Focus ST - Turbo problem?

DaveOwl

DaveOwl

DaveOwl

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Joined
3 Nov 2005
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I don't know too much about cars but I do know when something isn't normal so wanted to check with you boys!

About two weeks back (after the engine was warm enough) I put my foot down on a dual carriageway and the usual acceleration kicked in but then appeared to lose a bit of power. Didn't really think much of it but when I pulled up a few minutes later I could smell quite a strong burning rubber.

I looked at all of the tyres wondering if I had just ruined one of them but they all look fine. Since then I have been driving normally and tested it further last night by putting the 'ol foot down again. Like you find on a normal ST the Turbo needle doesn't really go above 1/4 of the way but now as the revs increase the gauge goes up to the red marker now and goes back down to 1/4 when I ease up.

The turbo does still kick in and it is fairly swift at accelerating still but I don't get the air whoosh noise now and it doesn't seem quite as effective.

What could be wrong?
 
Checked all the hoses around the turbo? Sometimes the problem is as silly enough as a pipe thats come loose. Check for splits in the pipework too.

Are you saying your boost gauge reading is too high?
 
check all the hoses if one is pinching you will get a drop in power. I know my turbo pressure was staying at the top, then when i put the foot down i got nothing for a second then the turbo kicked in. So they delay look like its a pipe being restricted. One mechanic told me to paint some rope tie it to the pipes then go for a spin, if the rope has moved the pipe is getting constricted. Now i have not tried this yet as i have it in for a service on Thurs and will get them to check it out.
 
Brookert said:
Checked all the hoses around the turbo? Sometimes the problem is as silly enough as a pipe thats come loose. Check for splits in the pipework too.

Are you saying your boost gauge reading is too high?
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Basically yes. If I don't put the pedal right to the floor (just normal) it stays at the quarter mark as expected on an ST. If it's right to the floor though it would quite happily go into the red if I let it.

I'm no expert on cars so I wouldn't be able to look at this myself. Am I going to get a little shafted taking it to Ford to have a check?
 
Sounds like it could be the Boost Solenoid, which are about £40 based on my quick research on the Focus STOC forum. Would highly recommend you join as there is a lot of help and advice available :)

Good luck and keep us updated on your progress
 
DaveOwl said:
Like you find on a normal ST the Turbo needle doesn't really go above 1/4 of the way but now as the revs increase the gauge goes up to the red marker now and goes back down to 1/4 when I ease up.
Click to expand...

You've had a boost leak for some time then. Boost should sit at 1/4 at low revs then spike to 3/4 and then sit comfortably at 1/2 when at full boost.
 
Unfortunately i'm not technical enough to give any advise on that one, sorry :(

Going off past experiences a friend had with a TT, he had a small crack in one of the hoses connecting to the turbo, i'm not sure how applicable that is to the ST's turbo since it's attached to the manifold instead.
 
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