A Saxo Too Far? HELP

8th February 2014, 17:49

Hi Folks

I bought the Silver VTR a month back as sensible transport, loved it so much that I bought a cheap VTS project for some fun. Now I have run into problems and really need some help please!

I bought the blue VTS running but needing an engine change and set about the job, however before I started work;

The alarm was flashing all the time, and as I have No keyfob, so I followed one of the great guides on Saxperience on disconnecting the alarm. Disconnected the plug under the dash, and all well, car still started fine even after swapping the battery.

There was a missing connection on the throttle body, but I could not find the connector, and the engine seemed to run ok so I continued?

I pulled the motor out, swapped over all my electrics onto the new "probably an older phase 1" engine. I therefore believe that all the injection setup, crank sensor, and engine loom are all working fine.

The plug for what I believe to be the oil temp on the bottom of the sump is not connected as the plug is broken.

Also, there is one cable coming from the main engine loom near the gearbox that I cannot find a home for. It is on a long separate cable sheath, so if you can identify this it may be my problem?

Ok, so now the engine will spin over but not fire up, there also seems to be no petrol arriving at the bulkhead connectors and I cannot hear the pump running?

I am using the original ECU, and the key symbol is going out on the dash.

I'm at a loss, and hope the lonely looking connector is what's wrong, but I cannot find it a home?

Any suggestions please, I'm hoping there is an easy answer?

Oh, I'm in East Sussex 20 mines South East of Gatwick if anyone fancies a look. Happy to pay, message me!

8th February 2014, 17:51

that big plug you cant find...is for the intertia switch..the red thing on the right of you bay..it cuts the fuel off in a crash

the other one on the TB..i think it the inlet temp but not too sure on that..but it "should" start if you plug the inertia switch back in

8th February 2014, 18:05

OOoooooooooooooooooooooooo that was easy, it works, I love this site, thank you very much.

I put a new cam belt on and it sounds a bit tight and winey, would you be happy to give it a short run, or should I back it off a bit first?

Cheers

8th February 2014, 18:08

if its tight when the engine is cold itll be even tighter when it warms up..so no really

8th February 2014, 18:13

Yep back the belt off

8th February 2014, 18:16

Ok, thanks for all your help, I'm going to go and get soaked then!!! :-)

8th February 2014, 18:21

A little rain won't hurt you bud but damage to the belt will hurt your pocket down the road

8th February 2014, 18:25

Indeed. It is however a lot of rain, and it's dark, so I think it's going to be tomorrow now but I'll post and let you know how she goes!

8th February 2014, 18:42

good stuff

9th February 2014, 19:53

Hi Folks

Well strangely after backing of the belt tension quite a lot the winning noise was not a lot quieter!!!

Now the alternator belt was disconnected at this time, so that was not the noise. Also, I backed the tension off in 4-5 stages and ran the engine each time, to the point where I was worried the belt was very slack and I could easily twist it a 1/4 turn.

The noise was still there, so I went for a 10 mile run and it quietened down a bit, so I can only conclude the my NEW pump was a bit tight and needed running in??

Anyway, another question, I was running with NO air filter at this point, and though the engine was smooth it does not feel dramatically faster than the VTR.

So, does NO air filter upset the mixture enough to loose power, or does a VTS just not feel much quicker? I think the car is quicker, I'm just questioning the feel of the power delivery, where the VTR feels crisp and lively at low RPM and throttle openings, the VTS needs more throttle and more revs to start feeling fast, any thoughts?

Cheers
Chris

9th February 2014, 20:34

Did you replace the tensioner when you did the cambelt?

9th February 2014, 21:19

Yup, full SKF kit, and a pump!

10th February 2014, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newbloke

Hi Folks

Well strangely after backing of the belt tension quite a lot the winning noise was not a lot quieter!!!

Now the alternator belt was disconnected at this time, so that was not the noise. Also, I backed the tension off in 4-5 stages and ran the engine each time, to the point where I was worried the belt was very slack and I could easily twist it a 1/4 turn.

The noise was still there, so I went for a 10 mile run and it quietened down a bit, so I can only conclude the my NEW pump was a bit tight and needed running in??

Anyway, another question, I was running with NO air filter at this point, and though the engine was smooth it does not feel dramatically faster than the VTR.

So, does NO air filter upset the mixture enough to loose power, or does a VTS just not feel much quicker? I think the car is quicker, I'm just questioning the feel of the power delivery, where the VTR feels crisp and lively at low RPM and throttle openings, the VTS needs more throttle and more revs to start feeling fast, any thoughts?

Cheers
Chris

What are the specs of the cars? If the VTR has a manifold and decat, it'll be fairly punchy low down anyway, the VTS lump makes more power when you're giving it maximum beans, but it should feel better than a VTR lump.

Put an air filter on it for gawds sake, they're good at filtering air and that.

10th February 2014, 09:55

I'm going to pop the original Air Cleaner back on for my next run, the initial run round was just to make sure my second hand engine was running ok. The VTR is totally stock and just feels very good, I thing it may just be down to the loud air cleaner-less intake, different gearing and all that. Will update this when I have the air cleaner back on!

10th February 2014, 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newbloke

I'm going to pop the original Air Cleaner back on for my next run, the initial run round was just to make sure my second hand engine was running ok. The VTR is totally stock and just feels very good, I thing it may just be down to the loud air cleaner-less intake, different gearing and all that. Will update this when I have the air cleaner back on!

Put the air cleaner back on before all else, not only should it run better but there's far less chance of something nasty accidentally getting sucked in and ruining your new engine.

For what it's worth, the VTS gearing is far shorter than the VTR, it's a fairly popular mod to add the S box to a VTR for better acceleration.

11th February 2014, 22:52

Good news folks, the air cleaner seems to have made an improvement. Quite a surprise really, I'm now feeling quite a step in the power as the revs rise whereas before it seemed a bit flat.

Now to see how it compares on gas to the VTR??????