The question I'd ask, is

..  Has anyone who has changed their oil more regularly than specified by FORD had any issues with loss of power.....

I have always thought the service intervals that FORD specify are too long apart.

I change my oil religiously at every 5000klms, and my car played up on the highway about 2 weeks ago....

Well that blows that theory out the window...

thanks for the feedback.

I have this issue regularly and my car is barely a month old ... the first time was coming off the M2 (in Sydney) after the Bathurst drive and it died in traffic (had to pull over and it stalled) have booked it in for it's 3000 next Tuesday and the service department on the phone had no idea what I was on about ... So we'll see what happens ...

Went back to Bathurst last week for work and had it happen three times over the week then again on the M5 coming back from the All Ford Day on Sunday ... and I wasn't even accelerating, just coasting and it goes into limp mode ... foot off the pedal and back on and she's right again ... not good when you can't be sure when you push the pedal you have full power ...

As I mentioned in another post, with similar intermittent concerns, I sent an email to my Service Adviser which contained the following:

"Check and clear fault codes in addition to ensuring that the engine management system is OK, which includes:

· Check that “C” connectors on original PCM are plugged in correctly.

· Check that wastegate control solenoid is connected securely.

· Check for sticky swing valve in turbo housing.

· Check that the bleed solenoid is not partially blocked.

· Check “OC” valve sensors that go into cam caps.

· Check vacuum lines.

· Check ALL hosing and connections.

· Check and/or clean and/or replace throttle body.

Please ensure that all these checks are made. On pickup of the vehicle, please provide in WRITING an assurance that all the above checks have been made, including mention of any replacements."

I know this is a shotgun approach though.. *touch wood* ..since then I have not experienced any more intermittent gremlins. Hope this helps in some way.

Safe and happy driving...Dr Z.

"Check and clear fault codes in addition to ensuring that the engine management system is OK, which includes:

· Check that “C” connectors on original PCM are plugged in correctly.

· Check that wastegate control solenoid is connected securely.

· Check for sticky swing valve in turbo housing.

· Check that the bleed solenoid is not partially blocked.

· Check “OC” valve sensors that go into cam caps.

· Check vacuum lines.

· Check ALL hosing and connections.

· Check and/or clean and/or replace throttle body.

Please ensure that all these checks are made. On pickup of the vehicle, please provide in WRITING an assurance that all the above checks have been made, including mention of any replacements."

Dr Z, I would add the latest regap of the plugs to this list that FORDTECH has mentioned ...

Will let everybody know if they find anything different with mine ...

Thanks, Jason.

Jteale, great suggestion.

I would still like more info on the regapping. Is it referenced in a TSB? If so, which one? I mentioned it to my Service Adviser who believed it was not necessary and that they had already sorted out my gremlins. However, I highly value FORDTECH's contributions. In this respect, I would love to learn more about the regapping performance differences and outcomes (I vaguely recall Zap was pleased with his for example). Feel free to PM or share here about regapping.

Thanks.

Safe and happy driving...Dr Z. :uziman:

Dr Z,

Mal (ZapXR6T) is local to me also (Sydney Northern Beaches) and we bought from the same dealer so I am expecting them to do the same for me.

The thread in question:

0.9mm Sparkplug gap results

I am hopeful this solution will help, I believe FORDTECH did mention a FSB but not the actual number...

If you are happy then I would certainly leave it as the more they fiddle around with it the more problems surface I would think ...

Cheers, Jason.

.. Has anyone who has changed their oil more regularly than specified by FORD had any issues with loss of power.....

I have always thought the service intervals that FORD specify are too long apart.

I change my oil religiously at every 5000klms, and my car played up on the highway about 2 weeks ago....

"I have this issue regularly and my car is barely a month old ... the first time was coming off the M2 (in Sydney) after the Bathurst drive and it died in traffic (had to pull over and it stalled) have booked it in for it's 3000 next Tuesday and the service department on the phone had no idea what I was on about ... So we'll see what happens ...

Went back to Bathurst last week for work and had it happen three times over the week then again on the M5 coming back from the All Ford Day on Sunday ... and I wasn't even accelerating, just coasting and it goes into limp mode ... foot off the pedal and back on and she's right again ... not good when you can't be sure when you push the pedal you have full power" ...

Do you think maybe it might be valve springs?

Fordtech

You mentioned the spark plugs AGSP22Z11. I know their ford rebadged but do you know who makes them?

Jteale, great suggestion.

I would still like more info on the regapping. Is it referenced in a TSB? If so, which one? I mentioned it to my Service Adviser who believed it was not necessary and that they had already sorted out my gremlins. However, I highly value FORDTECH's contributions. In this respect, I would love to learn more about the regapping performance differences and outcomes (I vaguely recall Zap was pleased with his for example). Feel free to PM or share here about regapping.

Thanks.

Safe and happy driving...Dr Z.

Dr Z,

There isn't a TSB for this procedure.Every fortnight all Ford dealer Service advisors and Master tech's are supposed to veiw what is called Tech Talk.It is a broadcast via the FORDSTAR in house training network that all Ford dealers have at their dealerships.The broadcasts cover service related topics such as the plug regap procedure.Most of these procedures are still being assessed at time of broadcast as to their effectiveness.Once they have had positive feedback from dealers that they are working then the procedures are put into print(TSB's)and distributed to the dealer network.

What your service advisor says seems right though.If you arent experiancing this problem and they are happy that your gremlins have been sorted out then there is no real need to carry out the regapping.Wouldn't hurt though.

UBYTE,

To be honest I have N F I who makes them.For some reason the word Champion comes to mind,but dont quote me on that.

Interesting bit of reading about spark plug gaps. Also adds an interesting thought to FordTechs mention of after market "pod" style filters contributing to overboost situations...

Excert below borrowed from www.ngkspark.com.au

3. Gapping

Since the gap size has a direct affect on the spark plug's tip temperature and on the voltage necessary to ionise (light) the air/fuel mixture, careful attention is required. While it is a popular misconception that plugs are pre-gapped from the factory, the fact remains that the gap must be adjusted for the vehicle that the spark plug is intended for. Those with modified engines must remember that a modified engine with higher compression or forced induction will typically require a smaller gap settings (to ensure ignitability in these denser air/fuel mixtures). As a rule, the more power you are making, the smaller the gap you will need.

A spark plug's voltage requirement is directly proportionate to the gap size. The larger the gap, the more voltage is needed to bridge the gap. Most experienced tuners know that opening gaps up to present a larger spark to the air/fuel mixture maximises burn efficiency. It is for this reason that most racers add high power ignition systems. The added power allows them to open the gap yet still provide a strong spark.

With this mind, many think the larger the gap the better. In fact, some aftermarket ignition systems boast that their systems can tolerate gaps that are extreme. Be wary of such claims. In most cases, the largest gap you can run may still be smaller than you think.