December 2004
A friends 1995 Rover 416 Tourer (with 1.6 Honda engine, 88,000miles) has developed a thirst for unleaded to the sum of 30 mpg average!!
The car has been serviced from new and up until a few months back was returning an average 42mpg. The airfilter is clean, there are no leaking air inlet hoses and the brakes and bearings are not binding. Normally I would suspect a collapsed catalyst causing running problems but the car starts, idles and runs as it did when it was new albeit apart from the bad fuel consumption.
Just wondering if anyone out there with a Rover 416 has experienced the same problems and if so what has caused the drop in consumption?
Thanks in advance
Andrew Read more
Saw one of these in the flesh today for the first time.
Oh my God! What an awful looking car. Without a word of a lie, the side profile resembles the "Popemobile" that was used in the 80's when he was in Great Britain. The back end looks like it has been added on to the chassis, similar to a Truckman Top being placed on a pick-up.
SWMBO thought that it looked like one of the disguised cars you see in Auto Express with big square taped edges to hide the actual shape of the car.
Truly awful looking, IMHO of course! Read more
she a human Land Rover (without the breakdowns).
If that is the case PU, please don't take my initial post personally!
:)
Hi
I bought yesterday a second car and wonder what the best way is to insure it.
My 1st car is an old Escort, I got it insured Third PFT with 4 years NCD. The insurance renewal date is October. My fiancee has been always named as an additional driver, and I would like to keep this car so that she can still use it.
My new car is a Focus, and I would like to insure it comprehensive. I read in an earlier posting that probably I would start with 0 NCD on the new car.
What is the best way to insure the new car. Shall I sell the first car to my fiancee and carry my current NCD over to my new car. Would then my fiancee get any NCD's because she was a named driver for the past 4 years? Or should I tackle it in another way?
Would be great if you could give me some hints.
Many thanks
Hajunk Read more
Would recommend changing your policy to the Focus and to Comprehensive at the same time. This is a standard policy amendment and shouldn't cause any problems.
You can then ask them to provide a quote on the Escort at TPF&T. Get a monthly policy if possible so that you can cancel it and move to a cheaper insurer in October.
'More Than' (part of Royal Sun Alliance) allow a big discount on a second car, so I'd also ask them for a quote now just to compare prices.
On the 2.9 engine the crankshaft pulley that drives the alternator belt appears to be held on by 4 bolts/screws. If I hold the crankshaft using the centre nut and undo the 4 screws should the pulley come off easily?I have not much room and none for a puller. My object is to replace the drive belt which will definitely not slip past the pulley as obstructions inside the lower edge leave no room-I've tried.The car is the auto version and year 2000. Can anyone suggest a good CD as no workshop manual appears to be available. Many thanks in advance.
Read more
I've had to change my alternator on my Astra 1.7TD (Izuzu)and I was told I must change a relay at the same time.The relay is said to fit in the fuse box area lower right dashboard.There is six there but none have the same connections as the one I was given.Is there any behind the fuse box ?I dont want to start the vehicle up if theres a chance it may damage the alternator .
I checked the Haynes manual and none of the relays that are there have anything to do with the alternator.Any ideas ? please Read more
many thanks 4 that , the guy in the accessory shop said the relay was located in the fuse box ,driver side ,lower dash...that's where I've been looking.There is six but not with the same connection. To be honest I did'nt know there were any others apart from the two narrow box's in the engine bay and the main fuse box inside the car as mentioned.
My brother is looking for a passat 4motion tdi estate (new or nearly new) He is haveing real problems finding one, anyone got any suggestions as to where he might look -hes done the search on the vw site and autotrader.
One dealer has told him that vw have stopped production of 4motions and that there will not be any more untill the new model (this is why they wont discount the one they have, despite it being about to be superceded)
thanks
Mark Read more
My wife's R - reg Almera is slowly clamming up! The boot lock ceased working some months ago - put the key, won't turn at all. We didn't worry because we can open the boot from inside the car.
More recently the driver's door lock is causing concern: it turns, and locks / unlocks, but very notchily and noisily (horrible crucnching / metal on metal sound) and it feels like the lock barrel is going and come out with the key.
Has anyone experienced this before? Any ideas for a fix before i take it to a garage?
Thanks Read more
Much much later...
I have eventually got round to getting some WD40, two minutes in car park, all fixed!
Thanks
FYI: I've just suffered the problem in HJ's Car By Car Breakdown' for Golf IV's; the rear window wash wipe has leaked and caused the ecu to believe that the tailgate is open, thus causing the alarm to go off (most inconveniently at 4am!)
VW dealer has commented that VW will not meet warranty claims if VAG screen cleaner not used, so be warned (I've had the car for 60k miles/18months (now 86k)and have used Halfords double concentrated throughout before this has occured).
They refitted the tube and replaced the microswitch in the tailgate switch - but the alarm has gone off again tonight...
JohnM Read more
I had noticed a smell of washer fluid over the last week, but had assumed that one of the '3 for 2' bottles of Halfords double concentrate screenwash I'd bought 10 days ago had leaked. When the tailgate started playing up, I remembered the entry in HJ's Car-by car breakdown and then noticed that the under-edge of the tailgate was wet/had water marks around by the catch.
(I've used Halfords' screeenwash throughout the 155k life of the '97 Passat (with fan jets) with no problems, touch wood!).
The rear jet was not totally blocked, it was still reaching 2/3rds up the screen. The rear jet is not a fan type, so a pin would be my starting instrument for unblocking... Note also in car-by-car that if pipe comes adrift higher up, it'll stain the headlining (I don't think the Golf is the only car that applies to!)
John
I have a 1993 318iS with a squeaky clutch operation.
It seems to be around the slave cylinder/clutch release arm.
Actions taken so far:-
1) Removed slave cylinder and applied small amount of grease on the end of actuator rod. - Seemed OK for a while (and has been repeated a number of times when squeak returns)
2) Replaced slave cylinder
3) Clutch replaced (to fix juddering when hot problem)
4) Just loosening and then retightening the slave cylinder nuts
All these actions have given short term relief, but the squeak (sometimes you can feel the friction..) returns.
Has anyone come across / resolved this problem ??
Read more
I had the same, and it was the return spring. Although only replacing it worked.
hi,
Which is better automatic transmission or manual transmission? Read more
Yes Patently, but do you press a clutch pedal to vary
the pitch of the propellor?
There are plenty of other things to keep you busy! And you asked if pilots changed gear - which some do....
;-)
Browse
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I'm puzzled too.
I have the automatic 1.6 honda engine. Once it did 39mpg but 2 months later I can't get better than 30mpg.
You expect auto to be a bit thirstier but 35mpg would be about right.
Sorry can't help, if you find out could you please let me know.
Best wishes, Vinnie.