fulani 4 Posted January 23, 2006 Top Gear a few weeks ago inspired me. My car is 18 years old in May, and has done nearly 157,000 miles. How much of the original 130bhp do you think still remains? She picks up speed really well, and pulls nicely in all gears, but I still can't help but feel she's lacking somewhere. I've not really driven another 205 to compare it to, but I did almost get beaten in the old TLGP by a Mk1 Clio 16v the other day. Is there an easy way to check if anything's wrong, without paying through the nose for a dyno run or something? Is it even worth trying to fix up, or should I just be looking for a new engine? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonmurgie 2 Posted January 23, 2006 16v Clio will have more power than your 1.9 GTi... you've more than likely got around 115-120bhp tops anyhow as they never actually made 130bhp in the real world! Without having a dyno run (which does only cost about £40 for a run up) all you can do is service it fully (plugs/leads/dizzycap etc.) and that's about it... you could spray some carb clearner thorugh the intake while revving it as that will clear out some of the carbon deposits on some of the parts. Best bet is to have a go in antoher GTi so you can see if what your feeling is lacking is actually standard! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butler 0 Posted January 23, 2006 Driving a known good one is a good idea. Check the timing on the dizzy. Check the vacumn advance on it too. Another good test of power is a top speed run. If its down on power it wont pull round to 120mph. This is a not a good idea though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonD6B 0 Posted January 23, 2006 As said, unless you know what it's original 'actual' power was you'll never know whether it's down on power. Also the Clio may not have been standard power, just a good induction filter and full exhaust can put the F16 engine up around 6 BHP. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fulani 4 Posted January 23, 2006 Cheers for the replies guys, I have seen 120mph (GPS verified) on an airstrip, so it might be alright after all. Maybe I just need more power! Someone on another forum suggested doing a "compression test". What is that? I imagine it's something to do with the pistons and whether they're firing properly, but how would I check that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonD6B 0 Posted January 23, 2006 You can buy compression testers but if you won't understand the readings or the information in gathering the readings it might be an idea just to have it set up on basic diagnostics where you'll get the readings along with others anyway and for a similar cost to buying a tester. The only thing you won't gain is the experience. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miles 331 1 Cars Posted January 23, 2006 Pop down one Saturday and we'll get this done Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fulani 4 Posted January 24, 2006 Pop down one Saturday and we'll get this done Cheers, I was wondering whether you were free at the moment. I'm actually free for the rest of the week really. Took time off for a holiday which I never got round to booking. When's good for you? (Also still need bodywork fixeruppering and 4 new tyres. Any chance of a quote while I'm there?) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miles 331 1 Cars Posted January 24, 2006 Yep pop down anytime this week, And we're just scraping a car with the part of the qtr panel you need Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fulani 4 Posted January 24, 2006 (edited) Yep pop down anytime this week, And we're just scraping a car with the part of the qtr panel you need Sweet. I am actually going away for a few days now (lastminute.com), so need the car. But if we can do the compression test thingy, and have a good look and get a quote for the panel, a door and some smoothing (or maybe another door), then I'll see you tomorrow. Edited January 24, 2006 by fulani Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fulani 4 Posted January 24, 2006 Oh, and how much do you want off me? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miles 331 1 Cars Posted January 25, 2006 for the test, nothing as it's a 5 min job Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fulani 4 Posted January 25, 2006 Ah, been far too busy today to get there down there unfortunately. Will have to see you next Tuesday Miles. Sorry! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
