Still Loss Of Power When In 1St Or 2Nd - Focus 1.8Tdci (2006)

[shays47]

We have a 2006 Ford Focus Zetec 1.8 TDCi Climate Pack. After picking it up from the garage we bought it from, we noticed that there would be a loss of power when driving, mainly in 1st or 2nd gear. It has happened when pulling from a junction in 1st, and also when going uphill in 2nd. When the loss of power happens, if you take it out of gear and then put it back in, it seems ok. Although today, my wife was driving and she had to pull over, and leave it in idle, for a minute or so. There are no warning lights, and the engine doesn't cut out. We took it back to the garage we bought it from, and they had a look(as it is under warranty), and hooked it up to the diagnostic machine. No codes came up, and the guy who did the test said that it was one of the best engines he had seen, as all the readings etc were near perfect. The only thing that fluctuated a very tiny amount, was something to do with the air flow(?), but he said it should clear itself in a week or so. The garage told us to take the car away, and see how it goes, and if it played up to bring it back(we picked it up yesterday morning(Tuesday)), and since then it has happened again 4 times. When driving along the dual carriageway it has been fine, and the acceleration has been fine aswell. It only seems to be in the lower gears(1st and 2nd). Does anybody has any idea what it could be?

UPDATE

We have now had the fuel filter replaced, and the garage have said that there was an 'o' ring in there that was perished, and they think it could've been causing the problem. The car has now started doing the same thing again. I have been told by a mechanic friend that it could be the EGR valve getting stuck, and to have it cleaned out. Is it better to get it cleaned or replaced? Also, would the Mass Air Flow Sensor or EGR valve show up on diagnostic computer, as no warning lights are coming on. Someone has mentioned driving with Air sensor unplugged, is this safe, and for how long?

Since then the car is still doing the same thing. Have now had the Mass Air Flow Sensor replaced, and also the guy at the garage sprayed some EGR cleaner into the air intake while he was changing the MAF. That was about 2 weeks ago, and it is still playing up. Have spoken to a couple of people in work, and they have suggested a couple of things. EGR valve has been mentioned again. Another person said it had happened to him on a focus he had repaired, and he said he eventually traced it to some sort of sensor or switch under the accelerator pedal. Could this be the cause of the problem? Apart from this the car is a lovely car, I even took it up the motorway the weekend, and it was fine. Like I said before, it doesn't happen all the time, and there are no warning lights at all.

[Mike77]

Have you thought of blanking off the egr completely ? Lots of members on here, including myself have done this. Mine wasn't even playing up but didnit anyway. Simple enough job to do, someone on here posted a simple but step by step way of doing the job, took me 20 mins, car runs smoother and returns slightly better mpg. It is ok to run the car without the maff connected, just to see if it makes a difference. Both the egr and the maf should throw up a light if faulty BUT, doesn't mean they always will !!! The egr spray would have done little to improve the situation. Has the car been on a diagnostic machine at all ? As there may well be codes stored that you don't know about. And a blanking plate for your car can be bought on eBay for less than 5 quid. Few things to keep you going there. Keep us posted mate.

[Stoney871]

I'm still trying to ascertain categorically why there are some blanking plates with a hole and some without.

I know it's to do with the EML coming on but is there a benefit of complete blanking and suffering a EML occasionally compared with allowing a little bit of airflow through it and avoiding the EML popping up especially if it should occur during an MOT?

[Sassygirl]

did they put an original MAF sensor on? If they used cheap imitation parts they dont always work. Reason i know is that i had this on my galaxy and i put a cheap replacement on...the problem still existed until i put an original part on.

Also.......if it is the EGR valve, unless your sand blasting it and cleaning it properly it wont make a bit of difference, it will need blanking or a new one putting on

(just sold a car for the same problem)

[Mike77]

I'm still trying to ascertain categorically why there are some blanking plates with a hole and some without.

I know it's to do with the EML coming on but is there a benefit of complete blanking and suffering a EML occasionally compared with allowing a little bit of airflow through it and avoiding the EML popping up especially if it should occur during an MOT?

Pretty sure that the 'hole' is meant to replicate the fact that there is already one there, all be it on a smaller scale, letting through less deposits, hence its suppose to sort your problem. I've yet to come acrosss anyone who has fitted a solid plate and encountered the EML coming on. Done a few miles with mine on, and you would think by now, the car would realise its blocked, but NO, all is good (touch wood) lol.

[shays47]

Thanks for the replies. The MAF was a genuine Ford part, much to the garages disgust, as they had to pay more for it! Forgot to mention, and this may point to something different - would the EGR valve affect the trip computer, as while I was driving on motorway last week, after about an hour of driving at pretty much constant 70mph, the computer said average speed was 16 MPH.