Ford Focus mk1.5 2005 1.8 TDCi - Focus tdci 1.8 power loss after 3000rpm

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Mon 28 Jan 2013 23:17
Ford Focus mk1.5 2005 1.8 TDCi - Focus tdci 1.8 power loss after 3000rpm - cozzie121

Hi, I could do with some expert help please. My focus tdci has caught this common intermittent problem but searching through the forums and been to a few garages nobody can diagnose the issue. The mpg has fallen badly, losiing around 80 miles per full tank.

I have had it on the diagnostics and no fault codes are showing. It has been regularly serviced with a new fuel filter only 4k miles ago. Last year all 4 injectors went and they were replaced along with an egr valve and maf sensor.

I would take it to a ford dealer but with labour rates circa £50 an hour its not something I can afford to do. I would appreciate an advice in solving this intermittment fault. Thanks in advance.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 29 Jan 2013 09:48
Ford Focus mk1.5 2005 1.8 TDCi - Focus tdci 1.8 power loss after 3000rpm - Collos25

Has the car a elecontric or a vacuum operated turbo actuator if electronic these are a very common failure point also a fault with the turbo can give the symptoms you describe.You say you fitted a new EGR vavle was the inlet manifold and all the adjacent pipework cleaned out.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 31 Jan 2013 08:54
Ford Focus mk1.5 2005 1.8 TDCi - Focus tdci 1.8 power loss after 3000rpm - cozzie121

Hi, thanks for the reply, I believe it is a vacuum operated turbo vein actuator. I never fitted the EGR valve, this was all done during the replacement of the injectors by my local garage. I don't suppose they made a whole effort to clean out anything else at the same time.

I have replaced one of the turbo intercooler hoses in the last few months, the 2nd hose seemed to be ok. The symptoms were quite different though, a lack of power across the range rather than over 3000rpm. The car still pulls strongly up to 3000rpm.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Feb 2013 10:56
Ford Focus mk1.5 2005 1.8 TDCi - Focus tdci 1.8 power loss after 3000rpm - BenG

Is it possible the variable turbo vanes are sticking, which gives an overboost condition and could be putting the ECU into limp-home mode? This happens with the VW 1.9 TDI and is accompanied by a sudden loss of power after driving with high boost.

If so, there are various turbo cleaning products available like Revive or Innotec which might be worth a try, though since they need to be fed directly into the turbo it's probably a garage job.

First off, you could check the variable vane actuator arm on the side of the turbo is free to move by hand (it's a metal rod which actuates a short metal arm via a pivot) and if it seems rough or sticky then I guess you might have a problem.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Real MPG enables you to register the fuel economy you are actually getting against your make and model of car, its engine and type of transmission.

Every time you enter an average consumption figure against your car, the overall average automatically adjusts to reflect it.

Real MPG

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....