poorpeet Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 2012 Mondeo diesel with 18k on it. Driving down the m20 earlier when it lost all power. No warning lights but could not get more than 2000rpm so limped to my local Ford dealer Luckly I was on my way home from a meeting close to home. Company car so left it there for them to investigate. Just had a call to say it was the cold weather (only -4 for Gods sake!) causing the diesel to congeal in the filter & it would need a new one! Started to argue but company paying so said ok but seems odd as Ford do cold weather testing down to 'kin freezing! & I'm sure the fleet manager will be in touch. I'd be surprised if it was the temp causing it but what do you lot think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Ford may test but it would depend on the diesel having the right additives for winter use, just possibly you've picked up some that isn't one thing is for sure if so you won't be alone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannon Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Diesel can turn into a semi solid in cold weather. Once it turns to this state, it cannot be turned back. It is possible that some of the diesel has congealed in the tank, and has been picked up by the filter resulting in fuel starvation. This will either shut the car down, or reduce the flow of fuel to the injectors (causing limp mode). The garage may be correct with their diagnosis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdeor Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 No completly true every cold snap we have had this year has bought a fleet of recovery vans to us Same symptoms all with fault codes of low fuel rail pressure So far a fuel filter change has cured them all hth Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbart Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 must be that southern diesel . A bit hardier up here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 moisture trapped in the fuel filter will freeze, did you know that bio diesel is used as a replacement for the sulphur that used to be added to diesel? and this bio diesel emulsifies and turns to sludge frequently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogc Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Had similar issues with a Honda accord. Found sludge in the filter possibly from a dodgy fill. Only ever caused a problem in very cold weather. Needed the fuel tank cleaning out,never a problem afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poorpeet Posted March 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Well fair enough then but it's pretty poor if ever time it getd cold you have to expect your car to need a 60 quid trip to the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsonicnat Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 (edited) My Frontera goes into LIMP mode if No1 cylinder injector packs up, its called limp mode to get you home, so no damage to the engine: Vauxhall only charge about £400 for them, I bought a second hand one: Thats why they will ONLY rev to 2000 revs: it is a sticky point with the off road Frontera boys.. will not go above 2000 moving, but rev stationary they will go into the Red: Edited March 11, 2013 by subsonicnat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdeor Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Well fair enough then but it's pretty poor if ever time it getd cold you have to expect your car to need a 60 quid trip to the garage. Not really a fault with the car.It's all about the water content in the fuel........car manufacturers cant control that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malik Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Very true, diesel does solidify under cold conditions. a known fact for years. The germans in WWII had to set fires under their tanks to keep them all warm during operation barbarossa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilR Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Back in the day wasn't parafin added to diesel to prevent it waxing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbart Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 surely -4 is not cold enough for diesel to freeze ! I have seen problems before but the temp was in the -13 or colder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannon Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 surely -4 is not cold enough for diesel to freeze ! I have seen problems before but the temp was in the -13 or colder. Depends on the quality and additives in the diesel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikemad24 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 iv been a diesel mechanic for nearly 10 years. i have never heard of diesel freezing above -10. but it could be right about bio diesel. the best time to fill your diesel is in the evening as this will reduce the moisture content in the tank. also most fuel filter have a water trap and id check it at least once a month. its pretty easy to do and you shouldnt spill more than a few small drops of fuel. also the best thing you can do with your own diesel car is to put a little 2 stroke oil in with every fill make sure it is Not fully synthetic, if you dont belive google 2 stroke oil in diesel. it really makes a difference. i work on engines from 2.0ltr to 16.00ltr and have come across most problems with diesels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 UK spec is winterised fuel until 15 of march current cold snap being a good reason for this..... Anywhere selling none winterised fuel is breaking the law? Summer derv is to -5 so minus -4 is on the limit, winterised good till -15 http://www.ukpia.com/files/pdf/ukpia-briefing-paper-diesel-fuel-winter-2010-.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delburt0 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Stick a quid of petrol in every time you fill up , thins the derv runs slightly hotter doesn't s@&it your injectors up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Stick a quid of petrol in every time you fill up , thins the derv runs slightly hotter doesn't s@&it your injectors up. at £1.37 a litre and 2litre min it's more like £3! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 bxxxxxxx diesel is guarenteed to minus 10 deg these days,only had diesels cars for last 30 years an never had one freeze up yet,my truck used to freeze up way back.i have ad 4 mondeo,s in a row never had that problem got mk4 now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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