August 2002
Has anyone experienced any major problems on the 406 HDI pump system
I have had to have a new low pressure pump and a new high pressure pump
I'm not a technical person on these matters but a new low pressure pump and a new high pressure pump = problems?
Any feedback appreciated
Read more
Hello,
My father has a 1988 VW passat 1.8 petrol, in the past year he has replaced the head gasket, and more recently, since he begun having problems, the radiator and water pump, however after running for approx 10 minutes the engine is overheating dramatiacally.
Is it possible to have some kind of airlock in the system which would stop the water circulating ? you can hear water gurgling around.
And finally does anyone have a good Passat of this model type - up to "L" reg which they would like to sell ? he needs PAS which his doesn't have and would like a sunroof, electric windows etc....
Hope you can suggest something
Cheers
Marc
Read more
The fact that you can hear a gurgling sound, which is water going into an empty space, would suggest an airlock.
If the system is full and operating correctly it should be almost silent.
Did anyone have any interesting experiences with holiday hire cars? I'll tell you about mine:
HJ now has me so paranoid about Renaults that I was a bit taken aback when our Seat Ibiza hire car turned out to be a Clio! But I have to report what a pleasant experience it was. After the surprise of it's arrival and my initial fears about having a long journey ahead of us and WILL IT GET US THERE.... I then spotted we had the new 1.5 common rail diesel dCi model and my interest was roused.
The highlight had to be traveling for extended periods with no discernible movement from the fuel gauge. My wife who did most of the driving (while I was sampling the local alcoholic beverages) has a rather heavy right foot, but we still achieved nearly 60mpg. Perhaps I've got latent green tendencies but there was something immensely satisfying about using so little fuel.
The air conditioning seemed particularly efficient and in all other respects it was a car that either of us could have comfortably lived with on a daily basis. Sadly the Clio lacks sufficient luggage space for my wife's work and sufficient passenger space for mine, otherwise we'd be tempted to buy one. Read more
Definitely buy cassette tapes, me. I get originals for around eqiv of 1.80-2.00 pounds vs. the 8 pounds equiv we have to pay for a miserable piece of plastic that costs Sony or someone mere pennies to produce! I understand they are even more expensive in UK.
Out and about in the North East is a strange looking small car, green col.Rear end a bit Multiplas style.
Reg, No. is NA 02 OCP
Not on sale anywhere in Europe until next April and said to replace the Mini in popularity.Protype currently in use by a Driving School in Darcy Kitchens land (by the way where is he?)
What is it?
The new Nissan European Micra.
DVD Read more
DW
Did warn you but in compensation kept the rain-gods appeased and ordered a fine day as promised. Look forward to the report.
DVD
Would readers share their experiences with the Alfa 147 ?
Thanks.
Dennis. Read more
My money / my choice.
End of story.
I'm just about to buy an April 1996 728i with (I guess) the Nikasil M52 engine. The car has covered just 62,000 miles with fbmwsh. I don't believe the car has had the cylinder block replaced.
I'm getting a full RAC inspection done prior to purchase - should this pick up problems re: bore wear (eg in a compression test?)
If the car seems fine currently can I expect bore-related problems in the next 40,000 miles? I believe that petrol in the UK now is generally ultra low sulphur - does this apply to supermarket petrol (I use Tesco as it's close and cheap!). Will using ultra-low sulphur petrol help prevent future problems?
Finally - any '96 / '97 728i owners out there who can comment on the Nikasil issue? I'd appreciate it if you could state in your reply if you know defeinitely if you've got a replacement block or not. Please put my mind at rest or stop me from buying a lemon!!! Read more
Simon Warby has just told me that he forgot to include the 728 in his Nikasil webpage and will update the page accordingly.
Has anybody managed to get all 16 of the cards?
I have collected 15 of them;
Caterham R500
Lexus GS430
Corolla
Celica
Skoda Superb
TVR Tuscan S
Ambra
Maserati
Jeep Grand Cherokee
MGF
Lexus SC430
Morgan
Skoda Octavia
TVR Cerbera Speed 12
Crossfire Coupe
What is the missing one? Has anybody got 2 of them? If so, I am willing to swap several of the other duplicates.
Cheers
Ben (wants to enter and win this competition!!)
Read more
Isn't that what it started as, a lucky dip?
Some of you may recall my request last week for opinions re the Swift Sky special edition at £4995.
We went for a proper look at one and have a test drive yesterday. It's not bad value for money, but I couldn't bring myself to buy one. I've spoilt myself with German cars in recent years and the difference in quality/ownership satisfaction was too big for me! I love cars and I just couldn't love that one!
Anyway, we wanted to replace the Merc 190E so I searched the Autotrader site for something German. Spotted a 'right one'- sometimes you get an intuitive feeeling about a car- and went to see it today. It was a BMW 318iSE Touring, 1998 S reg, metallic dark green, full BMW history, 134,000 miles, lovely condition, loads of extras (inc. sports suspension and leather sports steering wheel, passenger airbag), full MOT. Ex company director's car (really!), being sold by a trader who deals with a few big companies, selling their better comany cars.
The deal: £5,700. (Advertised at £5950, but it's due for a service so I knocked him down a bit) This is £500 more than a Swift with metallic paint! I'm so much happier to spend the money on this! It seems like a good deal to me, and hopefully I'll pick up the car later this week.
Incidentally, it's hard to tell the difference between the E36 and E46 with the Touring model. I think it's an E36, as the E46 Touring came in 1999, but does anyone out there know? Any other comments on this car/deal gratefully received.
Regards,
Pat (grinning!!!)
Read more
Yes, Simon, it's manual and has climate control. The CC is actually playing up and the dealer is getting it fixed tomorrow. Strange fault, it doesn't work at all and then will come on if you turn on the indicator or another electrical device! I assume it's only a dirty connection or something.
It will cost more to run than the Swift, but it will replace a Merc 190 as a second car, and hopefully be pretty reliable for 2-3 years.
Regards
Pat
Now I realise that this shouldnt be a problem - but I need help!
I am unable to remove the HT leads from the plug on a 1.4 Fiat Brava. I have read the Haynes manual, which basically says pull the cap off (but not using the lead in case of fracturing)
I have pulled the cap as much as humany possible (and tried pulling and twisting at the same time). The rubber cap stretchs, but the cap does not come away from the plug.
What am I doing wrong? There must be an easier way??
Read more
Neither silicone grease nor petroleum jelly conduct
electricity so it shouldn't matter
However, dust and dirt can stick to it, and in time this will do the conducting for you.
Browse
.jpg)
Out of interest, what did you get?
659.