Soldato
Thanks for the info. Interesting. What makes you prefer the ST over the VRS?
How many Focus ST owners on here
- Thread starter Sparky
- Start date
Thanks for the info. Interesting. What makes you prefer the ST over the VRS?
Soldato
- Joined
- 14 Dec 2013
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- 2,589
Excellent, I will order one up then. Thank you for checking.
Are you still running the standard airbox? I know that if you run an aftermarket intake the position of maf has to be at around the 2 or 3 o'clock position otherwise it can cause issues.
If you do have standard air box then cleaning the maf is definitely a good thing to do anyway.
I spend quite a bit of time driving the car on my own, and by comparison the Skoda is utterly soulless tbh (albeit I'm comparing to a later mk2, the newer car is a bit better but not game changing). My perception also won't be helped by the fact that I had no end of issues with my VRS, which seems relatively rare.
The Ford is quite happy to be thrown around (albeit really could do with an lsd) and you can feel what the car is doing / how the back end is moving where the Octavia is just....bland, spongy and seriously boring to try and hustle along quickly. It feels like an absolute bus in comparison. Steering in the Ford is better albeit neither are particularly good and it takes a little while to get used to the variable ratio.
The Tsi makes no appreciable noise whatsoever whereas I quite like the (fake) noise of the Focus, the ST has better brakes and I prefer the seats too. Power wise the Octy mk3 feels not far off as strong as the Focus standard, if you were particularly bothered there would be nothing in it / possibly be slightly in the Skoda's favour with a map.
Both are a bit rattly in my experience, with some questionable trim around the door armrests and grabs etc - but they're relatively inexpensive cars I suppose.
The Focus estate looks miles better (imo) too.
If you are comparing an early mk3 ST to an early mk3 VRS then the Skoda has hands down the better dash and significantly more passenger / stuff space. Depending what you need the load space for you might also find the hatch is fine, but I just clicked quite well with the Focus whereas regretted buying the Octavia after only owning for a short time.
Soldato
Yes still running standard airbox. I'll see how it goes, will also clean the map and go from there. That way when I go to ds I can tell them everything I've checked and see what they suggest.
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Just check you get the right torx bit for the maf - it's 5-sided plus security peg in the centre
Soldato
- Joined
- 14 Dec 2013
- Posts
- 2,589
That sounds like a good plan to me. Keep us updated with your progress.
Soldato
So today I cleaned the maf and installed rs oem spark plugs which run cooler then the standard st ones, apparently.
The ones in the car weren't so bad, but needed changing. They were ngk iridiums.
Working on the car was a breeze and I did not even have to refer to any guide as such, like I usually do lol.
The torx screws on the cam cover were a bit of a pain as DS must have used ultimate force to tighten them. Some came out easy but two were a pain and I had to use the torx extractor bit to get them out. Put anti seize on them so easier for next time.
Downside was I over torqued the jubilee clip for the intake and it snapped lol. Had spares anyway so all good.
I've noticed the car to idle smoother, and it revs better, this could be either to cleaning the maf or spark plugs. No sign of the esp light now which started coming on, but I'll keep an eye on it.
Seems to have restored power from my butt Dyno, although it's not boosting how it should and again I've checked everything possible apart from the cat.
The two ends of the cat seem hollow and the middle seems very much hard. I'm going to get a temperature probe and see the temps before and after at the ends as that can sometimes help. Also it's more clear that the exhaust has quietened down and doesn't sound as loud/bang as loud. So I'm hoping after all this small troubleshooting it is the cat at fault. I did check the actuator and it moves in and out freely, though with some resistance.
Anyway two pics;
The ones in the car weren't so bad, but needed changing. They were ngk iridiums.
Working on the car was a breeze and I did not even have to refer to any guide as such, like I usually do lol.
The torx screws on the cam cover were a bit of a pain as DS must have used ultimate force to tighten them. Some came out easy but two were a pain and I had to use the torx extractor bit to get them out. Put anti seize on them so easier for next time.
Downside was I over torqued the jubilee clip for the intake and it snapped lol. Had spares anyway so all good.
I've noticed the car to idle smoother, and it revs better, this could be either to cleaning the maf or spark plugs. No sign of the esp light now which started coming on, but I'll keep an eye on it.
Seems to have restored power from my butt Dyno, although it's not boosting how it should and again I've checked everything possible apart from the cat.
The two ends of the cat seem hollow and the middle seems very much hard. I'm going to get a temperature probe and see the temps before and after at the ends as that can sometimes help. Also it's more clear that the exhaust has quietened down and doesn't sound as loud/bang as loud. So I'm hoping after all this small troubleshooting it is the cat at fault. I did check the actuator and it moves in and out freely, though with some resistance.
Anyway two pics;
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Pity it got complicated removing the Torx screws, they don't really need to be leaned on just nipped up once you feel them go right. I usually find the hardest bit is getting the plug caps off the plugs.
With the plugs I've always run the 'RS plugs gapped to 0.025". In truth I don't think there is any difference in the plugs compared to standard ST ones - if you look at Ford parts lists they list the same part number for both the RS and ST engines.
Looks nice and clean under the cam cover there
With the plugs I've always run the 'RS plugs gapped to 0.025". In truth I don't think there is any difference in the plugs compared to standard ST ones - if you look at Ford parts lists they list the same part number for both the RS and ST engines.
Looks nice and clean under the cam cover there
Soldato
Pity it got complicated removing the Torx screws, they don't really need to be leaned on just nipped up once you feel them go right. I usually find the hardest bit is getting the plug caps off the plugs.
With the plugs I've always run the 'RS plugs gapped to 0.025". In truth I don't think there is any difference in the plugs compared to standard ST ones - if you look at Ford parts lists they list the same part number for both the RS and ST engines.
Looks nice and clean under the cam cover there
Yeah, the torx weren't so much an issue Tbh. As I had anticipated them to be a bit difficult, so had everything out incase I did run into an issue of potentially rounding the heads.
As far as my research on the plugs front goes, rs and st after 09 used same plugs. The very early sts 05/06? Used Volvo ones/ford st ones.
Engine had block mod done not so long ago so it's all shiny because of replacement parts.
I have my (estate) boot fully lined for mutley along with a dog cage to try and keep as much of his slobbering mess away from the carpets as possible.
The liner is a window height, custom size fitted one along the same sort of lines as hatchbag (albeit it was about £50 so significantly less in terms of cost). I've had generic ones in the past which are ok if you just want a bit of protection but if it's to keep the car tidy from either a dog or a load of tools etc being in the boot regularly spend a bit more.
Rear seat has a full size protector for both it and the back of the front to keep my 2.5 year old psycopath at bay slightly - the leather is also of pretty shocking quality so needs care. A lot of cars end up with a rear bench that looks like they've done 200k with several large chaps sitting in the back. I just try and keep general things off mine, but there's no real 100% way of protecting it from a child seat unfortunately.
Boot storage in the estate is pretty good with tie down points and cubby holes built in so i've never bothered with anything else.
The liner is a window height, custom size fitted one along the same sort of lines as hatchbag (albeit it was about £50 so significantly less in terms of cost). I've had generic ones in the past which are ok if you just want a bit of protection but if it's to keep the car tidy from either a dog or a load of tools etc being in the boot regularly spend a bit more.
Rear seat has a full size protector for both it and the back of the front to keep my 2.5 year old psycopath at bay slightly - the leather is also of pretty shocking quality so needs care. A lot of cars end up with a rear bench that looks like they've done 200k with several large chaps sitting in the back. I just try and keep general things off mine, but there's no real 100% way of protecting it from a child seat unfortunately.
Boot storage in the estate is pretty good with tie down points and cubby holes built in so i've never bothered with anything else.
Cheers for the reply rodenal.
Hi Craig, cheers for the reply.
Is the Ford one any good? does it fit snug in the boot or is it a bad fit?
I really like the Estate one which has the tray configuration, shame you can't get that one for the hatch back!
Soldato
So a small update. Which I'll keep short and to the point.
Car started to lack power. Wouldn't hold boost in most gears, from red it would drop to half as revs increased.
Suspected following: cat, map, maf, boost solenoid. Or boost leak.
Already has a new boost solenoid so changed the recirc to upgraded after market part. Loads of fault codes from God knows when, get esp code which points to boost leak. Remove kam fuse.
Still the same, so clean maf and map. Check all pipes, all fine.
Oiled actuator rod a little for smooth movement. Seems fine in its operation.
Still the same. So whack the catalyst with a rubber mallet.
Somewhat improved. Still not what it was.
Decide to disconnect battery.
Back to normal how it was....am I right in thinking boost solenoid is buggered. How can it be, it's just over a month old.
Car started to lack power. Wouldn't hold boost in most gears, from red it would drop to half as revs increased.
Suspected following: cat, map, maf, boost solenoid. Or boost leak.
Already has a new boost solenoid so changed the recirc to upgraded after market part. Loads of fault codes from God knows when, get esp code which points to boost leak. Remove kam fuse.
Still the same, so clean maf and map. Check all pipes, all fine.
Oiled actuator rod a little for smooth movement. Seems fine in its operation.
Still the same. So whack the catalyst with a rubber mallet.
Somewhat improved. Still not what it was.
Decide to disconnect battery.
Back to normal how it was....am I right in thinking boost solenoid is buggered. How can it be, it's just over a month old.
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Need some advice please people. I bought a 2010 ST2 a couple of weeks back. I would have loved the ST3, but with 3 kids and the wife I needed a 5 seater if we ever go in it all together. Anyway, it has 2 previous owners and has done 55,000 miles - full ford service history. I paid £5800 for it.
I do have an issue, which I think is the driveshaft(s). All seems okay up to about 55mph and then it feels like the front end of the car is going to fall apart, big vibration through the car. If I accelerate from 55mph it vibrates, as soon as I take my foot off the accelerator the vibration goes. It is going into the garage week after next (as soon as I could get it booked in). I know that driveshafts are not cheap, if it is that it will be original ford ones (reconditioned). Anyone had them go before, I know they are a common issue, does it fit with my description?
And, also, I want to get the block mod done, I want to do the cambelt etc, where is best to go to have it done? Not bothered about travelling. I would like to spend a few quid on some performance mods, what should I be looking to do to get the car up to about 270 bhp?
Cheers.
I do have an issue, which I think is the driveshaft(s). All seems okay up to about 55mph and then it feels like the front end of the car is going to fall apart, big vibration through the car. If I accelerate from 55mph it vibrates, as soon as I take my foot off the accelerator the vibration goes. It is going into the garage week after next (as soon as I could get it booked in). I know that driveshafts are not cheap, if it is that it will be original ford ones (reconditioned). Anyone had them go before, I know they are a common issue, does it fit with my description?
And, also, I want to get the block mod done, I want to do the cambelt etc, where is best to go to have it done? Not bothered about travelling. I would like to spend a few quid on some performance mods, what should I be looking to do to get the car up to about 270 bhp?
Cheers.
where from? should have set you back at least 8.5k. Is it a cat c/d ?
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Yes it was a cat C.
If it is just one of the driveshafts is it worth replacing both or just wait until the other goes?
If it is just one of the driveshafts is it worth replacing both or just wait until the other goes?