I have been troubleshooting an overboost issue (PO234) on my son's Focus and as a result replaced the turbocharger with a new turbocharger from Ford.....  As I replaced other components before this (e.g., wastegate solenoid, MAP and MAF sensors), I was hoping swapping with a new OEM turbo would solve the issue.... it has not....

I have now read  much more about this engine/turbo set up, including capturing live data via OBDLinxMX+..... Still no solution to date....

One thing I have read is some turbos must have the wastegate preload set.  Since I wasn't aware of this prior, I have been trying to determine if Ford's 1.0L turbo requires the preload set?  And if so, what is the procedure to set this turbo's preload?

Thanks for any insight!

PS: I returned to the original turbo long ago

Good day.

Propably the solenoid or the vacuum pamp.

I appreciate for comments Bol!

Anyone else know about preload setting on this engine/turbo?

Mine had undersboost issue. Needed to change two solenoids.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the question but I would not expect there to be any preload.

The 1.0 Ecoboom turbo has a vacuum operated flap valve and it is wide open in the static condition.

If the overboost reported is being caused by the adjustment of the flap valve, it would be because the actuator rod length has been adjusted too short causing the valve to be shut or almost shut in a static condition.

The current actuator rod movement can be checked in a couple of ways, either by observing it with and without vacuum applied or simply manually pulling it up against the actuator diaphragm spring pressure. I would expect around 0.5 (12,7) of movement to fully close the flapper valve.

If the movement is there, and smooth, I would be looking for a problem elsewhere, noting that the system is ECU controlled and reliant on accurate boost pressure measurement and vacuum adjustment.

3 hours ago, RayC333 said:

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the question but I would not expect there to be any preload.

The 1.0 Ecoboom turbo has a vacuum operated flap valve and it is wide open in the static condition.

If the overboost reported is being caused by the adjustment of the flap valve, it would be because the actuator rod length has been adjusted too short causing the valve to be shut or almost shut in a static condition.

The current actuator rod movement can be checked in a couple of ways, either by observing it with and without vacuum applied or simply manually pulling it up against the actuator diaphragm spring pressure. I would expect around 0.5 (12,7) of movement to fully close the flapper valve.

If the movement is there, and smooth, I would be looking for a problem elsewhere, noting that the system is ECU controlled and reliant on accurate boost pressure measurement and vacuum adjustment.

Ray, Thanks for your comments - much appreciated.

I called it preload as this is the term used in my reading forums and watching videos regarding turbocharger replacement.  Essentially, preload is an an adjustment to the actuator rod (to set the rod length correctly) prior to installing it to the engine.  I cannot find any information that the turbo used in the 1.0L engine requires the actuator rod to be set (prior to installation) when a new OEM turbo is installed.

I have verified both visually and with a vacuum pump and using a OBDLinx MX+ data that the turbo is operating - e.g., the vacuum pump works, the new vacuum solenoid works, the vacuum hoses to the actuator hold a vacuum and the actuator moves freely and doesn't move when vacuum is present.  I've also driving the car and read the live boost pressure prior to and after an overboost condition is logged.

I am trying to get a live data capture when the overboost condition occurs that includes all the important EMC diagnostic data (input and output values)!  I have used the OBDLinx MX+ software to generate a report (capturing some of the EMC diagnostic data) when the overboost happens but so far, the standard report doesn't include all of the diagnostic data I think I need to troubleshoot this overboost condition.....  Still trying to figure out how to modify the diagnostics included when using this tool's report function.

I am trying to find out if a replacement 1.0L turbo needs to have the actuator rod length set to a specific length prior to installation in case this may be a factor causing this overboost condition.

3 hours ago, dlwilhelm said:

 I am trying to find out if a replacement 1.0L turbo needs to have the actuator rod length set to a specific length prior to installation in case this may be a factor causing this overboost condition.

To be absolutely clear, the flap valve adjustment would only cause overboost if the flap itself remains closed (or has an insufficient gap) when it shouldn't.

The initial adjustment figure I've quoted is the stroke length I was already aware of and which I've confirmed on my relatively new turbo.

It looks like you've tried a lot of good things but for this setting, keep it simple. 

Make a mark on the rod in the static position. Move the rod up until you feel the flap shut and mark again. Let the rod return to its static position. If the marks are approx 0.5 (12,7) apart then that's good.

My max boost pressure with this setting gives between 21 to 22 psi and no indication of overboost.

If you have a OBDLink MX+ then either buy the FORScan phone App or if you have a Windows Laptop, download FORScan for free, it is a lot better than the OBDLink App.

You should get Freeze Frame data as well as a log of the whole journey when the fault occurred, depending on what PID's you are Live Monitoring.

2 hours ago, RayC333 said:

It looks like you've tried a lot of good things but for this setting, keep it simple. 

Make a mark on the rod in the static position. Move the rod up until you feel the flap shut and mark again. Let the rod return to its static position. If the marks are approx 0.5 (12,7) apart then that's good.

My max boost pressure with this setting gives between 21 to 22 psi and no indication of overboost.

Good info and advice!

I will see what my max boost pressure is with the HW and SW I have and report back....

1 hour ago, Tizer said:

If you have a OBDLink MX+ then either buy the FORScan phone App or if you have a Windows Laptop, download FORScan for free, it is a lot better than the OBDLink App.

You should get Freeze Frame data as well as a log of the whole journey when the fault occurred, depending on what PID's you are Live Monitoring.

Tizer,

Thanks for input/suggestion.  I have the FORScan application loaded on my cell phone and Windows machine, but haven't been successful getting my Windows machine to connect to the OBDLinx device via bluetooth yet.  This is on my priority list of next steps......

I am thankful folks here are providing comments as I haven't found a lot of information from folks here in the States (where turbos are more of a niche in daily drivers.....)

1 minute ago, dlwilhelm said:

Windows machine to connect to the OBDLinx device via bluetooth yet. 

Connecting a Windows laptop with FORScan to a bluetooth device is not one of the options. If you want to use a laptop (which I would recommend) then you need to connect using either an ELM327(modified) cable, or better still connect the laptop using a vLinker FS cable.

vLinker FS: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-vLinker-Adapter-FORScan-MS-CAN/dp/B0952P4MLP/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1LXKJ3F8IDW5A&keywords=vlinker+fs&qid=1699314766&sprefix=vlink%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-5

6 minutes ago, unofix said:

Connecting a Windows laptop with FORScan to a bluetooth device is not one of the options.

unofix,

Thank you! I won't waste more time trying to connect via bluetooth but I will buy a VLinker FS cable!

 

6 hours ago, dlwilhelm said:

Thank you! I won't waste more time trying to connect via bluetooth but I will buy a VLinker FS cable!

I've been using my Bluetooth OBDLink MX, the predecessor to the MX+, with my Laptop as well as my Phone for years and it works perfectly well, better than most cables you can buy except the two recommended ones. It can also be more convenient if you are doing Live Data logging either when driving or in the Engine Bay.

You may need to let the Laptop search for drivers for it though.

Edit, What you see in the Phone version is exactly what you see in the Laptop version of FORScan.

3 hours ago, Tizer said:

I've been using my Bluetooth OBDLink MX, the predecessor to the MX+, with my Laptop

That's interesting. I tried to connect my laptop to the vLinker FD dongle via bluetooth several times and got nothing. At one point my laptop could see the dongle but was unable to connect with FORScan and I therefore assumed that this was not an option as I could find nothing on the FORScan site that indicated this was possible.

I use the vLinker FD bluetooth dongle with my android phone very regularly and without a problem. Perhaps this is an issue with type of vLinker FD ?

Sorry if I have mislead the OP, although they would still need the vLinker cable to be able to do programming changes as this is something that can't be done via a bluetooth device.

While I wait for the vLinker cable to arrive, what I haven't figured out how to do is alter the Freeze Frame data report - e.g., alter the PIDs included in the results....

I have been successful looking at many EMC PIDs for this vehicle (so called OEM enhanced diagnostics) using live data (via the OBDLinx MX+), including those associated with the turbo, but I haven't figured out how to add additional EMC PID values to the Freeze Frame data report.... maybe this report cannot be modified but that doesn't make any sense to me. Maybe I have to use "Logs" to get the PID values I want when an overboost fault happens?

1 hour ago, unofix said:

That's interesting. I tried to connect my laptop to the vLinker FD dongle via bluetooth several times and got nothing.

Here is the proof that it works with a Laptop, from memory I had to let the Laptop look for Drivers. Not only that but at the time I bought mine it was one of the few that FORScan recommended for Programming. Now they don't recommend it but don't not recommend it. They specifically do not recommend some other Wireless ones.

Note the excellent min delay, not as good as the 1 or 2 seconds that the recommended wired ones will give but more than adequate and probably better than cheap wired ones. I'm sure the MX+ is even better than my old one.

 

26 minutes ago, dlwilhelm said:

While I wait for the vLinker cable to arrive, what I haven't figured out how to do is alter the Freeze Frame data report - e.g., alter the PIDs included in the results....

I have been successful looking at many EMC PIDs for this vehicle (so called OEM enhanced diagnostics) using live data (via the OBDLinx MX+), including those associated with the turbo, but I haven't figured out how to add additional EMC PID values to the Freeze Frame data report.... maybe this report cannot be modified but that doesn't make any sense to me. Maybe I have to use "Logs" to get the PID values I want when an overboost fault happens?

You can't alter what is shown in the Freeze Frame data. 

The best thing you could do is to load as many relevant PID's on you Phone as possible and take the car for a long run until the fault occurs unless you like driving around with an open Laptop and a Cable draped over your knees.

As I said previously, what you see in the Phone version is exactly the same as the Laptop version, just presented in a different way.

13 minutes ago, Tizer said:

...it was one of the few that FORScan recommended for Programming. Now they don't recommend it but don't not recommend it. They specifically do not recommend some other Wireless ones.

Glad they've made that clear.  

14 minutes ago, Tizer said:

You can't alter what is shown in the Freeze Frame data. 

The best thing you could do is to load as many relevant PID's on you Phone as possible and take the car for a long run until the fault occurs unless you like driving around with an open Laptop and a Cable draped over your knees.

As I said previously, what you see in the Phone version is exactly the same as the Laptop version, just presented in a different way.

John, I really appreciate you taking time to provide comments, etc...!

Are you saying there is no way to customize the PID values when a fault occurs and save to a file, regardless of what hardware or SW application is used (I realize there are very expensive OEM tools that a repair shop would need but are too expensive for home mechanics)?

I have loaded the relevant Focus EMC PIDs on my phone and driven the car watching the PID values.  There are multiple concerns or issues with this option:
- not focused on driving and associated surroundings... of course I could ask another person to perform the PID value monitoring while I drive....

- I don't have enough knowledge/experience to know which PIDs are the most relevant to start with or what values are too high/low.  I know I most likely need to being monitoring the overboost and the boost pressure, PIDs but seems at least one or more are also critical...  My thought was once I have a log file of PCM PID values (min, max and avg) when an overboost fault occurs, I would then review the PID values and find a way to determine values that are out of range.  Maybe the way I am thinking about troubleshooting this issue isn't sound or reasonable.

It seems to me the use case I have is very typical, so I would think there's at least one vendor that satisfies this use case for the home mechanic at a fairly modest cost.

1 hour ago, dlwilhelm said:

Are you saying there is no way to customize the PID values when a fault occurs and save to a file

Yes you can, what you can't do is pick what Freeze Frame Data FORScan or the PCM decides to show you at the instant a fault is logged.

You just save the recorded journey, give it a name because you may have lots saved before you fix the fault. You can then scroll through the completed journey at your leisure. It will stay on your phone until you delete it.

Personally when doing Live Data Logging I always start with Speed, RPM and Accelerator Pedal Position so that I know exactly what was happening at all times, eg whether I was coasting or accelerating hard.

There should be PID's for Boost Pressure, or at least MAP before and after the Throttle. If that car has a MAF then that is relevant and there will be some for the Turbo.

Regarding Bluetooth and Laptops and this may Interest @unofix also, I'm sure that at least with the OBDLink MX, for security reasons it will only connect with one device at a time, so if you have your phone with you and you have Bluetooth enabled then maybe that is why you can't connect with your Laptops.

You still need to pair the Adaptor with your Laptop and go through the procedure for pairing that will be in the Adaptor instructions. You only need to do this once though but need to enable Bluetooth on your Laptop thereafter when you want to connect to it. 

4 hours ago, Tizer said:

You just save the recorded journey, give it a name because you may have lots saved before you fix the fault. You can then scroll through the completed journey at your leisure. It will stay on your phone until you delete it.

Personally when doing Live Data Logging I always start with Speed, RPM and Accelerator Pedal Position so that I know exactly what was happening at all times, eg whether I was coasting or accelerating hard.

Thanks John!

Once I have at least one record, is there a way to determine what PID values are at or below minimum, average or at or above the high value?  Meaning, do you know where to find a vehicle's PID min, max and average?  I haven't read this is provided in OBDLinx M+ application or have a found where to source this data on the internet.....

And, thinks for the tip of starting with/using the speed, RPM and pedal position values as constant reference points....

2 hours ago, dlwilhelm said:

Once I have at least one record, is there a way to determine what PID values are at or below minimum,

There is nowhere that I know off that has that information other than asking in Forums and hopefully other people may be able to help.

Your car probably has PID's for both Desired Boost Pressure and Actual Boost Pressure. If so that one is easy, the Actual should be the same as the Desired after a few seconds. The same may apply to other PID's.

The Dashboard function is excellent for looking at that in the Phone Version of FORScan because the dials move unlike the Laptop version. The Graph function is much better in the Laptop version though but it doesn't matter how you record things because you can swap between Dashboard, Table and Graph when reviewing the journey later.

You can also change the high and low parameters later if you want to micro analyse things later, at least you can with the Phone version, I'm not sure about the Laptop version because I hardly ever use it.

15 hours ago, Tizer said:

There is nowhere that I know off that has that information other than asking in Forums and hopefully other people may be able to help.

Your car probably has PID's for both Desired Boost Pressure and Actual Boost Pressure. If so that one is easy, the Actual should be the same as the Desired after a few seconds. The same may apply to other PID's.

The Dashboard function is excellent for looking at that in the Phone Version of FORScan because the dials move unlike the Laptop version. The Graph function is much better in the Laptop version though but it doesn't matter how you record things because you can swap between Dashboard, Table and Graph when reviewing the journey later.

You can also change the high and low parameters later if you want to micro analyse things later, at least you can with the Phone version, I'm not sure about the Laptop version because I hardly ever use it.

Again, good feedback - thanks!

I will respond back in a few days.... Have another home project that's needing my attention.