Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 02 1.8TDCi car cutting out at speed

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Wed 10 Dec 2008 16:07
02 1.8TDCi car cutting out at speed - duncan22
Purchased a ford Focus TDCi about 4 months ago and it ran fine with no problems. Local garage changed the fuel filter about a month ago and for about a week it started and ran ok no problems, some of these journeys covered over a 100 miles in a single trip.
Short trip to local supermarket refused to start but left for 30 minutes got it going, then it cut out dead on return journey at speed which was frightening as all power was lost. Managed to get it going again but over the next few days same thing happened and it seems a common problem which others have referred to in previous posts.
Car taken to a diesel specialist who said....The new fuel filter was a poor quality he had seen this problem on other cars so he fitted a new bosch filter.
Over the past 3 weeks the car has been fine, so if it was ok before the filter was changed and has been ok after another filter has been fitted it seems almost certain the problem was down to a dodgy filter.
My reason for this lengthy post is that others may have similar problems so before spending loads of cash (which others have done only to find the problem persists)make sure you have a quality fuel filter fitted.
I know nothing about filters (and I don't work for vw) but I think there is some additional item incorporated in the fuel filter for the focus but no doubt others more technically minded can enlarge on this subject.
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Wed 10 Dec 2008 20:36
02 1.8TDCi car cutting out at speed - arnold2
Very interesting - next time I take my 02 Focus into service, I had already decided to supply my own oil to Ford's spec, so I will hunt this filter down.

I am convinced that some of the issues people have raised with these cars is partly down to the fact they are a bit particular about servicing to the right spec.

Fuel spec is important, too - I run mine on BP Ultimate, and use Miller Diesel Power - well worth it as the engine runs much better, and is so far at 150K with no (touch wood!) problems...
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