AS Communal MK4&5 Mondeo Thread

[sierraman]

They’re not dear anyway, £25-30 gets a replacement. I once had a Visteon unit in a Mondeo and it had this habit of going to max volume seemingly at random. 

[beko1987]

I joined some fb groups and it's quite common it seems. 50/50 if it's the radio or the rest of the car somewhere. The issue gets plenty of 'my car does this' but then no resolution/the post is so old the car was under warranty 🙄. It's almost like the red/yellow wire swap on normal cars, but without that fixing it as it needs to be 'shut down' by the car. Someone did suggest checking the switched live as that could cause the 1 hour mode, but I've not dived into the wiring diagrams to investigate yet

He bought another 6000cd for £30 with a code, although I'm not sure it is that, alot of people are saying something behind the dash clocks gets a bad solder joint or something, and causes the bsi/whatever Ford call it to not shut the radio down. Similar issues stem from the door latch not sensing closure too but everything else in the car shuts off bar the radio so I don't think it's that. Alot of the paint is peeling off the existing buttons though so it'll look smarter at least

Will continue troubleshooting when I next see him. He isn't averse to an inline switch though, we can put the radio code in blind now although it's not ideal. 

Need to remind him if he wants to buy some oil and a filter, and the brake fluid is a bit low so id like to check the pads. 

[beko1987]

His replacement radio came today, he put the fuse back in before swapping it out and the bloody thing is working perfectly (for now). Turns off with the car. That's now in the 'keep an eye on it' pile. 

I guess where he's driven a bit with the fuse out it's hard reset something and made the bsi/computer re-learn? 

Oil change time next (if I don't force it it won't happen). Ecp says 5w30 and/or 5w40. Should I get one over the other or just 5w30 then I can bulk it up and do my own oil change too? (2l pez chain engine) 

[sierraman]

5w30 only not 5w40. To Ford WSS… B whatever the fuck it is. 
 

Have you checked the BSI module under the glovebox? Sometimes that gets damp inside, the dash problem isn’t all that common, a bash on the top of the dash should identify if it’s the issue. Shouldn’t cause a non start unlike the Focus as it doesn’t run the immobiliser through the cluster. 

[beko1987]

11 minutes ago, sierraman said:

5w30 only not 5w40. To Ford WSS… B whatever the fuck it is. 
 

Have you checked the BSI module under the glovebox? Sometimes that gets damp inside, the dash problem isn’t all that common, a bash on the top of the dash should identify if it’s the issue. Shouldn’t cause a non start unlike the Focus as it doesn’t run the immobiliser through the cluster. 

Not had the fusebox/bsi apart but it all looks dry. I had my head behind the dash (with my body upside down on the pass seat) to plug the Nokia thing back in with the glovebox removed and it all looks spotless. 

Equally my own airbag light hasn't come in since I flexed my bsi trying and failing to remove it so we could have just smashed it about correctly! 

Cheers for the oil conf. Sods law there's currently no cheap oil deals, might wait a week or so and see if any crop up

[sierraman]

1 hour ago, beko1987 said:

Not had the fusebox/bsi apart but it all looks dry. I had my head behind the dash (with my body upside down on the pass seat) to plug the Nokia thing back in with the glovebox removed and it all looks spotless. 

Equally my own airbag light hasn't come in since I flexed my bsi trying and failing to remove it so we could have just smashed it about correctly! 

Cheers for the oil conf. Sods law there's currently no cheap oil deals, might wait a week or so and see if any crop up

Mannol do a 20 litre 5w30 fully synth for £50-60 sometimes. 

[warren t claim]

On 27/08/2024 at 08:36, beko1987 said:

I joined some fb groups and it's quite common it seems. 50/50 if it's the radio or the rest of the car somewhere. The issue gets plenty of 'my car does this' but then no resolution/the post is so old the car was under warranty 🙄. It's almost like the red/yellow wire swap on normal cars, but without that fixing it as it needs to be 'shut down' by the car. Someone did suggest checking the switched live as that could cause the 1 hour mode, but I've not dived into the wiring diagrams to investigate yet

 

This really does surprise me. Maybe it's an age related issue as out of the dozen or so that I've had only the DAB head unit gave trouble?

On that note, another driver with the Sony DAB unit told me that it's only DAB, not DAB+ meaning that he can no longer tune into Talk Radio.

[beko1987]

Many answers like this, and having read hundreds of posts from forums it's been an issue for years. Once I filtered past the posts from 2010 where'I went to the dealer and they magically fixed it' just killed the threads it seems everyone had a slightly different issue. 

At least my mates one was only the radio, others complained of the lights and dash staying on too. 

It's a bloody nice car though, but I'd want a derv if I saved up for one and I assume they come with fun modern diesel related issues if I'm not careful 

[beko1987]

Couldn't find any amazing silly oil deals, so bought this

Mannol 2x5L Premium 5w30 Fully Synthetic Long Life Engine Oil Low Saps C3 dexos2 | eBay

£15 each doesnt sound bad. I already have oil filters for my car, I got him one and some cheap spark plugs as we pulled one the other day and it wasn't terrible, but they looked quite old, and since the air filter and wiper blades are fine I treated him to these. 

[sierraman]

1 hour ago, beko1987 said:

Many answers like this, and having read hundreds of posts from forums it's been an issue for years. Once I filtered past the posts from 2010 where'I went to the dealer and they magically fixed it' just killed the threads it seems everyone had a slightly different issue. 

At least my mates one was only the radio, others complained of the lights and dash staying on too. 

It's a bloody nice car though, but I'd want a derv if I saved up for one and I assume they come with fun modern diesel related issues if I'm not careful 

The diesels aren’t that bad to be honest, the petrols are usually a bit leggy by 150k ish. 

[warren t claim]

On 29/08/2024 at 10:44, sierraman said:

The diesels aren’t that bad to be honest, the petrols are usually a bit leggy by 150k ish. 

Each type of diesel engine fitted has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. They all drive differently too.

[warren t claim]

I can't believe I started this thread over six years ago and it's still going strong.

To celebrate here's a pic of one of my ex's. BD09HDO. She was a a 2.0 diesel Ghia that sported a working class grille after a previous owner forgot where the brake pedal was. Her spec was strange as she was fitted with the aforementioned spontaneously combusting DAB radio with the uprated speakers but no Bluetooth. Although all of those early 2.0 diesel powered Mk4s were decent some were better than others. This was probably the slowest as it would only indicate 128 mph flat out.

[beko1987]

The radio went back to not working earlier 😂

Fresh plugs arrived, oil says it's coming tomorrow but we won't fit it until next week so meh

[beko1987]

2 out of 3 deliveries

I'm assuming it's fine for my hdi as well hence I got 2 bottles 🤣 £15 each delivered which seems fine value for the once a year it's needed. Just need his oil filter to turn up now. I could do my own change whenever although I'm out tomorrow so it won't happen yet. 

 

[beko1987]

Still not sloshed any oil in either of them, 2 work commuter shitters 👌

[beko1987]

Also note the gap between the top of the headlight and the bonnet (on the mondeo 😂) 

It's on both sides and the bonnet does rock a bit on the centre latch. Latches fine and solid so no bother there but I'm wondering if that's the remains of it being a cat d. Easily bendable or just leave it alone? 

[junkyarddog]

Timing belt replacement time.

10 year or 200km is the interval. 

No real pics of the work,there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube. 

Yeah,that's getting on a bit.

Old water pump still as clean as a whistle,smooth to turn still too.

Chucked in the bin with the tensioner and idle pulley. 

This is the kit I used SKF,Same as last time.

Will I be replacing it again in another 10 years?

Doubtful. 😁

[junkyarddog]

Just back from a longish run in the Mondeo,and decided to check the Emm Pee Gee's. 

Quite pleased with that!

[junkyarddog]

Noticed a bit of a damp kind of a smell in my Mk4,whilst pondering I couldn't remember changing the pollen filter recently,checking my record revealed it was done at the last cam belt replacement just over 10 years ago.......

So a replacement was sought from the local factors and I fitted it today.

A bit of a faff really,but needs must I guess.

Yeah,that needs to be changed.

In!!

A ball ache really,but it's done.

Will see if the musty smell persists.

[beko1987]

I keep looking at £1000 mk4 diesel estates now... Is that wise to do? 

Still not touched my friends car, I keep reminding him but he never comes over so 🤷 

[warren t claim]

On 12/11/2024 at 15:50, junkyarddog said:

Noticed a bit of a damp kind of a smell in my Mk4,whilst pondering I couldn't remember changing the pollen filter recently,checking my record revealed it was done at the last cam belt replacement just over 10 years ago.......

So a replacement was sought from the local factors and I fitted it today.

A bit of a faff really,but needs must I guess.

Yeah,that needs to be changed.

In!!

A ball ache really,but it's done.

Will see if the musty smell persists.

They're not that much of a faff to change.

[warren t claim]

On 12/11/2024 at 16:41, beko1987 said:

I keep looking at £1000 mk4 diesel estates now... Is that wise to do? 

Still not touched my friends car, I keep reminding him but he never comes over so 🤷 

It depends on what version of engine is fitted.

[beko1987]

17 minutes ago, warren t claim said:

It depends on what version of engine is fitted.

What's the reliable one? The one that won't mind 8k a year (I really should get a pez but the longer drives I do will suck) 

My mate is finding out how much his pez one likes to drink. Certainly screaming it's head off above 85

[warren t claim]

2 minutes ago, beko1987 said:

What's the reliable one? The one that won't mind 8k a year (I really should get a pez but the longer drives I do will suck) 

My mate is finding out how much his pez one likes to drink. Certainly screaming it's head off above 85

Mk4a 2.0 diesel.

[sierraman]

On 12/11/2024 at 16:41, beko1987 said:

I keep looking at £1000 mk4 diesel estates now... Is that wise to do? 

Still not touched my friends car, I keep reminding him but he never comes over so 🤷 

Yeah they’re fine. I do 6000 pa in mine and it’s fine as I go on a long run every few weekends. 2.0 TDCI best, forget post 09/10 autos. Petrols so few and far between wouldn’t bother with. 1.8 TDCi ok if you don’t mind spannering to do the wet belt. Usual diesel advice avoid anything remapped. If it’s Euro 5 spec replacing the ‘fifth injector’ in the DPF probably wise before it causes a problem. 
 

Also wouldn’t be paying £1,000 for one as 90% chances it’ll be buggered. Probably £2,500 plus.

[beko1987]

2 hours ago, sierraman said:

Yeah they’re fine. I do 6000 pa in mine and it’s fine as I go on a long run every few weekends. 2.0 TDCI best, forget post 09/10 autos. Petrols so few and far between wouldn’t bother with. 1.8 TDCi ok if you don’t mind spannering to do the wet belt. Usual diesel advice avoid anything remapped. If it’s Euro 5 spec replacing the ‘fifth injector’ in the DPF probably wise before it causes a problem. 
 

Also wouldn’t be paying £1,000 for one as 90% chances it’ll be buggered. Probably £2,500 plus.

It'd be the 1k-1500k range I'd be able to afford, and that's after some saving. 

Noted though, thanks! Still can't get the Nissan quashqai out of my head but hopefully that'll pass

[sierraman]

1 hour ago, beko1987 said:

It'd be the 1k-1500k range I'd be able to afford, and that's after some saving. 

Noted though, thanks! Still can't get the Nissan quashqai out of my head but hopefully that'll pass

There’s some very ropey ones about. I’d just keep saving (easier said than done I know…) until you get to the £2k mark for a hatch. A £1000 one that’s bollocksed will cost you more in the long run. 

[beko1987]

37 minutes ago, sierraman said:

There’s some very ropey ones about. I’d just keep saving (easier said than done I know…) until you get to the £2k mark for a hatch. A £1000 one that’s bollocksed will cost you more in the long run. 

I think I still want an estate sized car. Easier for carrying my tent around (not that I did this last year) and easier to make into a 1 person sleep pod for shitefest etc. Plus taking the kids away for the weekend generates a surprising amount of shit and it's great to pack it all in the boot and shut the load cover still! 

Jury is out though, I am saving slowly in the background. Might fix the Xsara yet and spend on it but I need a plan B before Sept 2025. And I am a bit bored of the Xsara now... 

[sierraman]

2 hours ago, beko1987 said:

I think I still want an estate sized car. Easier for carrying my tent around (not that I did this last year) and easier to make into a 1 person sleep pod for shitefest etc. Plus taking the kids away for the weekend generates a surprising amount of shit and it's great to pack it all in the boot and shut the load cover still! 

Jury is out though, I am saving slowly in the background. Might fix the Xsara yet and spend on it but I need a plan B before Sept 2025. And I am a bit bored of the Xsara now... 

You might drop on but they’re pretty straightforward to repair. Timing belt relatively straightforward, can have some DPF problems but give it a good run regular and it’ll probably be ok. 

[Cookiesouwest]

2 hours ago, beko1987 said:

I think I still want an estate sized car. Easier for carrying my tent around (not that I did this last year) and easier to make into a 1 person sleep pod for shitefest etc. Plus taking the kids away for the weekend generates a surprising amount of shit and it's great to pack it all in the boot and shut the load cover still! 

Jury is out though, I am saving slowly in the background. Might fix the Xsara yet and spend on it but I need a plan B before Sept 2025. And I am a bit bored of the Xsara now... 

How about a cheap Picasso. No one wants them. Often giffer owned and quite well looked after. PSA diesel.