Focus TDCi exhaust smoke

jayjays · 04-02-2009, 02:07 PM

Hi all, am new to this web site, have found some great information. I have owned my 2007 TDCi for 5 months now, bought as a demo and now has 13000 km on the clock. Thinking of freeing up the intake and exhaust system at some stage.
Anyway, was just wondering wheather anybody with a diesel focus has noticed a small amount of smoke from the exhaust at around 3000 rpm. I only notice this in following car headlights at night time. Doesnt seem like a great deal though. Have been on to 2 seperate dealers and they say this is normal. Im not an expert on modern diesel engines but I would have thought that with all of the restrictive pollution gear on these cars there wouldnt be any smoke. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all

AnthonyTDCi · 04-02-2009, 05:40 PM

yes this is completely normal.

you will actually find it happens alot between 1800-2200 when the car hits boost.

as for pollution....there might be alot of smoke coming out...but its the carbon emission count that is alot lower than petrol engines. (someone correct me if im wrong)

819_FLY · 04-02-2009, 06:08 PM

Yeah would be extra fuel passing through the engine. The particulate matter is the black stuff you see (like a soot) and diesel burns cleaner than petrol. Having a turbo is good for that especially if you get under the pedal a bit. I used to own an R32 GTR and when that thing got onto boost was a massive cloud of fuel coming out from behind... nice clean BMW.... Not any more hahahaha!!!

If it is white, then usually its unburnt fuel, if its blue then its burning oil, when you are on boost it most likely is a oil leak on the inlet side of the turbo, if you let off and smoke billows out then chances are it could be a thrust seal in the turbo. Black stuff is the normal for diesels, just not as much as a Prime mover or Locomotive.

orsest170 · 04-02-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnthonyTDCi

yes this is completely normal.

you will actually find it happens alot between 1800-2200 when the car hits boost.

as for pollution....there might be alot of smoke coming out...but its the carbon emission count that is alot lower than petrol engines. (someone correct me if im wrong)

You are right, but there's more to the story......Diesel actually emits more CO2 per litre of fuel burned than petrol (2.7kg vs 2.3kg CO2/L), but because a diesel car is is so much more efficient than the equivalent petrol (typically using about 25% less fuel), the CO2 emissions still work out in favour of the diesel.

Most of the new generation diesels are coming out with particulate filters, and I expect the next gen Ford diesels offered in Australia (already avail in Europe) to follow suit. They work extremely well (although can be prone to clogging with prolonged city driving), and eliminate virtually all the particulate smoke.

Mullett · 04-02-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 819_FLY

Yeah would be extra fuel passing through the engine. The particulate matter is the black stuff you see (like a soot) and diesel burns cleaner than petrol. Having a turbo is good for that especially if you get under the pedal a bit. I used to own an R32 GTR and when that thing got onto boost was a massive cloud of fuel coming out from behind... nice clean BMW.... Not any more hahahaha!!!

If it is white, then usually its unburnt fuel, if its blue then its burning oil, when you are on boost it most likely is a oil leak on the inlet side of the turbo, if you let off and smoke billows out then chances are it could be a thrust seal in the turbo. Black stuff is the normal for diesels, just not as much as a Prime mover or Locomotive.

Quick note: white smoke is oil, black smoke is unburnt fuel, blue smoke is partly unburnt fuel, or fuel and oil.

-RM.

BlackLS · 05-02-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mullett

blue smoke is partly unburnt fuel, or fuel and oil.

-RM.

Or your running 2 stroke.

AnthonyTDCi · 05-02-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orsest170

You are right, but there's more to the story......Diesel actually emits more CO2 per litre of fuel burned than petrol (2.7kg vs 2.3kg CO2/L), but because a diesel car is is so much more efficient than the equivalent petrol (typically using about 25% less fuel), the CO2 emissions still work out in favour of the diesel.

Most of the new generation diesels are coming out with particulate filters, and I expect the next gen Ford diesels offered in Australia (already avail in Europe) to follow suit. They work extremely well (although can be prone to clogging with prolonged city driving), and eliminate virtually all the particulate smoke.

thanks man!
i new they were better for the environment one way or another lol.

i had an old magna which blew out blue smoke from crappy valve stem seals....i thought white smoke was a water leak in the engine??

Mr Hardware · 05-02-2009, 10:12 PM

white smoke =/= steam

Mullett · 05-02-2009, 11:54 PM

As well, I forgot about the water in the engine/exhaust white smoke...it's easy to tell the difference though, the steam disperses very quickly once it hits the air, white oil smoke holds its shape a lot better...

-RM.

jayjays · 06-02-2009, 03:21 AM

Thank you to all that replied. Very helpfull. Just another question, is there a requirement to "idle down" or cool down the turbo after driving on modern stock standard (not for long with mine) cars? Cheers

Turbodiesel · 06-02-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayjays

Thank you to all that replied. Very helpfull. Just another question, is there a requirement to "idle down" or cool down the turbo after driving on modern stock standard (not for long with mine) cars? Cheers

Nope, just make sure the engine is at idle revs when you turn it off.

jayjays · 07-02-2009, 11:51 AM

Cheers.

Mullett · 07-02-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbodiesel

Nope, just make sure the engine is at idle revs when you turn it off.

Modern, watercooled turbos have almost eliminated the need for this, the main problem was caused by oil 'caking' inside a hot housing, which slowly built up and prevented the shaft from being properly lubricated (can you imagine anything worse :P) Water cooling has ensured that the housing shouldn't reach temperatures which can cake the oil into the housing, so unless the car has been running very hard before shutdown (like towing a trailer up a big-*** hill) it's not a problem at all. The common misconception is that the idle down time is to bring the turbine speed back down as low as possible to prevent it from spinning without oil, but with the engine shut off the turbine stops VERY quickly due to the drag of the impeller in the air.

-RM.

elgreko · 10-03-2009, 08:47 PM

Hi All
New to thread just bought a tdci focus and I love it! But I discovered a lot of oil around the pipe that comes out of the inter cooler, into the inlet manifold. I pulled off the pipe and discovered some oil inside, is this normal?? the car has 15000 kms on it.

819_FLY · 10-03-2009, 11:20 PM

I would assume not. Usually the induction side after the turbo is completely dry and if you are getting oil passing through the intercooler then something would be up, have you noticed any clouds of smoke from your exhaust, if its burning oil then you will definately notice one.

zetec · 11-03-2009, 12:58 AM

Black Smoke

White Smoke

elgreko · 11-03-2009, 06:23 PM

smokes only if I floor it, about 2000 RPM, but was told that was normal!! By ford Dealer.

elgreko · 11-03-2009, 06:37 PM

Just noticed that there is no instant fuel consumption display on my 08 focus TDCI My brother in-law has a 07 focus TDCI and his has instant fuel consumption display?????

Loris · 11-03-2009, 09:58 PM

hmm, i have the instant fuel display on my 08.. somethings up with yours not being there

Turbodiesel · 12-03-2009, 07:08 PM

Isn't there only an average fuel usage display? You can sort of make it instant if you reset it while driving.

marg99 · 12-03-2009, 09:34 PM

my MY 08 TDCI has the instant fuel usage directly after the "average fuel" usage on the display settings. Have you gone through all the display settings?

Loris · 12-03-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbodiesel

Isn't there only an average fuel usage display? You can sort of make it instant if you reset it while driving.

nope, i have both

elgreko · 13-03-2009, 11:52 AM

Mine definately dose not have it. Went to the ford Dealer in Epping in Melb he said and I quote "Ford do funny things sometimes from month to month, some models have them and some dont"???? I think that bull#!@@!! I told him to get confermation and to get back to me, I bet you he dosnt!!

sumpPUMP · 13-03-2009, 04:32 PM

my zetec doesnt have it either, but my mum's does...

must be a setting somewhere. havent really chased it up yet.

elgreko · 19-03-2009, 10:12 AM

Ford dealer just called, told me my model doesn't have it my build date is 3/08 anyone with a similar build date have it??

Turbodiesel · 19-03-2009, 12:57 PM

Well I reckon that sucks balls, it should at least be consistent between same model cars.

Good for you guys who have it though, mine was one of the first TDCis off the boat.

sumpPUMP · 19-03-2009, 03:20 PM

mine is april 2007 build (zetec) and i havent got it but my mums is the same build in tdci and has it, i seriously dont get why they would chop and change between the models and builds.