Lurching At 3000 Rpm

[daveb-uk 1]

I have had my 1.9 GTi less than two weeks, it was great to start with even though it's in major need of a service, other than the engine not being secured properly...!

 

Anyway since Tuesday this week I am getting a progressively worsening lurch at 3000RPM, like the fuel or air isn't getting in. Lower or higher revs seem fine.

 

I'm not massively technically proficient or anything, it's due the service in a couple of weeks but it's so bad I probably shouldn't drive it

 

Any ideas?

Edited September 12, 2015 by daveb-uk

[jackherer 543]

When you say 'lurching' is it a momentary loss of power that then recovers? If so it might be a problem with the ignition amp.

[daveb-uk 1]

When you say 'lurching' is it a momentary loss of power that then recovers? If so it might be a problem with the ignition amp.

 

Yes, momentary but very consistent in that rev band, so when cruising at any speed inevitably it's in there and so very uncomfortable

 

What's ignition amp? Something electrical?

[jackherer 543]

http://www.205gtidrivers.com/articles.html/_/articles-guides/engine-related/what-is-the-ignition-amplifier-r89

 

Make sure you read the last paragraph which mentions the thermal transfer paste, you might get away with taking your amp off of its heatsink, cleaning it then reapplying the transfer paste.

[daveb-uk 1]

http://www.205gtidrivers.com/articles.html/_/articles-guides/engine-related/what-is-the-ignition-amplifier-r89

 

Make sure you read the last paragraph which mentions the thermal transfer paste, you might get away with taking your amp off of its heatsink, cleaning it then reapplying the transfer paste.

Yep, that sounds exactly like what's happening. Where can I buy a replacement?

Edited September 12, 2015 by daveb-uk

[jackherer 543]

A known good used part is the best bet, the new ones these days aren't very good. The originals are blue in colour and have MTR01 on them.

[daveb-uk 1]

I've located it and I work somewhere that people who know electronics can do the thermal paste for me, but what should I do to clean it?

[jackherer 543]

Nothing special, you just need to wipe the old thermal paste off, either brake cleaner or contact cleaner will get it spotless.

[scbond 15 1 Cars]

Not sure if there's a way of testing them easily without disassembling and using bench testing equipment but if you know someone with the kit they could possibly test it for you. If not, it could be that it needs a good clean and new paste...just make sure that when you apply thermal paste that you do only a small amount in the centre and then spread it smoothly and very thin (paper thin). Doesn't need to be a lot.

 

Shame as I have a spare and a fair bit of thermal paste and live in Borrowash...I've left the spare and the paste in Manchester though Can always have a look though if you get stuck...would be good to see how the car looks now compared to when I saw it at Steve's.

Edited September 13, 2015 by scbond

[Telf 232 2 Cars]

Dave,

 

When you say its in need of a major service what are you having done?

 

Please don't say its going to a Peugeot Dealer - in my experience they are useless with a car of the 205s age and vintage

[daveb-uk 1]

Dave,

 

When you say its in need of a major service what are you having done?

 

Please don't say its going to a Peugeot Dealer - in my experience they are useless with a car of the 205s age and vintage

I used to have a 350z and for six years had it maintained by a guy recommended on the owners forum, he knows these cars really well too

[daveb-uk 1]

So I took it to an auto electrics place and they've just called to say that moving the air inlet valve and then adjusting the timing has solved the problem (done a road test)

 

Confused why that would have been the problem as it started much better when it was cold but fingers crossed they are right!

[jackherer 543]

Make them go with you on a road test before you pay them and take it away.

[daveb-uk 1]

Make them go with you on a road test before you pay them and take it away.

I just picked it up, actually runs really nicely, ticks over very reliably whereas before was always threatening to cut out

 

Very happy with that, but (probably unrelated) I noticed it was quite smoky when sitting in traffic. I know it's in dire need of an oil change,mhopefully be ok for a couple of weeks..l?

[daveb-uk 1]

I'm probably being really stupid but how does the oil cap come off? It's attached on either side with tubing so is it still supposed to twist off? Doesn't feel right ...

[Alan77 78 1 Cars]

Large flat head screwdriver under the cap has always worked for me...

[daveb-uk 1]

Large flat head screwdriver under the cap has always worked for me...

 

So it just pops off rather than twists?

[Alan77 78 1 Cars]

Yeah, lever a screwdriver underneath to prize it up a bit, hold the body and give the cap a waggle. Its such a daft primitive idea...

[jackherer 543]

It shouldn't be so tight you need a screwdriver, the O rings swell over time as they absorb oil.

[daveb-uk 1]

I've given up, I'll just take it in somewhere for an oil change

[Telf 232 2 Cars]

Dave,

 

It just pulls off with a bit of assistance from a screw driver

 

Be careful not to yank it off using the breather hose connection- the small one cracks fairly easy. Oil change on a 205 is a easy job.

[scbond 15 1 Cars]

As said, the cap is just a push fit held in with the use of an O-ring. Can be a bit stiff but a bit of careful twisting and pulling will do it...just be careful not to put too much pressure on the parts where the breather hoses connect as they can snap. Before putting it back, lube up the O-ring with some fresh oil.

 

As for the smoking engine...inspect the colour of the smoke first. Also see what the oil consumption is like. It could be that the oil change fixes the issue after a full flush but if not you'd be looking at piston rings, stem seals or both. To give you an idea, I got a fairly large amount of smoke when starting from cold and allowing to warm up, along with fairly high oil consumption and that was the seals.

[daveb-uk 1]

Car is now off the road. In the three weeks I've had it I've had smoke come from steering column, engine/ gear box moving around the engine bay, worn clutch, and now the entire cooling system is buggered.

 

it's going to a pro who is going to make it a show car, shame to have to leave it in the meantime but it will be worth it.

[Alan77 78 1 Cars]

££££'s ahoy!... Time to get spending.

[daveb-uk 1]

££££'s ahoy!... Time to get spending.

Haha well I knew I'd be spending money on it but not this soon...!

 

Really excited though, it will look amazing