Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

Post by Fake Concern »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 07 Apr 2018, 15:02 :rofl2: You're having a Giraffe aren't you! 65 in second!

I'll start digging out the replacement engine part number in readiness :-D

The EW10J4S engine loves to rev! This video gives an idea of what it should be like, you can see it will go up to the red line (LCD tacho goes from orange to red) in each gear including 5th and will not cut out. Mine used to to this & I believe Davie did it in 5th as well!

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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

Post by daviemck2006 »

I did have the rev counter turn red in that car in 5th gear, on the M6 when it was diverted onto the runway at Manchester Airport :wink: I think the Speedo said 145 and the golf gti which had provoked me was disappearing in the mirrors. We certainly weren't racing on a public road :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

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Just a thought here, could the problem be a dirty in tank fuel strainer (it doesn't have a fuel filter as such)?
Only thought this as maximum requirement for fuel (presumably) at maximum revs and if it is not delivered, then what, limp mode?
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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

Post by daviemck2006 »

Is it going into limp mode? Can't recall if you said that. That car did when the rev counter turned red cut out almost immediately. It was like hitting a brick wall at times. It was never in limp home, power came back immediately. When giving it a workout I always changed up instantly the rev counter went red. In fact when giving it a workout I always watched the rev counter and changed up like 1 bar on it before it went red.
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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

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daviemck2006 wrote: 08 Apr 2018, 23:55 Is it going into limp mode? Can't recall if you said that. That car did when the rev counter turned red cut out almost immediately. It was like hitting a brick wall at times. It was never in limp home, power came back immediately. When giving it a workout I always changed up instantly the rev counter went red. In fact when giving it a workout I always watched the rev counter and changed up like 1 bar on it before it went red.

Safe mode or severe limp mode not sure. This is what happens;
Accellerate and when the revs get somewhere near or into the red line then the engine dies, it gives a beep, a message "engine management system faulty" the SERVICE light comes on and it just about manages to idle. Coast to a halt and turn off. Restart and it works and drives normally as long as 6K-7K revs are not reached. As you know Davie, to make progress in a VTS 180 those last few K revs are needed!
The first time it did this to me, I was overtaking a Micra, went past in 2nd gear, I thought I must have got to the rev limiter and changed up, but engine died and I had to cruise with no power from the wrong side of the road to a standstill. Luckily I had enough momentum going past to do this safely, but still not a pleasant experience!
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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

Post by RichardW »

Does it always report the same fault code?

Have you managed to get a look at the live data to see what it says about position feed back on the pedal / throttle body?
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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

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Yes same codes each time. I have looked at live data and pedal and throttle body seem to relate to each other (however I'm no expert).
I really don't know where to go with this, probably hand it to my friendly local mechanic.
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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

Post by xantia_v6 »

Has the gearbox been changed (or the clutch slipping)? The speed limiter fault could be triggered by the ECU detecting the wrong ratio between engine and wheel RPM.
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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

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As far as I know it has the original gearbox and the clutch does not slip.
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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

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I've given up with this and booked into my mechanic for next Wednesday. If he can't fix it, I'll trade it in.
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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

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Well Tom the mechanic has had a fiddle with LEZ and is now considering that the fault code P1160 (inlet manifold leak) is the clue. He has tested it and there is definately not a leak. As a result he has reasoned that there may be a restriction in the exhaust system at high flow/revs causing the sensors to give this fault code. Now I'm not keen on spending in excess of £500 on a new exhaust system to find he was mistaken. Any ideas on this?
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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

Post by daviemck2006 »

Does it still have the original back box that a guy welded up for me on it? It was welded with a piece of pipe hammered inside the back box and welded around then the exhaust hammered on and welded around. If that's still on you would think it should still be working, but you never know.
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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

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daviemck2006 wrote: 26 Apr 2018, 22:52 Does it still have the original back box that a guy welded up for me on it? It was welded with a piece of pipe hammered inside the back box and welded around then the exhaust hammered on and welded around. If that's still on you would think it should still be working, but you never know.


There are reciepts for two centre sections, but not sure about the back box. It did still have the shotgun tail pipe you put on it so maybe. Did it not have the internal baffles then?
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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

Post by daviemck2006 »

The weld between the front end of the back box and the pipe had gone. It's only a few inches from the joint of the centre section. The baffles were not removed. I'm trying to remember exactly what the guy did. I can remember hammering a pipe about an inch into the back box and he welded around it, while it was off the car. I think then we hammered the other end up inside the rear end of the centre pipe holding them together with exhaust paste and a U clamp. It would have ended up near enough as the back box was made.
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Re: Help diagnosing C4 VTS problems (Ex Davie LEZ VTS 180)

Post by Zelandeth »

Shame you don't live in the back of beyond...

When I had an issue with a suspected exhaust blockage (collapsed baffles), I just pulled the lot past the cat off and took it out for a thrashing...quickly proved the exhaust was at fault.

...Bit easier when you're in the middle of nowhere though!
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