ModerateAffected: 2013-201780,000–150,000 miles

Ford Fiesta Mk7 1.5 TDCi 75bhp — Glow Plug Failure and Hard Cold Starting

Failed glow plugs on the 1.5 TDCi cause difficult cold starting, white smoke and misfire on startup. Often overlooked on service schedules, they are a high-mileage wear item.

Severity

Moderate

DIY Difficulty

Moderate

Est. Cost

£120–£250

OBD Codes

P0671P0672P0673P0674

Component Diagram

Engine

Typical layout and location for the Engine assembly.

Reference Illustration

Symptoms

Long cranking before starting when cold
White smoke on cold startup
Misfire on start, clears when warm
Glow plug warning light on dashboard
P0671-P0674 glow plug circuit codes

Root Cause

Glow plugs pre-heat the combustion chamber to aid cold starting. They are a wear item rated for approximately 100,000 miles but can fail earlier. Broken plugs that snap off during removal are a secondary risk.

How To Fix

Test each glow plug with a multimeter (resistance test) or dedicated tester
Soak stuck glow plugs in penetrating fluid overnight before removal
Never force — broken glow plugs require specialist extraction tools
Replace all 4 plugs at once — part cost £40-80 for a set (NGK or Bosch)
Full job at indie: £120-250

Estimated Repair Costs

Repair Option	Est. Cost (GBP)
DIY (parts only)	£48–£100
Independent Garage	£120–£250
Main Dealership	£192–£400

Other Faults on This Variant

DPF Blockage and Regeneration Failure

Moderate

2013-201730,000–80,000 miles£150–£1200

The 1.5 TDCi diesel Fiesta is commonly used for short urban trips — exactly the wrong usage for a DPF-equipped car. Blocked DPF is the number one complaint.

EGR Valve Failure and Intake Carbonisation

Moderate

2013-201740,000–90,000 miles£80–£350

EGR failure on the 1.5 TDCi Fiesta is a common companion to DPF issues. Carbon deposits block the valve and intake manifold, causing power loss and rough running.

Diesel Injector Failure and Rough Running

Severe

2013-201780,000–160,000 miles£200–£800

Common rail injectors on the 1.5 TDCi can fail, causing misfires, excessive smoke and hard starting. Injector failure can also result in diesel washing the cylinder walls, accelerating engine wear.

Disclaimer: Repair cost estimates are indicative and based on community data. Always get a quote from a qualified mechanic before proceeding with any repair.