June 2004
I bought a 306 xsi on a v plate and from the day I left the garage I've been getting problems with it. When running normal it loses power and "kangaroos" as though it is running out of fuel.It also idles erraticaly and has stalled a few times.
I took the car back to the garage and it was blamed on an oil pressure sensor. It was apparently clogged up and when cleaned out the car ran smoothly for a couple of months. But the oil gauge varies every time i turn the car on.
I've read other articles talking about a stepper motor in the older models causing similar problems and was wondering if this affects the 2l 16v models too.
The other problem is the fans kick in at strange times and my large red stop sign comes on on the dashboard.
I was thinking it was just the temperature and oil sensors but was intersested if anyone else had experienced similar problems
Help would be much appreciated
Dave P
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With the current trend towards long service intervals, I see many people extolling the virtues of changing oil and filter at 6000 miles. What is this figure based on? Are modern engine oils only good for 6000 miles, after which they deteriorate rapidly, or is it a throwback to the dark ages?
Andy Read more
...I change diesel oil every 5K, and the filter every 10K. I use Shell diesel fuel every tankful since new. Have never had to use an injector cleaner or additives. Car has done over 120,000 miles @700 miles a week. Every week. Car uses no oil, doesn't smoke and returns in excess of the manufacturer's MPG, and purrs like at cat at motorway speeds. Engine is never thrashed or bashed. Still on fully legal original tyres front and back. I am expecting an engine life of at least 240,000 miles, and clutch life of 170,000 miles...
A friend's car has now covered 200,000 miles, is thrashed at every opportunity, and is usually serviced, grudgingly, past each scheduled interval.
It, too, uses no oil, doesn't smoke, and purrs on the motorway. Yes it does use a lot of fuel, though that's his right foot to blame! I'm of the opinion that it's short journeys and abuse when cold that kills engines, not lack of over cautious oil changes, and am quite prepared to take my own medicine with the new V70 we purchased last year, and intend to keep for many years!
Now, let's think for a minute about all those early oil changes at 5 or 6 litres a pop times x million people. Almost as frightening a thought to oil and other reserves as building and running cars for all those squillions of Chinese about to go motoring for the first time.
I wonder how long before used oil is recyled for reuse as a lubricant (not as a heating fuel) in great quantity? It was explained to me many years ago that the then GPO ran their large fleet on recyled lubricating oil because not only was it cheaper to buy in bulk, but the lower sulphur content helped engine life. Would love to know if this is really true.
***** This thread is now closed, please CLICK HERE to go to Volume 2 *****
Other than the usual models of car in the last 24 hours I have seen a number of unusual cars around Oxford.
2 Vauxhall Chevettes, both in immaculate condition, havent seen any of these for years, let alone rust free!
Austin Maestro,
Honda Insight, I have seen articles on these, but this is the first in the metal despite being available for some years.
Any other unusual cars out there?
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Not for long, Austin 7's only had a 2 main bearing engine as I recall, which eventually went into the dreaded plastic fantastic Reliant.
Not to be outdone, I have observed a 195? Hillman Husky parked in the local mall carpark. Original Rootes beige so far as I can tell and column gearshift. Crossply tyres and no apparent structural rust to speak of. How such a vehicle got here and its history would be a story in itself.
With the appearance of a squeak from the underside of my Octavia 2.0, I popped in to the local dealership (Marshalls)to see what it may be. After a brief encounter with a technician, he pronounced that an exhaust bracket was broken. OK says I, let me know how much for the parts & I will bring it back. A round figure of £190 was produced. Not entirely happy with this, I went round to our local VW/Merc specialist for a second opinion. A bill of under £20 for re-welding had it sorted. Guess where I'm going for servicing gin the future. Support your local mechanics, they may not have a coffee machine and palm trees but are they worth £170 extra even with extra overheads? Read more
It would surely not be beyond a dealer to come up with an alternative to replacing a section of the exhaust, or am I expecting too much?
Anybody have a servicing schedule for these? Anything surprising that might need to be done? Cambelt intervals? Read more
I had the dubious privilege of driving a 72k Nissan Navara last weekend - about an H reg, with a 2.5 diesel.
Having searched these threads, it doesn't look to be a popular beast amongst the BR - unlike the Hilux (made famous by that programme on the television).
Not surprised. Underpowered (compared to a Hilus), rust-ridden around rear wheel arches; spots up to 6 inches from the arch - couldn't see what had caused that.
Possibly bigger load area than the Hilux?
Anybody else have one/have a view? (I have also started a thread in technical, if anybody has some experience.)
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Absolutely! Nobody ever driven one of these? It had only cost £1,000...
Been away for a while...busy busy busy...but know this is still the best place for route advice.
Old hands might remember we almost never travel South of Biggleswade. However might have to go to Canterbury in a day or two, starting from Peterborough.
Could involve trailing a horse so static/slow moving traffic can be a serious problem.
Any idea of times/places to avoid etc would be appreciated.
M.M Read more
Hmm...I don't like rights. Any person (or animal) will only need rights when those taking decisions affecting them are insensitive. I hope no-one ever needs to exersise their rights when dealing with me. ;-)
But seriously it is the animals comfort and the safety of all involved uppermost in my mind. Hence this thread and careful planning to avoid trafic levels or jams that would hardly trouble members of the forum on their own in a car.
Thanks
Hi,
I have a intermittant starting problem with my wifes' P reg clio 1.2, .
occasionally (4 times in the last 4 weeks) she gets in the car, turn the key the Ign lights and all the other associated dashbord display come on and then absolutely nothing, engine doesn't turn over - no clicks etc
If I lock / unlock and leave (for a least a couple of hours) - it starts fine. I suspect it maybe to do with the imobiliser but I'm not sure. Is there a way of "reseting" the imobiliser (or disconnecting it)
Any ideas?
Thanks
Simon Read more
Several folks here have had similar problems with Renault immobilisers. Try this thread for a few ideas:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=18744&...f
Good luck,
Ed.
I normally only contribute to this forum to sing the praises of Mondeos for value for money motoring. But the truth is that schlepping up and down the country in a Mondeo can be pretty boring so I’m thinking of buying something just for fun.
20 years ago it would have been an MGB, so now I’m looking at MGF/TFs. I like the look, the Britishness and second hand prices – does the team think they will go onto be popular classics like the MGB, or is there some element of their design and construction that will make them expensive or impractical to keep going in years to come?
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I had an MGF VVC for eight years. It is a brilliant package - but badly executed. Bad servicing will certainly cause problems. but even the most fastidious servicing (and mine went to one of the most respected MGF specialists in the country) wont resolve all problems. I look at what I spent on my MGF and what two friends have spent on Porsche 911s (one old, one recent) and know that I made the wrong choice.
Don't buy one - if you really do want one, then buy the latest model you can ( a TF certainly ), and try and get one that's had some track use, so the previous owner may have tried to sort out some of the car's problems. drive as many examples as possible before deciding.
You'll probably find that it won't handle as well as your mondeo though.
Take a look at the many MGF forums
Friend (very non-mechanical, has blown 2 engines on Fords by not checking oil!!!) now has P reg MX6 with 80k on clock. I mentioned to him about cambelt changes as well as checking oil occasionally. He doesn't know if belt has been done. Checked on HJ car by car and there is conflicting advice Quote:-
"Lovely 2.5 litre 24v 165 bhp V6. V6 is a non-interferance engine, so valves fo not hit pistons if the timing belt snaps. "
later:-"2.0 litre Xedos 6 V6 fitted in some European markets and a 2.0 V6s has been found under the bonnet of at least one RHD MX6. Needs a timing belt and tensioner change at least every 60,000 miles, but not critical because engine is non interferance"
But then in "What to watch for":-
"Check complex quad cam 24v V6 carefully. Smoke could mean any one of 24 valve stem seals. Timing belt failure can mean disaster and replacing the belt is a 3 hour job. Check which engine the car has because some RHD imports have 2.0 litre Xedos 6 engine."
Could someone clarify this for me - Thanks in advance!! Read more
Hi Phil,
I can give you info on the V6 engine as you've not otld us whats actually fitted to the vehicle. The V6 is the sameas fitted to Ford Probes and when the cambelt goes- it does not damage any valves. It a non interfereance engine and to do the belt is fairly straightforward. The biggest job is getting the fully enclosed belt covers off. The engine is fitted with a very srong tensioner whch has to be removed, compressed in a vice and using a suitable nail, locked in place. When refitted to the engine and the new belt fitted, the 'suitable pin' has to be pulled out thus allowing the tensioner to work. It's not really a job for a non technically minded person- no insult intended but as a technician myself, I wouldn't like to do one again in a hurry.
Hope this helps
--
These are the views of Robin the Technician with 35 years in the trade. I fix, therefore I am...
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O.k. on the millers. But would have to admit that the what and where of the EGHR valve is as much a mystery to me as the Lambda sensor. Always willing to learn though. The car appears to be a 2.1 406 DT LX.