Ford Focus 1.6Tdi 2008 - Loss of power?

mini_brian

Hi All,

Looking for any Ford/Peugeot people with knowledge of the 1.6 tdci 90bhp engine that's shared between Ford & Peugeot.

The problem I have is the car lacks power. It won't really go above 3,000 revs in any gear. I had a quick look at the turbo and that seemed ok? We also quickly checked the DPF and we reckon its not that. My mechanic who only had a few mins to look at the car today said he had a similar problem a while back with a citreon and it turned out to be a sensor somewhere at the back of the engine, costing small money to replace.

I am hoping for a cheap fix of course as dont want to have to go down the DPF/Turbo route. There is no smoke, no mad noises nothing. It's like the car is in limp mode?

Thanks in advance with any advice, also I am free tomorrow if any mechanic thinks they know whats up with it.

Cheers,

Brian.

Row

Sounds like its running in limp mode alright...this will cut your turbo boost.

Your only way forward is to plug it in and see what fault code(s) are logged...other than that your shooting in the dark.
Post your location and then someone maybe willing to help out..;)

mullingar

mini_brian wrote: »

.......and it turned out to be a sensor somewhere at the back of the engine, costing small money to replace.

That "sensor" is the turbo actuator.

It sends a controlled vacuum pressure to the turbo, the more vacuum the less turbo (different to the norm) so it can correctly control the angle of the variable geometry vanes inside the turbo to match the demands of the engine to maximise the volumetric efficiency.

That exact component failed on my wifes Focus, only diagnosed when I 'T'eed in a pressure meter to that small tube just under the turbo and the pressure value was jumping all over the place.

€10 for a second hand one and all fixed and back to its chipped 130hp.



Edit: Also check for any wear on the turbo spindle. With the engine cold remove the air ducting that connects to the turbo and check for any play on that spindle. If there is more than 1mm play, the turbo needs replacement as the amount of play is too much and its only a waiting game before it gets worse as it wears


Edit #2: Are you sure there is a DPF on your 90hp???? AFAIK its only on the 110hp. The DPF is combined with the cat on the Focus, positioned on the front of the engine going straight down from the turbo. Its around 18" long and 8" diameter (quite big!) hidden behind some heat panels. If its a lot smaller, there is no DPF

Mc Love

mullingar wrote: »

Edit #2: Are you sure there is a DPF on your 90hp???? AFAIK its only on the 110hp. The DPF is combined with the cat on the Focus, positioned on the front of the engine going straight down from the turbo. Its around 18" long and 8" diameter (quite big!) hidden behind some heat panels. If its a lot smaller, there is no DPF

Have the 110hp and the DPF failed, got clogged and needed replacing

paulbhoy

Had the same symptoms myself and it was one of the glow plugs.

ford jedi

its either dpf , problems or your glow plugs are gone , im will to put my money on glow plugs, do a scan first ..

paulbhoy

You might get a DPF fault from the scanner but look into glow plugs because they regenerate the Dpf as your driving.

mini_brian

Guys,

Thanks for all your replies.

I am happy to say it was the glowplugs. I never would have though something like that could cause such a major problem.

I replaced all 4 at a cost of just under €80 for the parts and a mate helped me getting them in. Car drives 100% now, didn't even need to clear the fault code. Very happy as I felt I could have been looking at a new Turbo or something equally expensive.

Paulbhoy you were bang on, good man!