April 2005
How exactly do modern fuel gauges work?
Presumably the simple system (do manufacturers still use it?) involves a float. I've read that Indy/F1 cars use something that measures the rate of flow from the tank and can therefore deduce how much remains.
What about having the tank partially suspended in some way with a balance underneath it, constantly weighing the tank and it's contents? Has this ever been done? Would it be super-accurate? Read more
Does that mean that Mr.Prescott will be getting a third Jag? Read more
Yep it doesn't matter who you vote for - the goverment always get in!
I've just had a cambelt change on my '99 V reg Focus diesel. They also changed the camshaft sprocket for one which appears to have a built-in shock absorber. This is probably a good thing for cambelt longevity, but I wonder what it does for the camshaft timing. I can't detect any change in driving characteristics so far. I know Ford spend a fortune on development, but they did make the Edsel! Anyone out there with any info on this change? Read more
For additional shock absorbing, blip the accelerator to match engine/transmission speeds when changing down.
Think of the shock imposed on the cambelt when the engine speed leaps during engagement of a lower gear if the speeds aren't (at least roughly) matched.
By pure coincidence, this link was posted today over on the dieseldriver site - it's a great rant!
www.chris-longhurst.com/speakingaboutnannycars.html
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andymc
Vroom, vroom - mmm, doughnuts ...
Can anybody help, I'm now desperate.
I have a Rover 75 2.0L v6 automatic on an X plate.
I originally was getting a horrible ammonia type smell when travelling 'remove this bit and replace with the @ symbol' speed with window open, then the engine blew the thermostat housing off, took to garage , told head gasket blown & warped head, and have fitted a secondhand engine with only 9,000 miles use. Brought back from garage and 100 miles on had exactly same smell, took back to garage and water bottle was full of oil. Had the oil coolant system cleaned and a new oil cooler fitted. Did 60 miles & smell re-appeared, back to garage, oil in coolant, coolant system flushed and had new seal fitted on oil cooler, did 60 miles, smell back, again oil in coolant. Also have had new radiator fitted. The coolant guage never goes above half way apart from when the thermostat housing was blown off on the original engine. Does anybody know what the problem might be, it's already cost me £1,500 plus the cost of the engine and I just seem to keep paying out to the garage.
Read more
Hi.
May I suggest you sign up and use the foums on WWW.MG-Rover.ORG to try and help solve your problem.
I have used these forums for a couple of years now and the people are really freindly and seem to know all there is to know about Rovers.
I hope you take notice of this.
Mike
The above has done 20,000 on the Longlife service regime and is due its first service. Can you kindly suggest what should be done, according to VW? Its not being serviced (next week) by a VW dealer: I want to ensure that all that should be done will be. Any idea what this should cost? The car is in warranty, two years' old; the brakes have always been a little noisy, since new. Should I expect VW to look at them? I think HJ has said in the past that brakes were an issue with this car.
Many thanks
frmarcus Read more
Alan: Thanks, I'd seen that.
shoei: Thanks, didn't realise that.
frmarcus
my check engine lamp has come on and stays on although car is running fine,can anyone give me clue what that might be and at what cost.Car has done 31000mls and been serviced regularly,Thanks.
Chas Read more
Chas,
I have responded to a query of yours re Carisma GDI before concerning carbon build up. The engine check light came on,on mine, the dealer did a diagnostic check, told me I'd got a problem with carbon buildup ( the start of my problems). Some comments, the mileage was 64000, you're a long way from there yet,you might be lucky. Some good points, I actually liked the car, the dealer was brilliant, didn't charge anything for the diagnostic check or for trying to clean some of the carbon out, they were very helpfull. Best of luck, hopefully your problem is just a loose connection or something similar.
I know the subject of alloys has been discussed many times here but I have a specific issue with the alloys on my Jazz. Has any other Jazz driver/s with alloys noticed that the alloy has started to corrode from the centre badge out. This has started to happen on all 4 of mine and would only be put down to a manufacter/design fault ? I do try an take car of them (same cannot be said of the wife) and when she has scraped them on the kerb I have always been quick to lacquer over any damage and this has been limited to the outer edge only. Be interested to know if anyone else has the same problem as my car is still under warranty and I intend to contact Honda about it. Read more
They kept the old ones after their local tyre-fitter swapped the tyres. I know that they kept them as I returned them - found a full set of used alloys in my boot! I suspect they have them refurbished - which might be a topic for discussion when I return to the dealer! If they haven't any NOS, they can always fit the newer 16" wheels and matching tyres if they like.
Hi,
I have a 2001 Astra with the Isuzu diesel engine. Whenever I start the engine from when it has been left for an hour or two, the oil pressure light takes about 5 or 6 seconds to extinguish after the engine starts. Is this normal? Does anyone else's do this? On previous cars that I have owned, the oil pressure light goes out straight away.
Could it be that oil is draining out of the oil filter when it has been left standing? The filter is a cartridge type and is located at the top of the engine. Does anyone know if there is a non return valve fitted somewhere in the system?
Perhaps this is just normal. Somebody please put my mind at rest!
Best Regards,
Chris. Read more
C82N
I have the same type vehicle as you and when I bought the car I noticed a distinct delay too. I even posted abouted it too about 18 months ago.
I wouldn't say mine has a 5 to 6 second delay, about 3 to 4 would be more accurate. It had 38K on it at the time and it's now has 84K. I change the oil and filter meticulously every 5k and is still the same.
I never suffered any problems so I've put it down to a characteristic of this engine, so perhaps you're right, with the filter sitting almost vertical at the top of the engine compared to at the bottom of every other car I've owned.
Hope this helps, or at least tells you you're not alone!
Mobile Office
My brother-in-law has got a 53 plate Evo 8,bought from new,and went away for a short holiday last week,but before he went,he washed the car,and then parked it up in his garage,after taking it for a short spin,to dry the car,and the brakes out.
He came home today,and the back brakes had locked on,(ala Vauxhall drum brakes.) and will not come off.he says it's done it before,but not this bad.
Is this a common fault with this car,and is it the usual thing,where a fault develops with a vehicle,and the manufacturer keeps schtum?
I have told him to ring Mitsubishi,because the cars still under warranty,and ask them to come and sort it.
Your thoughts please. Read more
All recent cars that I have owned, both with parking brakes working on the rear pads, and like my current V70, with separate internal drum parking brake, have suffered with this problem.
In fact, I experienced it only today with the V70 which has been garaged since I washed it on Saturday. Even though I left the handbrake 'off' in the garage - for exactly this reason - both rear brakes were rusted 'on'. One popped off easily when load was applied in reverse gear, the other not so. I had to repeatedly rock the car against the force of the brake - with only about 2" in front to play with! - to get it to release with a loud bang!
Browse
Toyotas generally for years past have held the fuel gauge reading when switched off; but how?