Technical Poor fuel consumption/ticking noise..

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Technical Poor fuel consumption/ticking noise..

LittleSilverBoat

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Aug 22, 2010
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Hi guys

Bought my first barchetta last week (y) It's in awesome nick all round, but (inevitably) there are a couple of things I wouldn't mind getting your advice on!

1. Fuel consumption seems overly poor. There's every possibility that I've had a slightly heavy right foot :slayer: but even so, it's only managed 400kms on it's first tank, on what I'd describe as a fairly combined run. Does this seem about right? I read somewhere that a combined cycle should make for around 30mpg - I work this out to be around 24mpg...

2. There is a very slight, engine speed related ticking/tappety sound below 2500rpm, only noticeable with the roof up. Is this the beginnings of the dreaded variator failure or something else?

3. Are these two things related???

Other than these things, I'm completely in love with it. It's a '98 Silver LE, un-modded, obviously very loved by previous owners - it's as new. Only 80,000kms on the clock and 8,000kms in last 7 years! Might start doing some subtle mods in the near future...

Thanks guys

Adam :)
 
Hi Adam

OK When was the Variator and Cam belt changed? These could improve your fuel.

Also - Take a spark plug out and see how dirty they are.

Do a full service and buy (44K fuel cleaner) run this on a full tank and see how it improves.

Basically my car was producing 21mpg when driving around town, now I travel 34miles daily I am getting 31 - 35mpg.

But I service my car every 6mths, oil change at least.
 
Thanks!

Cambelt was changed at 75000kms and last service was at the same time I think. Not sure on variator - no documentation to support! I figured (perhaps wrongly) that it was ok because the car sounds fine - no dieselly noises.

Will defo check out the spark plugs and give a service anyway I think, just for peace of mind...
 
Possibly. What I have noticed is that I consistently - regardless of how I drive (and believe me, it can vary wildly!), I always get about 38. Lowest I have ever seen was 36.5. I know this because for months on end I monitored my MPG very closely to try and diagnose the problem.

However, it seems to be powerful enough, got a 0-60 time of about 7.8 secs, so still plenty of power there, just a bloody cold idle issue that no one can diagnose!

It's all very strange. Still, if my cold idle problem is causing me to get 10 MPG more than normal, I'll probably stick with it! :)
 
0-60 in 7.8 secs? That sounds tasty! Is that down to the induction kit & exhaust or any other tweaks?

Coming back to the fuel economy- having tested it a bit more accurately on the last fill-up, I'm now making it at 32mpg, still with lots of fun thrown in. I'm happy with that, I'm sure on longer runs I'd manage closer to 38mpg.

Which just leaves the ticking noise...Going to give it a service anyway, but has anyone experienced this before?

Adam
 
0-60 in 7.8 secs? That sounds tasty! Is that down to the induction kit & exhaust or any other tweaks?

I don't think any of my mods or tweak increase power by a meaningful amount. Don't know why it's been running so well recently - still, I'm not complaining!


Ticking noise definitely sounds like a tappet. These can be damaged by revving the engine too hard. Don't know what's involved in fixing/replacing.
 
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In the 4yrs i have had my B .400km a tank is about fill up time for me but never had to put 50ltrs though, the most i think is 45ltrs. I Average around 33mpg.
As for the ticking noise , i have alway had a ticking noise that comes from around the passenger footwell when pulling away , never ever found out what it is.
 
In certain conditions, an exhaust leak can make a ticking sound and could contribute to the symptoms mentioned.

It`s nothing to do with the Exhaust Pete, I dont hear it all the time but if i pull away gently in first / second gear it`s a strange ticking/whirring noise and it is in the passenger footwell/bulkhead area ,i am sure someone else in the past quoted on a similar thing but could not identify what it is.
 
Hi folks

A quick update - I took the B to DTR last week to get it serviced and get the ticking noise looked at. Those boys know their stuff! Ticking was diagnosed within seconds as being a loose/broken heat shield which was duly replaced - problem solved! Had all filters, fluids & spark plugs changed plus new discs and pads on the back.

She now runs like a dream! And I thought that all the above work for £325 was money extremely well spent. Plus, I was told that the car was worth more than twice what I paid for it! Result!

Adam
 
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