Hi,

I have a 2013 1.0 ecoboost. Been suffering recently with lack of power especially when trying to get over 40mph. This has been intermittent but is becoming more regular. It appears that the wastegate is sticking (open I presume)  hence lack of power. Has anyone experienced this and do you think its possible to just change the actuator or will the turbo need replacing?

 

Personally I would start with checking the recirc valve diaphragm. 

Despite being rare the recirc valve diaphragm of the 1.0 ECOboost sometimes develops a rupture. The symptons you desrcribe are common as an early symptom of recirc valve diaphragm failure.

 

 

During the early symptoms the engine warning light is usually not (yet) activated. 

 

The recirc valve diaphragm assembly is available as a spare part from Ford (this part costs approximately €160,-). This is also the only part of the 1.0 ECOboost turbo that is seperately available. If any other part of the turbo fails the complete turbo needs to be replaced.

thanks for the advice. Just checked the recirc valve and unfortunately its in good condition. Therefore I keep coming back to the wastegate actuator. Think I will have to go to the garage in the morning. 

The 1.0 ECOboost has a vacuum operated wastegate that is powered by an engine driven vacuum pump and controlled by an electronic control valve.

The wastegate itself can easily be checked by applying vacuum to the hose pillar of the wastegate (for example with a large syringe). When applying vacuum the wastegate valve should close. The wastegate valve should remain closed until the vacuum is removed otherwise the wastegate diaphragm is ruptured.

The wastegate of the 1.0 ECOboost is not available as a spare part from Ford. In case of a defective wastegate the complete turbo needs to be replaced. However I suspect that a wastegate for the 1.6 ECOboost can easily be modified for the 1.0 ECOboost by slightly changing the rod lenght. in my opinion the aftermarket turbosmart wastegate for the 1.6 ECOboost would be a nice upgrade for the stock wastegate of the 1.0 ECOboost (one of the mods that are currently still on my wishlist).   

The electronic control valve is only available as a complete assembly including all vacuum hoses. This assembly costs approximately €250,-. 

Despite being rare the engine driven vacuum pump can also be defective (I have seen this only once or twice). A defective vacuum pump also affects the brakes. The vacuum pump is also used to power the brake booster. If the vacuum pump is defective it will take considerably more force to apply the brakes.

On 6/26/2018 at 6:10 AM, JW1982 said:

The 1.0 ECOboost has a vacuum operated wastegate that is powered by an engine driven vacuum pump and controlled by an electronic control valve.

The wastegate itself can easily be checked by applying vacuum to the hose pillar of the wastegate (for example with a large syringe). When applying vacuum the wastegate valve should close. The wastegate valve should remain closed until the vacuum is removed otherwise the wastegate diaphragm is ruptured.

The wastegate of the 1.0 ECOboost is not available as a spare part from Ford. In case of a defective wastegate the complete turbo needs to be replaced. However I suspect that a wastegate for the 1.6 ECOboost can easily be modified for the 1.0 ECOboost by slightly changing the rod lenght. in my opinion the aftermarket turbosmart wastegate for the 1.6 ECOboost would be a nice upgrade for the stock wastegate of the 1.0 ECOboost (one of the mods that are currently still on my wishlist).   

The electronic control valve is only available as a complete assembly including all vacuum hoses. This assembly costs approximately €250,-. 

Despite being rare the engine driven vacuum pump can also be defective (I have seen this only once or twice). A defective vacuum pump also affects the brakes. The vacuum pump is also used to power the brake booster. If the vacuum pump is defective it will take considerably more force to apply the brakes.

Did you end up putting the turbosmart actuator in?

No I did not. Further research showed that the wastegate of the 1.6 ECOboost is not compatible with the 1.0 ECOboost.


The 1.6 ECOboost uses a Borg Warner turbocharger with a wastegate actuator that is actuated by turbo pressure. Wvhen there is no turbo pressure the wastegate is closed (normally closed). The system is setup as follows:

Turbocharger (pressure side) -> Hose -> Wastegate solenoid -> Hose -> Wastegate actuator

By putting a PWM signal on the wastegate solenoid, the PCM regulates the amount of pressure applied to the wastegate actuator. The combination of the amount of turbo pressure and (duty cycle of) the PWM signal from the PCM determine whether and how far the wastegate is opened.

 

The 1.0 ECOboost uses a Continental/Schaeffler turbocharger with a wastegate actuator that is actuated by vacuum. When there is no vacuum the wastegate is open (normally open). The system is setup as follows:

Vacuum pump (camshaft driven) -> Hose -> Wastegate solenoid -> Hose -> Wastegate actuator

By putting a PWM signal on the wastegate solenoid, the PCM regulates the amount of vacuum applied to the wastegate actuator. The combination of the amount of vacuum and (duty cycle of) the PWM signal from the PCM determine whether and how far the wastegate is opened.

 

Turbosmart produces universal vacuum controlled wastegate actuators but I sold the car before I had the opportunity to install an uprated wastegate actuator.