2017 Ford Fiesta Titanium X Ecoboost

My car started to sound like a boy racers recently so I brought it in to get looked at. Luckily it was just a loose exhaust connection on the engine side (sorry, I don't know the exact name) and this solved the boy racer syndrome. The mechanic admitted it was probably himself that didn't tighten it after he replaced the timing chain.

What's unexpected, is the car feels better than it has ever felt. Accelerate is much smoother, always feels like there's power available. It's simply a much more enjoyable drive. I'm a SW Eng. and don't know anything about car engines beyond the basics.

Are the exhaust gases used for turbocharging and that's giving me the extra power?

What month was your car registered Chris?  Just wondering about the timing chain.

March, I bought it second hand with 124,000Km. Definately lots of motorway driving for a 4 year old car with that clock. Part of my purchase deal was to have the timing chain replaced. 

Honestly, it's ridiculous how this thing moves with a 1L engine. I have driven a 2008 1.25L Fiesta and a 2014 Zetec 1.25L. They don't compare. They're fine. Mine is more fun....  and comfortable. 

2 minutes ago, chrisloughnane said:

124,000Km

That's only 77,000 miles, just over half way to Fords recommend interval of 150,000 miles.

I'm very surprised a dealer footed the cost for this before selling the car. It's a very lengthy process and requires specialist tools compared to pretty much every other "daily driver".

With regard to your original question, yes the exhaust gases are what spin the turbo. However, it won't have been leaking that badly that there's not enough exhaust gas going to the turbo in order to spin it. It's more likely the slight gas weap was throwing the o2 sensor readings out slightly and the ECU was adjusting the fuel ratio slightly as a result.

10 hours ago, chrisloughnane said:

Are the exhaust gases used for turbocharging and that's giving me the extra power?

That's exactly what charges the 'turbo', it's free power as the exhaust gases just end up being thrown out the back of the car anyway, whereas with a turbo, they are used to force more fuel/air into the engine, hence more power. But, as Luke already stated, much more likely to be an ECU adjustment compensating for leak.

Thanks for the info guys.

I was driving around for a week with an exhaust sound like one of those awful boy racer jobs, I was getting woeful self consious LOL

I double checked my purchase records, there was 125370Km on the clock and I saw the engine being worked on myself. The man that did the job has done loads and it took him just over 8 hours but he admitted sometimes it can run to a full two days. 

I've been very lucky with the dealer, I shopped around for 3 months before purchase and I even met a real life Swiss Tony in one place, he was some character. The lads I'm dealing with have been very helpful and I guarantee you I'll be going back to them for my next car purchase.