Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI Duratorque Problems - Good Diesel or Waste of Money?

The Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI is pretty much your average compact car when it comes to power. When it comes to fuel economy though, that's where it really stood out during its time. Its key selling point lay in its fuel economy rated at 44.8 mpg, which was truly great for daily drives in the foregone era when diesel fuel was dirt cheap.

With the dramatic rise of fuel costs nowadays, especially diesel products, fuel economy definitely plays an important factor when it comes to buying or keeping a car. Aside from that, you should also take into consideration the maintenance costs associated with owning one. Therefore, let's take a look at whether the ownership of Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI today is still worth it or something that you should forego.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2002-now
• Average lifespan of 1.6 TDCI:170,000-190,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:Common Rail
• Power range:108 hp
• Fuel efficiency:excellent
• Engine block material:aluminum
• Engine reliability score:medium
• The most common problems:very tricky fuel supply system, bad oil consumption, turbocharger problems, timing chain stretching, coolant leaks.

Most Common Problems Found in the Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI Duratorque

The Ford Focus 1.6TDCI is known for its plethora of issues in the engine, transmission, and electrical components, among others. That's plenty of writing on our part and a lot of time reading on your end. Therefore, we will only focus on the issues with the greatest number of complaints based on reviews, forums, and reports to make this worth your while.

The following are the issues that go way back from the production run of the Ford Focus 1.6TDCI up to the present:

1. Stuck Fuel Tank Purge Valve

A fuel tank purge valve is a component of the vehicle's evaporative emission control system (EVAP). The purpose of this system is to prevent fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere. A faulty purge valve can cause a number of problems, including engine hesitations, increased emissions, increased engine vibrations, and decreased fuel economy. The worst that could happen here is your engine stalling while you are driving on the road.

The Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI is particularly known for this as it gains a significant amount of mileage on its clock. So, one way to tell if there is a problem with the purge valve is the dreaded "Check Engine" light. If this light is illuminated, it indicates that there is a problem with the emission control system.

Another way to tell if the purge valve is not functioning properly is to observe the smell of the exhaust fumes. If there is a strong diesel odor, fuel vapors are likely leaking into the atmosphere.

If you suspect that the purge valve is not functioning properly, the best way to confirm this is to have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic. They will be able to perform a series of tests to determine if the purge valve is at fault. If it is determined that the purge valve is defective, it will need to be replaced. In some cases where it is only dirt hindering its key operation, it may be possible to clean or repair the purge valve, but this is typically not recommended. Replacing the purge valve is a relatively simple and inexpensive repair.

If you are experiencing any of the red flags mentioned here, it is important to have your vehicle inspected as soon as possible. A faulty purge valve can cause serious engine damage if not repaired on time.

2. 50-Amp Main Fuse Shorting

Another problem that the earlier Ford Focus family is known for is its electrical issues. The 1.6 TDCI is specifically prone to this, and the most common culprit is the main fuse of the car. If you're experiencing electrical problems in your Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI, it's possible that the 50-amp fuse has shorted.

Symptoms of a shorted main 50-amp fuse include loss of power accessories, dimming headlights, engine stalling, or not being able to start it at all. To diagnose the issue, check for a blown fuse in the engine bay fuse box. For a visual sign that your main 50-amp fuse has shorted, check for melted plastic around the affected fuse.

Additionally, if the fuse is wet or discolored, this could also be an indication that it has blown. It could emit a faint burnt smell of plastic or smoke if the issue only happened just a few minutes before your inspection. If the fuse is blown, replace it with a new one and see if the problem persists.

If the problem continues, it's possible that there is an electrical short somewhere else in the car. To find the source of the short, use a multimeter to check for continuity between the positive and negative terminals of the battery. The fault will lie on the part where the current is not flowing.

Simply have the problematic wire replaced to go around the issue. This may require disassembling parts of the car to get to the hard-to-reach areas. If you are not comfortable doing this, take the car to a qualified mechanic or electrician.

If you suspect that the main 50-amp fuse has shorted, it's important to have it checked out as soon as possible. A shorted fuse can cause serious electrical problems and may even start a fire.

3. Steering Torque Sensor Failing

One of the symptoms of a failing steering torque sensor is an increased level of steering effort required to turn the wheel. This is caused by the sensor providing incorrect information to the car's computer about how much steering input is needed.

Another symptom is the car veering to one side or the other when driving straight, which can be a potential cause of accidents. This is due to the computer not knowing how much steering input is needed to keep the car going straight.

There are a few ways to diagnose a failing steering torque sensor. One way is to check for codes in the car's computer. Another way is to visually inspect the sensor for damage. A third way is to test the output of the sensor with a multimeter.

There are a few possible solutions for a failing steering torque sensor that your mechanic can apply. One solution is to replace the sensor if it is already damaged. Another solution is to clean the sensor if it's only dirty. A third solution is to recalibrate the sensor if it only needs one.

4. Ground Strap Corrosion

One of the most common issues with the Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI is ground strap corrosion. Some mechanics primarily blame the problem on the default placement of the ground strap by Ford. Regardless of the cause, this can lead to several symptoms, including engine misfires, rough idling, loss of power, and poor fuel economy.

If you suspect that your Focus 1.6 TDCI has ground strap corrosion, the best way to diagnose the issue is to take it to a qualified mechanic or Ford dealership. They will be able to run diagnostics and confirm whether or not ground strap corrosion is the issue.

There are a few possible solutions for ground strap corrosion, depending on the severity of the issue. The most common solution is to replace the ground straps. This is a relatively simple and inexpensive fix.

In some cases, however, the corrosion may be so severe that it requires more extensive repairs in other affected areas. If this is the case, your mechanic or Ford dealership will be able to advise you on the best course of action. Regardless of the severity of the issue, it's important to get it fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage to your Focus 1.6 TDCI.

5. ECU Malfunction

When it comes to ECU malfunction in the Ford Focus 1.6 Duratorque TDCI, there are a few telltale symptoms that can help you diagnose the issue. One of the most common symptoms is engine misfires because your car's computer is sending the wrong signals to the power unit.

This can happen when one or more cylinders in your engine are not firing correctly.

Other symptoms of ECU malfunction can include the check engine light coming on, decreased fuel economy, and unusual sounds coming from the engine. If you notice any of these signs, it's important to take your car to a mechanic right away. They will be able to diagnose the issue and determine the best course of action to take.

There are a few possible solutions for ECU malfunction. However, you should first make sure that sensors and wirings are in proper order first before proceeding because the problem may only be confined there.

If you are sure that it's the ECU causing all the hiccups in your car, one solution is to have it flashed or reset. This can be done by a mechanic or you can do it yourself if you have the right tools. Another solution is to replace the ECU with a new one. The latter is usually the most expensive option, but it will fix the issue permanently.

Conclusion

There are many other problems found in the Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI. The ones presented here are only the ones with the highest likelihood of happening, and these alone can be such a pain because of the amount of work and money needed for their repairs.

With that, if you are thinking of buying the Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI on the used car market, these are the risks that you will likely run into, especially if the previous owner has the tenacity to miss out on the vehicle's maintenance schedules.

On the other hand, if you are an owner of the auto and you start noticing some of these problems or you are already spending heavily on its maintenance, then maybe it's high time to upgrade your Ford with a newer one already.