As title, done the brimed tank method... 31 mpg.  Fuel computer says 30.5 so fairly accurate. Shouldn't I be seeing more? This is on a daily commute to work and back, 6 miles each way. Also, is there any way I can tell if the vct system is working, as it does have a nasty rattle on startup which does go away soon. 

Cheers folks.

As title, done the brimed tank method... 31 mpg.  Fuel computer says 30.5 so fairly accurate. Shouldn't I be seeing more? This is on a daily commute to work and back, 6 miles each way. Also, is there any way I can tell if the vct system is working, as it does have a nasty rattle on startup which does go away soon. 

Cheers folks.

I have the same engine in my MK3 Focus.

Startup Rattle: yep, pretty normal from my experience, this type of engine relies on specific oil pressures so it'll be rattly/tappety until the oil moves around and gets warm.

Vct Unit: Sometimes my own is a bit iffy on cold starts, especially in winter. I can feel that when accelerating it feels like the unit is on/off/on/off before it actually feels fine again. After the engine is up to temperature it's perfectly fine. One thing to check is, after running the engine, switch it off and listen for a series of clicks/clicking under the bonnet. That will be the vct Unit resetting itself for next startup. It's usually a good indicator of a working vct I believe.

Mpg: I've never really had more than between 29-34mpg driving around town and to and from work, which is about 1.5miles away. Saying that, on a long run I gave reached 52mpg on more than one occasion. Now that I have a K&N filter the mpg has suffered a bit because of the sound when accelerating hard :)

Sounds pretty normal to me what you have described. I'm sure someone else will chime in and confirm some of what I've said. I wouldn't be too worried about anything at the minute pal unless there's a severe lack of power.

Welcome to the world of the 1.6 VCT!

Pretty poor MPG around town and journeys less than 10 miles. 

Improves a little on M/Way driving.

 

You can tell if the VCT is working by putting your foot down, the power all comes in at between 3k-4k rpm as thats where the timing changes.

My old '07' Ti-VCT and my other half's current '09' Ti-VCT return approx 35mpg around town and managed 52 max on one particularly long flat journey, but, gennerally average out at 45-47mpg for motorways.

They are pants for fuel, but great to drive about town and un'arf scream like a pornstar when given a poke.

My Fiesta has the same engine and I tend to average 30-34mpg around town, highest on a run has been 49mpg, just seems these engines weren't built for economy.

It does click and make strange sounds when you switch it off.  The car pulls well low down, upto 2.5k

but seems to run out of puff from there on out. Maybe I need to get used to driving a petrol car not a 2ltr td.

mpg is normal they can give reasonable economy but you need to drive like a granny lift and coast etc the zetec engine needs revving to get the best from it add to that 6miles is barely getting it warm so that uses more fuel as well . the noises after switch off is the throttle body going back to start up position which is normal when cold to protect the engine power is limited once the engines up to temp the full powers available shouldn't run out of puff after 2.5k if you can't hit 70mph quickly in third you may have an issue somewhere .if the vct wasn't working you'll know rev to 4k if you're management light doesn't illuminate you're fine

Thanks guys, some good advice.