February 2001
I own a 1993 Astra GLS, which has developed an appetite for Tail Light Bulbs.
The bulbs on both sides turn black after 1 months use (Heavy Use in Winter) and eventually fail.
I experienced this in a Company Astra(1992 Model) of the same vintage a few years ago, if I remember correctly the main dealer after a lot of headscatching
remade all the earth contacts at the back of the car, which then cured the fault.
Has anyone else experienced this problem, and where do I remake the earth contacts? Read more
I read an interesting notice in the local tyre depot ,issued by Pirelli,warning of the danger of fitting mis matched tyre sizes on the same axle of volvo cars.
Basically it stated that not only should each tyre be the same size, manufacturer and tread pattern but also that the tread depth of each tyre should be within 2mm of each other.Therefore the rolling circumference of each wheel would be the same.Failure to adhere to this could lead to transmission failure.
I can see the logic that different circumferences would mean that each wheel would be rotating at a different speed thus maybe putting a strain on the transmission but what makes the transmission system in volvos that sensitive to this and do such fine tolerances apply to any other cars?
The obvious danger I can see is the use of the spare wheel after a puncture.The tread depth of the two tyres would in all probability be very different.
Regards
Paul Read more
Right, just bought a car from a dealer, and like a buffoon handed over the registration doc for my old car without signing anything or retaining any part of it to send to DVLC. Dealer just took it without saying anything, and car is now long gone from him no doubt. I now realise I'm supposed to sort this out myself. Best way out of this mess, anyone? Read more
Just to cheer you up, I was summonsed and fined for exactly the same incident - write to DVLA A S A P and inform them before you get nabbed !
I suffer from a bad back and would like to know which car is rated as having the most comforatble driving seat/position. Read more
Saabs are definetely the best our family has had 10 in 20 years! and have never had a complaint. The most comfortable was the old shape Classic 900 the three door version however quite old now. Now running a 9-5 Estate which is equally as good and has heated seats.
I have an elderly Audi 90 quattro. 1989 2.3 Litre. which has problems in the fuel area. Can you help/advise?
The fuel pump had been noisy for about 3 months and recently after about three miles ( when engine warm) the engine would just cut out. So I thought the fuel pump is very tired and replaced it. All nice and quiet now but tyhe problem is still there.
When the engine dies I pull over fiddle with the ignition key and after a few attempts and sometimes the sound of a clicking relay all is well again,
Any advice will be much appreciated.
P.S I have noticed that a small electrical device near the inlet manifold buzzes wheb the ignition is turned on, but maybe it has always done that. Read more
Thank you, the relay was the problem. Dissapointing that it cost £61.00.
Many thanks
Further to the reference in your column last weekend, I obtained information and local stockists from Automec. As an engineer and keen classic enthusiast with a dislike of garages, the product seems a dream - flush it through as it mixes with conventional fluid and then leave for "life".
Contacting stockists left me much less enthusiastic! Feedback ranged from "don't stock it anymore mate - no demand" to "it's allright for old cars but not so sure about moderns" - and they are selling it!!
What's going on? Is it really OK to use on cars with ABS, ASP etc? I was intending to use it on our Rover 214 and Audi A8.
Kind regards,
Max Brown. Read more
As a fellow engineer, I agree that the advantages of silicone fluid make you wonder why it's not a standard production item. I've certainly used it in my classic for the last 3 years, and I have been considering putting it in my everyday car.
I 'd think it's best to flush a system that's been used with normal fluid (use meths, but pump it through well when you refill!) as it doesn't mix too well, and leaving a residue of old hygroscopic fliud in place doesn't give the full benefit.
As for the 'don't stock it now mate', I guess that the fact that people buy a litre, change the fluid, and have enough left for a few years topping up. I'm pretty sure it's available from classic car spares dealers, but for the above reason I've not bought any for a while.
I have heard the odd niggle (unconfirmed) about it's use as regards difficulty bleeding systems, and 'soft' brake pedals but I have to say I've no experience of that myself. Perhaps there's some issue with viscosity diferences or something that affects ABS, but it's DOT 4 or 5 approved, so would seem to be perfectly acceptable. I'm sure someone out there can advise.
Regards
John
My 1998 Vauxhall Calibra V6 automatic has developed an intermittent gearbox fault. During cold weather, after the car has been standing for a while, when I start and attempt to select 'Drive' the auto warning light comes on and I am unable to use automatic gears, the car remains driveable via manual gear selection. I reported the problem to my local dealer and when they attempted to diagnose they were unable to read from the ECU. They advised that the ECU unit would need to replaced before any further diagnosis. I was discussing the problem with a friend who suggested that this might be a simple problem of low fluid levels in the automatic gearbox. I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. The problem seems to occuring more frequently and whilst I don't relish the thought of replacing the ECU I am concerned that continued use of the vehicle might cause damage to the automatic gearbox. Are there any specialists who might be able diagnose the problem at less cost than the main-line dealers?
Thank You,
Martyn Read more
I remember honest john recommending auto box experts about 6-12months ago in the telegraph motoring section. I never lost fluid from my marina auto and could check the levels easy. Similarly with an auto Bedford CF panel van.
Ever since they brought in ECU and electronic ignition the problems have become more difficult and hugely expensive in parts.
One simple cause of ECU not working was the back acts as a heatsink. If contact was poor (eg loss of white heat conductive goo) it stopped working. Hey presto new ECU with proper heatsinking worked. The old one was still OK and could be reused by the garage!
I went to www.vauxhall.co.uk, after reading news item 3/02, but could not find any mention of recalls. Read more
Thanks.
My Pug 309 has a leak in the boot which seem common to all 309's and the bad thing about it is that you get a large build up of water under the rear seats which in time will badly stain or ruin them all together and effects its re-sale value. Does anybody know how I can stop this leak ? Read more
I have experienced a tailgate leak on a 205 (and heard of a similar one on a friend's car) which I have cured by diverting the water flow outwards. A 309 tailgate is clearly different, but may have a similar arrangement. At each lower corner is a large drain hole intended to empty inside the car! By sticking heavy-gauge polythene over this with Sticky-fixers to act as spacers, any water now escapes between the opening and the weatherstrip. Of course the proper solution is to find where water gets in, but I haven't managed that so far.
I am looking to buy a new Ford Fiesta Ghia and naturally want the best deal i can get. I see that firms such as Motorhouse and Motorpoint are offering new Ghias at up to £3000 below list price. How are they able to do this, is there some catch? Read more
Is this necessarily a bad thing?
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Cavalier 4x4's had the same same problem a few years ago...
I had a GSi 4x4 in 1993 and fitted new rear tyres before going on holiday. I immediately noticed a shudder when going around tight corners eg multistorey car parks. Vauxhall garage said 'have to change all 4 tyres together', lease company said 'no chance', Vauxhall Luton told lease company that if only 2 new tyres fitted they should go on front, Vauxhall garage found service bulletin that said 'no more than 2mm difference in tread depth'.
I got the new tyres swapped to the front, shudder went away, I went off on holiday with family, happy.
However, when the car was fully loaded (easy with the small 4x4's boot!), whenever I braked on the overrun, there was a small but distinct clunck in the drivetrain as what I took to be the 4x4 system disengaged to allow the abs to work. There was a corresponding clunck when I took my foot off of the brake.
Coming back through Germany the drive pinion for the drive to the rear wheels broke up... coincidence?
When I got home, my new Audi 80 TDi was waiting for me for my next 4 years of 123,000 miles of dependable and frugal, if not envigorating, motoring. Its handbook, if my memory serves me correctly, said that difference in tyre depth on quattro models was not significant...