Hi there I'll introduce myself as a Newbie and a Ford lover,starting off with Mk1+2 Escorts, Xr3i, Rs turbo, Mk6 Escort, Focus tddi and tdci's.

My question is should my 2009 focus 1.8 tdci have the same power performance as my old 2002 1.8 tdci, there's definately less performance in 2009 tdci especially when approaching roundabouts in second or third gear and try to accelerate without stopping, there seems to be either a lot of turbo lag or a flat spot as it feels like when you press the throttle there's a delay before anything happens (my old tdci would have had you fixed to the seat with acceleration), Also when accelerating in fourth when turbo kicks in it doesn't accelerate near as quick as my old car, Turbo is definately working but not near as aggressive as 2002 tdci, Also there seems to be a whistle, vaccum or air sort of noise from engine area when slowing down to a stop at low revs. Do you think this might be related to my performance problem ? Look forward to hearing any ideas before I take it back for garage under warrenty. Regards Gary

Hi there I'll introduce myself as a Newbie and a Ford lover,starting off with Mk1+2 Escorts, Xr3i, Rs turbo, Mk6 Escort, Focus tddi and tdci's.

My question is should my 2009 focus 1.8 tdci have the same power performance as my old 2002 1.8 tdci, there's definately less performance in 2009 tdci especially when approaching roundabouts in second or third gear and try to accelerate without stopping, there seems to be either a lot of turbo lag or a flat spot as it feels like when you press the throttle there's a delay before anything happens (my old tdci would have had you fixed to the seat with acceleration), Also when accelerating in fourth when turbo kicks in it doesn't accelerate near as quick as my old car, Turbo is definately working but not near as aggressive as 2002 tdci, Also there seems to be a whistle, vaccum or air sort of noise from engine area when slowing down to a stop at low revs. Do you think this might be related to my performance problem ? Look forward to hearing any ideas before I take it back for garage under warrenty. Regards Gary

I have a 2007 1.8 TDCi. It's slow. Very slow. But then I did have an ST170 before it.

However, the MKII is a fair bit heavier than the MKI, but being only a year old, it shouldn't be too bad ... recent service? Air filter can get filthy quite quickly.

I have a 2007 1.8 TDCi. It's slow. Very slow. But then I did have an ST170 before it.

However, the MKII is a fair bit heavier than the MKI, but being only a year old, it shouldn't be too bad ... recent service? Air filter can get filthy quite quickly.

Thanks for the reply, Only just got car last weekend and was serviced before i picked it up, car only done 7500 miles

Thanks for the reply, Only just got car last weekend and was serviced before i picked it up, car only done 7500 miles

Hmm, seems a bit strange then. Could check you air filter yourself I suppose, just to make sure. If you ask Ford to have a look, they will most likely say nothing wrong ... how about seeing if you can have a go in another one to compare?

As silverfox has said, the mk2 is heavier than the mark 1 and the engine in the two cars is basically the same (if your mk 1 had the 115bhp engine). I've seen quite a few postings on various forums regarding the lag problem on the 1.8 TDCI, which it seems to be a characteristic of this engine. However in your case a lose hse or something maybe contributing to the performance problem. I have a 2.0 TDCI and for comparison performances I would say its nothing special when accelerating away from lights but foot down in fouth at say 35mph it does take off.

Cleaning the injectors would possibly retrieve the power back. Also the turbo pipe should be checked as it might get broken.

As silverfox has said, the mk2 is heavier than the mark 1 and the engine in the two cars is basically the same (if your mk 1 had the 115bhp engine). I've seen quite a few postings on various forums regarding the lag problem on the 1.8 TDCI, which it seems to be a characteristic of this engine. However in your case a lose hse or something maybe contributing to the performance problem. I have a 2.0 TDCI and for comparison performances I would say its nothing special when accelerating away from lights but foot down in fouth at say 35mph it does take off.

The 2.0 TDCi is light-years better than the 1.8 TDCi imo. I drove the 2.0 TDCi in the even heavier Peugeot 307 CC and it was just so much better ...

While the 1.8 TDCi in the MKI to MKII is the same, but the MKII has a bit more torque to compensate for the porkiness (it would seem).

I would still suggest getting in another MKII 1.8 TDCi before trying anything else.

The 2.0 TDCi is light-years better than the 1.8 TDCi imo. I drove the 2.0 TDCi in the even heavier Peugeot 307 CC and it was just so much better ...

While the 1.8 TDCi in the MKI to MKII is the same, but the MKII has a bit more torque to compensate for the porkiness (it would seem).

I would still suggest getting in another MKII 1.8 TDCi before trying anything else.

Hi thanks for all your replies, I will try and see if I can get a shot of an other mk2 tdci to compare.

Hi thanks for all your replies, I will try and see if I can get a shot of an other mk2 tdci to compare.

Hi there have found out what the noise from my car was, It is the electric power steering pump, when i change the steering setting from sport mode to standard or comfort mode the noise goes away. has anybody else had this noise ?. As for the performance of my car it seems to be getting better the more its driven, tried other tdci's of same age and they are not much different.