October 2003
After reading an article on headlight bulb testing in Auto Express I invested in a set of Osram Silverstar +50% bulbs (H4 60/55 - legal)to fit in my Octavia. The headlights were OK before but they are stunning now.
PS These are not "blue" bulbs, infact in the Auto Express test they found the "blue" bulbs were not as good. Read more
I have a 1995 Rover 214 SLi 16V. It\'s gone to the mechanics with starting problems. They have diagnosed problems with the inlet manifold gasket (which was letting in coolant as well as air), coil and HT leads.
My question is how much would you say is a fair price for these repairs.
My mechanics have quoted £225 - is that a fair figure? Read more
Sorry to be pedantic, but your car won't have a carburettor. It will be a fuel injection system.
Hi there,
I'm not sure if anyone can help me but I have a Vauxhall Astra Convertible MkII K reg(yeah the old cheesy shape) and the heater has all of a sudden stopped working (just in time for the weather as well!)
The blowers are still working but even with the heater turned up full I am getting cold air through. The tempreture gauge on the dash is also acting a little strange - its usually in the middle but now it seems the be dropping, sometimes even into the blue area even after having been driving (well parking) around the M25 for 40 minutes! I just dont' know what to do now - is there something I have't done - the oil and water levels are fine - do I need antifreeze (i'm south african and we don't have that problem & I think the mechanic has done it already). Admittedly I am driving 80 miles a day round trip & the car is old but it was serviced 3k miles ago.
Any one with any clues? Otherwise I'm off for another expensive mecahnics bill :(
thanks
-F- Read more
Hi everyone, i have no wish to hijack this thread, but i have the same problem as funkabubble, except with the added complication the the cooling fans tend to cut in even when the temp gauge reads 82ish (On a Pug 306 DTurbo this equals normal operating temp).
This only happens in stationary traffic, as you might expect, but i would have thought they wouldnt be needed at all in November? Or is this problem also linked to the thermostat?
wont idle ....either very roughly or sometimes not at all Read more
Hi Folks,
My sister's pug 206 1.1L has a strange overheating problem. Occasionally, in traffic, the temperature goes way up into the red which would tend to indicate that the radiator's fans are not being activated. The only way to stop this is to pull over and let the engine cool down and then everything is fine again. I have started the car numerous times and let it run until the temperature gauge climbs towards 90 degrees and the fans work everytime!!
Any ideas?
Martin
PS: Personally, I think the person that the person that designed the driver's position in the 206 must have been a sadist...... Read more
Motoring writers have commented about the 206 driving position for years (footwell size, pedal layout and seats) but Peugeot has done nothing to sort it. Why should it? Thousands of people keep buying them.
Saw this on autoexpress.co.uk this morning - know there's a few C5ers in here so if you don't hear something very shortly make yourself heard down the local dealer....
"Around 14,000 Citroen C5 owners are to be given a new set of wheels - but it's because their current ones have been found to be faulty and could develop cracks. The factory recall affects steel wheels on 180,000 LX models across Europe." Read more
Those interested in high-grade classic cars may be interested in a new magazine, Octane, details of which fell out of my MB club package this morning.
Website www.octane-magazine.com
E-mail: subs@octane-magazine.com
Tel.: 0870 442 2094 Read more
Hello again.
I have a Glow Plug problem...... I have waited until the outside temp is below 2 degrees, (cold engine), put a test lamp between the 12v feed and earth, and then got the ignition switched on. There is no feed whatsoever to the Glow Plugs, not even for a second. (and no lamp on the dash).
Vaux. suggested I change the 'Glow Plug control module', as this is the 'only' thing it can be.......Guess what, £33 later, still no Glow plugs.
The Engine Management lights up after starting each morning and stays on for a couple of mins, just to remind me it still needs sorting out!
Had the fault code read, Fault code reader said = 'GLOW PLUG FAULT' (Lickily I didn't have to pay for this info!)
Does anyone know of any other relays in the system? (the 30 Amp fuse is intact.)
Car starts ok at the moment, but come Jan/Feb and our serious frosts, it could be a different matter!!
Which ambient temp sensor feeds info to the glow plug module?, (dear god, please please please tell me it's not part of the MAF...!!!)
Thanks in advance for any light anyone can throw....
Read more
The glow plug timer module has a feed from the coolant temperature sensor on some vehicles (eg Isuzu engined Astra, Corsa & Combo). Not sure of the Vectra, though.
Hi all,
Is there a genuinely good device to prevent a reasonably decent set of alloys being stolen? I've been led to believe a lot of these locking wheelnuts you buy from popular high street motor accessory shops are about as easy to remove as normal bolts...
Cheers! Read more
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Brand New EMERGENCY WHEEL NUT REMOVER SET !!! Removes locking wheel nuts when no key is available, also removes damaged wheel nuts. Sizes 17mm, 18.5mm, 21.5mm & 26mm, supplied in a metal box. Made from impact steel, these 1/2 in dr sockets have a tapered reverse cutting thread inside, simply place over the problem wheel nut and proceed to undo anti-clockwise. The socket cuts into the nut and draws it tighter inside untill jammed, hence then undoing the nut !!! NOTE . The nut will be damaged and is best used when the key has been lost or broken !!! This is an invaluable kit in any workshop, particularly when your customer has lost his locking wheel nut key and the vehicle requires tyre, brake or suspension service !!! A constant iritation in the motortrade. Offered here at NO RESERVE !!! Your bid price INCLUDES Vat, so, if you're able to reclaim the VaT its even cheaper !!! Please see my other auctions for more QUALITY Tools at BARGAIN Prices !!!
Thank goodness for three year warranties! Having had the engine management unit on our 2001 VW Beetle replaced under warranty at 23k miles following total failure of the original, I have just had the 30k service carried out. At each service I have commented on the high oil consumption, only to be told that it will 'settle down' and that it is a 'feature' of the engine. This time I again mentioned the problem - needs about 3 litres every 10k miles - and they have agreed to replace the piston rings under warranty. Does anybody know whether there have been any technical bulletins issued by VW over the past year or so as they have refused to acknowledge the problem until now. The engine is the 8v 115bhp rather than the uprated 130bhp unit now found in the Passat etc. Given that they want the car for three days I'm thankful for the warranty! Does the car need 'running in' after new piston rings? Should the oil be changed before the next scheduled change in 10k miles?
Have we just been unlucky with our engine or has anybody else had VAG cough up for new piston rings? Many thanks Read more
I have read somewhere that the piston rings on some of
these engines have been fitted upside down. It is a known
problem.
That would explain it!!!!
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Halfords branded box but haven't checked the markings on the lamp itself. Will do so later when I take 'em out.