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I need to De-Tune a Focus !

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Old 26-07-2007, 08:48 AM
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RS2000CUSTOM
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Default I need to De-Tune a Focus !

I service and look after a small fleet of cars for a local bus company

They taxi spare bus drivers around in these cars and they are well abused.

My problem is a 54 plate TDCi Focus.

It is ripping dual-mass flywheels and clutches apart every 5000 miles

The bus company purchased the Focus with 42,000 miles now got 58,000 and its in again for its 3rd flywheel/clutch

This particular Focus is too powerful for the numerous drivers who jump in it and my question is this :-

How can I de-tune this car as the bus company owners are fed up with the"down-time" of this car.

A strange question I know but I need it to be less powerful - lol lol
Old 26-07-2007, 08:51 AM
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Fudgey
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take the turbo off
Old 26-07-2007, 08:58 AM
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A small wooden chock under the accelerator pedal
Old 26-07-2007, 09:03 AM
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nilrem
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restrict the air flow in and out? i.e. washers in the exhaust...
Old 26-07-2007, 09:20 AM
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is the wastegate actuator adjustable?
maybe it has seized up......
Old 26-07-2007, 09:28 AM
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rev limiter
Old 26-07-2007, 09:32 AM
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Restrict the airflow before the turbo is your best bet.
Old 26-07-2007, 09:41 AM
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Potato up the exhaust


Something quite waxy like a marfona or a charlotte new potato for standad sized exhausts

HTH
Old 26-07-2007, 09:50 AM
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Put a camera in it and tell them they are paying for the next clutch if they fuck about.
Old 26-07-2007, 09:59 AM
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Why not just modify the throttle pedal or linkage, so you only get 3/4 max.

Its not going to invalidate any warrantys and easy to put back.
Old 26-07-2007, 10:10 AM
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it won't have a throttle linkage - it'll just have a pot on the pedal and be throttle by wire (although being a diesel it won't actually have a throttle at all )

as chip says, restrict airflow into turbo or reduce boost is best way - anything that restricts exhaust is very bad for the engine in terms of heat build up
Old 26-07-2007, 10:11 AM
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Intake to the airbox would be the simplest place, piece of thin ally blocking up most of the hole.
Old 26-07-2007, 10:15 AM
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Restricting the intake can damage the turbo
Old 26-07-2007, 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by T S M
Restricting the intake can damage the turbo

You mean because it will overspeed trying to make boost when it cant?

I did think that might be an issue, but surely if there is restricted intake there wont be enough exhaust gas to overspeed it even when the wastegate is fully shut?
Old 26-07-2007, 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by T S M
Restricting the intake can damage the turbo
How?
Old 26-07-2007, 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by foreigneRS
it won't have a throttle linkage - it'll just have a pot on the pedal and be throttle by wire (although being a diesel it won't actually have a throttle at all )

as chip says, restrict airflow into turbo or reduce boost is best way - anything that restricts exhaust is very bad for the engine in terms of heat build up
You could still restrict the pedal movement, which has to be the simplest way.
Old 26-07-2007, 10:24 AM
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Default Re: I need to De-Tune a Focus !

Originally Posted by RS2000CUSTOM
I service and look after a small fleet of cars for a local bus company

They taxi spare bus drivers around in these cars and they are well abused.

My problem is a 54 plate TDCi Focus.

It is ripping dual-mass flywheels and clutches apart every 5000 miles

The bus company purchased the Focus with 42,000 miles now got 58,000 and its in again for its 3rd flywheel/clutch

This particular Focus is too powerful for the numerous drivers who jump in it and my question is this :-

How can I de-tune this car as the bus company owners are fed up with the"down-time" of this car.

A strange question I know but I need it to be less powerful - lol lol
the clutches fuck up because the drivers are driving them like cunts

but then again, there may be a problem with the clutch pedal hydraulics so don't be too eareg to point the finger at the drivers (well, do point the finger but you know what i mean )

has it got traction control?

if not, has it got drive by wire throttle?

if it's got the basic cable opperated throttle then just put the full throttle stop further forwards so you do get full throttle, assuming it's just a normal set up with the cable coming out of the outer sheath, put a grub screw type locking collar onto the cable and be done with it

just don't tell the drivers and see who complains the first itme around

alternativly, tell the grage people who bought the car to stop acting like dicks and buy a sensible car for the drivers to get to change over points in, like a 1.6 diesel poverty spec car for about £35 thats 10 years old and nothing goes wrong with
Old 26-07-2007, 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by FasterFords
Originally Posted by foreigneRS
it won't have a throttle linkage - it'll just have a pot on the pedal and be throttle by wire (although being a diesel it won't actually have a throttle at all )

as chip says, restrict airflow into turbo or reduce boost is best way - anything that restricts exhaust is very bad for the engine in terms of heat build up
You could still restrict the pedal movement, which has to be the simplest way.

Fair point TBH

Unbolt from the pot, move round, bolt back on, so full throttle is only half the voltage it used to be.

A resistor after it would probably work too.
Old 26-07-2007, 10:30 AM
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foreigneRS
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anything that you do must not be too drastic and reduce available revs as it could be dangerous when overtaking etc
Old 26-07-2007, 10:41 AM
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Its probably because the cunt taxi driver tries to drive everywhere in 5th to conserve fuel, slipping the clutch for corners etc.

My grandad used to do this and had a new clutch every 12 months without fail
Old 26-07-2007, 11:15 AM
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Restricting the turbo intake will cause the turbo to over speed
Old 26-07-2007, 11:58 AM
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Rick
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I don't care how abused it is. it shouldn't be doing clutches every 5000 miles. There is a problem somewhere.
Old 26-07-2007, 07:11 PM
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Thanx for the replies

I can assure you that this particular Focus is a real flying machine

It is not a Taxi but is used to taxi relief coach/bus drivers around

My theory is that every set of traffic lights is a Santa Pod special

Clutch Hydraulics are fine but another sign of driver abuse is front tyres

They look worse than a set of road tyres being used on Croft

I was hoping for a simple "modification" to slow the drivers down a bit

Any Ford mechanics on here having similar issues with dual mass flywheels ?
Old 26-07-2007, 07:37 PM
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I know that lots of the Transits have had the dual mass flywheel set-up taken off due to replacement costs and/or breakages and replaced with a solid flywheel and clutch.

dont know if there is a similar kit for the focus.
Old 26-07-2007, 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Rick
I don't care how abused it is. it shouldn't be doing clutches every 5000 miles. There is a problem somewhere.
i agree, i own one and there very quick for 115bhp but thers a problem some were

andy
Old 26-07-2007, 08:00 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by RS2000CUSTOM
I was hoping for a simple "modification" to slow the drivers down a bit
I posted one
Old 26-07-2007, 08:00 PM
  #30  
James
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Can't say i've had to put a clutch or a flywheel in a new shape focus or c-max yet so certianly not something i've seen!

i reckon driver error, resting his foot on the clutch pedel etc. advise an automatic!

it's a 2.0 i assume?
Old 26-07-2007, 08:09 PM
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I have heard (just!) that valeo are going to make solid flywheel conversions for thoise peple wanting to throw the dmf in the bin! with standard type clutches to match
Old 27-07-2007, 08:12 AM
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Originally Posted by JTECHSAFF

I have heard (just!) that valeo are going to make solid flywheel conversions for thoise peple wanting to throw the dmf in the bin! with standard type clutches to match
Links if poss !

Old 27-07-2007, 08:31 AM
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i spoketo a valeo rep who said this was going to happen soon, i dont think it has yet ,maybe worth contacting valeo via email?
Old 27-07-2007, 08:39 AM
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Default Re: I need to De-Tune a Focus !

Originally Posted by robbie v
Originally Posted by dojj
alternativly, tell the grage people who bought the car to stop acting like dicks and buy a sensible car for the drivers to get to change over points in, like a 1.6 diesel poverty spec car for about £35 thats 10 years old and nothing goes wrong with
u mean like them old pug's london buslines had
yes

don't tell me you spanked one of them about the place too

carol's still got one
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