Post-2011 Focus' 1.6 TDCI...do they still blow turbos?

FreddieFrugal

Does anyone have any experience of or read reports of there being any specific problems with the 1.6 Diesel engine in the newer Focus or has there been a remedy or new engine since the reports of blown turbos in the last generation.

I'd add Focus back onto list of potential future cars if so.

patman99

The only ones that blew turbos were the ones that were not serviced properly.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

yes they are still fitted with pug engine I do believe that 2010 to present ones have the modified version of the engine to cure the previous given it will fail turbo oil restriction and carbon/oil residue build problem.

how to tell it fitted with a modified version is anyone guess.

patman is right in one way but wrong with this engine the earlier version had a massive issue with oil feeding the turbo it become restricted and half the engine needed replacing to cure it the issue at a huge cost.

spacey2012

The Pug lump, is very French, in that it works when it feels like it.
The Ford 1,8 TD ran for hundreds of thousands trouble free, why oh why did they go for this french lump.

GolfBravo

Yes, they still blow their turbos, but not as much as they used to.

The oil feed (in the sump) is revised, however, the turbo oil feed pipe still goes right next to the DPF, nicely cooking the oil when you turn the engine off. Also the injector seal (on injector 3, I think) still goes occasionally, and in effect a lot of carbon ends up in the engine, further contaminating engine oil.

The 1.6 is just not a very thermally capable engine, so you really have to treat it nicely (let it cool down before switching off) and exceed the recommended oil change schedule. You also must use gravity method to change oil, and use low SAPS oil to avoid EGR blockage - this is very important.***

If you are looking to buy one, first check the service history for oil changes (short distance trips = heavy duty use = more frequent oil changes required). Also, if you are having a 1.6TDCi car inspected by a mechanic prior to purchase, ask them to remove the brake vacuum pump to see if there is any internal clogging (a little gauze inside): any signs of blockage = some more serious internal clogging = avoid.

BTW, the 1.6 Duratorq is more Ford than PSA (this is a joint design, build by Ford in Dagenham). The 2.0 is more PSA than Ford.

*** Few years ago, following a huge spike in 1.6 turbo failures Ford, PSA and Volvo engineers were desperately trying to find the main cause of turbo failures. This is their recommendation:

OIL CHANGE PROCEDURE ON ALL DV6 ENGINES

It is necessary to follow a specific oil change procedure on all DV6 and DV6U engines so as to ensure that no used oil remains to mix with the new oil.

The following method must be used:

• The engine oil temperature must be at least 50°C :
- the engine oil temperature is considered to be at 50°C when the water temperature indicator is between 80°C and 90°C or the cooling fan has cut in
• ensure that the vehicle is level (side to side and fore and aft)
• remove the oil filter to allow the circuit to drain completely
• remove the oil filler cap and the dipstick
• remove the drain plug
• allow the oil to drain by gravity for at least 10 minutes (DO NOT USE SUCTION METHODS)
• fit a new oil filter
• refit the drain plug with a new sealing washer
• fill the engine with quantity of oil recommended for the engine
• refit the oil filler cap and the dipstick
• run the engine at idle until the oil pressure warning lamp goes out (about 1 minute)
• wait 5 minutes
• check the oil level using the dipstick: the level should be as close as possible to, but not exceeding the maximum mark (1) so as to be between (1) and (3)

For information, the lower mark (2) = Min (0%) the upper mark (1) = Max (100%) the intermediate mark (3) = ¾ litre.


CONSEQUENCES OF NOT KEEPING TO THE OIL CHANGE INTERVALS

If the customer does not have the oil changed at the recommended intervals, the oil will become excessively polluted and will no longer ensure the correct lubrication of the engine. One of the first consequences is inadequate lubrication of the turbocharger bearings causing a failure which is repeated after the turbocharger is replaced. Subsequent symptoms resulting from the reduced level of lubrication will be a noisy engine and then destruction of the engine.

We remind you that if the customer does not keep to the servicing intervals recommended in the Maintenance and Guarantee Guide, the customer will be responsible for the durability of the mechanical parts of the engine.
In this case, the any related repairs needed are not covered by the new vehicle warranty.

CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING THE OIL CHANGE PROCEDURE

If the oil changes are not done as described above, all deposits of old oil will not be removed and will very quickly pollute the new oil, accelerating the ageing of the oil in the engine lubrication circuit (even causing the oil to congeal).

The consequences for the engine are the same as if the oil change intervals are not observed. As a result, any related repairs needed are not covered under the new vehicle warranty.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

GolfBravo wrote: »

Yes, they still blow their turbos, but not as much as they used to.

The oil feed (in the sump) is revised, however, the turbo oil feed pipe still goes right next to the DPF, nicely cooking the oil when you turn the engine off. Also the injector seal (on injector 3, I think) still goes occasionally, and in effect a lot of carbon ends up in the engine, further contaminating engine oil.

The 1.6 is just not a very thermally capable engine, so you really have to treat it nicely (let it cool down before switching off) and exceed the recommended oil change schedule. You also must use gravity method to change oil, and use low SAPS oil to avoid EGR blockage - this is very important.***

If you are looking to buy one, first check the service history for oil changes (short distance trips = heavy duty use = more frequent oil changes required). Also, if you are having a 1.6TDCi car inspected by a mechanic prior to purchase, ask them to remove the brake vacuum pump to see if there is any internal clogging (a little gauze inside): any signs of blockage = some more serious internal clogging = avoid.

BTW, the 1.6 Duratorq is more Ford than PSA (this is a joint design, build by Ford in Dagenham). The 2.0 is more PSA than Ford.

*** Few years ago, following a huge spike in 1.6 turbo failures Ford, PSA and Volvo engineers were desperately trying to find the main cause of turbo failures. This is their recommendation:

also to note that no turbo company is offering a warranty with their 1.6 turbo's unless the engine has the modified parts fitted to it.

i know a garage who diagnosed turbo failure on a 06 1.6 did everything ford data sheet said to do fitted the new turbo did a test drive and the new turbo blew on the way back, because the engine wasn't fitted with updated parts the garage had to get another one and the modified parts £2190 without labour :eek:

Dieselman

Out of interest my diesel gets a oil change every year after just 9k may seem overkill to some but oil changes is what keeps the engine alive or soon very dead.

20k asking for trouble in my opinion.

Retrogamer

Every 6k for me with oil changes and mines doesn't even have a history of eating turbos (vag tdi)

Would personally stay away from the 1.6 turbo diesel from Ford though for the reasons explained above

bigjl

Just for info they have cut back production of the 1.6d at Dagenham and will stop completely soon.

I would not have any vehicle fitted with that or the 1.4 engine unless it was a company car.

A real shame as the 2.0d is an excellent engine.