July 2001

Mark

Hi,

My car (1988 Audi 80, 1.8 carb) has developed a really annoying (and worrying) habit of showing me the low oil pressure light at higher engine revs (i.e. about 60mph+ in 5th). My first port of call was changing the sensor as it had begun to leak a bit of oil. No joy there. So I decided to go the whole hog and change the oil pump. Besides the fact that the engine now runs a little smoother (the pick up of the old pump was a little clogged with carbon deposits) the low oil pressure light is still plaguing me!

To me it seems like the high revs mean the pump's pulling more oil out of the sump and perhaps it isn't getting back down into the sump quick enough to be pumped up again. Or something similar. So if anyone has any idea where my next port of call should be do you think you could share?!

Thanks in advance,
Mark Read more

David Lacey

Yep that sounds like it - change that sensor in the cylinder head, the opposite end to the cambelt and I think all will be well

John

I was just wondering if anyone would recommend a certain brand of replacement discs and pads to directly replace (i.e. not uprated in diameter, etc) OEM componets.

Cheers Read more

Michael Thomas

I'll echo the Unipart discs and pads remarks. I've got them on my Rover auto which eats pads like no tomorrow. The best in terms of value and slowish wear are the Unipart ones.

David Kirkham

Would anyone know where I could get a red Octavia RS within the next fortnight?

tia Dave K Read more

Andrew Moorey (Tune-Up Ltd)

Try Station Garage, Rudgwick West Sussex 01403 782509. On the Guildford to Horsham Road. Been Skoda dealers for yonks. Enjoy!!!!!!

John Lloyd

Has anyone had or heard of any problems with the tailgate opening by itself whilst braking to a halt, or when stationary? Also I have had the ABS operate twice recently whilst driving slowly in dry conditions. The car is a Focus 1.8 estate V reg. Read more

Simon Ridgers

Haven't heard of any tailgate problems, but my ABS sometimes operates in strange circumstances. After a couple of times I realised it was on a rough road surface, when presumably the wheel is airbourne for a fraction of a second - leading to a locked wheel. It works perfectly on smooth roads.

Alvin Booth

Due to being temporarily out of action for the next couple of months I was telling my neighbour that I would have to delay the changing of the brake fluid on my Vectra.
No problem he says I'll do it for you.
He is a vehicle mechanic by the way.
What I'll do he says is connect my compressor air line to it and blow all the old fluid out through the nipples. Refill and bleed off again.
"Thats great I said" However afterwards I thought I've never heard of it being done this way and began thinking could the compressed air cause any problems to the ABS or if it could turn seals over in the wheel cylinders or elsewhere.
Is this the way its done in commercial garages atc.
Please advise.

Alvin Read more

David Woollard

Eezi Bleed gets my budget vote. I'm sure this guy knows what he's doing but wise to make sure he hasn't some "clever" way of pressure bleeding at 100psi.

As you all say, the old method.......

...."OK you can let the pedal up now....I already have.....wait a second and I'll ask you to put it down again....I thought that's what you wanted, it's down already now".....!!!!!!!

David

chris rabson

The clutch on my old triumph is stuck.The pedal moves as normal., yet when the engine is running I fail to get it into gear .IF i try and start the car in gear with the clutch depressed it lurches forwards Will towing it free it? Read more

David Lacey

Done this many times. Start the car in gear and drive it with the clutch pedal fully down (NB It is best to do this in a large unoccupied area) The heat from the engine onto the flywheel together with lots of sharp on/off throttle movements has freed off many seized clutches for me.

Rgds

David

Marc

Is the 1.8 Focus a much better drive than the 1.6? I currently drive a 1.6 and agree with HJ's comments about flat performance at motorway speeds. Read more

Marc

Cheers for that. Probably not worth the extra then, although as you say a test drive is the only way

Lawrence Addlestone

Anyone any experience of towing a substantial (1150Kg) caravan with a Fiat Multipla JTD 105? I tow with a Volvo but aim to sell as its a thirsty T5. I hope to be able to tow with our recently acquired Multipla - which incidentally is really fun to drive and as practical and commanding as a 4x4 (and really interesting to be seen in!)
Thanks; Lawrence. Read more

dafydd tomos

I'm also impressed with my multipla. Heard somewhere that it has won towcar of the year -

Norma Donnelly

I am about to buy a 1994 Ford Fiesta for my an 18 year old daughter and am looking for an insurance company that can provide reasonably priced insurance cover for her. Please can you help? Read more

Brian

Try AAM Independent Financial Advisers, Colchester 01206 303245.
Both my daughter and I got good quotes from them.

keith brown

After being persuaded by HJ's frequent praising of the Mondeo I am now close to buying a 99 TD, but am a bit confused by the comments from the Mondeo Car by Car Breakdown.

The comments start off very positive but the cause of my concern is the reference ( under Whats Bad) to the "very antiquated diesel"

Does this comment apply to the Turbo Diesel, and if so does that mean the Turbo Diesel is NOT worthy of the otherwise glowing comments?

Can anyone advise please???

PS. Is 45 k miles on a 3 / 99 T any cause for futher concern???

Regards,

Keith Read more

Bill Doodson

Dont do it, they are dogs of the first, second and last order. Get a Passat instead.

Ive had the TD and now have the V6 the TD was c**p (a company car) and the V6 is over rated and in my experience not reliable and my 15 year old Passat went around corners faster. Never listen your wife when buying a car, not even for the colour!


Bill