1955diesel

Petrol engines used to have simple catalysts for reducing Hydrocarbons and CO with EGR being used to get the NOx levels down. They now use 3 way catalysts which reduce all these pollutants.

No. The MOT for diesels does not test for NOx so they are none the wiser. However, they do test for smoke, which you can get if the EGR valve is sticking.

The bit about damage due to the valve being shut applies only to petrol engines.

I've just had mine replaced at 36000 miles but still under warranty. It seems to be very common.

This is so called "stretchy belt" technology. The tool just makes the job easier and protects the belt from the pulley rim as you wind it on. Perhaps you could use some plastic sheet or rag to do the same?

Rotten egg smell is associated with high sulphur fuels. Kwik Fit are cheapest for A/C regas (£45) and guarantee results, so if it turns out to be another problem, you don't pay.

If it is like the 2.0 it is round the back of the engine on the exhaust manifold. You have to take the engine bay bulkhead out to access it, which is why I didn't want to give it a go and then find out that my information was right.

Blanking is fine on the Focus (at least, older ones) Unfortunately, if you blank or disable the EGR on the C-Max, the ECU knows about it. The engine warning light comes on after a day or two and I am told that it will default to "Safe" mode it you leave it much longer. I have a long history of EGR problems on my car, but when the engine won't go, there is no engine warning light. However, sometimes the car feels really powerful and the warning light comes on. I suspect this happens when the valve sticks shut.

Complain about it now and get it on record - ask about the warranty situation. My last one got worse over a month or two and I had to leave it at the dealer's for 3 days before they were able to replicate the problem.

My EGR problems have often occurred after steady motorway cruising, typically when exiting to a roundabout. The only other thing it might be is the throttle sensor.

I seem to have read a lot of posts about alternator failure, anyone know why they are so fragile? The RAC have just towed my C-Max away because it isn't charging. :cry:

Also, a diesel will be easier to sell on and you'll probably get your extra outlay back.

I test drove a 1.6 and was surprised at how well it went although I ended up being seduced by the 2.0 :-) I had no issues with its performance around town.

If you are only taking it out because you are worried about your EGR valve, I would not bother. The price would just about cover fitting a new one. If you just like the idea of being covered, then the choice is yours. Has your car had EGR trouble in the past? From the posts on here, it seems that some are prone to trouble (like mine) and some never have a problem. I think the 2.0 TDCi is the worst.

I just went out and tried mine. If I push the rear two retaining springs into the compressed position, I get exactly the symptoms you describe. I had to push the rear release lever hard with my thumbs to get them to pop back again.

Assuming your's is the same as mine - If you fold the seat back down, then lift the seat up from its front edge, you will see that it should be locked in place by a hoop on the body and a catch on the seat. This catch can roll into the locked position and prevent the hoop from engaging. You can open it up again with a bit of prodding with a screwdriver. It then takes quite a shove to lock the seat in the down position. If the problem lies with the rear two spring loaded fixings at the rear of the seat, my handbook advises to make sure there is no debris in the holes in the floor, then pull

Complain to the dealership that fitted them? In what way is the engine damaged? Unless they were a grade that was far too hot it would be difficult to cause much of a problem. Or were they the wrong seat type or something?

Take it to KwikFit for the A/C. Cheapest at £45 and guaranteed results. Kwik Fit

Hi and welcome to the forum :-) Most people on here will tell you that the C-Max is a great car if you are lucky enough to avoid the niggles. You don't say what engine you have, but in any case I would not be looking out for any problems, just enjoy the car. Anything serious will soon make itself known ;-)

Has anyone any experience of the Mazda 5 diesel? I know they are based on the same platform as C-Max and are part Ford owned, so I'm thinking that it might make a good replacement. I am reluctant to buy another C-Max after all my EGR issues even though it fits my requirements exactly.

I think this feature was included at one stage because it would make a noise a few seconds after switching off. However, it does not do this anymore. Who knows what level of software I have, the reports I get back from the Service department are always very sketchy. It seems OK at the moment so hopefully it will last. The work has all been under guarantee so far, but I think I will get rid when it is 3 years old.

So its short trips and cheap fuel that cause the problem? Well mine always has branded fuel and played up mostly after motorway driving at 70+ :roll: mph. I have never been able to pin it down to driving style or fuel and it is now on its 5th EGR in 2 1/2 years (including the original). In this time it has put me in some very dangerous situations when it has almost cut out part way through junctions. I shall soon be thinking of trading it in and would love another C-Max, but how can I be sure that this problem is now fixed?

Had mine replaced last year and again a few weeks ago.

Try asking on focusowners.com That's where the C-Max forum has moved to.

Perhaps they don't yet know that everyone else is on focusowners.com?