October 2002
I have a long journey to work eachday and would like to lessen the boredom by adding a CD player. The head unit in my Passat 97 SE saloon says it has CD control (Gamma). Would it be best to try and get a autochanger to work with my existing head unit or replace with a single disc player? I am looking to spend around £100.
Thanks Read more
Hi
I have a Mazda eunos auto 1990 with 60,000 on the clock. I am not sure when the ATF was changed.. One spacilaist has told that that a change in the fluid could result in more problems and leaks than leaving it alone.. The level looks OK and the fluid not too dirty...Has anyone has problems resulting from changing the fluid on an older car or is it worth doing it anyway?
Thanks for you opinions
Alan Read more
I don't like the sound of not too dirty!
Serviceable fluid shouldn't have a burnt smell to it btw.
You can't usually drain all of the fluid from an auto, but I can't see how introducing some clean fluid could cause leaks.
What does this tell anyone about a 1994 V6 with 110k on the clock.
Fast Idle Test:
CO Max - 0.30% Actual - 0.15%
HC Max - 200ppm Actual - 16ppm
Lambda Range 0.970-1.030 Actual - 1.243 (Fail)
Second Fast Idle Test:
CO Max - 0.30% Actual - 0.11%
HC Max - 200ppm Actual - 10ppm
Lambda Range 0.970-1.030 Actual - 1.185 (Fail)
Natural Idle Test
CO Max - 0.50% Actual - 0.44% (Pass)
Apart from the fact you can tell it failed its MOT, what do these figures suggest? A new pair of Lambda sensors?
Thanks
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Spot on John. I would add my two pen'orth by saying that that time and again the poor old O2 sensor is blamed for a failed Lambda calculation. It may well be contributing to the problem if it is fouled or dirty as would a similarly afflicted fuel injector. The valves may be carbon fouled with the use of poor quality fuel and the catalytic converter may be partially restricted. A dose of Texaco Cleansystem 3 fuel beefed up with a quality fuel injector cleaner and a good fast run will probably sort it before calling in an expert.
Just watched the re run of Britain's Worst Drivers and Im absolutely appalled.
How on earth can they give the 'most improved' driver amongst this lot new cars? It is ludicrous!
The standard of driving left me speechless to such an extent that Im considering giving up my car because I don't want to meet any of these loons onthe road.
That Arif character needs locking up for his blatant disregard for others. The examiner in the back actually told him to stop so she could get out as she was fearful for her life.
As for the woman who was blind in one eye and the girls who cannot reverse! One person seemed to think it was a laugh to have had over 30 accidents!!
How many of these 'drivers' managed to pass a test is simply beyond me. Compulsory re testing of every driver isnt the answer since it is loons like these who need to be targetted. How we do that I don't know but someone had better come up with an answer soon. Read more
I wouldn't suggest the IAM administer the test, just that a test of the same standard is made compulsory. At least this, with re-testing, might stop bad drivers getting out there in the first place and limit the bad habits developed by those who pass their test by being a "good" driver for one day in their life, then are never re-assessed until they prove just how bad they are by beign disaqualified.
The good drivers would have no hassle apart from a modest fee to re-sit the test every few years.
No more scraping icy windscreens for me.
After the last couple of frosty nights I decided to try a different approach. A small saucepan, half full with lukewarm water, as suggested by others worked wonders! It cleared all the windows in no time.
Filling up a saucepan and going out to the car and back is a lot quicker than scraping away.
But does the lukewarm water trick work OK for really hard frosts? Or does the water simply refreeze as you apply it?
Bruce Read more
Me no smokee, so don't have cigarettes available.
Brian
Still learning (I hope)
I am about to take delivery of a new Gsi, apart from the obvious what do I look for before I accept the car ? This is the first new car I have bought. Any advice gratefully accepted Read more
Dear all,
I have a Nissan QX (95) which runs wonderfully until now. It has done 95k miles so I decided to add in some injectors cleaners.
I waited until an empty tank, put in 400ml of Forte fuel injector cleaner with about 40 litres of petrol. Then the problem starts. Every morning & first start of the day, the engine will start straight away but will stall straight away. I need to hold the throttle down to keep it running for about 2-3 seconds before the engine can idle on its own.
Subsequent starting are all fine and the engine runs smoothly at all other times.
Could the problem be the injector cleaners or my engine? What other the problems shold I worry about?
Thanks,
Garrison Read more
199,435 miles as at this morning! I ran it through at about 195,000.
Does anyone else have the following problems/features on their Focus?
1. Windscreen washer reservoir will start overflowing down rear of wheel arch when filled over a certain point? (Or is mine leaking?)
2. Fan speed decreases when heated screen(s) and/or headlights turned on? (Do I have an electrical problem or do all Focuses do this?)
3. Engine speed increases momentarily when clutch is depressed? (Someone suggested this was for reducing emissions.)
Thanks,
Tim Read more
Thanks to all for your replies.
My original question was based on the fact that I have recently bought the Focus, and I wanted to make sure that the few apparently strange features it has are supposed to be there, and there is nothing wrong.
I have found it to be a very good car. Very different from the Mondeos I have driven in the past - far more precise handling and steering, and responsive in terms of acceleration and braking. Also surprisingly easy to park, despite the high rear window. Getting used to the different controls for the wipers and main beam too!
My sealed for life battery has a charge indicator,it is showing black even after being charged with a battery charger [suitable for the battery].Does anyone have any thoughts on when it should be replaced thanks tonyh Read more
How full should the battery be topped up?
There "should" be markers on the side of the battery. However, they're not always easy to read. Personally, I would make sure that the fluid is approx ¼ inch above the electrodes - but no more than ½ inch though.
Could anyone out there advise on the recommended coolant concentration for a 96 306dt. I recently asked at a Peugeot garage and was told "about 50%". An answer like that leaves me unconvinced that the person really knew what they were talking about.
Thanks in advance. Read more
Coolant anti-freeze concentration does not depend on the type of engine/make of vehicle - it only determines the temp. at which the coolant mixture freezes, as it should explain 'on the tin'. Certain types of antifreeze may suit certain engines, depending on sensitivity of gasket/block/head combinations to corrosion, but that has very little to do with concentration.
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Autochangers are definately better. I've got a single slot CD head unit, and I'm too lazy to change the disc regularly so I get bored really quickly. Leaning over to the glovebox with a handbrake sticking in you is such a pain!