March 2004
I have a Vauxhall Omega which has done 107k and was wondering about changing the transmission oil any tips, or is this best left to a transmission repair center. Read more
A recent thread raised the question of seasonal variation in consumption, due mainly to air temperature. I have monitored my 99T Pug 306 HDi (an early example) since June 2002 (21 months, 15K miles) and find as follows - most of the driving is long-distance between 45-65 mph:
Summer 2002 (18K-22K) 12.97 m/l = 59.0 m/g
winter 2002 (22K-26K) 12.72 m/l = 57.8
summer 2003 (26K-30K) 13.29 m/l = 60.4
winter 2003 (30K-33K) 12.63 m/l = 57.4
These figures are slightly inflated because the odometer reads 1½% high, but they will be internally consistent. So the HDi engine appears about 5% thirstier in winter than in summer, maybe a bit more between the warmest and coldest points. I suspect the first figure may be a tad low while the engine loosened up after what may have been a long idle spell. Read more
I had a very interesting experience in this regard earlier in the year. We drove from home in Dorset to the far north of scotland and back in May, the temperature on the outward journey was not much above freezing in many places in fact there was snow at the side of the of the A9. I drive extremely light footed and my average consumption going up was 61.5 mpg according to the readout, this was confirmed when I filled up at Tesco's in Inverness.
After about three days the temperature suddenly leapt to 25C and byt the time we came home was nearly 30C, on the return trip the consumption averaged 67.3 mpg....
Hi folks,
Anyone able to advise or comment on this please?
Rover 220 Turbo Coupe in for a new head gasket. Only symptom of a problem was major oil leak from the head/block join, usual place for these engines. No performance problems, excess smoke or anything else that I was aware of. Small coolant leak (perhaps 1 litre per 6000 miles).
They have done a leakage test on the cylinders - fluid into spark plug holes, pressurise, and see what happens. Fluid leaked out in less than an hour which (they say) means the piston rings are not sealing as they should. They therefore advise new piston rings.
They say that if I don't have this done, the chances are that (because of the new, good seal around the head) the freshy rejuvenated compression will blow the piston rings and they'll have to get the head off again to sort it out. Therefore best to replace piston rings now, while the head is already off.
I'm waiting for quotes for this, but does anyone have any opinions? Does it sound like a reasonable recommendation? Are they just digging for more work? Anything I should be careful of?
(Only thing I can think of is what if they replace the piston rings and then it turns out the bores need to be rebored or something - could this be one of those things which goes on and on, more and more work?)
I won't express any opinion on this garage as I want comments based on technical merits, not whether or not they are "out to get me". :-)
Thanks chaps!
-Mark
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I remember my days as an apprentice.I when working under a skilled mechanic that had nothing for me to do ended up sweeping the floor tidying up the bench and making the tea/coffee.then cleaning up the tools.dont know what happens now but even though I did that could do a decent job that was given to me ie lap valves by hand.but then I think garages were intolerant then if you couldnt do the job you was taught you was fired simple as that.dont think that happens now could be wrong?
My partner just had her 45,000 mile SAAB 9-3 serviced. The manager said that everything was fine but the mechanic said that she needed new braks discs and pads, front only presumably. I could believe pads at that mileage but don\'t plan to inspect them myself. However the front discs have worn about one 16th of an inch, measured by feel. The ridge on the outer edge of the disc is about the same as that on the edge of my spectacles, if you run your finger nail across the lens and up to the frame ie not very much! These are ventilated discs but the amount of wear I can detect does not look like a replacement job to me. They are not warped or scored -just worn by an amount commensurate with the mileage. May I have comments from Back Roomers on this please? Read more
Keeping the brakes on after stopping will not wear pads or discs. Some people say it can lead to the discs warping but in driving well over 200,000mls in heavy Merc autos I have never encountered this problem as I always leave my foot on the brake after stopping.
On saying the above though, my W211 E320 CDI has just had new pads all round after only covering 22,000mls. I do brake quite heavily, but the main cause is the new SBC braking system as it is continually applying the brakes slightly for safety reasons, to remove moisture etc. This is according to the garage.
It has been strongly recommended by somebody who knows that prior to an oil change you should put a litre of paraffin in the engine and run it a bit (20 miles, say).
Just as effective as those more expensive treatments, and far cheaper.
Any views? Urban myth or top tip? Read more
If you need to flush an engine these days, you need a new engine or a different brand of oil. All engines I have ever had in my 13 years of motoring have been completely deposit free, and the removal of cam covers etc.. has shown a golden brown, clean array of cam lobes and bearings etc.... (except for my current diesel) which is jet black even right after two oil changes in a row (after I messed up the sump plug)
No deposits though, the black death/sludge ended in the 1980's .... I say change the oil more frequently given the rip-off prices of those tuppence-worth little cans of kerosene marketted as "motor flush".
Happened to be wandering around the M-B website today and noticed the service intervals for their range of vans.
Now, in my cars I've always worked on the basis of 6months/6000 miles for an oil change but M-B are advocating intervals of up to 18,000 miles for the Vito and up to 30,000 miles for the Sprinter!
My question is:- do M-B know something, or use something, different to the rest of us, or, are they about to lose their reputation for vehicles that go on forever?
Personally I would have thought that whatever oils, fluids and brake linings are being used 30,000 miles must be pushing it somewhat. Obviously such intervals will appeal to the fleet leasing fraternity as it will cut servicing costs dramatically but I can't see it doing an awful lot for longevity.
Cockle Read more
The 1124cc PSA engine may be an interesting example of manufacturers learning and adjusting maintenance schedules. When it appeared in the 205 in 1983 (it may have a longer history) it had a chain-cam, being converted to belt-cam in 1988. There was no recommendation about belt life, though as failures began to show, the 50K-change message spread without actually appearing in the schedule. (My daughter had one fail just after a dealer service at 51K - they didn't suggest a change). Now PSA belts typically say 72K, though Haynes still prefer to reduce this for peace of mind.
Thread locked. Volume VI is here
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=25163
Original subject header was Pedants...
...certainly are a lot of pedantic people on these forums. Ironic really, given the fact that these user-unfriendly type forums don\'t allow one\'s own editing of spelling mistakes, etcetera... Read more
Sorry to be so late in posting this but, seen on
the rear of a packet of KP salted peanuts:
"WARNING: This product may contain nuts"
It was the "may" that worried me most.
This actually makes a lot of sense. Peanuts grow underground and despite their name, they are not nut, so many with nut allergy's can eat them. However as they are often processed and or packaged in factories where nuts are processed, then the packet "may" contain nuts.
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I read often, only post occasionally
recently i got into a bit of a tangle with a very fast nova on a d plate, it was de-badged so i dont know the model , but it was going well over 100 mph at some points. my a class didnt stand a chance, anyway he got away!! but during the half hour i followed him i noticed in awe that blue flames flashed from his exhaust(i think when he changed from 4th to 5th) not sure. somebody said spark plug in exhaust pipe, is this really possible? and could someone explain how it works, is it an extension of the ignition system or what??? oh and if your reading this mr nova boy (b664 rutland 25th feb 8.00am) i got a golf gti now that will give you some!!!!!! Read more
"....with spectacular results." God, how the souped-up Saxo morons must love that.
Is there any recourse for me if i have been sold a new car which seems to be a lemon?
Any links that can help? Read more
The problem i am having is with the air conditioning, it does not operate below 10-11oC. The car is a Renault Clio dCi80
I bought the car in June 2003. The problem did not appear until October when the weather started to get colder.
The car has been in 6 times to be fixed, the last time the car was off the road for just under a full calendar month. Got it back and it still doesnt run.
The dealer could not fix it on their own so they got the techincal expert from Renault UK to look at it the last time.
When at the dealer one time i got them to fire up a car they had on the forecourt, it operated at 3oC no problem.
I have done 11,000 miles in the car but still feel i have a good case for rejection as the fault could not have been identified when i boufght it due to the warmer weather. I also feel i have given them more than enough time to fix it (from October).
I feel i should get a refund for the car and not just the price of the air conditioning as i wouldnt have bought that model of car if it didnt have it. This is not the only problems i have had with the car and it has been back to the dealers on several occasions for 3 other faults.
Any advice/help would be gratefully received, im at my wits end over this :(
I have a recurring problem with oil in the coolant of my Audi A4 1.9 Tdi. Has anyone ever experienced this and what was the cause (and cure!)? Read more
A common problem on Modine oil coolers as fitted to many VAG cars......
I wouldn't mind a quid for each gasket that has been changed for this fault to find it was the cooler all along..
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groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....
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My 2003, 2.2 Omega had reached 80K miles and was due a major service & cambelt.
Despite the automatic gear box working perfectly, I thought I should get the oil & filters changed as I planned on keeping the car for another 40k miles or so....