More Turbo Than Diesel?

Post by **Tim Leech** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:17 pm

OK I know I get grief for keeping my cars clean and tidy BUT since I steamed cleaned the engine bay of the TZD and cleared all the oil and shit that was sat on the intercooler I have noticed a definite increase in ooomph.

So much so it was struggling for grip in 2nd gear admittidly on a slightly greasy road, but the mid range power is markedly improved and it really flies and pulls like a train to 90/100 with ease and the black smoke has gone.

All ive done so far is change the oil and clean it? coudl it be the last owner never "opened the taps" and a good clear out has done the job?

Ta.

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:29 pm

The italian tuneup would certainly clear the crap out the exhaust if it's been idling or driven 'carefully' but any improvement in performance would be next to nowt tbh. IF the intercooler was 'really' gunked up then a good cleanup could well provide noticeable but marginal improvement, but only really when you've driven to the point where the i/c gets hot and looses efficiency. In this cold weather I doubt you'd notice any improvement really.

If the old air filter was bunged up and you put a new one in, well that would make an improvement in both performance and less smokey emissions.

Don't forget that the colder air will improve performance too, so rather oddly the improvement could be weather related (when compared to recent warmer weather)

Post by **Tim Leech** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:33 pm

Dunno then, havent changed the airfilter as its fine,either way im very pleased with the way it goes, showed some bird in a Focus a clean pair of heels today on a long stretch of dual carriageway

her face was a picture.

Post by **docchevron** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:54 pm

Were they high heels?!

Sorry, couldn't resist!
If she was fit, you should have pulled her over and given her my number!

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:38 am

Probably a combination of all those things have added a few extra bhp, which all adds up in a lightweight car. Cold damp weather will make the air much denser, which again makes the car feel more lively. Ironically, not what you need when its pissing down, slippery roads & more power, oops...

Oscar · Post by **Oscar** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:09 pm

Cleaning the intercooler will really make a difference. Did it on mine with Tom last summer, and the car flew afterwards.

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:02 pm

docchevron1472 wrote:Were they high heels?!

Chances are she wasn't trying, or didn't know how. The new Focus' aren't slow.

Post by **docchevron** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:11 am

Well of course she didn't know how, she's a girl driving a car!!!!!!.....

<runs away very bloody fast>

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:24 pm

docchevron1472 wrote:Well of course she didn't know how, she's a girl driving a car!!!!!!.....

<runs away very bloody fast>

You don't have to run, Nat's pregnant! I can call her allsorts of names and I can out-walk her, let alone out run. It's great

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:34 pm

I'm with Oscar on this - cleaning the intercooler externally can make a very considerable difference to TD performance. Cleaning it internally can make a big difference too, though the initial backfires if you use a the wrong cleaning agent can be alarming....

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:58 pm

It will make a difference in the summer I'm sure, but in this cold weather there is sufficient heat exchange such that cleaning the the outside of an i/c will have neglidgable impact (unless it was blocked solid and not allowing air to pass at all) I gave mine some beans in this cold weather and the i/c was stone cold - a sign it's unstressed and working well within it's limits.

stuart_hedges · Post by **stuart_hedges** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:14 pm

Does the heater fan still work?

I've noticed that mine starts smoking very quickly - within a week - on my usual 3-mile commute. The old Italian tune-up soon sorts that out though. I hadn't noticed any difference in performance, however.

Post by **Tim Leech** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:05 am

stuart_hedges wrote:Does the heater fan still work?

I've noticed that mine starts smoking very quickly - within a week - on my usual 3-mile commute. The old Italian tune-up soon sorts that out though. I hadn't noticed any difference in performance, however.

The heater is fantastic Stuart, noticed that the day I picked it up but its much pokier!

stuart_hedges · Post by **stuart_hedges** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:29 pm

Ummm... the smoke comes out of the exhaust. Not the heater. Oops...