Maybe Ford dropped the ball with the 1.8 TDCI in some respects but there are many people who are happy with the unit. I know Ford have had problems with some of their own diesel units and have taken steps to rectify this (e.g. in the 2007 mondeo the Ford 2.0 TDCI was replaced by the PSA 2.0 HDI as found in the Mark 2 Focus). I have a 2009 1.8TDCi Focus Zetec. Upon checking the engine bay I noticed a badly burnt wire and connector. The car runs as it should when cold, when it gets up to temperature it stutters and large loss of power after 2200rpm. Also a larger than normal cloud of smoke puffs out of the exhaust when it is stuttering. The issue occurs generally at higher road speeds and gears under acceleration. The fault code is; Fault code: P0251 - Injection pump fuel metering control A malfunction (cam/rotor/injection). Also I have a squeal/screech from the drive belt area (suspected fuel pump) at idle and under load intermittently.
Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi - Running problems - white smoke and no power - DC7904 : I have recently bought a focus 1.8 TDCi on an '03 plate, the car would only only start with easy start and then run rough with a loss in power.
There is another thread about the 1.8 TDCI injector problem 1 Quote; Link to comment Ford Model: Focus 1.8 tdci zetec S Ford Year: Fiesta tdci won’t start. Ford Model: MK2 Focus 1.8 TDCi Ghia (Saloon) Ford Year: 2005 UK/Ireland Location: Yorkshire Share; Ford Mondeo 1.8TDCI starting problem (HELP) . 224 23 397 377 0 344 270 274 128

ford focus 1.8 tdci starting problems