Many thanks for all the advice thus far, I wonder if some (more) advice could be provided.
I recently bought my used FRV (FRV 2.0L SE, 55 Plate, 25000 Miles, Roof rack) and i love it. We primarily drive around the suburbs of Glasgow, and we are driving more sensibly than ever and achieving an average of 26MPG (not great mpg, but it’s not a diesel). Anyway, all this cautious driving has allowed me to 'hear' more about how the car is performing...
My issue is a bit hard to explain, so plz bear with me ....
- When first starting the car (anytime during the day, Glasgow, summer 2010), it is idling at approx. 1500rpm. It stays at this until about 4-5 mins have passed, then gradually drops down to approx. 1000rpm for a couple of mins, then it moves down to under 1000rpm.
> Is it normal to have such high rpm's in mild weather conditions? Is it normal for the engine to take up-to-approx. 7mins at higher revs, before idling lower, and eventually being ready to drive?
- Next, with the engine warmed (idling for approx. 7mins), its time to move-off. I noticed this during the test drive, but it’s become more annoying now; the car requires more rev's to get it going and failure to give ample rev's will result in the car stalling (happened 6 times to me and wife in past 2 days!!!). This is particularly noticeable on even non-steep hill starts and when reversing out of heavy gravel driveway etc. And, if we don’t give sufficient revs, but manage not to stall, then the likely result is a slight 'kangaroo petrol' feeling. This also can occur during gear shifts, so one subsequently gives more rev’s (and thus increased petrol consumption) to prevent the kangaroo feeling.
- Furthermore, when driving (irrespective of how warm the engine is), you often get the sensation of the engine momentarily feeling ‘un-regular’, with a slight surge and dip in the engine revs’. This ‘slight resistance’ feels like the car is being pushed back a little by the wind.
I bought the 55 plate car at just less than 25,000 miles (so it’s out of Manufacturer’s warranty, but have a 3month warranty from Peter Vardy Dealership, where I bought the car – but it’s a Vauxhall Franchise). The car has now done approximately 25,300 miles, and I note that the Service schedule is due at 25,000 which include the replacement of spark plugs and adjustment of timing etc. I see that the previous owner had a service at 24,000 miles (From a small non- Honda-Service-Centre), which according to the receipts in the service manual, included the replacement of the spark plugs, but it doesn’t say anything about the timing being adjusted!!!
I am asking the Peter Vardy Vauxhall Dealership (where I purchased car) to have a look at it, which they are hopefully going to do. However, as it is not obvious what the problem is – I am nervous that they will not know what to look for?
Has anyone had any similar experience with the Petrol version? Has anyone any ideas as to what the problem may be? I note that Henry Yorke has some thoughts on the Rev Performance / lack of power at low revs of the Petrol VTec engines (see below).
Henry Yorke wrote:
I went for the diesel as it would have better residuals in the future, more economical to run and the most power and torque out of the range. My only concern with VTec was you have to thrash the knackers off it to get it moving and with the family in the car I didn't want to be at 8000 RPM to go quick and the torque is much lower down on the diesel.
Many thanks in advance.
Regards
Jonny
)