Advice on recently purchased VTS

[sean19]

All,

Recently (today) purchased a Saxo VTS phase 2 (99) with 67,000 from PH.

I know the cambelt is due but is there any particular things that require changing other than that (plugs/fuel filters/etc.) Oil is golden brown but I think thats more likely because the sump is leaking and has been topped up. (hope thats all anyway)

Also, it does seem to sit a little high, I would like to lower it 30mm on springs would this be a bad idea?

Any advice welcome

Thanks.

[sjg]

Worth doing the waterpump while the belt is off, and as the aux belt is only a couple of quid there's no point putting an old one back on either.

If there's no evidence of fuel filter or sparkplug replacements recently I'd do them too.

Wouldn't go down the lowering route - remember it's torsion bars at the back so new springs would just lower the front. Which only exaggerates how high the back looks. Lots of people lower the back by taking out the bars and putting them back in, rotated by one or two splines so the wheel sits in a different position. No change on spring rate though, it confuses the load sensing brake bias valve (giving you too much rear brake) and can make the handling "interesting" at best. I'd leave it alone.

[sean19]

Thanks for the info

I don't think i'll bother with lowering it, it's quite a twitchy car already (although not as bad as my (00) VTR with no ABS!!!!) Just a shame they didnt make it 15mm lower, would improve the stance of the car I think.

[sean19]

I have booked the cambelt in to be done for the good sum of £50.

However I went to purchase the Cambelt kit from europarts and it was £85. Does this seem a little steep. Im sure the kits on my previous cars have been about £30-40ish.

Do you think the rollers/tensioners are essential?

The belt alone was £12 so quite a saving!

[sjg]

Peugeot / Citroen reckon so - I wouldn't chance it. Have heard of them failing - in my case it was actually the tensioner bolt shearing off, but with similar results. For the sake of £50 to avoid a potential £1000+ bill it's not worth the risk IMO.

[Mieran]

Go to http://www.saxperience.com/forum/index.php

[Kitchski]

Hi, what sort of economy is your VTS delivering?

[sean19]

It seriously depends how you drive it.

I put £20 in the first day I had it and got 80miles out of it, but that was 'enjoying' the new power!

I have since filled up and have done 140miles with the gauge showing just 2/5 remaining. This is with mixed driving. Im sure with econonmy driving you could get 250miles out of a tank, which isnt too bad.

I could only get about 300miles a tank out of the VTR, and tbh the VTS is well worth the extra if you can afford it.

[sean19]

Kitchski said:

Hi, what sort of economy is your VTS delivering?

I used the remaining 2/5 on a motorway jaunt today. I managed 260 miles on the tank before the light came on. I am very pleased with this in all honesty considering I have been using heavy boots!

[sean19]

Im after some MORE advice.

I have noticed there is a noise from the front suspension.
When I take corners fairly quick it feels like something moves and makes a slight banging sound, almost like theres play in something that frees up when under load?!? You can feel the bang through the wheel.

Any ideas?
(shot in the dark I know)

Thanks

[busta]

Sounds like droplinks or wishbone bushes. Neither is uncommon nor too expensive to fix. Its worth replacing any worn bushes with polybushes (powerflex etc) while your doing it.

[shalmaneser]

almost certainly droplinks, known weak points on these PSA cars. Nice and cheap to fix though, and an easy DIY job (if you can get the bolt undone!)

[sean19]

Sorry, YET another question to go along with the drop links (cant help but feel this wasnt a 'great' purchase!

I have a blowing sound from the centre section or Cat. Is the cat likely to make a 'blowing sound' the car is choking up and doesn't idle right could the CAT cause this? or could it be the very dirty air filter (or something else)

Would it be worth me getting a full through exhaust with de-cat for the cost of replacing the CAT? (quiet backbox) bearing in mind the backbox has a rusting tip and it all appears original parts.
Would the decat make a noticeable difference in a VTS?

Thanks for ALL your help!!

[number2301]

A decent exhaust, especially with a 4 branch manifold would produce good gains, even moreso with a good induction kit. These 16v TUs really do respond well to breathing mods.

[busta]

Got to www.kam-racing.com and buy yourself a supersprint exhaust. £200 quid, one of the lightest systems you can get and will flow as well as anything. It's a de-cat and I'm pretty sure you can fit a standard back box if you wish.

De cat will make quite a noticeable difference. Dirty air filters definitely need changing. Simota enclosed induction kits (from kam-racing or eBay) seem to give good gains, although just replacing the standard filter with a new one will help and be cheaper.

Niggling faults are something you have to get used to with citroens and peugeots. They never really go away, but they're never too expensive to fix and will very rarely leave you stranded.

[sean19]

busta said:

Got to www.kam-racing.com and buy yourself a supersprint exhaust. £200 quid, one of the lightest systems you can get and will flow as well as anything. It's a de-cat and I'm pretty sure you can fit a standard back box if you wish.

De cat will make quite a noticeable difference. Dirty air filters definitely need changing. Simota enclosed induction kits (from kam-racing or eBay) seem to give good gains, although just replacing the standard filter with a new one will help and be cheaper.

Niggling faults are something you have to get used to with citroens and peugeots. They never really go away, but they're never too expensive to fix and will very rarely leave you stranded.

You really are a font of knowledge mate,
You have given me every piece of advice/info I need!

I have looked at the exhaust but it seems to be a straight 'race' exhaust.
Is it legal, and do you think its guna be stupidly loud?

I really dont want anything LOUD to increase the stty/chav image saxos already have! And sitting at 4,000rpm on the m.way could get VERY tiring!

Thanks!

Edited by sean19 on Thursday 13th March 22:14

Edited by sean19 on Thursday 13th March 22:27

[theboymoon]

dont be too down on yourself, these are all pretty common problems for the mileage. Doesnt sound like its even close to being a lemon

[busta]

It will be fairly loud but not boomy like a lot of the big-bore back boxes people fit. Check youtube for videos of supersprints on saxos, they'll give you an idea what it sounds like. The car won't pass an MOT with it fitted but your unlikely to get in trouble otherwise unless you drive like a wally and draw unnecessary attention to yourself. Just keep your standard exhaust for MOT time. Also, I'm failry sure a standard backbox will fit on the centre pipe so it it is too loud it won't be too hard to change that and still get a bit of extra power.

I've got one in the post as we speak for my VTS engined 106 Rallye. I'll let you know what it's like when I get it fitted.

And 4000rpm on the motorway is speeding anyway, unless you have an S1 rallye gearbox! But yeah, might be a little noisy but not unbearable if you've still got a full interior fitted.

[busta]

Oh, forgot to mention, any de-cat exhaust is technically not road legal if the car originally had a cat fitted. So you will still need a cat system to get it through MOTs. This is why the supersprint is sold as a race only system.

[sean19]

No standard g.box but 4,000rpm is only about 80miles an hour! Revs its fukin nuts off compared to my VTR, I wonder if its got a non-standard 'box?

My mate works in an MOT station and he seems to think the de-cat should be OK

Well let me know how it sounds on your VTS 106!

Cheers!