One for the rover lads- k series question

iaind · 14 Jun 2010 at 17:58

In the absence of my own car I'm using my dads mg this week - it's TF with the 1.8 vvc 160bhp engine.

Last time I drove it, I noticed a pronounced surge in power and change of noise at a point in the rev range (about 4k rpm iirc), but it doesn't seem to be there this time. It's running fine otherwise and does pull cleanly all the way to the redline. So is it possible for the vvc mech to break without having an adverse effect on the running otherwise? There's only 9k miles on it. Might just be that compared to the Saab, which had a much more pronounced step in the power delivery, it's less noticeable than I remember.

Thanks!

ZG002 · 14 Jun 2010 at 18:00

9K miles.... :eek:

Got to be HGF, Sorry

Settleddown · 14 Jun 2010 at 18:00

Stepping out from turbo car to a N/A is always a funny one. All in the mind IMO.

iaind · 14 Jun 2010 at 18:02

Settleddown said:
Stepping out from turbo car to a N/A is always a funny one. All in the mind IMO.

That's what I thought, but even trying to pay really close attention I just can't notice it, or hear it. That's why I was wondering if it was even possible so I could either dismiss it or look into it further

Xez · 14 Jun 2010 at 18:06

My friend has one of these and yes apparently the VVC/solenoid bit does go quite often apparently. Power normally kicks in at about 5k

iaind · 14 Jun 2010 at 18:08

Xez said:
My friend has one of these and yes apparently the VVC/solenoid bit does go quite often apparently. Power normally kicks in at about 5k

Does it run perfectly fine otherwise? No warning lights, spluttering or smoke or anything?

Firestar_3x · 14 Jun 2010 at 18:11

iaind said:
No warning lights, spluttering or smoke or anything?

Sounds broken to me, a K series without ALL the above issues is clearly not working to its full potential.

Settleddown · 14 Jun 2010 at 18:13

Firestar_3x said:
Sounds broken to me, a K series without ALL the above issues is clearly not working to its full potential.

Haha good one

Antipasti · 14 Jun 2010 at 18:16

You haven't broken your dads car already?!?

iaind · 14 Jun 2010 at 18:19

It was like that when I got there, but he doesn't drive it much and probably never takes it above 4k so he might not have noticed. Remembering his daily is a 9-5 aero which has a colossal surge compared to the 9-3 anyway

markweatherill · 14 Jun 2010 at 18:45

You're feeling the HGF kicking in.

M0T · 14 Jun 2010 at 18:57

The VVC mechanisms do fail but usually you will be able to hear a rattle from them.

I had a 1.8VVC in a coupe and the VVC mechanisms had started to fail and it didn't have the surge it used to, didn't have any problems other than that.

iaind · 14 Jun 2010 at 19:00

Any way of testing?

Alibaba99 · 14 Jun 2010 at 19:17

Useful fault listing for the VVC on Seloc.

Won't rev beyond 5.5k if the solenoid has failed.

iaind · 14 Jun 2010 at 19:23

Aha excellent, guessing the fact it goes to the redline means its not at fault then

Dogbreath · 14 Jun 2010 at 19:38

iaind said:
In the absence of my own car I'm using my dads mg this week - it's TF with the 1.8 vvc 160bhp engine.

Last time I drove it, I noticed a pronounced surge in power and change of noise at a point in the rev range (about 4k rpm iirc),

You were imagining it, the VVC engine just doesn't do this as there is no sudden change of cam profile like the crude Honda or Toyota mechanisms. They have a virtually flat torque curve and just pull strongly from idle all the way to the red line, which makes them feel less quick than they really are.

Pigeon · 14 Jun 2010 at 21:22

Yeah I find the same, pulls cleanly but it is not like a mad push like VTEC. It can be quite disappointing in some ways with less feel and noise but the speed does seem pretty good!