2015 Focus

[Bailes1992]

Still having running issues.
Unfortunately I've had loads of issues with it, one issue is the engine intermittently bogs down and/or cuts out for a split second when you go to accelerate Ford admit they currently have no way of repairing but won't offer me a replacement car or a refund. :cry:

It always happens when you've used little to no throttle for a bit and then start to feed in some more throttle.
Sometimes the engine bogs down and feels like someone is applying the   brakes before it picks up, sometimes nothing happens for a few seconds   before it shoots off (almost feels like turbo lag) and sometimes the   engine cuts out quite harshly for a split second before it starts to go.   The latter almost feels like you hit something in the road.
The fault is intermittent, most of the time the car drives fine but I   hate having anything wrong with my car and this really frustrates me.

The car has been returned to Ford 13 times, the last time it was   returned I was advised by the tech at the dealer that there was a few   others complaining of the same thing and it is a programming glitch with   the EGR valve. As so few people were complaining of it there was   nothing they could do and no repair available.

I have recorded live data of the fault happening.



The graph shows in order of top to bottom...
Throttle Position (%) in RED
Engine Speed (RPM) in GREEN
Road Speed (KPH) in LIGHT BLUE
Fuel Delivery/Flow (L/H) in PINK
Fuel Desired (MM³) in YELLOW
Fuel Rail Pressure (Volts) in BLUE
Inlet Manifold Pressure (kpa) in PINK
Mass Airflow (g/sec) in ORANGE
EGR Position (Volts) in RED
ECU Volts in GREEN.


At  1549.06s (about a third of the way across from the left) you can see   on  the top red line I have increased my throttle position. At which   point  the fuel delivery (PINK) and the Fuel Desired (YELLOW) have both    nosedived to nearly zero before they start to increase. You can also   see  where my RPM (GREEN) dropped slightly as a result.
This is the cutting out/bogging down/hesitation I'm feeling.
I'm now 100% sure this is a calibration issue as all the sensors are still reporting perfectly acceptable readings.

And again at 1850.58 and at 1858.88 (half way)...


But yet where I accelerate just before 1880.39 the car pulls absolutely fine with no hesitation what so ever.

I've finally decided to stop getting stressed about it and to just live with it. Constantly chasing it up with Ford Customer Relations (who are a complete waste of time should I add) to be let down or fobbed off was making me more and more angry.

So I've given up caring about the hesitation issue now. It's obvious Ford aren't in any rush to fix it. I can hope it gets fixed within the next 2.5 years but I'm not convinced. My main issue now is getting a goodwill gesture out of them for the lost earnings, courtesy car costs and stress the car has caused me the past 6 months during the 14 times it's had to be returned. This means lots of slagging them off on their Facebook page and a few bad reviews here and there.
As soon as the car is out of warranty it will be having DPF & EGR removal with a Stage 1 remap. It should be around 150bhp with 380nm, enough to keep me amused for a few years. To be fair, it goes well now!

Ford have agreed a repair for my broken heated windscreen and some loose trim in the boot so I need to get the car booked in soon to sort that.
Handy that I'm getting a new windscreen, saves my excess getting it replaced since I already have 6 chips in it!  :roll:

So now I'm pretty convinced I'm going to be keeping it I thought I'd start doing a few things.

I stuck my Missus personal plate on the car because, why not? It can't go on her lease car and it was a waste just having it on retention.



And I bought some silver lamps to tidy things up.







Unfortunately while I was changing the lamp in the O/S mirror unit I was a bit too rough on the mirror housing, the back popped off and landed on the floor. There is very little damage but I can see it from the drivers seat which is bloody annoying. I'll have to paint it soon.  upafrisk:

It had an oil change a month or two ago at 6500miles. It'll be having it's first service soon at 12,500miles. Currently showing just shy of 10k.

I bought a roof rack and two bike racks at a cost of... £272 for genuine Ford items.  hock:  To be fair even the Halfords aero units were coming in at £257. I decided to pay the little bit extra.


And que a ride up the Afan forest on the weekend.


I need to get a list together of what I want to do to the car in order of priority and what is warranty friendly and what isn't.
Warranty Friendly
- Towbar with car specific module which talks to the ESP to stabilise the trailer during snaking. £470inc VAT.
- Zetec S front bumper £318 + Painting & Fitting
- Zetec S Side Skirts £306 + Painting & Fitting
- Zetec S Rear Bumper £293 + Painting & Fitting
- Zetec S Rear Spoiler £282.99 + Painting & Fitting
- Zetec S Fog Lights £102
- Ford Accessories Illuminated Gear Knob £121.38
- Ford Illuminated Scuff Plates £228.99
- Eibach Lowering Kit 35mm £170.38
- Ford Umbrella Holder £24
- Climair Load Protection Pack (a bit of plastic to cover the bumper just before the boot) £97.71
- Climair Wind Deflectors £77.62
- Wheels. I want 18" alloys of some sort. It will be a case of whatever I can find for a good price.

Those prices are Ford RRP. I'm hoping some parts can be purchased much cheaper second hand or even with big discounts through Ford. I certainly won't pay RRP for any of them.
The towbar is from Bank Farm Trailers. I won't be able to get that any cheaper.

Out of warranty it'll be the usual intake, intercooler, DPF & EGR removal, custom exhaust and a stage one remap. Just like I did with my Mondeo.

I fancy a decent sound system again, haven't had anything other than standard systems since my last Focus. I will keep the standard Ford SYNC head unit but fit a 5/6 channel amplifier with high level inputs powering a set of door components front & rear and one 10" or two 8" subwoofers. I think I will have to strip the interior and sound deaden everything. The amount of rattles for a 6 month old car is unreal! I've had the passengers door card off twice already.

I do fancy a Focus ST interior too. It would have to be a full leather one though.