June 2004
Well I knew the MPG figure for my Mazda MPV (2.0 litre turbodiesel) would be be far better than my old Volvo but didn't think it would ever be this good (despite the manufacturer's claims)!
Having set the odometer to zero last time I filled up and brimmed the tank again this morning after 314 miles of mixed motoring I've just calculated a figure of 42 mpg !!!
42 mpg for a great big 7 seater with pretty good performance seems truly outstanding to me. I really do enjoy depriving the motorist's friend Gordon Brown of all that money now I no longer run a petrol car :) Read more
My wife's 1991 Eunos has recently developed an intermittent fault whereby it cuts out, but then readily restarts with no problem. There seems no obvious relationship to speed, conditions etc but may occur more when decelerating or stopped. It is so infrequent that it is difficult to see any pattern. The car is in excellent condition with only about 25k miles on the clock. I suspect some sort of relay problem, I had a similar thing on a Vauxhall once, but would be grateful for any thoughts or suggestions.
Many thanks MGs Read more
A cutting out problem on an MX5 recently down to a faulty coolant temp sensor. This would be difficult to restart occasionally though.
The throttle body may need a good clean out, Remove the throttle body to do it and give the idle speed control valve a clean too.
Andrew
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Simplicate and add lightness!!
I have just had a letter from RAC inviting me to pay approximately 11.5% more for my breakdown service this year and I\'m happy to pay this if my gaffer responds with a suitable pay rise for yours truly,I\'m sure it won\'t be a problem he\'s a decent fella and I need my car to get into work at silly o\'clock! Read more
GEM is a bit of an odd recovery agent. GEM is
the cheapest provider of cover. However, unlike the AA, GEM requires
you to pay a tow truck at the time and claim
your money back later. It doesn?t have its own patrols.
Payment is usually return of post, and if you pay the breakdown company by credit card, you are never out of pocket.
Unlike the AA, you can choose who you use when you need assistance.
Afternoon all.
I drive a Senator 24v whose diff appears to be acting up. I have available to me a diff, complete with drive shafts
Can anybody advise me whether it is possible to do a straight swap, with or without shafts.
The car is a particularly clean example, with 93k on it, but its market value hardly justifies a new or re-con unit.
Regards.
Bamps
Read more
Could anyone please tell me how to reset the service indicator on a Mondeo 1997 facelift model? Read more
Thank you. Much appreciated.
Let battle commence! Read more
Why?
It all depends on whether you are talking about the original A4, which was completely redesigned about five years after launch, or the later models.
There was nothing wrong with the 80's build quality, but to just generalise in the way you have misses out on constantly improving car design and build quality.
I'm sure an A4 would be superior to the 80 in crash tests...:-)
Gentlemen taken from the what car site
Labour rates top £150 per hour
17 June 2004
Some franchised dealerships charge labour rates of up to £153 per hour, according to the latest research by Warranty Direct.
The independent warranty provider says dramatic variations in the cost of labour still exist from region to region and garage to garage.
Since it last examined labour rates in June last year, a BMW franchise in central London has charged the highest hourly rate of £152.75 per hour. This is more than double the UK average labour bill of £68 for the marque, although this figure is obtained using both franchised and independent garages.
Eleven manufacturers had peak charges of more than £100 an hour ? a Ford dealership in London asked for £106 an hour compared with the company?s national average of £50. In all, Warranty Direct says the number of garages around the country charging over £100 has increased threefold in the last 12 months.
What Car? editor Rob Aherne said: ?The marked differences in labour rates really makes shopping around worthwhile, so don?t accept the first price you?re given.?
Mazda has the lowest average labour bills of £44 followed by Nissan, Seat, Fiat and MG Rover on £46. Lexus leads the table with the most expensive average charge of £78 an hour, £1 more than Mercedes, £3 more than Jaguar and £5 more than Porsche.
Although initiatives introduced by the European Commission last October were aimed at encouraging cheaper repair and servicing bills, Warranty Direct says labour rates at franchised dealers have increased 8% in the last year and 71% since 2000
Read more
Brand of oil varies - I've had Total Quartz and Castrol.
Can anyone tell me if there is a good gearbox specialist in the Gloucester area. Got very stiff going into 1st and won't always go into reverse unless the engine is turned off first, also tricky to get into 5th. Read more
Would be worth changing the gearbox oil and spraying some lubricant onto the linkages before doing anything more drastic IMHO.
D
Morris Marina 1.3 super deluxe
The central locking on my VW Golf (92 on) packed up after a few "stutters" so I guessed that it was not the fuse, which proved to be so. I tried disconecting/reconecting power to the Hella vacuum pump but no joy. I guess that the motor is shot but don't know how to test it (or which wire is the power supply). (I haven't got a mate with a similar unit to swap it with!) Any tips? Read more
I did not read your last post. ah well.
I have an Audi 80 Avant 1995, 163,000 on the clock. Serviced on the dot and all problems seen to on the dot. Today, on A66 over the Pennines, from Brough to the A1(M), on incline to summit, coolant/temperature warning came on, not constant, but blinking and faintly (on, next second off, next second on, and so on), temperature guage, however, at normal circa 90 degrees. After 1/4 mile pulled into layby. On opening bonnet, coolant level normal (was replaced recently), belt ok and pump ok (not hot and no leaks). Decided to continue and complete remaining 40 miles of journey. During, temperature guage normal, but warning light blinking on and off the whole way (most unnerving!), with one or two times went off for about ten seconds. I believe Audi's of this vintage are prone to electrical 'glitches' of which this was probably one. Comments??? Read more
That is perfectly logical. But it doesn't allow for the famed unreliability of the Audi warning system - which is therefore best disabled otherwise you end up stopping now and again for no reason. I bet the next time the warning light comes on you won't pay it the slightest bit of attention - so don't bother fixing it!
As I said, it's the approach of a shoddy workman, but it will not give you any more trouble...
Browse
sorry if my reply appeared snippy -- it wasn't intended to be