2011 Focus 1.6 TDCi Sport - Engine Malfunction

[swiftyacorn]

Hi All,

I've seen a few posts similar to my issue but as everyone says my chain of events/circumstances leading up to this malfunction might show a different underlying root. 

Model: Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Sport 2011

Mileage: 35,000 +some

service history: Last serviced around 29,0000 

Modifications: Completely standard aside from 2 recent 'upgrades'. I've installed a DAB+ adaptor & a pipercross airfilter. The filter is a cylindrical/cone which just replaced the normal one in the airbox but is foam. 

Issue: Never had any with the car aside from recently under heavy acceleration i'm getting the dreaded 'engine malfunction' which when occurs seems to turn the turbo off. Turn the engine off/on and it's immediately better. This usually happens around 3500rpm+, 3/4th gear around 60+ mph. 

My questions to the community are this;

Could this new pipercross foam air filter with claimed more airflow be to blame i.e. maybe it's actually more restrictive than the Bosh standard one I had in there? Should I have left the lid off the airbox with this type of filter? 

Could it be the fuel filter, but was only replaced 5,000 ago? 

Could the EGR valve be to blame? 

Could the DPF be to blame? Do those fuel system cleaners work? 

Could I have damaged wires behind the radio accidentally installing the DAB+? 

Something else? 

I'm looking for % of where to start. Inevitably I'll go through as many options as needed until fixed. Thanks for taking the time to read and hopefully someone here will give me some guidance as to the best place to start. 

[CM93]

Based on my experience with a similar issue I would recommend you start with the dpf (accessing the error codes would help). However I'm just a "Newbie" here too.

[Tdci-Peter]

4 hours ago, swiftyacorn said:

under heavy acceleration i'm getting the dreaded 'engine malfunction'

Like Conor says, you really do need to access the error codes. It is the only way to narrow it down a bit.

For diagnostics, you have some options:

1) Go to a garage for a diagnostic readout. Free if they know you and are generous(?), up to £100 otherwise.

2) Find a mate with a scanner: Cost you a pint or equivalent maybe!

3) Get a generic OBD2 scanner. From about £10.00. I got a U480 off eBay, worked fine. Very easy to use, self contained, but limited capabilities.

4) Get a powerful Ford specific system. Cost £15.00 for the interface. Needs a computer of some sort. (COM port, USB, bluetooth or WiFi interfaces available). Not as simple as the self contained OBD2 scanner.

You will find a lot about ELM327 & Forscan on this site, which together provide a very comprehensive diagnosis & maintenance tool. Post here if you want more info.

Note: Simply reading the codes can do no harm, and does not change anything. Just do not reset the codes (and you would have to ask the scanner to do this) if you are going to take the car to a garage.

James (jeebowhite) has done a nice guide: http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=21196

For an ELM327 adapter, see
http://www.spanglefish.com/TunnelratElectronics/index.asp?pageid=516992

you will also need a program called Forscan, its free and you can get it from

http://forscan.org/download.html

If you try it, you will not regret it. It is easier than you might think.

Peter.

[bladeage]

8 hours ago, Tdci-Peter said:

Like Conor says, you really do need to access the error codes. It is the only way to narrow it down a bit.

For diagnostics, you have some options:

1) Go to a garage for a diagnostic readout. Free if they know you and are generous(?), up to £100 otherwise.

2) Find a mate with a scanner: Cost you a pint or equivalent maybe!

3) Get a generic OBD2 scanner. From about £10.00. I got a U480 off Ebay, worked fine. Very easy to use, self contained, but limited capabilities.

4) Get a powerful Ford specific system. Cost £15.00 for the interface. Needs a computer of some sort. (COM port, USB, Bluetooth or WiFi interfaces available). Not as simple as the self contained OBD2 scanner.

You will find a lot about ELM327 & Forscan on this site, which together provide a very comprehensive diagnosis & maintenance tool. Post here if you want more info.

Note: Simply reading the codes can do no harm, and does not change anything. Just do not reset the codes (and you would have to ask the scanner to do this) if you are going to take the car to a garage.

James (jeebowhite) has done a nice guide: http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=21196

For an ELM327 adapter, see
http://www.spanglefish.com/TunnelratElectronics/index.asp?pageid=516992

you will also need a program called Forscan, its free and you can get it from

http://forscan.org/download.html

If you try it, you will not regret it. It is easier than you might think.

Peter.

thank you for all the info Peter, very helpful.