05 Focus 2.0 TDCi

[AutoDreamer]

Hoping that some guys can help with some 'problems' I'm having with a newish Focus diesel. I've not had a diesel before so I'm not sure if this is a problem or not. However when the car is started from cold it blows out quite a cloud of solid blue smoke for up to 30 seconds especially when it's reved up. Is this normal? Doesn't do it when warm. It also is only doing about 35-38 mpg according to the fuel computer. What colour should the engine oil be? This oil is thin and black car done 4500 miles.

[trevorw]

Have a look on www.ffoc.co.uk lots of knowledge on there, espacially the TDCi

[alloypearltam]

My experience of diesels are that a) They all blow smoke when first started. I have regularly seen 37 MPG out of an EU4 diesel. Mercedes acknowledged that as part of the move to EU4, fuel consumption had suffered and a software fix would be needed (I got rid of the car before the upgrade was available). It maybe that Ford have a similar issue. Best advice is to get it into .the dealer if you are at all concerned.

[AutoDreamer]

Thanks guys I'm going to get it booked in asap. I'll let the forum know what happens.

[havoc]

Ford run their diesels at high boost, comparatively speaking, and often lower gearing also. This gives good performance, but economy suffers both ways.

The 2.0 is supposed to be a good engine though, and gives >40mpg in the Mondeo, so you should be getting more than 37/38, depending on driving cycle of course.

[nightdriver]

Hi,

Fuel economy doesn't sound quite right. My Dad has a 55 reg 2.0l diesel focus and he tends to get 44-46mpg. Doesn't smoke on start up either. The focus has the new DW10 diesel in it (psa engine) and if yours is an early one it may have some issues with the setup. If you take it into your local ford dealer they should be able to put the latest engine programme onto it and everything should be ok.

[AutoDreamer]

What colour should engine oil be in this type of diesel engine after 300 miles (three hundred)? Should it still be honey coloured, black or something in between?

[alloypearltam]

There is a post running elsewhere on here, where it is said that all oil in diesels is black, as soon as the engine is turned over.

[Ricky_M]

I have a Diesel Peugeot and recently gave it an oil change. The oil was black as soon as I turned it over. I don't think you have anything to worry about!

[AutoDreamer]

Thanks for all the replys, most helpful. I took the car to two Ford dealerships and both checked the car and both said it was ok. At the second I left the car overnight so they could start it from cold and see the smoke for themselves. Whether they did actually do that I don't know but they said they saw nothing! Unlike me who saw it smoking the next morning!
Anyway I decided to stop panicking and use the car for it's new role as a daily commuter. Now that it gets fully warm on an easy 30 mile each way trip at average 50mph the consumption is now 48.5mpg. Vehicle now done around 6000 miles. I shall watch it for a couple more months and see how it performs.