Had a front end accident...now my car judders at higher revs

Nov 26, 2003 6 Replies

Hello,



I wonder if anyone can help...



On saturday I had a low-ish speed (15-20mph) front end accident in my



97 Fiesta 1.25 LX (20 minutes after noon when my insurance changed from Comp to 3rd party D'OH!!).

The bonnet is folded up, one headlight is smashed and one wing is damaged (oh and the airbag needs replacing!), I'm currently getting quotes for the body repair.



Anyway, here's the problem: When I drive the car and I use moderate hard revs (in any gear) the car judders or kangaroos as if it is about to run out of fuel. Because of the state of the car, I could only really drive it round the block to test this. My brother thought maybe the driveshaft is damaged...any other opinions? (Oh and an indication of seriousness / cost would be great).



Many, many thanks in advance for any help here.



Ray


If the airbag inflated then you had a pretty hard accident - although it might not look too bad, there must have been enough impact to make it go off.

My opinion? Be very careful, be realistic and expect the worse. It could be something simple like an engine mount but there might be a cracked subframe or something....

BTW - the airbag will cost a lot on its own..

Boz

The cross members at the front of the car will be buggered too. I'd expect you'll be paying a fair chunk at a bodyshop to get the car straightened out and the new panels welded on - at least a grand IMO, a bit less if you can find a bonnet in the right colour at a scrappy and just have them fit it. Before you go and get the car fixed work out what it'll cost, and what you reckon you'll be able to sell the car for afterwards, and compare it with what you can get another for, and how much you'll get selling your current one as parts on Ebay. Still, you can console yourself with the fact that it's probably cheaper than having fully comp but losing your no claims...

Might be as simple as something like a bit of a kink in a fuel line causing the running problems. What did you crash into at 15 miles an hour to set off the airbag and fold the bonnet?

Fuel cutout needs resetting?

Thanks Boz, appreciate your input.

Ray.

You'll have broken an engine mount more than likely.

Matt

it wouldn't start if it did

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