Focus ST, acceleration problem?
Discussion
Hi all,
Not sure if its just me, but as of late my Focus ST seems to have lost some of its acceleration capabilities.
I've had the car about 2 months, and haven't been driving it a massive amount, but as of late it seems a lot quieter under hard acceleration and you cant really hear that 5 pot burble - it doesn't appear to be as pronounced, crisp or as loud from inside the cabin as I recall... Also, as the topic states, seems a little slower than I remember.
It appears to be boosting fine, and the gauge is indicating this, and oil pressure is above the red even when warmed up.
I did however notice a bit of a ticking noise from the engine as I let it cool down after a drive today, cant say I've heard it before. I've checked oil levels and all seems fine - but the oil does seem pretty thin. Like I say, I've only had it a couple of months and have't really touched it - So I assume its book oil 5w30, which always seems thin...
I'm gonna take it into local Fords and get them to have a look - but just wondered if anyone's got any ideas before they decide to not take me seriously.
Its an 09 plate with just over 13k miles on the clock.
Cheers,
Tom.
Not sure if its just me, but as of late my Focus ST seems to have lost some of its acceleration capabilities.
I've had the car about 2 months, and haven't been driving it a massive amount, but as of late it seems a lot quieter under hard acceleration and you cant really hear that 5 pot burble - it doesn't appear to be as pronounced, crisp or as loud from inside the cabin as I recall... Also, as the topic states, seems a little slower than I remember.
It appears to be boosting fine, and the gauge is indicating this, and oil pressure is above the red even when warmed up.
I did however notice a bit of a ticking noise from the engine as I let it cool down after a drive today, cant say I've heard it before. I've checked oil levels and all seems fine - but the oil does seem pretty thin. Like I say, I've only had it a couple of months and have't really touched it - So I assume its book oil 5w30, which always seems thin...
I'm gonna take it into local Fords and get them to have a look - but just wondered if anyone's got any ideas before they decide to not take me seriously.
Its an 09 plate with just over 13k miles on the clock.
Cheers,
Tom.
It's the increased ambient temperatures. Warmer weather causes a noticeable drop off in performance, and is due to the pathetic intercooler which used to be pinched from the TDCI. I'm not sure if this is still the case on the newest ones, but on an 09 I'm pretty sure it is.
An intercooler upgrade will see the power return even in warmer temperatures. The ST suffers badly with heat soak, which is one of the reasons it's such a pig to run on a rolling road.
An intercooler upgrade will see the power return even in warmer temperatures. The ST suffers badly with heat soak, which is one of the reasons it's such a pig to run on a rolling road.
Three things spring to mind... The ST has an ECU that 'learns' your driving style. Have you been driving sedately a lot lately? It may need the KAM fuse pulling which resets what the ECU has learned. From memory, I think it's fuse 23.
Have you got a boot full of stuff? I remember being shocked just how much louder mine was inside when the boot was emptied...
Finally, it's also possible that you're just getting used to the car. You say you've had it a couple of months, so perhaps it simply doesn't feel as quick now you're more familiar with it. I recommend a serious dose of engine remapping. Start with Dreamscience, you can run it with no other mods required (this was how mine ran for 3 years) but you can change maps to suit the combinations of mods you have, eg. exhaust, CAIS, turbo downpipe, intercooler etc..
Have you got a boot full of stuff? I remember being shocked just how much louder mine was inside when the boot was emptied...
Finally, it's also possible that you're just getting used to the car. You say you've had it a couple of months, so perhaps it simply doesn't feel as quick now you're more familiar with it. I recommend a serious dose of engine remapping. Start with Dreamscience, you can run it with no other mods required (this was how mine ran for 3 years) but you can change maps to suit the combinations of mods you have, eg. exhaust, CAIS, turbo downpipe, intercooler etc..
Edited by Funk on Monday 25th July 12:27
Boost gauge apparently is not related to what is actually boosted, but via an ecu, so you could still be missing boost. Dont rely on the gauge. You could have an issue with the boost controller.
If you cruise along for a while and then floor it, does it pick up and go or not. If it does, then maybe intercooler size is affecting inlet temperatures, as the warmer the air from continual boosts, may retard output as the temp rises. If not then, i would look at a leak of boost or the boost controller which is also a known fault and not expensive, but a bit of a fiddle to replace.
If you cruise along for a while and then floor it, does it pick up and go or not. If it does, then maybe intercooler size is affecting inlet temperatures, as the warmer the air from continual boosts, may retard output as the temp rises. If not then, i would look at a leak of boost or the boost controller which is also a known fault and not expensive, but a bit of a fiddle to replace.
Booked it into Fords earlier this morning - Just had a call, they've said they cant fault the car...
They suggested that one of their 'master technicians' can take it home for the night for an 'extended road test', circa 50 miles. They'd refund the fuel of course.
I just cant help thinking that some spotty 19 year old apprentice is gonna take it home, rag it and show it to his mates...
I've said yes initially, but the more I think about it, the more I don't want it being taken out and having no idea whats happened to it or where its been.
Sad I know, but it cost me a hell of alot of money...
Opinions?
They suggested that one of their 'master technicians' can take it home for the night for an 'extended road test', circa 50 miles. They'd refund the fuel of course.
I just cant help thinking that some spotty 19 year old apprentice is gonna take it home, rag it and show it to his mates...
I've said yes initially, but the more I think about it, the more I don't want it being taken out and having no idea whats happened to it or where its been.
Sad I know, but it cost me a hell of alot of money...
Opinions?
I think it's worth the risk. But first I'd want to speak to the technician taking it home. See how he comes across. If you don't like the sound of him say no but if he sounds sensible and knows what he's talking about?
You want to know what's wrong - maybe he'll find out something and solve the problem.
Just a thought.
You want to know what's wrong - maybe he'll find out something and solve the problem.
Just a thought.
I've picked it up now...
Got to the service reception and began to speak to a chap on the desk, who interrupted me with "NAME?".
He typed some stuff on his 'puter, and disappeared for about 10 minutes before coming back with the keys and saying "There you go". I had to ask to look at the schedule for the checks they carried out - Nothing of note...
Meh... Not overly impressed as usual... Although to be fair they cleaned it.
I'll put it down to hot weather for the time being... Might get a buddy of mine to look at it, although cause it was under warranty thought Ford first.
Also - A remap in future!
Got to the service reception and began to speak to a chap on the desk, who interrupted me with "NAME?".
He typed some stuff on his 'puter, and disappeared for about 10 minutes before coming back with the keys and saying "There you go". I had to ask to look at the schedule for the checks they carried out - Nothing of note...
Meh... Not overly impressed as usual... Although to be fair they cleaned it.
I'll put it down to hot weather for the time being... Might get a buddy of mine to look at it, although cause it was under warranty thought Ford first.
Also - A remap in future!
Every Ford dealer I have had to deal with, involves knuckle draggers unfortunately. Somehow my ST had a new clutch and they managed to use a 1/4 tank of fuel in 16 miles, which is impressive to say the least. When I asked what top speed they managed and 0-60 times, they denied even trying it ( like I was born yesterday). If you find a good dealer, you'd be very lucky.
Justin S said:
Every Ford dealer I have had to deal with, involves knuckle draggers unfortunately. Somehow my ST had a new clutch and they managed to use a 1/4 tank of fuel in 16 miles, which is impressive to say the least. When I asked what top speed they managed and 0-60 times, they denied even trying it ( like I was born yesterday). If you find a good dealer, you'd be very lucky.
Absobloodylutely 
Justin S said:
Every Ford dealer I have had to deal with, involves knuckle draggers unfortunately. Somehow my ST had a new clutch and they managed to use a 1/4 tank of fuel in 16 miles, which is impressive to say the least. When I asked what top speed they managed and 0-60 times, they denied even trying it ( like I was born yesterday). If you find a good dealer, you'd be very lucky.
If you find any good dealer, you're lucky, regardless of the big badge on the front. My local Ford dealer is a paragon of perfection compared to what it's Honda equivalent was like.TACottle said:
I've picked it up now...
Got to the service reception and began to speak to a chap on the desk, who interrupted me with "NAME?".
He typed some stuff on his 'puter, and disappeared for about 10 minutes before coming back with the keys and saying "There you go". I had to ask to look at the schedule for the checks they carried out - Nothing of note...
Meh... Not overly impressed as usual... Although to be fair they cleaned it.
I'll put it down to hot weather for the time being... Might get a buddy of mine to look at it, although cause it was under warranty thought Ford first.
Also - A remap in future!
Pull the KAM fuse. It resets the 'keep alive memory' which is the part that 'learns' your driving style. Although I still think it's mainly higher ambient temps that are causing it.Got to the service reception and began to speak to a chap on the desk, who interrupted me with "NAME?".
He typed some stuff on his 'puter, and disappeared for about 10 minutes before coming back with the keys and saying "There you go". I had to ask to look at the schedule for the checks they carried out - Nothing of note...
Meh... Not overly impressed as usual... Although to be fair they cleaned it.
I'll put it down to hot weather for the time being... Might get a buddy of mine to look at it, although cause it was under warranty thought Ford first.
Also - A remap in future!
Pkh72 said:
Justin S said:
Every Ford dealer I have had to deal with, involves knuckle draggers unfortunately. Somehow my ST had a new clutch and they managed to use a 1/4 tank of fuel in 16 miles, which is impressive to say the least. When I asked what top speed they managed and 0-60 times, they denied even trying it ( like I was born yesterday). If you find a good dealer, you'd be very lucky.
Absobloodylutely 
t ragged out of it..I guess they didn't bank on me working next to them.I've had my Mondeo ST for a month and a half and I feel that the power has dropped a little.
I'm putting it down to temperatures outside at the moment, actually getting used to the power(coming from 60odd BHP) and also the ECU learning my driving style.
Temperatures outside will probably drop soon so you may notice a difference again.
I'm putting it down to temperatures outside at the moment, actually getting used to the power(coming from 60odd BHP) and also the ECU learning my driving style.
Temperatures outside will probably drop soon so you may notice a difference again.
Funk said:
Three things spring to mind... The ST has an ECU that 'learns' your driving style. Have you been driving sedately a lot lately? It may need the KAM fuse pulling which resets what the ECU has learned. From memory, I think it's fuse 23.
Have you got a boot full of stuff? I remember being shocked just how much louder mine was inside when the boot was emptied...
Finally, it's also possible that you're just getting used to the car. You say you've had it a couple of months, so perhaps it simply doesn't feel as quick now you're more familiar with it. I recommend a serious dose of engine remapping. Start with Dreamscience, you can run it with no other mods required (this was how mine ran for 3 years) but you can change maps to suit the combinations of mods you have, eg. exhaust, CAIS, turbo downpipe, intercooler etc..
If you're looking to pull the KAM fuse, it's fuse 26.Have you got a boot full of stuff? I remember being shocked just how much louder mine was inside when the boot was emptied...
Finally, it's also possible that you're just getting used to the car. You say you've had it a couple of months, so perhaps it simply doesn't feel as quick now you're more familiar with it. I recommend a serious dose of engine remapping. Start with Dreamscience, you can run it with no other mods required (this was how mine ran for 3 years) but you can change maps to suit the combinations of mods you have, eg. exhaust, CAIS, turbo downpipe, intercooler etc..
Edited by Funk on Monday 25th July 12:27
Simon
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