Please help - problem with Ford Mondeo tdci

[crazycats103]

Hi all, I am hoping someone can help me solve a problem with my mk 3 ford mondeo tdci. A week or so ago the glow plug light came on and the car had no turbo boost when under pressure. A few days after that the ecu light came on and the car starting cutting out. I got fault code PO251 from my mates code reader which said there was a fault with the fuel pump. I took it into Ford yesterday for a diagnostic test which said it could be one of a number of problems (fuel meter, fuel rail, fuel filter, kinks in fuel pipes etc). The fuel pump was not listed as a possible fault. I changed the fuel rail & valves previously and also fuel filter so that wasn't the problem. I have changed the the fuel meter today and the car won't start now - Ford have said the engine doesn't require recoding after this. I don't think there could be any kinks in the pipes as they have never been touched. I have done everything I can possibly think of but to no avail. Really hope someone can help me out. Thanks in advance.

[heliosuk]

Sounds like a lack of fuel problem. Need to go back to basics here. First check lift pump is delivering to filter. Then get some tube the same size as the leak off tubes ( the ones that go from injector to injector and back to the filter/tank on no 4. Get 4 jars/bottles the same size and put tubes into them. Remove IMV (metering valve fuse and assumed you have checked this) and crank for about 5 seconds. You should see about 20cm3 in each jar. Anything significantly less and the HP pump has gone pop. Other signs are black hard deposits in the tank and fuel filter. To the best of your knowledge has it ever had petrol put in the tank? I am not aware that the HP pump will give a code but other things should register as a result. These things can be of questionable parentage to start at times when disturbed which is why you need to remove feed to the metering valve. This forces the fuel up to mega pressures which is why you need to crank for 5 seconds only.

 

If the fuel amounts in the jar seem to be correct then crank for a bit ( could be 30 seconds) and if it fires up then all well and good but do not run for more than 15 seconds. It should have bled properley then.

 

If still refuses to start then squirt easy start in the manifold for a bit to see if it will fire. This removes any mechanical issues.

[Conniff]

Well, what else can one say, you can't get any more comprehensive than that. I do agree with the Easy Start, have started many a problem diesel with that.

[Conniff]

PO251 - Injection pump fuel metering control A, cam/rotor/injector - circuit malfunction.

 

Wiring, injection pump, ECM

 

Erratic idle, fails to start.

 

Remove fuel filter

Drain contents, inspect for depsits (black with silver particles)

If 11mm diameter or more, remove fuel tand and flush.

Edited May 19, 2010 by Conniff

[heliosuk]

PO251 - Injection pump fuel metering control A, cam/rotor/injector - circuit malfunction.

 

Wiring, injection pump, ECM

 

Erratic idle, fails to start.

 

Remove fuel filter

Drain contents, inspect for depsits (black with silver particles)

If 11mm diameter or more, remove fuel tand and flush.

 

Crikey Conniff, where do you get this from? 11mm? it will sound like marbles rattling around!

 

From the intial description and your contribution it does sound like the IMV valve was at fault but if the OP has followed the guidelines I suggested it will either confirm whether or not the pump has gone pop."Ouch"!!.

 

These HPCR engines especially the early ones can be a pig to start despite being supposedly self bleeding.

 

Can't see how you can remove the filter and check for 11mm deposits as it's a sealed unit unless you cut it up and even then I can't see it LOL Thats bigger than the internal line diameter.

 

Would be interesting to see the outcome from the OP.

[3breakfasts]

Hi, I saw an article from Ford that suggested this too, though they suggested 10mm and that would indicate pump rotors and cams breaking up. Some early ones had suspect case hardening! Am currently going through all this heartbreak too. 54 plate TDCI Mondeo, bag of spanners!

[scaniaman]

Although you won't get better advice than from the two previous posters, it may be that someone else has had the same nightmare, so as a last resort try the "Scottish Mondeo Forum". On this site, mondeo owners discuss various problems and their solutions. Hope this helps.