Diesel fuel injector performance is vitally important to the performance of any diesel engine. Poor injectors can result in incresed black smoke, poor starting and engine noise for starters. I would suggest having the fuel injectors serviced by a local diesel specialist who can be trusted - I imagine there are many cowboys out there. I can personally reccomend Electro-diesel (RCJ) of Sowton Industrial Estate, Exeter, Devon (Tel 01392 208090). I would pull the injectors out at about 75 to 90K and have them cleaned and serviced - beware some two-stage injectors cannot be serviced - only factory echange units are available. This shouldn't be a problem with your Bosch or Lucas CAV units. I would also reccommend using a diesel fuel injector cleaner every 6000 miles, added to your fuel tank. Personally, I recommend Wynns Diesel fuel injector cleaner.

Back in 1968 i lent my Beetle to a friend to go and collect someone from the station next morning. I warned him that it always required a push to start first thing, but was OK after that.
I saw him again next morning (lunch time I think) and he said that the car had started first time, but that the key had been ok in the door but sticky in the ignition. I asked him... and he pointed to a different Beetle from the flat window. I never told the owner of the other Beetle.

I have a 1995 2.9 12v and had problems with it changing up and down (cycling) at low engine speeds around 2000 rpm. I took it to a specialist in Dartford. He drove it and said it either needed the gearbox oil and filter changed £80 or strip and rebuild £400. I said start with the oil change which he did and he phoned me to say that there was no debris in the oil which was a good sign and we agreed to stop at that. Well that was last August about 8000 miles and no problems since. This may not be your problem but food for thought I hope.

Colin

Crikey - cheer up! We aren't all young lads on here you know, even if we apparently sound like it. I can remember Wolseley 6/110's first time round, (but I was too young to drive then). The secret is to at least sound like a lad, even if you're not.

Why not ditch the Scenic, and get something sporty. Follow my example. People kept saying 'I bet you'll buy an estate car when your daughter's off to university'. Oh no - we bought a BMW Coupe - I'll hire a van for the uni trips!

Cheers

John

Autos have to use more fuel because the energy used to change gear AND engage/disengage cluches comes from the engine rather than the driver. As far as hot spotting the discs at traffic lights, I suppose if you drive at 100 mph between every traffic light it might be the case... I think autos wear out brakes faster simply because there is less enging braking. (There is none in first, unless you select "low" in some cars.) As far as leaving it in D at traffic lights, i don't think it does any more harm than sliding in and out of N. Auto boxes seem to pack up because the 1st gear clutch goes. It it's left in gear, this should save the clutch. It's cheaper to change the fluid once in a while. As far as sneezing goes, what about the other end? Incidentally, now that the police are ticketing people for drinking water at traffic lights etc, is blowing one's nose in a car an offence?