This would have been better posted in the TDCI section, but I'm sure someone will be along soon to move it.
In the meantime, I can answer your question, but your not going to like it.
The starter motors are failing because your DMF (Duel Mass Flywheel) is braking down. One of the side effects of this breakdown is that the crap that comes off it clogs up your starter motor.
I was going to say that its pretty sloppy that the garage did not realise it was DMF failure, then I saw the part of your post about it being out of warranty. This explains a lot. The garage have no doubt chosen to fit 3 new starter motors knowing that will get you to the end of the warranty period and saving them the expense of a new DMF.
I can be certain of this because it is quite possibly the most common mk3 mondeo fault, its certainly most common major fault for diesels.
Indeed, I myself fell victim to it. I bought a lovely mondeo a year ago, drove fantastic, great nick, nothing not to like. Unfortunately for me, the previous (private) owner had just put a new starter motor on to mask DMF failure whilst he got shut of the car.
So, what will it cost to fix?
You will need a new DMF, clutch and slave cylinder. There is a lot of labour involved and prices vary. I payed £700 at an indie garrage. This seems to be the bottom end of what people on the forum report paying. Ford quoted me £1500.
So total cost £700-£1500. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I know exactly how sick this is going to make you feel.
In the meantime, I can answer your question, but your not going to like it.
The starter motors are failing because your DMF (Duel Mass Flywheel) is braking down. One of the side effects of this breakdown is that the crap that comes off it clogs up your starter motor.
I was going to say that its pretty sloppy that the garage did not realise it was DMF failure, then I saw the part of your post about it being out of warranty. This explains a lot. The garage have no doubt chosen to fit 3 new starter motors knowing that will get you to the end of the warranty period and saving them the expense of a new DMF.
I can be certain of this because it is quite possibly the most common mk3 mondeo fault, its certainly most common major fault for diesels.
Indeed, I myself fell victim to it. I bought a lovely mondeo a year ago, drove fantastic, great nick, nothing not to like. Unfortunately for me, the previous (private) owner had just put a new starter motor on to mask DMF failure whilst he got shut of the car.
So, what will it cost to fix?
You will need a new DMF, clutch and slave cylinder. There is a lot of labour involved and prices vary. I payed £700 at an indie garrage. This seems to be the bottom end of what people on the forum report paying. Ford quoted me £1500.
So total cost £700-£1500. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I know exactly how sick this is going to make you feel.
