SAXO VTS 2001 FEELS LIKE A 500cc

1. David_vts_2001 Newbie Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 10

   #1 16th June 2011, 15:18

   Hi guys,
   
   Just joined as all the problems I look up takes me through to this site! You guys must know it all!
   
   I have a VTS 2001 and since last week it has started running really really rough. The car seems to idle ok ( bit lumpy, but it has always seemed that way since i got it) but when i put the foot down it pulls like its in 'limp' mode and sounds like the common 'Subaru' problem sound, and recently started to get really hot. I took it to a garage for a diagnostic and only one fault was found on the 'inlet map senor'?
   
   SOoooooo, Judging on what i have read so far about the problem...... I have replaced the plugs, put a new coil pack on. New rad as the old one was perished and new collent. New inlet map senor and the thing still runs in the same way, just not getting hot.
   
   I have no engine management lights on and had a new diagnostic and its all clear now. I have removed the 'lamba senor' and its a orange colour? this doesnt seem right, so all i can think is i need to replace this? the garage quoted £200 before vat and fitting which seems a little much for what looks like a spark plug
   
   So i am asking in reflection, could this senor be the problem ? if so how much for one on ebay? they seem to range from 80-120£, depending on it being post or pre cat. Which then makes me think could the cat be a problem, its a got a bit of a rattle.
   
   Many Thanks Guys
   
   David
2. adam19 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2008 Harlow, essex Posts: 2731 Clio 182

   #2 16th June 2011, 15:32

   could possibly be the lamba sensor mate- but there easy to fit your self- if thats the problem- but i would of thought the diagnostic test would off picked up its faulty ?
3. David_vts_2001 Newbie Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 10

   #3 16th June 2011, 15:39

   its not the fitting that's the problem, its mainly just fault finding when the diagnostics say everything is fine! when its obviously not. So which lambda senor do you think it is?
4. user_20683 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2008 Woolwich Barracks Posts: 3921 52 Plate Black 8v R'

   #4 16th June 2011, 15:41

   I would say Lambda too but i dont get how the diag didnt pick any of it
5. adam19 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2008 Harlow, essex Posts: 2731 Clio 182

   #5 16th June 2011, 15:42

   id imagine 2001 plate vts is 3plug? you got a sensor coming out the top off your manifold ?
   
   could always take them out and give them a clean and see how it runs then ?
6. David_vts_2001 Newbie Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 10

   #6 16th June 2011, 15:51

   Thanks guys i will try all of the above, i am going to go get the car from the garage tomo. The guys is a Citroen specialist, but sometimes you get the feeling you r just getting ripped off. I took it in and he said he would do the inlet senor, rad and collent+ diagnositics for £370 which is okay, i can deal with that. Its done now, but he wants £200 plus labour and vat to try the senor idea, which just seems mad really! and he couldn't guarantee that would fix it, so i would be 700 down with a maybe fixed car. Looking on ebay, they are far from that price. He also suggested, i would walk away from the bill of 370 and he would give me 100 pound so at least i wasnt that bad off.
7. rey Saxperience Post Whore Joined: May 2006 Kent Posts: 8205 :(s)rac

   #7 16th June 2011, 16:15

   Is it chugging when you're driving?
   
   What did the plugs look like when they came out?
8. David_vts_2001 Newbie Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 10

   #8 16th June 2011, 16:17

   nope, idles okay. Bit chugy but does stall its self. Just lack of power and induction rawing sound. Forgot to add, fuel filter changed and air inlet checked and cleaned out.
9. rey Saxperience Post Whore Joined: May 2006 Kent Posts: 8205 :(s)rac

   #9 16th June 2011, 16:20

   Did you seal the inlet properly. Sounds a bit like an air leak IMO
10. David_vts_2001 Newbie Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 10

    #10 16th June 2011, 16:41

    The problem happened before anything came off
11. rey Saxperience Post Whore Joined: May 2006 Kent Posts: 8205 :(s)rac

    #11 16th June 2011, 16:45

    Still, check all joints for air leaks/holes in the inlet and exhaust manifolds.
    
    Also, check the injector wiring to see if it has any breaks, just a long shot.
12. David_vts_2001 Newbie Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 10

    #12 16th June 2011, 17:24

    could this inlet sounding problem be a outlet problem?
13. David_vts_2001 Newbie Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 10

    #13 24th June 2011, 17:46

    Hi guys, just a update.
    
    Car doesnt get hot anymore due to new rad. The car runs bad still, it makes no difference if I disconnect the lambda sensor on the manifold branch. Would this mean its faulty?
    
    There seems to be no other sensors on the exhaust system after that one! Also I have a clickind noise from the box above the engine marked 16v. This normal, it quietens down after a while though?
    
    Any ideas?
    
    Many thanks
14. David_vts_2001 Newbie Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 10

    #14 24th June 2011, 18:02

    normal noise, bit rough, but sits generally okay at idle. It hunts for air when you put your foot on the floor
15. unreal106 Established Member Joined: Apr 2008 Dudley Posts: 1634 106 GTI

    #15 24th June 2011, 18:03

    coolant temp sensor! 80% sure its this
16. David_vts_2001 Newbie Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 10

    #16 24th June 2011, 18:06

    where can this be located? How would it cause such a extreme fault?
17. tingaling Frequent Poster Joined: Jan 2011 derby Posts: 992 Gold mk2 vtr

    #17 24th June 2011, 18:24

    Could be the temp sensor this happened on my west coast
18. David_vts_2001 Newbie Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 10

    #18 24th June 2011, 18:43

    just drove round the block with the lambda manifold sensor not even plugged in. Car runs like crap, just as bad as with it in. Car warms up to about half and decides to cut out near at a junction and i make it up the hill in 1st, foot on the floor going 5 miles per hour? Pulled over, car cut out and wouldnt start. Took 15-30 second then came to life and was running back to normal bad lol.. then made it home.
    
    Running out of ideas......
19. raunchz Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R

    #19 24th June 2011, 19:36

    Get a compression test done and see what results it gives back
    
    You changed the map sensor? I'd check the map sensor wiring as it can break. Sounds like it could be a pressure related thing, or it drops to 3 cylinders when you try and give it some.
    
    What colour are the spark plugs? All the same across 4cylinders?
20. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #20 24th June 2011, 19:43

    Although my car isn`t a vts the symptoms are pretty much the same as I had 3yrs ago it turned out to be a burnt out valve,as said get a compression test done.
    
    Steve.