1998 Ford Mondeo ST24 from UK and Ireland - Comments

The noise I think that you may be experiencing is called moosing. I've never had this problem with my car, but I've read up abit now on the ST24 since buying mine and this may be the cause. It is usually a loud honking noise that comes from the intake system at extreme temperatures (cold or hot) and is usually experienced after fitting an induction kit. Theres a specific part that can supposedly solve this problem. Its called an anti moose pipe and is a revised pipe connection to the air intake bellows, and the good news is that I've heard these bits are around a tenner so cheaper than £70+ to repair. These websites have more info; www.fordmondeo.org and www.AllansMondeo.FastFords.co.uk.

Have you done anything to your ST24? Are you modifying the engine or anything? Heres something you might not have in your ST24, footwell lights! They were fitted to the highest spec cars, but bizarrely a lot of Mk2 Mondeos have all the fittings and wiring in place. There under the lower dash on the drivers and passengers footwells, all you will need is a pair of 501 capless bulbs (£3 at Halfords), then just push the bulbs into the holders and every time you open the doors they will turn on with the rest of the courtesy lights. Have a look for them, found them on mine and they look great at night. Let me know how you get on or if you need more info.

Yeah I must admit, an awesome car. So quick compared to my old 1.8 Mondeo Zetec; eats Saxos and Corsas alive LOL.

Best bit also is that it falls in the same insurance bracket as a 2 litre Ghia X. I am 20 with a claim, and insurance is only 984 with two named drivers (excess is £450), but what an awesome car. I used to return 35mpg out of my 1.8, return about 30-33mpg out of the ST driving the same way, and the traction control has saved me a few times in the wet...

I have owned a ST24 for 4 years, I do love it.. I would'nt call it fast as in zippy, but its got a big lazy V6 that snarls like a whipped tiger, loads of torque, sticks to corners like spiderman and for a 10years old car, it still gets the glances. I've had all the problems quoted, water pump broke, sticking rear door handles, moosing, electrics are a shambles and if you,ve got a heavy right peg, it would drink the combined talents of Ollie Reed, Richard Harris and George Best under the table. What a car!!

Hey people, I have just bought an st24. It is in beautiful condition, I have had major problems with the engine though.

The car started cutting out, so I took it to the performance garage and the crank shaft was shafted. So I went to a scrap yard and bought an engine in good condition with 48k on it, and the garage fitted it (very slowly). I ran the car for a week and took it real easy - got 35 mpg and was very happy.

I horsed it a bit and it is very quick. I've had 130 with loads left.

Anyway, I have had a rattling noise under the bonnet underneath the back on the drivers side??? Is that where the water pump is???

Any how, I took it to a garage and they told me to fetch it in Tuesday after the bank holiday, and they will see what it is then!!! I left the garage and 30 minutes later it cut out at lights, nightmare. Called the RAC, he tried jumping it to no avail, so towed me home. It is now in my drive and won't start, just makes a brief grinding sound and nothing else --- Any ideas??? PLEASE HELP

Miles - Newcastle.

I have very same noise from same location on drivers side of my engine and also a loud tapping noise from top of engine. i hope its maybe just water pump.it sounds like a pump pumping without any fluid. from back of engine. please help im panicing only had car for 2 weeks.

I hate to tell you this, but honestly it sounds like the exact same problem I had with my mk1 24v.

It's when the cam tensioners are failing, as they're made of nasty cheap plastic I'm afraid. Mine lasted ages, but the inevitable happened and they caused the chain to be really badly worn and it snapped. The noise you hear is the chain missing the chain wheels.

Hope this helps. Jeb.

The water pump is on the passenger side off the v6 lump so that grinding noise you can here may be the power steering pump and the loud tapping may just be the hydraulic tappits.

Thanks for all your answers, I've now took my st24 to 2 different garages and ford said the noise is eithier an ideler pully or a tensioner on its way out. and that I will have to keep driving it for a while longer as he had no idea which one. and that I had to come back when the problem was more apparent. another garage told me the noise from drivers side was maybe cam tensioner failing. im going to take the aux belt off tommorrow and start engine to rule out idler and tensioner. if I still have noise its maybe the cam chain tensioner, what do you guys think?

Many thanks for comments

will.

Can any one comment on towing a caravan with an st24 1998 model as im looking at getting one and don't know now as I've been told they sway about quite bad?

I have just bought a '98 2.5 V6 Ghia X, £800 on Ebay with 90'000 on clock. It was suffering straight away from IMRC problems - No power after 4000 RPM and topping out at 110MPH.

Read articles on internet about IMRC - Ford quoted £186 for new IMRC + Cable so tried to repair it myself. It would seem that the power drop offs are only occurring when engine is hot, so its apparent that the main transistor in the box is overheating causing problems. I opened the box up and replaced the plastic white grub screw on the board with a metal one which screws the transistor hard down against the heat sink built into the IMRC housing. The plastic grub screw I believe is not sufficiently strong enough to do this job and the transistor overheats from lack of contact with the heat sink. Check all soldered connections on the board for dry joints also. I tested the IMRC with the top of the box off and revved the engine to 4000RPM whilst holding the motor SECURELY on the gear teeth to stop it jumping out of the housing. The motor engaged (POWERFULLY) and the secondary inlet valves opened. Releasing the throttle and the motor stopped - closing the secondaries under spring loaded return pressure. Further proof that the IMRC works when cool, but falters when overheated due to the transistor overheating. I put the cover back on and deliberately left the plastic cover removed - This is the plastic cover to the right of the oil filler cap which has DURATEC 2.5L V6 embossed on it and covers the water pump pulleys. This cover serves effectively to trap heat from the head and further overheat the IMRC. Reading the posts above about removing the bonnet insulation - This has not been necessary for my car since I replaced the plastic grub screw and removed permanently the plastic DURATEC cover - It now performs 100% after a good ragging - with no signs of overheat problems.

The other problem with these cars is the heater blower fan only working on setting 4 - this is the second Mondy I've had with this problem which is COMMON. Ford sell an upgrade kit for £20 which includes a new resistor board - fits in the outlet duct from blower motor behind glovebox, and a plug with upgraded wiring which you simply chop off the old plug and damaged wiring and butt crimp the new plug + wiring to the existing wiring - 10 minute job - simple.

Had problems with knocking from rear of car underneath - thought this was the cheap retro fit exhaust - Don't BUY A TUBEREX backbox for the passenger side on a V6 - it's a very bad fit and melts the rear bumper not no mention bangs on the axles as well. Either invest in a Mongoose system (300 - 450 quid) or go to Ford and get an OEM backbox system (£240) Aftermarket exhaust backboxes for the V6 are dreadful and just don't fit right.

Further knocking due to rear roll bar drop links - knackered bushes - this is common and costs only £15 from Ford for 2 drop links to fit yourself - quick job to do and quietens down rear suspension no end.

Other than these few niggles, it's a superb car for the money - 140 MPH performance for under a grand - the Ghia X might not have the RSAP bodykit, but it has all the other toys that the ST24 does not have - Cruise control, Full leather interior - not just half leather, Trip Computer, Full electric drivers seat adjustment - not just up and down, Graphic display warning module, 7000 stereo + 6 Cd multichanger etc. So whilst the ST24 looks pretty - I agree it is mean looking and I like the RSAP kit, I prefer the refinement, luxury and power that is the 2.5 V6 Ghia X - the wolf in sheeps clothing!

By the way, the Vectra v6 is actually faster than the ST24 - and the Laguna V6 is a 3.0 24v Beast capable of 150 MPH, so the earlier comments on the ST24 beating these is not technically true, as I would have prefered the Renault Laguna 3.0 Executive or RTi 24V V6 but could not find a decent one for the money I wanted to pay. The Laguna V6 and the 406 V6 are genuine beasts - race one at your peril.

Try also the Zafira 2.0 GSi - you won't beat one of them either in an ST24 - I've tried - It won. 2.0 Turbo - very underestimated people carrier, and lethal acceleration - try one if you have a family and want a toy the wife and kids (and the dog) will approve of.

Enough Said. The Mondy is cool, yes, but its not the dogs danglies!

I've had my V6 for 5-6 years now, just a Ghia with factory fitted rsap kit of the saloon variety. I've had new head gaskets, lots of irmc problems and everything else.

Think I've now got the wearing chain tensioners on the way as well.

My prob with my irmc was the actual power transistor had burnt out, so I resoldered a new one in and relocated the irmc to underneath the battery tray, beats having all your ugly cylinder head on display.

The problem with the Mondeo is everybody has one and the 2.5 24vs don't look much different from the average 1.8 shopping trolley.

As much as I read about the handling being great and the power being there, I'm still not sure I can part with my cash and buy one.

I think I might look for some turbo-charged fun with a SAAB or maybe a Volvo T5.

Yes, the only difference is that little badge on the wings that says "V6", that's what I actually like about it, the Renault Laguna V6 and Peugeot 406 V6 saloon are the same, they are wolves in sheeps clothing and take other drivers by surprise with their impressive acceleration. I know that Mondys are dirt common, but that is why they are good value. The ST24 and ST200 are certainly different looking from the standard Mondeo shopping trollies and the Rally Sport Appearance Pack (RSAP) bodykit and Turbine Alloy wheels that comes as standard on 98 model onwards really do the job in making them stand out from the 1.8 LX rep mobiles.

As far as the Volvo T5 engine is concerned - If you want to pay thousands more for your performance, then go ahead - I won't argue, they are potent. Used in the latest Focus ST and current Mondeo 2.5 (2008 model), the Volvo T5 is a truly superb engine - but you pay through the nose for it!

The point I'm making is that FOR THE MONEY - Under 2 grand now for most ST24 and Ghia V6 Mondeo's up to 2000 model year, the performance and enjoyment is pretty much unbeatable.

I would love a 2005 onwards Focus T5 ST but cannot afford the huge price tag!

I totally agree with the last poster!

Only thing that I'm concerned about is, the T5 has been running for years, highly reliable and very pokey, and they are in abundance down the local cop shop, why the hell did Ford never consult Volvo and slap a big fat turbo on it like the upcoming Focus RS???

Yeah, I know Volvos are to be frank BLAND! But they sold shed loads, and they are a good all rounder car, whether it be business or family use!

One poster I do disagree with is the comment regards the Vectra V6! Sorry but that compares in no way SHAPE or form to the ST24, I have had both, the ST handles better with better response and looks better too, so good in fact I have in last year replaced it with an ST220 that leaves the Vectra standing. Yeah the Vectra had a faster 0-60 time by a shade, but the speed lost cos the thing corners like a yankee, makes the ST24 a far better choice. Oh and why did I get rid of the Vectra, it went bang, and not in a fun way! And was regularly serviced and kept in prime condition, well up till the point where the red bonnet became black! Just for record it was an SRI estate.

ST220, going strong and turning heads, my opinion you want a car that can turn heads in factory spec, then get an ST, or RS. Affordable quality. who gives a damn that it's a blue oval, at least spares are cheap and easy to get hold of. I'm sure if you rang your pizza shop you can get Ford parts delivered from them (in 30 minutes or you get them for free)

Neal.

ST220, now there's a really nice Mondeo. Vectras aren't great, I'd have to agree with you Neal. My mate has had no end of trouble with his, and I had the Mondeo ST24 in the original review, so you know what happened with mine, but it was still a so much better car.