Ford Mondeo 1 (1993 - 1996) - 96 1.8 turbo or head gasket blown?

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Thu 24 Sep 2009 12:49
96 1.8 turbo or head gasket blown? - rat bike fan
Hi,
Just wondering if anyone can help. My Mark 1 diesel 1.8 Mondeo died on the road the other day. The power started dropping off as I was driving. Foot to the floor I was changing down the gears but there was nothing there. I noticed white smoke pouring out the back. I managed to get it off the road and as I turned into the junction the engine died altogether and the oil and batt light came on. The car wouldn't start again from this point on.
I presumed the head gasket had gone, but when the recovery guy came he said he thought it was the turbo unit having failed as there seemed to be oil around the turbo unit rather than anywhere else around the head. Does anyone have any ideas which it is most likely to be. I was hoping to change the gasket myself at the weekend, but since he said this I am unsure.
I was quoted by a garage at being at least £400-500 in either case. The car itself isn't worth that, so if it isn't something I can sort myself then I'll probably have to just scrap it.
Any advice would be great.
Thanks.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 24 Sep 2009 13:40
96 1.8 turbo or head gasket blown? - RichardW
If it was the head gasket then chances are the white smoke was steam, and you have cooked the head, and no longer have compression which is why it won't start. In this state it should spin over fast with no obvious compression. New head gasket, plus skim of the head required.

If it was the turbo then the white smoke was unburnt oil, and you will have emptied the sump, and most likely seized the engine. In this case there will be no oil on the dipstick, and the engine won't turn over. New engine required.

£400 - £500 sounds about right for a HG job. It's not really a job for the novice - if only because you generally need a shed load of tools.


Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 Sep 2009 00:17
96 1.8 turbo or head gasket blown? - Peter.N.
Its possible that the timing belt has slipped and considerably retarded the pump.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 Sep 2009 12:23
96 1.8 turbo or head gasket blown? - Peter D
Have you lost water. ? Regards Peter
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide