Hi I've got a Mk3 Ford Focus with a 1.0 125PS Ecoboost Engine. 

In the past week I've noticed a definite lack of power with the turbo and it's like you have to really rev the engine to get it working. In perticular when there is more weight in the car or going up hills when the turbo is in demand more. I have also noticed that during the first 5 miles of driving it is more responsive it seems to be when the turbo warms up (I have noticed it also glowing red after a longer distance) that the power issues become significant. 

In the past week it has also gone in to limp mode with the engine service now message appearing. It gives the code P0299 Turbocharger - Low boost reading in an OBD reader. Code P0420 Catalytic converter system efficiency below threshold and I'm unsure if that's related. 

Is there anything I can try before taking the car to Ford as I'm wanting to avoid that as the car is currently on 125,000 Miles however at 75,000 Miles the Engine was replaced as well as the Turbocharger & Vacuum Pump for the Turbo.

Thanks for any advice 🙂

First thing to check is the one way diaphragm in the vacuum pump to the feed pipe to the splitter valve 

They fall apart and restrict the flow of vacuum

If that's fine then either the turbo is going down or the vacuum pump is going down, both can be caused by blocked oil ways due to wet belt degradation.

You have done 50,000 miles on the engine, if it has not been maintained properly (correct oil, no flushing etc) then the problem will return

Also, it's done 50,000 miles, have the spark plugs been changed?

11 hours ago, Kylewilkinson53 said:

Hi I've got a Mk3 Ford Focus with a 1.0 125PS Ecoboost Engine. 

In the past week it has also gone in to limp mode with the engine service now message appearing. It gives the code P0299 Turbocharger - Low boost reading in an OBD reader. Code P0420 Catalytic converter system efficiency below threshold and I'm unsure if that's related. 

 

P0420 does not cause the system to go into limp mode. Is your OBD reader/app capable of showing the actual boost pressure? If so drive to a suitable nearby hill and view the actual boost reading whilst the engine is under load.

On 9/20/2024 at 7:58 AM, DaveT70 said:

First thing to check is the one way diaphragm in the vacuum pump to the feed pipe to the splitter valve 

They fall apart and restrict the flow of vacuum

If that's fine then either the turbo is going down or the vacuum pump is going down, both can be caused by blocked oil ways due to wet belt degradation.

You have done 50,000 miles on the engine, if it has not been maintained properly (correct oil, no flushing etc) then the problem will return

Hi, 

 

I checked this and it had fallen apart, replaced it and everything was running fine however I drove around 45 miles and the problem has come back and the replaced one has also fallen apart. I'm not sure what could be causing it to do that so quickly. Thanks for the help.

You may need a new vacuum pump

I hope you haven't got belt degradation