June 2005
I have a 1996 1.9 td 406. Soon after the car is started the cooling fans will cut in along with the stop warning light, although the temp guage reads normal. I have replaced the bitron temp sensor and also replaced a corroded relay but still the problem remains. Upon checking the radiator I found it was hot only in a small section at the top left and cold elsewhere.Can Anybody help????? Read more
Hello, does any body have an idea of real world mpg figs for a mazda 3 1.6. Any replies will be appreciated. Thanks Read more
Hi all,
About 6 months ago, as far as I can recall, shortly after having a new rear silencer fitted to my '93 Polo, a 'rattle' started to make itself heard. It seemed to be coming from the exhaust system, but where exactly, was hard to pinpoint.
Then, I thought I had found the problem. The next time I was under the car, the centre box was blowing at the weld from the silencer to the pipe. This weld had failed, which allowed the rearmost pipes to twist, letting it hang lower that it should. In turn, this was allowing certain parts to catch the heat shields, which is what I thought was causing the rattle, which was starting to get worse.
But... having that part replaced just over month ago, cured the blow, but not that rattle.
Just to clear up. The clanking is like someone striking a scaffold pole or cast drain pipe with a stick, very quickly. It occurs at low revs, usually when pulling away, or accelerating from low engine speeds (when pulses and 'wobbles' from the engine are most frequent and strong).
As this clanking was still getting worse and starting to annoy, I put the front up on some ramps, in an attempt to a) find it, and b) fettle it.
Once on the ramp, i got my mate to shake the exhaust pipe, at the center. The noise was coming from the front, and seemingly, none of the exhaust system was catching on anything. Getting in closer, it seemed to be coming from within the catalyst. Oh dear!
Is this the sound you would expect from a failing cat? It is the original, fitted 12 years and 105550 miles ago, and according to the Haynes, this is the lifespan of such a part (50000-100000 miles). To me, this sounds like the inner structure has collapsed, which is a symptom of overheating due to excess fuel. This is not an impossibility, since i had a lot of trouble with a failing distributor and poor HT leads.
The question is (finally), what to do? For the past few years, emissions have been borderline on CO, but Lambda and Hydrocarbons are still well within the tolerances. Do I change it now or could it be something else entirely? I was thinking about getting the opinion of my local VAG specialist, but this is all time and money, but just a quick look probably wont cost anything. GSF seem to have the best price at £115 (which is half that of euro car parts)
Any ideas and thoughts?
Read more
Just to let you know...
I took the car to my local VAG specialist this afternoon and they confirmed that it was indeed, the catalytic converter which was the source of this clanking.
It might be clanking like a good 'un, but it still passed its emissions test!
Total price? £211 inc part (OEM [Ernst]), fitting and VAT.
Please can any backroom member advise on where to find the proliferation of rules as to what has to be carried in the car in various European countries and, if it is a hire car, does the hirer supply the ones that are relevant? I am aware of the following, but I am sure there are many more.
1. In Spain you have to carry a spare pair of glasses, if you need glasses for driving.
2. In Germany you are required to carry spare fuel on the autobahns, but you aren't allowed to take it in to Europe in the Tunnel.
3. Spare bulbs, even if you can't fit them without a vist to a garage (Audi among others)
4. Fluorescent jackets, pssibly one for each occupant of the car.
5. Warning triangles, some countries require 2. Read more
Please can any backroom member advise on where to find the
proliferation of rules as to what has to be carried in
the car in various European countries and, if it is a
hire car, does the hirer supply the ones that are relevant?
Be aware that you are (normally) not allowed by the hire companies to drive one of their cars into any of the Eastern European countries.
I am aware of the following, but I am
sure there are many more.
1. In Spain you have to carry a spare pair of
glasses, if you need glasses for driving.
2. In Germany you are required to carry spare fuel on
the autobahns, but you aren't allowed to take it in to
There is no law in Germany requiring you to carry extra fuel on Autobahns. There are service stations every 30km or so.
3. Spare bulbs, even if you can't fit them without a
vist to a garage (Audi among others)
4. Fluorescent jackets, pssibly one for each occupant of the car.
5. Warning triangles, some countries require 2.
In Germany the hire cars are generally kitted out with first aid kit, 1 warning triangle and sometimes spare bulbs and fluorescent jackets (I guess they stolen quite a lot).
Hi guys,
Quick question: My friend has been caught doing 47 in 30 mph zone by a camera.....will the damage be 3 points and £60 or more severe?
Thanks for the help Read more
Hi dwhl.
Your post has been kicked into the speeding thread, where you will find links to other threads that may provide an answer.
One of our erstwhile types has already given an indication of the possible outcome in that thread.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=31839
Hope this helps.
No Do$h - Alfa-driving Backroom Moderator
mailto:moderators@honestjohn.co.uk
Interested to know what people think about the longevity of my current car.
VX Vectra SXi W Reg, 62k on the clock and do an annual mileage of around 24k. Use it to commute on free flowing motorways and as a family wagon for days out on the weekend. A VX dealer services it every 6 months (as I do 10k in this time) and I really look after it and keep it clean and tidy.
I'm currently waiting for a ROSPA exam date to come through, so I drive it safely, within speed limits but always maintain 'good progress' where appropriate.
I'm hoping to keep it for as long as possible (i.e. until the maintenance bills start getting out of hand), but would be interested to know how long others thought my fine vehicle had left to go.....
;-)
Cheers.
--
Top Turkey - the fastest hands in Brum Read more
BN?
I meant BH!
Oh for an edit button - first time I've said that!
Ah, but you are still breathing, the sun is still shining and the birds continue to sing. Or at least make gargling noises as the neighbours' cat gets "up close and personal" with them.
:o)
Well it had to happen.. if your a fan of the '69 Dodge Charger there's a new movie on it's way featuring.. well several!
www.apple.com/trailers/wb/thedukesofhazzard/
Copy and paste the link.. You'll need broadband too.
Read more
Anyone been watching the build of the "new" D of H Charger on Discovery Channel?
Stunning car. over 600 cu in from the Chrysler Hemi and 500 horsepower. Only thing the same is the outer skin. The documentary followed the assembly bolt by bolt. Nobody but nobody does custom auto work like the Americans.
I am asking on behalf of my friend. He is going to get a 4-5 year-old S80 2.4SE (170ps). The question is how many gears does the autobox have? Who makes the autobox? How reliable is the autobox? Volvo service schedule requires ATF change every 50k. As the car will have near 100k on the clock, can it be reasonable to expect another 100k on its original box?
Many thanks, Gazza Read more
Well, manual 'boxes aren't guaranteed to be reliable to 200k either! Mind you, when they do go wrong they are usually cheaper to fix (9 times out of 10 its the synchro hubs).
Saw the (mostly Dutch) DAF owners club pootling along in their Variomatics etc. this weekend. Made me think are there ANY cars which are so unloved that there isn't a single enthusiast keeping them going and as such can be classified as extinct? Read more
If I could have a fiver for every hour that I spent fooling around with a hose-pipe and a tin of dum-dum, trying to make various Mantas waterpoof, I would be a rich man!
Take a (brilliant!) MKI Cavalier, and make it hygroscopic, and more prone to driver abuse = Manta!!!
Number_Cruncher
I have a 115bhp Tdi Vw which is on the 10,000 mile service regime and so uses 505.01 spec oil. What I am wondering is could I use the higher spec 506.01 long life oil which I believe is fully synthetic as opposed to the 505 oil being semi-synthetic. Also where is the best place to buy these oils now?
Thanks
Rubberdubber Read more
I have spoken to the Castrol Technical helpline on this one; they developed the long-life oil for VW (506.01 for extended drain intervals), and told me NOT to use it in my TDI PD 115 of mid-2000 manufacture. Apparently manufacturing changes to the engine were made later on; 506.01 is too thin or something - and doesn't provide enough protection in early PD engines. I don't have Castrol's technical number to hand but I am sure it will be on their website - try a quick Google.
Browse
.jpg)
Assuming it's not air lock it could be -
On the thermostat housing theres 2 sensors. 1 with cable attached and 1 with 2 cables attached.
The sensor with 2 cable attached check its not loose etc. This sensor will make the fans run when the igniton is on or off. If it's loose of the sensor faulty the fans will come on with the ignition on and off until the battery is flat etc.
I had the same problem with a 406 2.1TD and this was the cure was to chang the sensor.