Please help hi all I was driving my 75k miles focus 1.5 tdci last week and went round a round about 15—-20 mph and the car started to run rough and missing the traction control light come on dash then less then a mile up the road car cut out and would not restart and has not started since

The aa towed it to a family garage said it could be wet belt lol they don’t have a wet belt was t time think he just wanted go home 

anyway we have scanned it with scanner forscan and another type and it is coming back with low pressure sensor pressure to high car turns over just will not start I have replaced the sensor on main rail and still the same could someone please point me in right direction to a fix I don’t know which sensor this is there is 1 located  near the fuel pump on fuel line and I believe one is on  the pump 

which 1 do I need to change been to buy from fords and it is £170 plus vat they don’t sell without the pipes even thou it is only a clip that holds that 1 in any help at will be appreciated will check back on here everyday in hope someone can help Please and keep updated with stuff I change and outcomes thanks for reading this post 

Is there definitely one near the tank?

The only one I know of is the one at the front.  I guess this is the one Ford quoted £170 for.  You could get one from a scrap yard.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175741051610?

Does anybody know if it is this one above and has replaced it and it has fixed the problem or would stop it from starting been on it all day today going to have bite the bullet and change this part at £175 from fords rang a few breakers today scrap yards not got anything 

help 

Right really struggling with my car I have changed fuel filter air filter high pressure sensor low pressure sensor 

there is no codes on the car with forscan at all now but when trying to start it it just turns over and over also tried another scan tool with no faults found 

have checked there is diesel coming to each injector put still will not start getting on for 2 weeks not started now all turns over fine it’s has thou something is not switching the power on for it to fire up please help has I am going grey. Thanks in advance will post update has soon has I have 1 and will try thing people on here suggest and report back with info

 

Use Forscan live data to check the rail pressure when cranking.  It should be 300+ bar.

Also, is this a Mk4 Focus?  If so that's the EcoBlue engine, not the TDCI.  The EcoBlue is twin cam and has a small chain between the two cans that can break.  Reading your first post about how it went rough and then never started again could be a timing issue.

 

18 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Use Forscan live data to check the rail pressure when cranking.  It should be 300+ bar.

Also, is this a Mk4 Focus?  If so that's the EcoBlue engine, not the TDCI.  The EcoBlue is twin cam and has a small chain between the two cans that can break.  Reading your first post about how it went rough and then never started again could be a timing issue.

 

Thanks for your reply mate it’s the 2018 8 valve mk3 will try tomorrow has it is in family garage away from my house we have changed the sensor on the end of rail but that rail looks a absolute pain to change and the low pressure sensor near the fuel filter and also had the fuel pump in bits yesterday because someone on another website said that a spring snaps took apart it was all ok but back together and still exactly same it’s has thou something not switching the injectors on to fire up the engine tried disconnecting the injectors comes up with fault on each one disconnected then reconnect clear faults try again no faults found really doing my head in now any help appreciated before I take it dealers 

5 minutes ago, Ian livsey said:

Thanks for your reply mate it’s the 2018 8 valve mk3 will try tomorrow has it is in family garage away from my house we have changed the sensor on the end of rail but that rail looks a absolute pain to change and the low pressure sensor near the fuel filter and also had the fuel pump in bits yesterday because someone on another website said that a spring snaps took apart it was all ok but back together and still exactly same it’s has thou something not switching the injectors on to fire up the engine tried disconnecting the injectors comes up with fault on each one disconnected then reconnect clear faults try again no faults found really doing my head in now any help appreciated before I take it dealers 

No problem.  2018 is the crossover between Mk3 and Mk4 so good to get that confirmed.

There are a few things that can prevent the injectors firing:

1. Not enough rail pressure (Check with Forscan, should be 300bar plus)
2. Not enough cranking speed (Check with Forscan, should be at least 200rpm)
3. Immobiliser (Unlikely in this case - would expect a dash warning anyway)

If all of those things are clear then the injectors should fire.  The fact that it went rough rather than just failing to start one day suggests to me that it's not an injector based fault but I could be proved wrong there.  Personally I now think it's a timing issue.  Perhaps the cambelt slipped a tooth.  Or perhaps the crank pickup ring has got damaged.  If there is definitely enough rail pressure and crank speed showing through Forscan then I think I would do a compression test next.  That should show if the valves are slightly out of time without having to strip the full belt cover off.

5 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

No problem.  2018 is the crossover between Mk3 and Mk4 so good to get that confirmed.

There are a few things that can prevent the injectors firing:

1. Not enough rail pressure (Check with Forscan, should be 300bar plus)
2. Not enough cranking speed (Check with Forscan, should be at least 200rpm)
3. Immobiliser (Unlikely in this case - would expect a dash warning anyway)

If all of those things are clear then the injectors should fire.  The fact that it went rough rather than just failing to start one day suggests to me that it's not an injector based fault but I could be proved wrong there.  Personally I now think it's a timing issue.  Perhaps the cambelt slipped a tooth.  Or perhaps the crank pickup ring has got damaged.  If there is definitely enough rail pressure and crank speed showing through Forscan then I think I would do a compression test next.  That should show if the valves are slightly out of time without having to strip the full belt cover off.

Thanks so much for your reply’s brother in law has said this about the timing we checking that either tomorrow or Wednesday but will check the other things 1st we didn’t change the high pressure rail did get 1 with the sensor but it looks very hard to change will check the pressure on forscan and report back with findings 

when it 1st happened traction control come on then started to run rough has thou running on 3 about half a mile down road just cut out and not started since 

could this be fuel pump gone ?

can the high pressure rail brake or get blocked my filter was in a bad way dirty and slimy when 1st took out new 1 fitted now 

12 hours ago, Ian livsey said:

Thanks so much for your reply’s brother in law has said this about the timing we checking that either tomorrow or Wednesday but will check the other things 1st we didn’t change the high pressure rail did get 1 with the sensor but it looks very hard to change will check the pressure on forscan and report back with findings 

when it 1st happened traction control come on then started to run rough has thou running on 3 about half a mile down road just cut out and not started since 

could this be fuel pump gone ?

can the high pressure rail brake or get blocked my filter was in a bad way dirty and slimy when 1st took out new 1 fitted now 

I've never seen a common rail get blocked on a diesel.  The filter removes such tiny particles on these that nothing should really pass it.  However if the filter got split or wasn't fully sealed then it would be possible for muck to get into the rail.  That is very unlikely though. 

The rail can't really break, it's literally just an empty tube.  The pressure sensors do break but they can usually be swapped separately from the rail.

It could be the high pressure fuel pump gone.  I would usually expect those to last longer.  But if the filter was clogged that badly, it could have been reducing the lubrication in the high pressure pump over many miles and making it wear excessively until it just couldn't maintain high pressure any more.

The low pressure (in-tank) pumps break occasionally on these. That can be tested easily though, simply unplug the fuel pipe from before the filter, place it in some sort of container and then switch the ignition on.  The fuel should be pressurised by the tank pump and flow out of that open pipe.  Generally the tank pumps either work or they don't so I wouldn't worry too much about finding the exact pressure from that one.

 

On 10/8/2024 at 9:22 AM, TomsFocus said:

I've never seen a common rail get blocked on a diesel.  The filter removes such tiny particles on these that nothing should really pass it.  However if the filter got split or wasn't fully sealed then it would be possible for muck to get into the rail.  That is very unlikely though. 

The rail can't really break, it's literally just an empty tube.  The pressure sensors do break but they can usually be swapped separately from the rail.

It could be the high pressure fuel pump gone.  I would usually expect those to last longer.  But if the filter was clogged that badly, it could have been reducing the lubrication in the high pressure pump over many miles and making it wear excessively until it just couldn't maintain high pressure any more.

The low pressure (in-tank) pumps break occasionally on these. That can be tested easily though, simply unplug the fuel pipe from before the filter, place it in some sort of container and then switch the ignition on.  The fuel should be pressurised by the tank pump and flow out of that open pipe.  Generally the tank pumps either work or they don't so I wouldn't worry too much about finding the exact pressure from that one.

 

Hi we have checked the timing all 3 pins go in so timing is bang on checked twice full rotation 

took some phots on forscan will post I don’t really know how use it proper done live data 

Brother in law now saying injectors are reading 0.0 all 4  could all 4 be knackered at the same time?
he saying thinks they should read between 10 and 18 ohms 

The rail pressure isn't reaching the desired pressure on any of those.  I don't know how much tolerance the PCM will allow before it'll let them fire.  So could still be a fuel pressure fault.

Did you do a fault scan on the DTC page?  Any DTCs stored in the PCM?

I don't think all injectors can have gone open circuit so potentially testing them incorrectly.

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

The rail pressure isn't reaching the desired pressure on any of those.  I don't know how much tolerance the PCM will allow before it'll let them fire.  So could still be a fuel pressure fault.

Did you do a fault scan on the DTC page?  Any DTCs stored in the PCM?

I don't think all injectors can have gone open circuit so potentially testing them incorrectly.

Yes mate did all test coming back no errors the only 2 errors at 1st when broke we have had from start was low fuel pressure to high and high fuel pressure to low changed both sensors and this has cleared the codes 

would u be going with the fuel pump next because that what direction we are thinking to go down has timing is bang on checked and tested few times only trouble is we both work full time away from car it’s on other garage and don’t get much time on it 

there is diesel at the injectors but brother in law knows more then me he said it’s not under much pressure at all 

could it be electrical problem? 
I running out of ideas we can do the work it’s just finding the problem don’t want put a new pump on then it still be same 

but it has thou it not getting enough diesel and when problem 1st happened it was as thou it was runnin on 3 

is there  a way to test injectors while still in car someone said should measure 17 ohms they measure nothin but I have a 59 plate diesel focus running good so checked on that car and was showing 00.0 same has mine not working 

It does sound likely to be the HP pump but I'm still not convinced enough to recommend replacing it.

Those screenshots show over 200 bar of rail pressure at one point.  That's a huge amount.  (Car tyres are only 2 bar!). But it might only be making that for a split second before losing pressure.  I can't tell from those tests unfortunately.

I would want to try the fuel pressure regulator first.  But that's connected to the pump and a pain to access.  So if you've only got limited time, it's probably worth swapping the pump & reg together.  At least you'll have a new cambelt as well.  I can't make that decision for you though.  There is still a good chance that it's something else.

That injector test is outdated now.  It did work on some of the early common rail injectors, but technology has come on a long way since.  I don't know what the resistance reading should be on these particular injectors or if it can be tested in that way.  If there was an electrical fault with the injectors though, that should trigger a fault code for the DTC page of Forscan.

38 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

It does sound likely to be the HP pump but I'm still not convinced enough to recommend replacing it.

Those screenshots show over 200 bar of rail pressure at one point.  That's a huge amount.  (Car tyres are only 2 bar!). But it might only be making that for a split second before losing pressure.  I can't tell from those tests unfortunately.

I would want to try the fuel pressure regulator first.  But that's connected to the pump and a pain to access.  So if you've only got limited time, it's probably worth swapping the pump & reg together.  At least you'll have a new cambelt as well.  I can't make that decision for you though.  There is still a good chance that it's something else.

That injector test is outdated now.  It did work on some of the early common rail injectors, but technology has come on a long way since.  I don't know what the resistance reading should be on these particular injectors or if it can be tested in that way.  If there was an electrical fault with the injectors though, that should trigger a fault code for the DTC page of Forscan.

Could it be a blockage somewhere after the filter I only say because diesel comes  out of filter fast from pump in tank 

we did take the back of pump off 4x bolts holding the spring housing where the pipes connect to it with like a piston inside it we could not blow through it but when I put my tongue over the outlet side and moved the bar plunger in and out by hand was hard to press it felt has thou it was sucking my tongue but could not blow though it at all just things we was trying 

what tests would u recommend plus in the settings there was fuel pressure rail A about  5 different things on and some pressure rail B but when try and read the B  pressure 1s. Showing nothing at all 

I thinking that it’s not for this  car must be for different models or that Is the problem 

There shouldn't be a blockage after the filter.  It's just a clear pipe from filter to HP pump.  And as said before, nothing should pass the filter anyway.

I've never tongued a HP pump, that's a new test on me lol.  Not sure what to think about that.

Yes, some things on Forscan live data are for other cars.  If there's no reading at all that probably explains that.

 

You can test the HP pump outlet pressure mechanically using a proper kit.  They're not cheap though so I'd recommend borrowing one if you can.  I'm not really sure what other tests would be totally reliable now.  The fact that there are no fault codes suggests it's not an electrical fault, as that is mainly the type of fault the PCM looks for.  You could remove the injectors and have those tested at a specialist but honestly I don't think they're at fault.  As low pressure pump, filter and timing have been ruled out it can only really be the high pressure pump, FPR, injectors, PCM or wiring.

7 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

There shouldn't be a blockage after the filter.  It's just a clear pipe from filter to HP pump.  And as said before, nothing should pass the filter anyway.

I've never tongued a HP pump, that's a new test on me lol.  Not sure what to think about that.

Yes, some things on Forscan live data are for other cars.  If there's no reading at all that probably explains that.

 

You can test the HP pump outlet pressure mechanically using a proper kit.  They're not cheap though so I'd recommend borrowing one if you can.  I'm not really sure what other tests would be totally reliable now.  The fact that there are no fault codes suggests it's not an electrical fault, as that is mainly the type of fault the PCM looks for.  You could remove the injectors and have those tested at a specialist but honestly I don't think they're at fault.  As low pressure pump, filter and timing have been ruled out it can only really be the high pressure pump, FPR, injectors, PCM or wiring.

Thanks so much for your replies would u try and change that pump regulator can get one on Amazon the car auto parts don’t seam to have them have you or anybody known them to fail I did unplug it and car would not turn over again no lights or fault codes or would you just aim straight at the hp pump  been a couple of breakers today and no body seams to want to sell a pump apart from the engine because of the timing so they like to sell had one unit 

I have seen faulty regulators cause rough running or non start on other diesel engines.  Though not on these specifically so far.

If you've got the time and the access to change the regulator that is obviously much cheaper if it does fix it.

I really don't want to push you into the expense of a new HP pump but I suspect that's what a garage would do if you take it in anyway.  I'm still only about 70% with it being a pump fault.  And 30% something else.

Have you actually checked that sufficient fuel is reaching the high pressure pump?

If it was me, I would check this by removing the pipe where it enters the high pressure pump, then get someone to turn on the ignition while catching any diesel that comes out in a container.

You did say that the fuel filter was slimy when removed. Was this a horrible black substance? If so, you could have a case of "diesel bug" (Google it) in the fuel system, causing blockages. It might be worth checking the fuel filter to see if it is slimy again. I had a case of this on one of my son's previous cars & had to remove the tank sender unit & clean the filter in the tank, caused me a real headache (it was a Vauxhall though).

1 hour ago, Alan G H said:

"diesel bug" (Google it)

Just did, and your right you can get a black one 🤣

Just a quick update on this today brother in law took out the high pressure sensor off the pump and found what seams to be little metal filings around the edge of it so they in the pump pic below Alan  thanks for your reply he tried the amount of diesel before pipe from filter and after pipe where it connects to pump and both would fill a 1litre bottle in 2to 3 seconds so the pump is getting enough diesel from the tank he said thanks and is clean rechecked the new filter still like new he said 

so our guess next is to replace the pump with finding the metal filings or would any body say just change the high pressure solinoid on pump or what ever it is and hope for best or do you recon the pump has had its day 

also if the filings are inside the pump would they have now traveled to the injectors and goosed them up or the main rail 

looking for advice help 

don’t want put a pump on try start it filings to travel straight to injectors going to bleed everything 1st and check diesel or would the filings already be in the injectors if the pump had failed when driving just a guessing game at minute will order a pump and go from there thanks for helping let me know what you would try next thanks again sorry for long post 

Unfortunately, if there are metal filings it's most likely they have come from the high pressure pump. This could explain your low rail pressure.

This normally happens from the car being mis-fuelled with petrol, which has no lubricating effect, or possibly water contamination in the past.

The problem is that the filings are likely to have spread through the complete fuel system, and to do the job properly means removing & cleaning the tank, all pipework, changing the high pressure pump, and quite probably changing the injectors.

Sadly, a big expensive job if done properly.

Agree with Alan, gold filings around the HP pump usually mean pump failure.  Most likely caused by the clogged filter in this case.  The filings will have been forced through the rail and into the injectors now.  Injectors can't really be cleaned so they'll need replacing with the pump. The rail can just be flushed through.  In theory, any filings left on the low pressure side should get caught in the filter, but it is best practice to drain and flush the whole fuel system when filings are found.

22 hours ago, Alan G H said:

Unfortunately, if there are metal filings it's most likely they have come from the high pressure pump. This could explain your low rail pressure.

This normally happens from the car being mis-fuelled with petrol, which has no lubricating effect, or possibly water contamination in the past.

The problem is that the filings are likely to have spread through the complete fuel system, and to do the job properly means removing & cleaning the tank, all pipework, changing the high pressure pump, and quite probably changing the injectors.

Sadly, a big expensive job if done properly.

This is exactly what I was thinking expensive but I do know that petrol has never been put in this car there is only ever me that fuels up brother said it does not smell like diesel and looks to have water or something not right with the fuel from the beginning I only ever go to Costco for fuel the breakdown did happen 30 to 40 miles after a refill 

11 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Agree with Alan, gold filings around the HP pump usually mean pump failure.  Most likely caused by the clogged filter in this case.  The filings will have been forced through the rail and into the injectors now.  Injectors can't really be cleaned so they'll need replacing with the pump. The rail can just be flushed through.  In theory, any filings left on the low pressure side should get caught in the filter, but it is best practice to drain and flush the whole fuel system when filings are found.

Yes I have ordered pump will be here hopefully Wednesday / Thursday brother taking tank off to clean out and flush all pipe work ready for fitting pump will update has soon has I have something more to say thanks everyone for replies update asap 

1 hour ago, Ian livsey said:

This is exactly what I was thinking expensive but I do know that petrol has never been put in this car there is only ever me that fuels up brother said it does not smell like diesel and looks to have water or something not right with the fuel from the beginning I only ever go to Costco for fuel the breakdown did happen 30 to 40 miles after a refill 

It might be worth contacting Costco and asking if they have had other complaints (but they probably would not admit that). Might be worth putting something out on local social media, asking if anyone else has had problems as well.

It might be worth getting a fuel sample analysed if you can find somewhere to do it.