Can anyone please tell me the revs i should be seeing at 70mph in 5th gear for an 05 Octy using the old 102hp 1.6 petrol (MPI) lump?

 

I've been getting a burning smell (like plastic) for a while now after motorway journeys and a friend of mine thinks it smells like a burning clutch! My car revs to around 3500rpm at 70mph in 5th gear which does seem fairly high (I used to think 3000rpm in my old 1.6 Focus at 70mph was high'ish). Anyone have any ideas?

 

I do not have it in mph, but hope that kph will help and you can convert them :
cca. 2800 revs at 94kph

cca. 4200 revs at 140kph

cca. 3600 revs at 120kph

Haven't been driving that for some time but 3,5k rpm might be it. I always thought that 6th gear would be nice for that car

Can anyone please tell me the revs i should be seeing at 70mph in 5th gear for an 05 Octy using the old 102hp 1.6 petrol (MPI) lump?

 

I've been getting a burning smell (like plastic) for a while now after motorway journeys and a friend of mine thinks it smells like a burning clutch! My car revs to around 3500rpm at 70mph in 5th gear which does seem fairly high (I used to think 3000rpm in my old 1.6 Focus at 70mph was high'ish). Anyone have any ideas?

 

Sounds about right

 

Old fashioned but cracking reliable engine though based on the original VAG 8v engine fitted to cars over a decade or so

Edited 10 October, 201510 yr by bigjohn

Sounds about right

 

Old fashioned but cracking reliable engine though based on the original VAG 8v engine fitted to cars over a decade or so

 

To test your clutch drive on a clear road at 30mph in 5th (probably 1500 rpm). First Slip you clutch slightly just below biting point - Floor the throttle and release the clutch - if your revs run away compared to your speed (more than 1750rpm at 35mph) your clutch is on its way.

 

Re the smell - check all exhaust heat shields are in place and make sure none of your brakes are binding

Id you are getting clutch slip, floor the throttle at a reasonable speed in 5th and see if you get a rise in revs that is not in line with how the car should accelerate.

TBF the 1.6 MPI isnt that powerful or torque rich so clutch failure shouldnt be a common occurance....it may have failed due to poor manufacturing...that is a possibility but if the cars done a few miles and/or has seen a hard previous life and is still on its original clutch then I guess its somewhat to be expected.

Sounds about right

 

Old fashioned but cracking reliable engine though based on the original VAG 8v engine fitted to cars over a decade or so

 

IIRC it dates back to AUDI 80 in 1973.

Just about any modern 4-cylinder tranverse VAG engine fits in a Golf 1, because the basic cylinder block has not increased in lenght.

Your revs sound about right at seventy but I would have a good check of your brakes as you could have one sticking and they would smell the same as the clutch.

Thanks for all the suggestions. It seems likely that 3500rpm @ 70mph is normal then  .

 

The brakes were replaced a few weeks ago (the smell was there before they were replaced too)... The front and rear discs along with pads and rear calipers were all replaced. I can't seem to find any issue with the clutch and did what was suggested, I have however noticed that occasionally the revs will build up and then take a few seconds to drop if I'm about to pull away in first and then have to stop (or edging forward a bit and then stopping).

 

I've no idea where the smell is coming from, but it only seems to occur after doing a stretch along the motorway. I can smell it more from the back end of the car and can't see anything stuck to the exhaust... Could a failing cat on the exhaust cause the smell?

 

 

On another note.... Fabia 1.2 TSI estate or the Skoda Rapid Spaceback (also 1.2 TSI)? I'm looking to buy another car with cheaper tax, better MPG and still be able to fit a medium/large dog in the back (Northern Inuit). My current Octavia can be a bit thirsty for a 1.6 and the tax is £205 a year. I also feel like getting something a bit newer too .

Edited 12 October, 201510 yr by Dan83

I'd choose Fabia instead of Rapid Spaceback. It's cheaper and more or less the same size. Same engines.

Fabia has got quite a large boot but if you wish to drive with more than 2 people in the car, the ones in the back seats may feel not comfortable. It's not Octavia.

I'd choose Fabia instead of Rapid Spaceback. It's cheaper and more or less the same size. Same engines.

Fabia has got quite a large boot but if you wish to drive with more than 2 people in the car, the ones in the back seats may feel not comfortable. It's not Octavia.

 

I was going to get an Octavia Greenline or Golf estate (both 1.6 Diesels), but not now as they're most likely affected by the VW emissions cheating.... Then there's the whole diesel pollution thing as a whole that has been kicking off in the UK over the last year. Probably safer to stick with petrol for now

 

The Octavia 1.4 TSI could still be an option though if it's reliable enough.

Edited 12 October, 201510 yr by Dan83

I'd choose Octavia instead of Golf. They are similar cars and do you wish to pay more for the well known "Golf" title? "Octavia" doesn't sound bad these days

Forget about VW cheating. Consider all REASONABLE pros and cons and then choose your fuel type.

Definitely Octavia over Golf. It shares the same platform/chassis but with a bigger body on it. Loads more boot space than the Golf. Try getting 5 adults, 5 suitcases and 5 pieces of hand luggage in a Golf!

 

I think our next Octavia will have a 1.4 TSI or similar. Seems like a great engine.