November 2006
Good evening,
I fitted a new battery and alternator to my son's Land Rover 90 a couple of weeks ago. All seemed fine, 12.6v with no ignition on, 14.4v with the engine running. Fine since then until this morning when it wouldn't start due to a low battery. Once we jump started it I tested the voltage: Battery 12.3v with the engine running at tickover, and if the revs were increased then the battery voltage dropped to below 12v. There were no lights or any electrical equipment switched on (save presumably the fuel pump).
Any ideas on what I should be testing?
MTIA Read more
Hi. I have a 2002 Passat TDI 130 sport, which is a great car. Recently though on occasions when I start it, the revs race to c 3000 RPM very briefly before dropping to the normal level. Has anyone else had a similar problem, or know what it might be. I'd like to have an idea before I take it to a garage. Could it be something to do with the turbo, or airflow meter? Any help appreciated. Cheers Read more
Agree - coolant temperature sensor was shot on mine - exactly the same symptoms. The bit is about £20 and 5-10 mins to fit..........
Hello wise men of England, (Are there more than 3 ?)
I have been offered a 306 with a 1997cc HDI engine with 70k miles. Unfortunately the car has been in some fresh water which has caused the engine to show its resentment.
I havent examined it yet but Im told its running on 3 cylinders (and so it should be cheap. )I wondered if anybody had experience of water damage - I suppose if somehow water got down the air intake because the bow wave was like that of a cross chanel ferry it could be a big problem. (bent con rod ?) On the other hand is it possible that one of the common rail injectors has packed in?
Would welcome any ideas on the engine checks I should make or other likely problem areas before I actually take a look.
I know we are all supposed to become more green(except Jeremy Clarkson) but could this 306 be described as a modern example of "pond-life"?
Thanks and a Happy 4 star Christmas.
Mike
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Hi grease monkeys,
I seem to have found more than three wise men !
I dont know if I have the energy before Christmas to take on this project - it sounds as though the old adage "If it sounds too good to be true - then it probably is" applies here. I dont think I'll bother - if I should change my mind I'll let you know.
Thanks for your honesty. Hope I can return the favour sometime
Happy Christmas to all.
Mike
I am thinking about a buying a current shape Avensis - Haven't driven one yet, but like the look and quality feel of the car, and have heard good reports.
I'm hovering between 2.0 D-4D diesel (manual only), or a petrol automatic, as I've mostly had automatic cars over the years, but am also noticing hte increasing petrol prices, hence thinking of diesel as an alternative.
I do also have an old Celica Cabrio which is 180Bhp and automatic (this is a high-days and holidays fairweather car). On the celica the automatic box works well - the engine has plenty of grunt at low revs - doesn't need to be revved or thrashed to "go", and is incredibly smooth, even at quite a high mileage.
I've test-driven a few modern petrol Variable Valve engines (my mum has a newish Civic) and found them very thrashy - all power at the top-end, as soon as you get to a hill have to kickdown or use the auto selector to downchange (Don't have to in my Celica)
My quesion is what are poeples experiences with the Tiptronic box on the Avensis auto - Does it work well with these VVTi engines, or is it similar drive to the Civic - all top-end ? - There is a 1.8 and a 2.0i I gather - is it best to go for the bigger engine and is it better in terms of "grunt".
Does anyone know what the reliability of these boxes is like also ? I am assuming it is a more modern 'box than my 1995 Celica, or is it just an upgraded version of what I already have with a tiptronic selector bolted on. Read more
Thanks for the report Runboy
What is the Avensis auto like on long motorway inclines ?
Recently I test-drove a Mazda6 auto, (the earlier 4 speed) and it needed to kickdown to maintain 70mph on a motorway incline - not a relaxed drive, and certainly no "oomph" at even high revs - The MAzda6 auto just didn't seem to have the right gear ratios matched to theengine, or the engine just didn't suit an auto-box, I am not sure what the problem was, but it didn't "work " for me !
Just out of interest have you measured the fuel consumption (the computer is usually hopelessly inaccurate BTW) I would be interested to know what mpg you get under various types of driving.
Hi, friend of mine has just purchased a P plate Galaxy, TDi, the dash-board instruments work when they want to, or when he hits the dash (already advised him against that action due to sensitivity of airbag sensors!!!). The seller told him a wire came apart and that he soldered the connection........obviously didnt work! is this a common failure on these models, anything sinister, or just a loose connection? Thx Read more
From what you describe it sounds like a loose connection somewhere behind the instrument cluster. Sorry I can't be more specific with this model.
I have to change the fuel filter which seem to be an easy job but before I start does anyone know if there is a pressure release valve for the fuel system -if so where might it be - I have checked all round engine bay but anyone who has looked in one of these will realise it's like looking for a needle in haystack.
Thanks Dave Read more
I know a lot of drivers worse (i.e. rougher and more abusive) than me who would never dream of letting me drive their cars. I too am a bit protective even though my cars have usually been hardly worth protecting; but then again if the thing's a bit crotchety it's only the work of a moment to make it worse.
I know two men who I would trust to drive any car, although one of them made a pig's ear of driving one of my rougher Skodas once. I also trust my wife not to do harm, although I always worry in her case if the car has any faults needing special treatment... I'd hate her to be embarrassed or worse still harmed by some glitch in traffic.
I wouldn't trust either of my driving daughters with a car that belonged to me.
When I had my Bentley though, and was 'between marriages', a gf I had at the time longed to drive the thing. One morning, having some work to finish, I let her drive into town from the far northern outer suburbs and sat in the back myself, typewriter on picnic table, working. She was very pleased and did absolutely beautifully.
People who just hand you the keys without a second thought are usually people who were born rich, seems to me. Or Americans.
Do other people get in a state about this sort of thing? Read more
>Reason is, she is a terrible passenger, feels sick on twisty roads
My problem too, which is why I usually drive everywhere! I'm a bit old to take my little yellow bucket everywhere I go these days if someone else is driving.
Hi
The remote locking is not working on my 2000 Peugeot 406 estate, nor will the doors lock if key inserted. Any advice welcome
Thank you Read more
Fuse perhaps? The handbook, if you have one, may suggest where to look.
I thought there was some prohibition on this: isn't that right?
The reason I ask is that a couple of times within the space of 10 miles cars with after-market satnav pulled out in front of me on the motorway; I copuld see they had satnav because it was dark.
It's obviously a distraction (at least to those two drivers); what's the position?
--
Stevie
Lakland 44-02 Sunburst
Yamaha YTS-23 Read more
Spent a few minutes watching breakfast TV last year!
Only issue was that the TV was on the back of the rear headrest of a Galaxy in the middle lane and we were both doing 70mph on the M40. Pity I couldn't listen as well.
Not quite as distracting as the blue movie showing in the stretched limo on the M42 the year before - wouldn't you slow down to watch!
They may be handy for occupying the chidren but should be banned if they are visible to other drivers.
In my family we have a total of 5 cars and 1 pickup truck,
4 cars are in the UK a SAAB 900 belonging to my Dad a Fiat Punto belonging to my mother and my brother and his wife have 2 Kia,s.
In Thailand I have a Nissan Maxima?Cefiro and an Isuzu Pickup.
What we have noticed with the cars is that due to poor roads in Southern England and Thailand and also road calming measures , we have had to have the sterring and front suspension arms and bushes replaced about every 60,000miles , this never used to be my experience , in years past it was rare to have to change out these item so often,average cost about £600.00
Another stealth tax job creation scheme.
My Nissan in Thailand is an excellent car but lacks the dynamics of a SAAB or Audi, the Isuzu pickup has now reached 250,000 miles on original engine and gearbox, superb machine tough as old boots on or off road.
My dads SAAB 900 V6 is 10 years old but superb, a minter, it will run for 20years.
My brother swears by the Kia he does a very high mileage his only gripe is the suspension wear that I mentioned above.
My mums Fiat is lively realiable and fun. Local Fiat dealers are cheap for service.except for replacement keys.Transponder keys for Fiat are very expensive if you can get them.
JCL
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Yeah, sorry Aprilia I suppose, but I do hate this slower than thou carp... I know you like cars and have proper ones and drive them. I know too that there are some very steep speed bumps, but not many that really reduce an undamaged car to 10mph.
As for primary schools, 20mph is quite slow enough. And as for rich prats wanting you to go slowly past their haciendas... do something rather rude to 'em, knowImean? If I were rich I would campaign against speed bumps in front of my hacienda and put a notice up urging people to go faster.
Being poor though I just have to tolerate the clamour in front of my house, or I suppose I should call it the house where I live. People can't usually go fast there in the hours of daylight, but they do when they can, and I'm entirely in favour. . . Although there was this Mercedes tried to kill me out of the bus stopp once, must have hit 70 in about 30 yards, amazing, I had to run for my life, like to meet that so-and-so...
Browse
Replaced alternator under warranty, all fine now....many thanks!!