Acceleration "lag"

[davewill]

Over the last few weeks, i have noticed that when i am accelerating (3rd and 4th gears usually) there is a brief "lag" as the speed is building.

 

 It lasts probably less than a second, and then the power feeds equally, but it is a strange feeling (however it doesn't happen every time) 

 

The car has now done 12,500 miles and is due for its first service (163ps TDI, Titanium, Manual)

 

The car was first registered Aug 2013, so just interested to know if there has been a software update since this time, that may help, or fix the issue.

 

Or, is this another Galaxy "feature" that is well known about??

 

Cheers

[gregers]

any fault codes?

maybe it might require a software update,iirc chris had this done on his and it quered a few niggles on his?

[Scorpiorefugee]

Hi Davewill,

I cannot be sure from your description whether your problem is that same as mine but your comment about yet another 'feature' strikes home.

 

My 03/12 Titanium still has only 13K and has just had it's 25K service at which I mentioned a similar problem and asked for all software fixes to be applied. The Ford dealer was extremely helpful and even apologised for not having time to wash the car because of the time taken doing the updates. Sadly there does not seem to have been any improvement so it's going back with a smile and a plea.

 

My problem, one among many, is that there seems to be a delayed action on the throttle which has caused the well documented issue of stalling on take off. This is made worse because most of the meaningful throttle action is in the top 1cm of movement so changing up in slow or tight traffic an annoying process. In fact I frequently find myself lifting off at cruising speed to prevent speed creep and it often seems to carry on almost as if the cruise control in engaged

 

Basically, my assessment is that there is a 1 -2 second turbo lag and a further progressive turbo boost as the rev's build up with no movement of the throttle mainly between 1000 to 2000 rpm. This bothers me when in built up areas changing up to 4th at 30mph there is a surge of power which I control by lifting off for a moment. This happens in all higher gears and today I actually just let it go on and surprisingly it just kept accelerating in stepped surges up to 50mph, each surge adding more power and I had wedged my foot against the wheel arch to make sure I didn't change the throttle position. I think that this is linked to the use of turbo boost at low revs which wasn't done on earlier engines.

I have tried to use the throttle to control revs off load between 1000 and 2000 rpm but it is virtually impossible due to the over sensitive throttle and that it tends to go up in steps on the way up but comes down gradually. Sadly, these dealers do not see many of these Galaxies so really don't have much experience and also it would not bother anyone with an aggressive driving style which many Mechanics have. It might be interesting to see if there is a similar problem in the Mondeos with the same engine.

Edited April 9, 2014 by Scorpiorefugee

[davewill]

Hi Scorpio

 

I don't really experience any other problems apart from the "lag" that i have described.  Not had any problems re "power surge" and havn't actually stalled the car since the first week i had it..

 

The Dealer principal of the Ford dealership i use is a personal friend, and next week he is loaning me a Kuga for a couple of days, and he is having my Galaxy

 

Interesting to see if he experiences the "lag" problem, and what he suggests

 

I will keep you in touch

 

Cheers  Dave

[Scorpiorefugee]

Hi Dave,

 

I've been trying to wangle a test drive in something similar get a comparison check but out 2 nearest Ford dealers just haven't had anything in with the same engine gearbox combination of around the same sort of manufacture date so it hasn't happened. I did get into a Galaxy Zetec one year older than mine and the front seats were just way way better. Better material and no bl00dy sports seats!. It also had a lidded box on the dash where you could get at it without having to feel around and end up with it all coming out on your head. I've also had a butchers in some of the other bigger models and they all seem to have the park bench flat and featureless second row seats and all interiors in ghastly 2 tone black so I guess that's the new Ford style.

 

I'm wondering if yours is not manual as it may be that what you are experiencing is a different manifestation of the same problem as my effect is definitely a lag but it's effect is distorted by a seriously over sensitive throttle pedal. I do spend most of my time using the lightest of feather touches on the pedal once the lag and surge have happened.

 

I'm assuming the Kuga will have the same engine set up so it will be interesting to see your comments.

 

Ron.

Edited April 10, 2014 by Scorpiorefugee

[Scorpiorefugee]

Hi Dave,

 

Did you learn anything from your loan of a different motor or did Ford come up with anything?

 

Ron.

Edited May 5, 2014 by Scorpiorefugee

[davewill]

Hi Ron

 

The loan of the Kuga unfortunately didn't happen for various reasons, but i still hope to get one to try in the next few weeks

 

I did let the guy drive my Gal, and he also experienced the slight "lag" on acceleration, but said he felt that all the Ford "euro 5" engines suffered this 

 

He checked for any software updates for mine, but said that it was at the current software version.

 

So, it is a "feature" at present, TBC

[Scorpiorefugee]

Hi Dave,

 

I've got mine booked into our local Ford Agent who actually seems to be a cut above the norm. They don't have much experience with Galaxys but the same engine is in Mondeos etc so we shall see. It's going in on Monday and I am taking one of their techs out for a spin first so maybe a bit to report later. 

One issue I keep raising without any comment is that of over sensitive throttle. This is always evident so maybe they'll have some comment about that at least.

[Scorpiorefugee]

Hi Dave, if you're still there.

 

I have been absent for many months and just catching up - wondering how you're getting on with your Turbo lag or whatever it is - feature???

 

Mine went in for a service a year ago and actually came out worse so I've lived with it but it is getting annoying. In motorway hold ups it's a nightmare as you never know when the bl00dy thing is going to surge.