How long before I have to get my cheque book out?

[lightning]

My Connect TDCi engine idles badly (lumpy) when cold but is OK once it has warmed up a bit.

I know this can be the start of injector issues but the van does drive fine with no other issues. Can I leave it until it comes up with a warning light, and will it do any harm?
I don't fancy spending £1,000 on it at the moment!

Is there anything else that can cause this fault? It's done 51,000 miles.

[dieselboy1978]

What year is the connect for a start?
When did it have a full service last?
Have you done a fault read with a decent diagnostic machine?

[lightning]

It's a 2008. It was serviced in October 2011 by Ford and they replaced one injector as it had "leakback" Even though I had not noticed any issues.
They also replaced the sump, again no problems reported, I think they were trying to make a bit of money before the warranty ran out.
To be honest I don't think the "service" included much more than an oil change.

Since the service it's done about 10,000 miles and the lumpy idle when cold has been there for a while.

I booked it in to Ford next week for a "free vehicle health check" so hopefully they will plug it in to the computer and see if there are any faults showing up.

[dieselboy1978]

First thing I would be doing is read of the PCM to see if any fault codes are present on the memory.
I would be expecting You to be changing a fuel filter replacement.
Just make sure it is a good quality filter, worth paying for a FORD one to be honest.

[lightning]

Thanks, can you tell me where the fuel filter is located and if I could change it myself?

[dieselboy1978]

Should be located either on left hand side of engine bay by bulk bead or at end of rocker cover on right hand side