Ford Focus Mk2 1.8 TDCi running problems

Ford Focus Mk2 1.8 TDCi running problems

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Discussion

Marky Mark88

Original Poster:

694 posts

208 months

Tuesday 13th December 2016
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Our diesel Focus has started running really badly recently. I have listed some of the issues below:

- White smoke and strong diesel smell when starting in cold weather, revs are erratic when idling.
- Feels like the car is 'missing' or 'pulling back' when driving, normally between 1200 - 1500 revs.
- Car is hesitant when pulling away from junctions and feels like it may stall, normally have to put into 1st gear and increase revs.
- Engine will 'rock' when car is warm and engine is idling, revs are slightly erratic. (Has done this for ages though).

I have also noticed that there are spots of what looks like diesel on the driveway.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what this could be as it is starting to get worse.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Lukas239

458 posts

103 months

Sunday 18th December 2016
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I'm getting all these symptoms bar the Diesel splatters on my 2006 Fiesta 1.6 TDCi.

It's just hit 116K and i've read this could be EGR valve needs replacing/removing, Turbo seals need replacing or injector seals need replacing. I'm no expert mechanically so would love this question answered as well.

Marky Mark88

Original Poster:

694 posts

208 months

Sunday 18th December 2016
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The car is going in for diagnostics at the local independent Ford specialists on Tuesday morning. Lukas, I'm also thinking it is either the EGR, injector seals or possibly one of the injectors themselves. I'll be sure to let you know.

Marky Mark88

Original Poster:

694 posts

208 months

Tuesday 20th December 2016
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Update

Had the car diagnosed at the local Ford specialist earlier today, problem confirmed as the EGR valve. They quoted £800 to replace, as it is part of the manifold. I had a quick look myself and the part itself is £580 from Euro Car Parts! Is there a way of doing this more cheaply, as the car isn't worth much more than what they are quoting to repair? Can they be reconditioned or cleaned, or would a second hand part be an option?

chunkster-deluxe

26 posts

197 months

Sunday 25th December 2016
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I can't comment on the spilled diesel, but the EGR valve and general lumpiness/ lack of power is something I experienced on my old 1.8tdci focus when I had it a few years ago. I cleaned my EGR valve out a few times with some EGR cleaner spray and by scooping muck out of it. You take off the pipes and spray the stuff straight into the EGR with the engine running. You should be able to get the stuff from Halfords with full instructions on he can. It is quite alarming how much gunk comes out. I also had the car terracleaned, which gave the car a whole new lease of life, it went from having a lack of power and general odd and lumpy power delivery, to running perfectly, I was quite surprised. It was still running great when I sold it 18-24 months later.

Lukas239

458 posts

103 months

Sunday 1st January 2017
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Marky Mark88 said:
Had the car diagnosed at the local Ford specialist earlier today, problem confirmed as the EGR valve.
How are you getting one with this?

Just diagnosed mine as a sticky EGR valve and after extensive research they serve little purpose other than to keep the tree-huggers happy by reducing emissions. I plan on blanking mine off which doesn't appear to bee too hard a job so maybe an idea if you feel up to it mechanically? Blanking plates are ~£5 on eBay.

Hope that helps

bearman68

4,794 posts

139 months

Sunday 1st January 2017
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Blanking it is OK, but will result in engine management lights, and worst case will go into limp mode. If it were mine, I would map it out, though this is frowned upon. But it will run better,and do more MPG's.

Shadow R1

3,818 posts

183 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2017
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bearman68 said:
Blanking it is OK, but will result in engine management lights, and worst case will go into limp mode. If it were mine, I would map it out, though this is frowned upon. But it will run better,and do more MPG's.
It wont throw any errors up, or go into limp mode.
The system on the 1.8 is an electrical check on the motor, no pressure sensors or the like.

It boosts from lower down than without it, plus stop the random stalling they can have, when on the early ford software version.

Note the blanks on ebay are 2 sizes, so make sure you get the right one op.

http://www.talkford.com/community/topic/217666-how...






Marky Mark88

Original Poster:

694 posts

208 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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Update

Blanked EGR off on Xmas eve. Also changed glow plugs as well. The car runs a hell of a lot better now, but it has turned the yellow/orange engine management light on. I can live with this though, will just have to have it remapped to 'remove' the EGR if we ever come to sell. The car does still struggle a little bit when cold starting, but it has been reasonably cold of late. All in all a vast saving compared to the £800 quoted by the garage and would recommend to anybody. Undoing the bolts to allow the blanking plate to be fitted is a bit fiddly, but it isn't too difficult a job and didn't take more than about 15 mins.