Skackeng - I would suggest you take your car to a diesel specialist or similar smaller garage, not the main dealer. My TDCI 130 developed the same problem - but injector #1 failed altogether and car ran like a bag of spanners. They changed the 1st injector plus auxiliaries for £300, inc. full ECU reprogramme, which fixed that problem. The trouble is, too much fuel got into the cylinder when the injector went, which resulted in the con-rod bending under the excess pressure, which in turn has damaged the cylinder head as well. Car still drive ok, its just noisy when cold but when it warms and the metal expands, all is ok, but a MAJOR £4k headache. Definately worth seeing to it before you are presented with a huge bill for a new engine, but don't go to the main fraud dealer. Fix Or Repair Daily people.

Hi, Following the dreaded flashing glow plug light coming on and my car needing a new injector, it is now running again, although finds it difficult to idle when cold. When first started from cold, the rev counter fluctuates around the 1000rpm mark and the engine cannot run at a constant. Also, sometimes a little white smoke comes from the exhaust when starting. Once run down the road, and left to idle, it seems fine again? When driving it is fine, and when warm it is also fine, its just that initial start up. I am hoping to get it back to the garage that did the initial repair for investigation which I trust should not cost me any more unless we run into new parts. Does this sound like a familiar fault to anyone and any advice on a DIY repair or fix? (i.e. the camshaft position sensor that is often referred to on here?) Thanks, Jon

Well hello there all. 12 days since my car developed a fault and it is just back from the garage today. Mixed news, and I not about to count my chickens so am treading carefully. Car was recovered from Oxford to Northampton by the AA and they were pretty sure it was the Turbo that had blown. I took the car to Rapid Fit (part of Allen Ford set-up, Duston) following recommendations from here and a friend. They quickly diagnosed the problem to be a faulty injector, which caused all the problems. This has since been corrected and the new ECU update (and something else but I forget what this is) at a total cost of £300 - not too bad, but still?! Car is running much better now, however is a bit rattly when cold during acceleration - if this persists the garage will be happy to have another look at it. I am hoping this has resolved the problem, but now I am aware of the issue with the TDCi engine I remain skeptical. Considering buying a warranty to cover myself in the future - there are some good ones out there with £5000 annual claim limits with cover that insures most parts that tend to go wrong with the infamous TDCi?? I have been quoted just short of £300 for the year - something I wish I had done prior to this breakdown. I will see how the car runs and update shortly - got another run to Oxford on Thursday so that will be the ultimate test - just have to remember to renew my AA membership which has since expired. Rapid Fit were very useful, and I found their prices to be on the whole about 30% cheaper then Ford - although they use all ford parts and the invoice is headed on Allen Ford paper - so basically Ford receipts for the Service History!! At the same time I also had a Major service and new brake pads and discs all round (all genuine ford parts) - all for under £300!!! Although, don't be mistaken - their prices aren't always this cheap, they left a tool under my bonnet and closed it, which meant my Mondeo has also received a brand new bonnet and respray courtesy of Ford, so there was some negotiation on the prices paid for the works - saved £150 off original price - due to the inconvenience! Luckily (well almost depending on how you look at it), someone rear ended me about three weeks ago so it went into the Allen Ford body shop through the insurance for a re-spray on the rear bumper, so I have had a courtesy car for almost the entire duration. Lets hope this is the end of the troubles with the Zetec S, but if not I'm sure I will be back on here soon grumbling about it further. Feel much better now that is all off my chest! Good luck out there!

Hi, Just brought a 52 plate TDCI Zetec s Mondeo with 78k on clock. Has been driving faultlessly until this morning, on my way to uni. Came off a roundabout and noticed the glow-plug light started flashing. Noticed something was wrong when I tried to accelerate and noticed reduced power. Pulled over, turned car off, waited a few minutes then restarted - light still flashing. Continued to drive, and car drove ok - no noises etc just low on power. Decided to continue the remaining 40 miles as had an essay to hand in! Got to park and ride and left car all day. Spoke to a ford garage, who said you can drive it but not recommended. For fear of causing more damage, I called the AA to have it recovered back to Northants. At 4pm when AA came, tried to start it - lots of juddering and noise, finally started and ran like a bag of nails. Then it started to kick out lots of whiteish/blueish smoke. When it started to warm up it settled down, but still smoked on acceleration. Now at Rapid fit (part of Ford in Northampton) awaiting diagnosis. I originally thought it was the turbo - although I now fear it could be worse!! They suggested it could be the ECR valve, but considering my luck of late I'm sure it will be the worst it could possibly be! This car is out of warranty, and I have no aftermarket warranty. If this is such a common problem with the TDCI engine, can this be disputed with Ford even though they are aware of the issue? Hmmm. I'll keep my fingers crossed for tomorrow but I am not optimistic of the outcome.