February 2003
When driving around in the recent snowy conditions , my 2002 model Passat traction control light was on continuously as I was really struggling up some hills (even with new front tyres).The engine would not go beyond 2000 rpm and I could not get any acceleration up hills. I felt I was going slower and slower which was a bit alarming with the hill getting steeper all the time.
The system packed in eventually -presumably it timed out to avoid overheating whichever brake was working.
I tried switching the system off to see the effect , little difference except the car weaved a little bit.
I abandoned the car eventually as the roads got so slippery I could not keep the car stationary on hills.
Anyone else feel ABS , DSC, traction control etc. are a waste of time , on standard tyres anyway? Read more
Can anyone please help me with a problem with an elderly Vectra. The car is a 96P 2.0SRi. The problem is uneven running at small throttle openings or on the over run when the vehicle is warm. The car idles perfectly well and runs quite smoothly from cold and when warm runs fine given a reasonably large amount of throttle. The problem feels like a hesitation and lumpiness as though there is uneveness in fuel supply or an intermittent inlet manifold leak. Reading my Vectra and fuel injection manuals, I suspect either the fuel tank breather system (FSCV) or Exhaust Gas Recirc (EGR)systems both of which apparently only operate when the engine is warm. Last weekend I disconnected the FSCV solenoid with no effect. I assumed the solenoid was energise to open, however, I am not sure whether it may be the other way round. Can someone please advise. Also I would like to render the EGR valve inoperable to see if it is the culprit. I understand is vacuum operated. can someone tell me which sense it operates in and whether I can disable it by pulling off one of the vacuum hoses. Alternatively am I barking up the wrong tree altogether and is there a well known Vectra fault with the symptoms I have described? My car also occasionally exhibits the Vectra cutting out syndrome at idle but this is quite infrequent and typically happens every six months or so.
Any Ideas gratefully received - many thanks
Superannuated Rocker Read more
Thanks very much for the reply. I\'ve tended to discount the throttle position sensor as the problem does not exist when the engine is cold. I know the mixture will presumably be richer then which may mask the problem but there is no obvious point on the throttle position where the difficulty occurs. Also the problem is obvious on a closed throttle on the over run yet the engine idles ok with the same throttle position. The only fault codes I have are from the weekend when I disconnected the CFSV solenoid. I note your point about the O2 sensor but at present it is not illuminating the MIL light. I wonder if my plugs suggest a weak mixture, I\'ll look at the weekend.
Thank You again
SR
Hello people
Due to redundancy and losing the company smoke I've been looking at Omega auto diesel estates. My budget is a maximum of 7k, have any of you had any experience of this wagon? I appreciate they have electrical and minor irritating faults but what should I look out for/expect in the way of expense and weak components.
Any feedback on this model will be appreciated.
Read more
22 mpg around town & 30 on a run? that's marginally worse than my 2.5 litre petrol with manual box! I seem to remember the service interval on this diesel is 5K.
In terms of complexity I don't think the omega is any worse than any other modern car; Plenty of info. on engine management fault codes on the web. A search through the archive on this site will reveal most common problems ; which are usually related to the Ecotec engines; and so not relevant to the BMW diesel lump. Personally I think the omega handles well for a big car; and the estate really is big my modern standards.
I had an autobox 2.5 on 48 hour test drive; I really couldn't get on with the auto at all; it always seemed to be revving the nuts off the engine when I thought it should've been idling & vice-versa.
Hi, i filled up my car (Vauxhall Omega 2.5 V6 CDX Estate, manual gearbox) with about £50 worth of fuel, haven`t done that much mototrway driving, a lot of driving through the town (and YES i know thats bad !) my fuel comsumption display says it`s doing 17.3mpg, that can`t be right surely ?
cheers
Wayne Read more
Dear fellow omega owner (the musician?)
Pardon me, but are you driving in wellington boots?
I have a 2.5 Auto saloon, I do 160 pink fluffy dice miles EVERY DAY admitedly most of it is motorway. I treat BOTH PEDALS as fuel-wasting devices and only press either of them when necessary. Cruise is a great help, and avoiding speeds which only attracts OTHER MV6 owners with colourful paint jobs (if you know what I mean...)
I get 35MPG from mine.
If you practice \"first to the next set of red lights\" driving in town, er, you\'ll get less.
I do enjoy the omega.I call it my \"Armchair\" Only problem is the seat heater has gone, but then I was never too comfortable with the pink fluffy dice it produced anyway...
Don\'t be clever and think you can defeat the swear filter with numbers instead of letters of the alphabet DD
Hello
Anyone encounter a judder from the drive, when driving off, especially when attempting a turn at same time?
Sometimes there is a loud 'thud' from the drive train, under similar circumstances, which does not sound healthy.
....or is just my poor clutch control?
Thanks
Alex Read more
no it does not have traction control, but i have also noticed a tendency to start to kangaroo when decelerating or coasting. when the engine is first started if i rev it hard there's a clunk when you let the rev's off as if the engine is bouncing on it's mountings, this goes away after a few min's. the mountings look ok (i think?). the clunk from the grear change seems almost due the the big chunk of metal that is hung on the end of the cable that goes the gear box as if it's loose but that also looks ok.
I'm about to shop around for fully comp insurance quotes for my new Picasso.
Named drivers will be me (main driver) and Hubby. He drives a company van on fleet insurance and last year had a minor shunt (his fault). His employer reported it to the insurance co, but didn't make a claim. They settled direct with the other driver.
When I give details to get quotes, do I need to mention this? I don't want them to have any excuses not to pay up in the event of a claim in the future, so I assume I mention it...don't I?
I have had a company car for the last 7 years (no accidents or claims). Is this seen as any less of a good record when considering NCB? Employer will write and confirm if necessary.
And can brokers ever match 'direct' quotes?
That's enough for now! Read more
Well it seems the no NCD in own name is quite an issue. Most quotes (brokers, internet and direct) have been between £400-£500 (seems so much for a good area/good history/modest car) One even came in at £1036!
Direct Line on the phone have come up with £286 (includes extra discount as house insurance is with them). At the end of the year they will confirm 5 years personal NCD if I wanted to buy elsewhere.
SOLD to the woman with the new Picasso Auto (well, will have it soon).
Anyone want a Y Reg BMW 318i Touring?
How can I get rid of chewing gum (cg) from my car\'s carpets.
I operate an airport car service and some inconsiderate person has left some cg on the carpet. I have got the bulk of it up, but there is quite an unsightly area left. The carpets are very dark in colour (anthracite, I think) any good tips, you resourceful people you?
Thanks drbe Don
Read more
apparently that spray-and-cook oil is very effective.
So which is the best then ? Or has been in the past ?
I always used to enjoy Top Gear, although not so much anymore.
Deals on Wheels is good, except its a pain not knowing when it was made. (I checked the credits last night, no date).
Salvage Squad is, IMO, awful. I always feel like I'm being conned when I watch it.
5th Gear was tiresome. Laods of subjects, but they never seemed to spend any in-depth time on any of them.
Off-Road started out good and then deteriorated (I don't know how old it is, but its on one of the Sky channels).
What else ? Read more
Thanks.
I would *definitely* kill for his job.
Our old 1988 Polo 1272cc has developed a tapping noise from the rocker cover as it's warming up. From cold it is fine until about a mile has been covered, then there's this tapping noise which is definately from the cam area. After about another mile it goes away and drives fine until the next cold start.
Does any one know what this may be? This engine has hydraulic tappets. There is no loss of performance, no oil being burned. Read more
It is as you suspect a lazy tappet. Flush the engine and refill with a quality semi synthetic or mineral oil and, if you can find some, add a can of Forte Top End Treatment.
Andrew
Happiness is a T70 at full chat!
I have started experiencing a constanting clicking sound while on the move in my escort.
It is coming from the offside front. I'm pretty sure it aint the bearings. What else could it be?
Im thinking something with the driveshaft??
Would that slow the car significantly as it has become rather sluggish recently. And maybe even the handling?
It seems to twitch when coming out of the corner, i thought this maybe related to one side of the driveshaft not workin properly?
I had the wishbones replaced 5 months ago so it shudn't be them gone again i'm assuming. Read more
I have had several instances where a gaiter has split, then been replaced. Unfortunately the damage has already been done by the ingress of grit and lack of lubrication in a lot of cases and the joint fails soon afterwards. It isnt a difficult job and is usually just about covered by the Haynes manual.Cost shouldn't exceed £50-60.
Andrew
Happiness is a T70 at full chat!
Browse
.jpg)
I wouldn't drive without ABS, never driven with traction control, but some cars are better on snow and ice than others.
I have never had any problems in French cars, 2 × 405, Saxo, Xsara.
Which engine do you have? Some may be better than others.
Ben