Focus ST-3 turbo problem possibly - any advice please??

Focus ST-3 turbo problem possibly - any advice please??

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arual

Original Poster:

7 posts

116 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
Basically, I was driving home from work last night, put my foot down (not hard) to join a dual carriageway and my turbo dial went straight up to red, so lost power. Took my foot off, accelerated gently and it was fine. But it seems every time I accelerate slightly harder than normal this happens... I've had the car a while, don't rag it, but do know that the turbo wasn't this sensitive before! Any ideas?? Thanks smile

stargazer30

1,582 posts

165 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
Is the ST remapped? A remap will normally wack the boost right up and make it boost with less throttle. No way you should loose power though.

Could the clutch be slipping? do a full throttle in 6th and watch the revs vs the speedo.

Could be a boost leak, I can't remember how the boost is tapped on the ST but if its at the manifold, the gauge would not spike. If it is a boost tleak you'd hear whistle/whoosh noise too.

KarlMac

4,457 posts

140 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
Symptoms sound like either a failed boost solenoid (most likely) or a recirc valve (unlikely, but can cause odd boost behaviour).

If changing boost solenoid go for an IPD one, this is a common failure as the standard one is pretty weak.

arual

Original Poster:

7 posts

116 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
Thanks guys - no it's not remapped - I was watching the turbo gauge but not the revs, will have to take it out and have a look. The turbo gauge was hitting the red then I could feel it "coughing" so obviously took my foot off. Just find it strange that this came out of nowhere, I'd understand if maybe I'd pelted it while it was still cold. Is this going to be expensive!?

KarlMac

4,457 posts

140 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
arual said:
Thanks guys - no it's not remapped - I was watching the turbo gauge but not the revs, will have to take it out and have a look. The turbo gauge was hitting the red then I could feel it "coughing" so obviously took my foot off. Just find it strange that this came out of nowhere, I'd understand if maybe I'd pelted it while it was still cold. Is this going to be expensive!?
Standard boost solenoids were about £40, uprated ones around £100. You can do it yourself buts its a bit of a pig to access as its right behind the wheel arch.

Where in the country are you, it might be worth speaking with an Indy before you spend any money.

Accelerate hard and lift, your boost needle should spike up then settle to zero, this is clear evidence of a boost solenoid failure.

If its just overboosting it could be a failed actuator, expect to pay around £200 for an uprated one.

arual

Original Poster:

7 posts

116 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
KarlMac said:
arual said:
Thanks guys - no it's not remapped - I was watching the turbo gauge but not the revs, will have to take it out and have a look. The turbo gauge was hitting the red then I could feel it "coughing" so obviously took my foot off. Just find it strange that this came out of nowhere, I'd understand if maybe I'd pelted it while it was still cold. Is this going to be expensive!?
Standard boost solenoids were about £40, uprated ones around £100. You can do it yourself buts its a bit of a pig to access as its right behind the wheel arch.

Where in the country are you, it might be worth speaking with an Indy before you spend any money.

Accelerate hard and lift, your boost needle should spike up then settle to zero, this is clear evidence of a boost solenoid failure.

If its just overboosting it could be a failed actuator, expect to pay around £200 for an uprated one.
Ah okay, not too bad then. I'm in Wiltshire, to be honest I'll probably take it to my usual garage and get it done - might have a look and see how awkward it's going to be first to do it myself mind, or my other half might do it for me if I flutter my eyelashes enough! Ha.
I did that last night, accelerated hard then took foot off, the needle flew up to red straight away then dropped straight back down after I lifted. Will test it again though. Thanks for your help pal smile

RC Developments

83 posts

123 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
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Had the exact same problem on mine, boost solenoid valve was the issue, only a 15min job to change.

arual

Original Poster:

7 posts

116 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
RC Developments said:
Had the exact same problem on mine, boost solenoid valve was the issue, only a 15min job to change.
Oh good, hoping it is that then! Did you replace it yourself?? If so, was it pretty easy??

Megaflow

9,345 posts

224 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
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Surely it's under warranty still?

arual

Original Poster:

7 posts

116 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
Megaflow said:
Surely it's under warranty still?
Why would it be under warranty??

Megaflow

9,345 posts

224 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
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They have only been around ~2 years haven't they?

arual

Original Poster:

7 posts

116 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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Megaflow said:
They have only been around ~2 years haven't they?
Nah mate mines an 07 plate

Megaflow

9,345 posts

224 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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Apologies. I saw ST3 and assumed it was a new one. I didn't realise the was a ST3 spec for the 2.5l version

arual

Original Poster:

7 posts

116 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
quotequote all
Megaflow said:
Apologies. I saw ST3 and assumed it was a new one. I didn't realise the was a ST3 spec for the 2.5l version
Sorry my bad! Wouldn't mind a new one though ha

Megaflow

9,345 posts

224 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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Yep. 6 months hopefully and there be one my drive

Tonz1972

2 posts

101 months

Tuesday 10th January 2017
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Hi there all new to this forum just to need to jog a few brains. I have a 2006 fst2 turbo prob's read on the forums this could be one of a few different things. Not had the car long bought just before the Christmas. The car was like this when I bought the car I guessing the lad was not to clued up by what I gathered though I did get a cheap car 2300 it cost me, it had a oil leak it was the crankshaft seal on the timing side which I believe is also a comon problem on the fst225 models also replaced the pully's and all the belts just before the Christmas just put it back in the garage yesterday to have the water pump replaced now as could not stretch to having done before the Christmas whilst in the garage I bought a mac upgraded turbo boost controller solenoid to change with the standard one that's on though i'mean guessing this is the problem/issue i'mean having with the turbo as i'mean having serious turbo lag if any to question to be honest the boost gauge only spike a very little from zero if revved very hard when driving hardly budges at all the odd time it may go between the zero and quarter mark at a push and going by what I can see its already had a new upgraded turbo actuator possibly a forged one. I'very read into the oiler filter housing problem I don'the think it's that as I can't hear that distinctive whistle that everyone's on about or any whist for that matter which people say happens when the diaphragm goes in the oil housing so now putting all my hopes into this being the turbo boost controller solenoid will find out tomorrow one way or another, put any advise would be greatly appreciated

Thanks tony

stevieturbo

17,229 posts

246 months

Tuesday 10th January 2017
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Wow...

http://www2.open.ac.uk/students/skillsforstudy/div...

And you bought a car cheap with known issues....had other work done, changed parts from standard for no real reason and now unsurprisingly it still doesn't go right.

You've probably made the task of fixing the car even more difficult for anyone. You'll need to find a specialist who is very familiar with the cars to try and resolve all who have been there before screwing things up.