August 2003

Question Focus TDI hiss
Russell

I have recently bought a used Focus zetec TDI and on the whole very happy. However, after the engine is switched off there is a noticable hiss/gurgle/steam sound from the engine for a minute or two (although to be honest it is only noticable if you listen for it) . Could there be an air pocket in the cooling system? should I be concerned? is this normal? the water and oil levels are correct and the temp gauges are normal.

Any comments gratefully received. Russ.


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flatfour

My Saab does the same, sometimes has a real gurgle depending on weather conditions.

steveb36

I have a 2001 new shape Mondeo 1.8LX, 24K miles. It's been a great car since I bought it 10 months ago, and the only thing I've added to it is Ghia alloys which I picked up with lightly used tyres for £250 - via Ford's test car breaking centre in Chelmsford.

Recently the car has developed a load squeak whenever I go on a long trip - I can only compare it to a mouse on a wheel! It appears to come from the front wheels and it is only apparent when I am going dead straight. It stops when I turn or there is a camber in the road. Its been very bad this week in all the heat.

My pads are fine, the discs are clean.

Anyone got any ideas??

Thanks Read more

steveb36

Great news!
Cal g's verdict was spot on. The caliper was sticking on one when and affecting the disc/pads.
Dealer fitted new discs/pads/brake fluid all under warranty - saved around £400.

Dealer said Ford ok'd costs with no issues - it is a problem they know about but don't admit to.

Thanks All.

Neil D

My electric window on drivers side is busted, but i just want to force it up for now, how can i open the inside door panel, to push window up?

Thanks Read more

AR-CoolC

Before removing the panel just check where the loom goes into the door, they are on big block connectors under that big rubber sheild.Signs that this may be the problem are if anything else on the door is not working i.e. the central locking or speaker. Give them a good push and if you here a click that will tell you they had worked a bit loose.
Removing the door panel is different for the model years, is it the old Audi100 shape or the new A6 shape?



Archie

I need a comfortable 2nd car to do a daily commute of around 30 miles on motorway. I've had good service from Cavaliers in the past and there are many '94 cars at my budget of £800. However I've also come across some '92 Passats which also seem suitable. Has anybody got experience of them both and a view of which would be the better car? Read more

king arthur

You will pick up any number of L, M, N plate Mondeos at auction for £800, that are only there because they've been traded in and have nothing wrong with them. Don't be scared of a 1.8 with over 100k, from your description it sounds like you're doing 14 - 15k miles a year. Get one with say, 105k on it, add another 15k to that and sell it again after a year, it'll cost you pocket money.

tracey

Im looking to buy a 1/2 year old supermini and can't decide which one will be the best choice. Having read glowing reports on both, as far as reliability and low cost fuel consumption for say 1.4 engine for either of these - which one will be the best buy? I want to keep this car for many years.Your opinions will be greatly received. Or any other make of car for that matter. Ta guys!
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eMBe {P}

tracey - Like FiF, I can't find any description of your normal car usage (miles per week, where & when driven, etc.) except that you want to carry dogs.

In HJ's test of the Mazda2
www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=88
he says >>"
I rate it at about third in the class, jogging for position against the Polo, but behind the class-leading Honda Jazz and running-up Toyota Yaris. However, it does have some advantages over the Yaris. The Mazda 2 boot is bigger even with the Yaris rear seat slid forward. The loading sill is lower, so it?s ideal for people with small dogs and anything which needs to be wheeled into the car. And it?s arguably more fun to drive.

So, depending on exactly what you are looking for in a shopping car, it could be on your shopping list.">>
Clearly, he thinks the Jazz/Yaris/Mazda2/Polo(i.e.Fabia in disguise) are in a different class to Micra for carrying dogs.

The Micra test is at
www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=69
Remember HJ rates its brakes as first class - because they saved him from running in to a Jag, but the Fiat behind HJ was unable to stop crashing in to the Micra!
This is how HJ starts and ends the Micra test >>" ?Ahhh....cute. It?s like a baby.? Those were my wife?s words when she first caught sight of the frogeyed new Nissan Micra. Smart girl. She summed it up straight away. ....
...... I?ve already recommended one to a lady wanting a car for her 17 year old daughter. Blokes might hesitate a bit, because it?s not a blokey car. On the other hand they might want to put over their caring sensitive, unaggressive nature, so it could be a bird puller too. Especially of girls who believe that inside every frog there's a handsome prince.">>

Question 306 MOT Failure
ollie2001

Here goes nothing, just wanted to know if the estimate the garage gave me sounds about right for the work that needs doing.

A MOT failure did come as a bit of a shock to me, because I didnt notice or feel anything wrong with my car...it drives very well etc...

But it failed on:

Near side front C.V. boot split
Off side rear shock absorber mounting bottom bushes (extra movement)
Parking brake isn\'t very effective
Extra travel on parking brake lever

Please forgive me if all that sounds a bit weird, but its what the guy wrote down on the failure slip (hand writing was a bit hard to read)

Its a nice 306XL L Reg, 106000 on the clock.

They\'ve quoted me £150-£180 including parts etc, and a possibility of it being less but he didnt know exactly. It includes the free re-test.

What do you guys think?

Thanks Read more

DL

Near side front C.V. boot split
Off side rear shock absorber mounting bottom bushes (extra movement)
Parking brake isn't very effective
Extra travel on parking brake lever

The only unknown there is the condition of the rear brake assemblies (which would give rise to the poor handbrake)
The cylinders could be leaking all over the shoes giving the symptom or it could merely be a bit of adjustment that is required.

Shock absorber lower bushes are easy to do, parts are cheap.

Ian D

Just fitted a genuine Subaru air con kit to my 1998 Impreza, now the installation manual states how much refridgerant needs to go into the system, but makes no mention of addig oil (PAG oil I think it is). Now the system is new and therefore dry except the compressor, which I managed to drain just 15 ml of oil out of. my local aircon man said he would just add gas, but no oil - surely he should be putting in oil as well (typically 7 oz/200 ml according to the internet)???

If yes should I put the oil in the compressor hi /low pressure inlets prior to taking it in for gassing or leave it to another aircon expert who will add oil??

thanks Read more

Ian D

Thanks Dave, thats exactly the conclusion I had come to.

The full story is that I did not fancy paying Subaru £1000 to fit an aircon kit as my car is 1998 and has done 119000 miles and I could not justify it, but I stumbled acrooss a specialist who had bought some ex-dealer full kits (Subaru garage had become an ex-Subaru garage) and they sold me a full kit for under half the Subaru price.

Unfortunately in between being despatched and arriving at my house the box had been opened and several items removed or switched for second hand ones. We assume the dodgy courier or his thieving mate had helped himself and then made the box looked damaged (unfortunately the box was clearly labelled "Subaru Impreza aircon kit" which obviously attracted some unwanted attention).

One of the items that looked not new was the compressor and having left it out in the sun all day and turning it every half hour whilst draining it I still only got 15 ml out of it, and internet searches reveal the compressor/whole kit should have 160 ml in it and therefore I have concluded that the compressor has been swapped in transit. The supplying specialist has been fine and has hopefully put new Subaru parts in the post today.

So hopefully when the new compressor arrives it should have a full 160 ml of oil in it and be ready for action.

My main gripe with all this is how much of a struggle it has been to find out basic info about the Subaru kit. Many thanks again Dave for making enquiries, you and others on another site have given me essential information...

Ian

Pugugly {P}

The Mechanical Guru who works on the firm\'s Cavalier has a Mitsubishi pick up X plate. Air Con has packed up and a new matrix thingy has been diagnosed. Mitsubishi want an arm and a leg...he has identified it as being made by Axel, Axil or Axle. An Internet search has proved fruitless any ideas ? Read more

Pugugly {P}

Thanks Dave, MG will contact you direct.

PhilN

Hi,

I've got a '97 106 1.1, and it seems to be having a few problems with starting. When you start the engine (from cold) it starts ok, but immediately bogs down so it's on the verge of stalling (which it sometimes does). This happens whenever the engine is left to idle for the first few minutes in the morning, after this it's fine.
Not being the most technically minded of people, i couldn't see anything immediately obvious under the bonnet which would cause this - i've tried increasing the engine idle speed a little, but no joy, it's still bogging down...
Any ideas/advice greatly appreciated! Read more

DL

Possibly a faulty idle speed control valve - had an identical car in exhibiting the same symptoms a few weeks back.

About £120ish for the part.

dti

I'm due to start haggling for a Corrado G60 which has been unused for around 18 months. I want to factor in relpacing.
Tyres
Fluids
Brake components
(supercharger was changed 2 yrs ago for £800.
Is there anything else I should allow for replacing when haggling?

Also - following the demise of vw-corrado-club.co.uk is there another site for users of the corrado?

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Dizzy {P}

dti,

This all sounded a bit familiar - Corrado laid up and now for sale. I searched the forum and found the following thread. Different car, but some of the comments might apply in your own situation ...

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=i&t=65...0