ok first things first... ive been offered a swap for a supposed escort gti. its a zetec with a metal rocker cover however there is no gti badge on the back, just escort and 16v (badge could have been swiped). its modded a little so i dont know if the gti/rs2k skirts and rear bumper splitters are genung or not (skirts have jacking point covers). its on steelies all round but the spare is an rs2k wheel. there is no log book for it so how do i find out if she is a gti or not as im not sure if the metal rocker covers were on others besides the gti? ive driven it and it can shift rightly for an 1800 but it still may not be a gti.. im still interested if its not but if it is it would be an added bonus. also its purple metallic.. i didnt think gti's came in this colour?

on to my second question. i drove it and it goes like stink for an 1800 (mind i am driving a citroen zx d-turbo atm and a 2.5 v6 slowmega before that). there is a fairly loud whine off the engine and it idles a little rough (very little, probably just the filter/exhaust).. it has an exhaust system or backbox, red champion leads and a cone filter plus the EGR valve control solenoid was completely closed the first time i looked at it so i opened it up about 1/2 way as ford had intended it to be. but what on earth could be the cause of this whine!?! it sounds like a moderatly quiet supercharger and its not the gearbox. from my experience with my wee fezzy zetec they do have a slight whine about them but this is much more than my wee fezzy had. ill also be giving it a once over at a garage but it would be handy to know the symptoms for things that make this noise.. there is no foam on the oil cap or white/blue smoke and the car has done 74k and driving it it feels fine but the whine is easily noticable even with the windows up.

thirdly.. the clutch biting point is very high, i think it needs a clutch. but anywho.. whenever i pressed the clutch pedal it would make noises like darth vader???

 

If it has not got a log book, do not buy it, simple.

 

If its not got a log book it sounds dodgy.

However, when u sell a car on eBay u can put in the reg number and it will show u lots of info about the car froim DVLA's database, and i believe the RAC/AA sites give similar info.

 

it does have a log book the lad thats offering it to me just hasnt got it yet. i was going to ring the DVLNI with the reg of the car and check for dodgyness.

my main concern is the noises. ive been told, and it makes sense, that the whine is most likely the bearing in the alternator and as its eaten a battery. the darth vader like sound on depressing the clutch is probably the clutch release bearing which can be changed when the clutch is changed. other than those 2 issues the car drives/looks fine. only other thing ill need to sort is shes got cut lowering springs so shes lower than your grannies tats..

im getting a friendly mechanic to double check that the noises are infact what i believe they are and if thats the case the swaps on.

now.. how can i tell if its a real gti or not?

 

Whats the reg of the car ill have a look to see if it is a GTI

 

P728 GMT

even if its not im still gonna go for it if the mechanic says shes sweet bar the above mentioned issues. shes worth going for if thats the case as the only reason id be getting her for a swap on my ZX runabout is shes been chased by the cops and has been marked so to speak. ive talked to a local member of the plod and he says i will be stopped in it but if im legal and i explain i only got the car their so called "alert" will be called off on the car.

will this check tell what the car is ie- gti or zetec or lx or whatever? if so tell me as i tried to get a quote today but without the full model of the car they wouldnt quote me on it. and as there is no log book atm i havent a notion what it is to get a quote. the lad offering it to me can get the log book off the previous owner as he sold the fella an escort estate but hasnt handed over the log book for it yet so thats why the previous owner hasnt given him the book.

god i feel like im saving this car from the jaws of death lol

 

It's not a GTi - its an Si

Manufacturer FORD
Model ESCORT SI
Body type 3 DOOR HATCHBACK
Colour PURPLE
Fuel type PETROL
Date manufactured 30 December 1996
Number of previous owners 1
Last owner change 02 December 2003

 

i was told its a 98 lol ah well.. i was expecting more owners tho which may be a good sign.