he didn't seem to think so(?)

Is this really something that is more likely to go wrong & what else should I keep an eye on during ownership? It's a 2011, 163ps, 2.0 TDCI estate.

Thanks in advance,

Paul.

Welcome to the family Brycie,

Regarding the bushes, yes I've read reports of this happening, it's usually a knocking noise while driving on rough roads or humps. I've read that it could cost £600-£700 have the job done at a Ford dealer with new parts.

I myself have been driving a Mondeo mk4 for 4 years without any issues at all at 87000 miles now.

Touch wood!

Thanks for the welcome & the reply. Doesn't seem like it's exactly a chronic problem then. We'll be using an Indy for all our work, so I guess I can take over 50% off the dealer's £600-£700 in our case by using an Indy. The car's on just under 70,000 miles, so hopefully it'll be a while before major costs start occurring. She'll only be covering <10,000pa, so not putting many miles on it.

Any other pointers of things to watch out for will be welcome.

The mk4 2.0 and 2.2 engines are really reliable.

EGR valve leaking , DPF clogging up/ forced regen, (especially when used for short trips/ driven sedately) oil being contaminated and the level going up etc , DMF breaking up over time, eventually siezing starter , VNT mech sticking (due the extra carbon the EGR valve injects) the inlet manifold getting contaminated with carbon and eventually choking up -

thats the usual (modern) diesel problems (typical of high-milage diesels of all marques) the engine is a PSA - co-designed/ built by Ford, Peugeot and Citroen, and used in many different cars

exessive/ uneven tyre wear/ having to replace tyres frequently on some cars

The 163 can be a bit sluggish off the line/ needs revved in the lower gears to "shift", ("gutless" is mabee going too far) and can have hesitation / flat spots at low revs (i blame the EGR) - this is what early cars were like but later ones may be improved

EGR VALVE can be blanked, denying it from injecting carbon.

I have that knocking noise.... beginning to worry for MOT time now lol

With regards the blanking, I blanked my 1.8 mondeos EGR and it runs very well

I have that knocking noise.... beginning to worry for MOT time now lol

With regards the blanking, I blanked my 1.8 mondeos EGR and it runs very well

Oh gosh! I think you've had the most problems in the Mondeo forum!! Makes me scared

haha, it looks that way, but I bought a high mileage motor with a lesser budget. I think its a bad combination.

I would still buy a mondeo again though.

Hahaha, has to do with luck as well when it comes to buying second hand.

My loyalty has fallen for Mondeo now, I don't think I'll ever get another make or model.

my luck is sadly lacking in everything in life, this is just an extension.

Thanks FOCA, scary list lol, but having a 2.0 TDI engine myself & having been a member of another Marque's forum for a few years, I can see it's just a modern diesel's list of potential problems you've put down. Fortunately mine doesn't have a dpf, but I've prepared Wifey for weekly trips down the motorway to get the regen's done (why do I get the feeling I'll end up doing it myself? Lol). Contaminated oil could be a concern though. I'm used to a lack of power low down the rev range with mine, so no great problem as long as you know to expect it, mine still has that despite being remapped from 140bhp to 178, you just don't get much til you hit 2,000rpm in mine - I'm guessing similar in the 2.0 Tdci?

Thanks for the reassurance barbast, good to hear.

Jeebowhite, it ain't just you chap, I work with IT/AV equipment made in China on a daily basis & therefore regularly feel like there's someone up there peeing on my parade for a joke - if I didn't have bad luck, I'd have no luck at all lol.

Picked the car up today. All good - everything seems to be working as it should. Mrs loves the Bluetooth, interior displays & nice touches like cornering xenons. Bodywork & alloys repaired as agreed with the garage, so no complaints - except one: MOT was carried out on Friday & both front bushes are down as advisories! No wonder he dropped it into conversation the following day about the bushes being a common fault. No knocking noises, or any untoward noises at all though.

Will chat to my Indy tomorrow about looking at the bushes & blanking the egr off, then keep you guys posted.

Seems to be a nice, well looked after car. My only complaint is that the Wife likes the car a hell of a lot too, so she wants to drive it herself, when I actually want to get behind the wheel - it's the ultimate new toy.

haha, glad my Mrs doesnt drive, so I get to be the one holding the keys 24/7 :D