Hi guys and gals,

I'm sure I've posted this before, but I cant find it. I just bought a 16VT which apparantly had an engine rebuild sometime ago, but has only done 2000 miles since. The car sounds a bit rough and has an exhaust note more at home on a V8. I have never driven one of these before, so this might be normal, but it just doesn't seem right. The other thing that worries me is the turbo is very noisy. You can hear a very loud woosh inside the car adn as far as I am aware, it still has the standard DV. Last thing is fuel consumption (This again might be normal), I have calculated that I am getting maybe 15 miles to the gallon at the moment. I have been driving it like an idiot, but this still seems a little low.

If someone is close to me (Banbury, OXfordshire) and is willing to have a look or knows of a good garage near me can you let me know. Anyone happy to give my car a look over and suggest a course of action will get a few pints and some friendly conversation for their trouble.

Drinking petrol could be down to a duff lambda sensor, even 15mpg is quite low for a 16vt if some stick has been given to it (i would get between 19 - 26mpg, depending on driving style)

The whoosh noise could be a boost leak if your saying the turbo is noisy (also could be the turbo is on its way out and is touching the sides when on boost)

As for the V8, im sure someone said that it could be that your flexi-section might be broken?

Cheers Begbie. Are these the kind of things that I would be able to check. If someone could let me know what to look for and where to look I could see if its worth taking it to a garage.

Still interested in anyone who knows of a good garage near me

L & m in high wycombe are pretty good, they do my 16vt. I suggest you take it down to them. There are any number of problems that could cause your symptoms.

You say the engine was rebuild 2000 miles ago.... not so smart to drive the car so hard as you say <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
It's the woosh when you accelerate or when you change gears ?
Do you have a boost gauge to check the boost level ?
The turbo noise it's when you boot it or when you change gears ?
Could just be a broken dump valve.

The loud turbo noise happens when you really give some. I didn't realise i wasn't supposed to drive it fast 2000 miles after an engine rebuild. Anyone know how long you should leave it before you boot it.

There is no boost gauge to check the levels.

It has a new problem now. when i'm crawling along in traffic in 2nd gear, it is a bit stuttery. Also idles a little rough sometimes.

Somebody help. I bought a clio 16v in 2004 and ended up forking out loads on it. Please tell me I haven't done it again.

Keith at Autointegrale in Aldermaston near Reading (http://www.auto-integrale.co.uk/) is expert on 16VT

cheers for that, i'll give him a ring

the wooshing could just be a boost leak like the end tanks leaking on the intercooler or similar