Focus ST Turbo going again? Surely not?

matt100

matt100

matt100

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Some of you may remember this thread... http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18001547

Basically the turbo on my ST packed up at about 60k

I had a 2nd hand turbo fitted and I've since taken the car up to 76k, its had a full service in the meantime and I've done everything I was supposed to with regards to warming the car up, cooling it down, running it before turning it off etc.

And now I can hear something that sounds remarkably like the last noise that signalled the death of the turbo :(

Basically its a sort of rasping when you start it up that goes away pretty quickly when it warms up, the tone rises and falls with the engine rpm, I guess its like a whizzing noise sort of.. hard to describe.

So, I'm nothing like as emotional about it as I was last time because I'm clearly well out of warranty and it wasn't that expensive to fix last time... but the questions are..

1) Without taking it to a mechanic, is there anything else you think that could be? Like I said it goes away pretty quickly when it warms up

2) Is there anything that could be fundamentally wrong with the car that could make it eat turbos if that is indeed whats wrong with it?

I'm pretty paranoid with cars and I notice every noise and every change in the dynamics of the car that suggests tyres, brakes, engine problems etc which in some ways is a blessing and in some an utter curse because I'm rarely 100% happy!

Any thoughts?

And any garages in the southampton area that might be able to make sense of it that aren't ford?
 
i know but it came from a reputable seller, ford fitted this one and confirmed it looked pretty much new which tied in with the 4k the donor car was supposed to have done.

the thought has crossed my mind though, that would be pretty crappy luck though surely?
 
Does it sound like a police siren? My turbo does this. But so do a lot of others. Its possible its just a boost leak. check for play in the propeller shaft and if its burning any oil..
 
I'm nowhere near mechanically minded enough to check it myself, I can look for white/blue smoke when it starts up easily enough but its had a thorough service recently and it hadn't lost any oil over the previous 12k..

And no, I wouldn't describe it as a siren.. its too raspy, it sounds a bit like the knackered hydraulic tappets on my very old XR2.. does the Focus have those?
 
Almost like a fast ticking noise? A leaking manifold gasket (or cracked manifold) can sound like this, and can also seal up as it gets hot.
 
Dogbreath said:
Almost like a fast ticking noise? A leaking manifold gasket (or cracked manifold) can sound like this, and can also seal up as it gets hot.
Click to expand...

yep its a fast ticking noise.

how quickly would it go away? Its gone within about 2 minutes of starting up.
 
I'll upload a video to youtube later today.. I just popped out and halfway to homebase which is no more than 5 minutes away the noise was gone and it all sounded normal again.

I have that sinking feeling because that is precisely what happened the last time.
 
Dogbreath said:
Yep, that would be about right for either a leaky gasket or cracked manifold, since they will heat up very quickly after the engine is started.
Click to expand...

is the manifold not part of the turbo?

I'll be hopping mad if it turns out its a relatively simple fix that ford tried to charge me £2k for and successfully charged me £500 for.
 
matt100 said:
is the manifold not part of the turbo?

I'll be hopping mad if it turns out its a relatively simple fix that ford tried to charge me £2k for and successfully charged me £500 for.
Click to expand...

The manifold is a seperate part but is directly connected to the turbo.
 
so the net effect is the same then? knackered manifold = new turbo?

Just found out my father in laws turbo blew up on his focus tddi yesterday... its catching!
 
but if its leaking (unless there is a known issue with them cracking), then it'll just need either a bolt tightening up or it loosening and then sorting the gasket.
 
Defcon5 said:
Stick your head in the bay when you first turn it on and try and pinpoint where its coming from
Click to expand...

yeah I have and its similar to the last time, it sounds like its coming from the bottom of the engine, i can't really be any more precise, its quite a noisy engine at the best of times.

would I be right in thinking the oil pressure is high at cold? It has the pressure guage right at the top when you start it then it settled to about halfway when warm, it goes up when you accelerate.

basically the noise goes away pretty much when the pressure starts coming down but that could be a coincidence.
 
Turbo gaskets? they could have use the old ones?

When i had my downpipe fitted they use the old gaskets, made a kinda high pitched raspy noise. Standard gaskets are made from loads of layers stuck together, if they arent tight enough a bit of pressure ecsapes making the kind of noise you describe.
 
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