Ford diesel engine idle question

[scooters]

One for all you oil burners out there - I'm helping a mate sell on his 2004 Focus Tdci. Car is in pretty good condition but I have noticed that it idles and starts like a pig when cold. Once warm, even slightly warm, it is fine but obviously, when selling on to a punter they will not necessarily think that it is nothing to worry about - if fact, I would say that it could be a deal breaker especially as they sound like a sack full of spanners in a cement mixer at the best of times. White smoke on start up clears when warm.

 

I wonder if this is the ford 1.8 tdci issue of a poor signal from the crank shaft sensor - a common issue apparently but surely that would cause the issue even when hot?

 

MAF clean? another option I suppose.

 

Any ideas?

[scaryoldcortina]

Bung a set of glowplugs into it first - if it only does it when cold it's most likely a dud one making it start on 3 until it warms enough for the last one to fire. The white smoke is the unburnt fuel from the misfiring cylinder.

 

If that doesn't fix it, google has a whole world of pain waiting just a search away.

[scooters]

LOL - THIS is EXACTLY why I drive CHOD!

 

are you sure it's not the alternator?

[Barry Cade]

Had issues with the Dual Mass on these- causes poor starting etc as the crank sensor takes its pickup from the flywheel...if the DMF is worn/broken up it gives symptoms like a worn distributor shaft, just like on an old Chevette!