2.0 Petrol Turbo - Some Questions

[Chaz]

Hi all,

My wife has a 2.0 Petrol Turbo. Recently the car's engine light comes on. I dont generally drive the car so not sure how often it comes on or not. The car also feels sluggish and struggles a bit when cold.

There is also a hole in the exhaust - around the middle box. Likely that this is upsetting the exhaust gas measurements?

In terms of servicing - car is probably long overdue for a service. What are the minimum things to do on a petrol turbo car? Plugs, Oil, filters, what else?

Thanks

[teamster1975]

Mine is doing exactly the same thing intermittently; engine light comes on and it seems there is no turbo when this happens.
I'm reckoning sticky actuator rod but I need a spare weekend to check it over properly!

As far as servicing; oil & filters for sure, do you know when it was last serviced? Also check timing belt & aux belt!

[Chaz]

Thanks. I dont know when it was last done and with the speedo not always working - who knows what milage is there anyways?

Just had to top up coolant and when I put my finger into the bottle - there was some gunk there that I was not happy to see.

As soon as I have recovered from my hernia op Ill need to give teh car a once over.

Probably having the centre exhaust box replaced today - £65 or so fitted price - not too bad I think - while I dont mind the rumble of the car - Im sure its not helping.

How to know if the timing belt needs doing? Best place to buy goodies for servicing?

Thanks

[teamster1975]

If you don't know when the timing belt was changed I'd do it as a matter of course; may as well change the water pump and aux belt as well.
I has terrible problems with the cooling system when I bought mine; I ended up replacing virtually the entire lot. New rad, new bottom hose, new top hose, new 'stat & o-ring & a cooling fan!
Get well soon from your hernia op, I had the same when I was 13 (nursey nursey!! )

[Chaz]

If you don't know when the timing belt was changed I'd do it as a matter of course; may as well change the water pump and aux belt as well.
I has terrible problems with the cooling system when I bought mine; I ended up replacing virtually the entire lot. New rad, new bottom hose, new top hose, new 'stat & o-ring & a cooling fan!
Get well soon from your hernia op, I had the same when I was 13 (nursey nursey!! )

Thanks. What is the service interval for the timing belt? Not neccessairly what the book says but rather what people in the know recommend? I seem to recall it may have been done recently but not certain - Ill search through the service history.

For the speedo issue - perhaps dodgy soldering on the rear of the clock board from previous reading I think?

[teamster1975]

Thanks. What is the service interval for the timing belt? Not neccessairly what the book says but rather what people in the know recommend? I seem to recall it may have been done recently but not certain - Ill search through the service history.

For the speedo issue - perhaps dodgy soldering on the rear of the clock board from previous reading I think?

According to Autodata:

Up to 07/98
Replacement every 72K under normal conditions
Replacement every 54K under adverse conditions

08/98 onwards
Replacement every 80K under normal conditions
Replacement every 48K under adverse conditions

Re the speedo: I'd say a dry joint somewhere on the cluster

[Chaz]

Service book shows 72000 mile service was done at 76231 miles - 18/09/2000 - so we can assume this may be the last time the belt was done, if at all.

There was then services at 82K, 95K and 117K and nothing since. Car's mileage with the semi broken speedo is 131000 some change - so timing belt is probably worth doing at this stage. Dont want to spent a lot on the car and the wife sadly dislikes it but I cant afford for it to break down either ...

[steve_earwig]

If you've got any doubts change it, paranoia doesn't make a good passenger

[Chaz]

If you've got any doubts change it, paranoia doesn't make a good passenger

Agreed, thanks. Just putting together a cost sheet from Eurocarparts for the lot.