Hi guys.

My dads diesel mondeo is a cow to start,takes ages always sounds like battery is dead when its brand new(and independently tested).

Its a 1999 1.8 if that helps.

Any ideas?

How old are the glowplugs?

when was it last servised

as vijay says, glowplugs are one thing that can fail, especially in colder weather. You say it sounds like a flat battery- what does it click?

The other thing is does he have a good brand of glowplug? I used pattern glowplugs and had problems, was told to use OEM (Mitsi) and started on the button

id have to agree on the glow plugs, had a 1.8td mondeo and glow plugs went on that,

 

Try this, turn key till glow plug light comes on on dash, wait till it goes out, carry on waiting until you hear a click, then turn the key, if it starts then its glow plugs, the click is the relay turning off for them, they will be at full temp and should start the car, it its still struggling, get new glow plugs.

 

If me car was working id pop over and check them for you as i have a very handy glow plug removal tool that would help you lots, as on the ford mondeo they are a PITA to get at.

If it turns over slow and all the engines earths are good and the battery is a good un,its the starter .The 1.8 engines can suffer with lazy starters.Diesels which have indirect injection need to turn over at a good speed to create heat which they rely on to start.To check for a bad earth run a jump lead from the battery negative to the engines lifting eye,if it flies over youve sussed it.Check your earths and the main connection at your starter.

Thanks guys, will do battle with it if i'm not working + it's not snowing.

The wire to the glowplugs was melting earlier- never a good sign :angry: