Just test drove a focus ST3 225
Just test drove a focus ST3 225
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GG89

Original Poster:

3,693 posts

217 months

Monday 11th March 2013
quotequote all
Just had the car out for a drive that I was hoping to purchase this week. All seemed well until I got to a NSL road and gave it some beans, The turbo seemed to kick in for about 2 seconds and then it would die around 3500rpm, seemed to stutter and the turbo gauge would max out.

The dealer sat beside me said he was 95% sure it would be a loose pipe that was drawing in air, does this sound right?
Car is going in to the garage tomorrow to find what the problem is.

Had my heart set on this car too, really hope it is just a loose pipe!

Any advice welcome.

issey23

173 posts

220 months

Monday 11th March 2013
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Oil filter housing diaphragm has gone ? Really common fault on the ST's.

GG89

Original Poster:

3,693 posts

217 months

Monday 11th March 2013
quotequote all
Does that cause a sudden lose of boost yeh?

KingNothing

3,348 posts

184 months

Monday 11th March 2013
quotequote all
issey23 said:
Oil filter housing diaphragm has gone ? Really common fault on the ST's.
That wouldn't cause the fault he's describing.

Olly86

133 posts

170 months

Monday 11th March 2013
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Boost solenoid? Another common issue. And when the oil diaphragm goes it'll make a whistling sound.

GG89

Original Poster:

3,693 posts

217 months

Monday 11th March 2013
quotequote all
Cheers lads. We'll see what happens, on the one hand i'm thinking if it's a major fault and they sort it it's one less thing to go wrong when I own it but on the other hand there's a part of me that thinks it could be a lemon frown

Edited by GG89 on Monday 11th March 21:27

GG89

Original Poster:

3,693 posts

217 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
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Top marks Olly! t'was the boost solenoid, back tomorrow for another drive and if all is well i'll take it. Can't wait!

stargazer30

1,721 posts

197 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
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Op watch the boost guage. It should max out at 3/4 then drop back to half if its standard. If you go WOT and the boost gauge hits the red and tries to stay there its been re-mapped. If its been remapped the clutch maybe knackered so do a 6th gear 2000rpm + WOT slip test.

Olly86

133 posts

170 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
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GG89 said:
Top marks Olly! t'was the boost solenoid, back tomorrow for another drive and if all is well i'll take it. Can't wait!
It's a very common issue, when I got mine it had just been replaced. Not an expensive job just a pita really. If its a pre-facelift it's worth checking the oil diaphragm anyway, listen carefully to the oil filter housing, any whistling and it's a sign its on its way out. It's located by the intake manifold to the front left of the main engine block.

As for mapping as long as you replace the clutch with the Focus RS one it'll be fine. Good luck with it smile

okie592

2,711 posts

198 months

Tuesday 12th March 2013
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Is it a pre 08 car? Those had a weaker turbo to the post 58 ones

GG89

Original Poster:

3,693 posts

217 months

Wednesday 13th March 2013
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Took it out again today, fantastic car. It's an 07 plate with 67k miles and it's absolutely mint inside and out. I haven't looked through history yet so i'll do that. I had a listen with the bonnet open for the infamous whistle from the diaphragm, sounded fine.

Clutch also seemed fine I gave it some beans in higher gears looking for clutch slip but all was well.

The condition inside and out leads me to believe it's previous owner was rather good to the car so fingers crossed.

okie592

2,711 posts

198 months

Wednesday 13th March 2013
quotequote all
GG89 said:
Took it out again today, fantastic car. It's an 07 plate with 67k miles and it's absolutely mint inside and out. I haven't looked through history yet so i'll do that. I had a listen with the bonnet open for the infamous whistle from the diaphragm, sounded fine.

Clutch also seemed fine I gave it some beans in higher gears looking for clutch slip but all was well.

The condition inside and out leads me to believe it's previous owner was rather good to the car so fingers crossed.
Just out of interest what are you looking to spend? There is a lot of st3s knocking about with same age and less mileage than that.

KingNothing

3,348 posts

184 months

Wednesday 13th March 2013
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okie592 said:
Is it a pre 08 car? Those had a weaker turbo to the post 58 ones
Never ever heard that one before.

GG89

Original Poster:

3,693 posts

217 months

Wednesday 13th March 2013
quotequote all
it was up at £7995 and they offered me a decent px on my car and there's still time to haggle. It will be partly financed and I was happy enough with the ball park figures the salesman gave me. There are cheaper out there privately but this one caught my eye and is within 5 miles of my house. I'll see how negotiable the price is when I go in to sign the paper work!

Any thoughts?

Edit to add it will get a service, mot and valet before sold.

Edited by GG89 on Wednesday 13th March 23:06

GG89

Original Poster:

3,693 posts

217 months

KingNothing

3,348 posts

184 months

Wednesday 13th March 2013
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Sunroof, pretty rare. Climate control as well, pretty good spec.

Funk

27,780 posts

240 months

Wednesday 13th March 2013
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KingNothing said:
Sunroof, pretty rare. Climate control as well, pretty good spec.
All ST3s have climate.

And there were no turbo changes post-08 that I ever heard of - and I ran focusstoc.com for three years from '07-'10.

VinceFox

20,566 posts

203 months

Wednesday 13th March 2013
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Jesus christ it's bright fking orange!

KingNothing

3,348 posts

184 months

Wednesday 13th March 2013
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Funk said:
All ST3s have climate..
No they don't. Was an option until the very last run, then it became standard.

Edited by KingNothing on Wednesday 13th March 23:56

GG89

Original Poster:

3,693 posts

217 months

Wednesday 13th March 2013
quotequote all
VinceFox said:
Jesus christ it's bright fking orange!
It is hehe