November 2006
Hiya, My corsa 51 has had the airlbag light on for a while, any ideas what this could mean and what would cost to sort out? Read more
Our C5 recently had an update to the engine and gearbox software, not at my request I should add, as it was done as part of an attempt to cure an engine management fault. However, I now suspect there is something amiss with the gearbox, as I appear to be getting slippage in second gear.
At around two thousand revs, or just above, the rev counter either stays static or falls back slightly, before picking up again. I assume this is not normal practice for an auto box? It doesn't happen in any other gear. I am beginning to wonder if it is anything to do with the software update, as I can't recall it happening before, and I began to notice it after the update was carried out. Read more
If the engine speed is varying but the road speed is not changing then something is slipping. Obviously the torque convertor behaviour needs to be taken into account, but yours doesn't sound like its the TC. Take it to an auto-trans specialist for a test drive, normally they will not charge for a 10-15 minute test run. Most main dealers know very little about auto trans.
Does anyone know what causes, and how to fix, a problem I have when changing gear - on a 52 Reg Mazda 6 Petrol.
I only notice when changing up the gears, that when Irelease the clutch and push on the gas, the car judders/shudders when the clutch passes the biting point.
This seems to happen when the engine is hot or cold, but I've only noticed it happening in the winder - when the outside temp is not too high. Doesn't happen every time, but here and there.
Is a major or minor problem, and how can it be fixed? Will it cause more damage if I leave it for a while before fixing it?
I have noticed this also happens on another car - a 53 Reg Fiat Stilo Petrol.
Any comments much appreciated
Thanks Read more
Sine:
It's been happening for about 3 months, and I've had the car about 6 months
TVM:
The Fiat isn't my car :P - never driven it, just been asking around about the problem and went for a ride in the Fiat and it felt exactly the same
Was just wondering, next time I go to the garage, I ask them to look at something specific, rather than say "it doesn't feel quite right!"
sorry in advance for the following simple questions
a - i need to buy a battery for a 1999 mercedes e240 elegance and handbook says make sure its the same voltage but doesnt say what that is ? ( to the technical moron like moi it looks double the size of a normal one ).....................anyone know what i need to but ?
b - halfords batteries.................are they any good / worth buying ? ( limited to where to go being sunday )
thanks in advance Read more
And yesterday I checked in Costco and found racks of Bosch Silvers and confirmation that the correct battery for a 240 is indeed the 74Ah. I think the Costco price beats GSF and Euro, but not by much.
snipurl.com/11yu1
This ruling is expected to allow British shoppers to buy goods from the EU, including booze & cigarettes and pay the duty in the originating country and have the items shipped to your door.
Question is - can we start doing the same with fuel? It would be one in the eye of GB to have his huge tax raking ability removed by EU harmonisation :-) This could explain their sudden interest in pay as you drive as they realise people here are sick of paying huge amounts for a commodity which others in the EU pay a lot less for.
Sometimes the EU is worth being in just to annoy GB :-)
Polish petrol anyone?!
teabelly Read more
Sark is Feudal, >>
Not any more. The seigneur's position has just been reduced to a figurehead, and there are to be elections.
Hi
i have been lurking around these forums for a while but this is my first post! sorry its a bit long
i have recently (last tuesay) purchaced a 5 year old car from a well established local used car dealer. after negotiating for a while we agreed on a deal which consisted of a 20% depasit 20% part ex and the rest by HP.
When looking around the car the i noticed 2 of the tyres looked low to me so as part of the sale the dealer agreed to replace them(although i have nothing written down). The dealer also agread to service the vehicle before i picked the car up.
I was due to pick the car up on the tuesday after at 5.30pm but because of really bad traffic i didnt get there until nearly 6pm at which point the dealer was rushing me through everything as he was closing.
He told me the car had been serviced and had had no issues i enquired about seeing the service paperwork he told me he didnt have paperwork as its a monthly contract but the service book was in the glove box. he also told me the garage had said no new tyres were needed as the ones on the car would do 15k.
at this point i was literally being ushered out the door as they were closing and didnt look at the service receipt or tyres until the following day. ( in hindsight i should have done)
upon looking through the service book there was no stamp to indicate a service and kwikfit have told me the tyres have less than 1k on them before they need to be replaced
i contacted the dealer and raised my issues at which point he denied ever saying that the tyres has 15k life in them or that replacing them was ever part of the deal and basicly said i was lying!
when queationing about the service he got really annoyed telling me that it was done and everything that needed doing was done. when i asked why the service book was not stamped he said people dont normally like garages stamping main dealer service books but there is a stamp in the warrenty book ( this however was a PDI stamp not a service) when i told him this and asked for the name of the garage that the service was done so i could get the book stamped he refused to give it to me stating that he didint want me bothering them! and basically ended the conversation by warning me not to get off on the wrong foot with him.
so basically ive got a car which i really like and want to keep with no proof of service in the book unless i get it done again myself and i will have to be spending around £100 in less than 2 weeks to replace the tyres
what are your views am i being unreasonable?
Read more
This deal has definitely been soured by all accounts so you've got nothing to lose in pursuing what you were promised.
The main problem I see is with your aftermarket warranty (although I have to say I personally question whether these things are worth anything). If it is similar to the one I have seen, for it to be valid your car needs to serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's schedule. Furthermore in the event of a claim, the warranty company will request your service book and/or receipts to prove this has been done. As it was this "dealer" who presumably sold you the warranty explain that his refusal to get the book stamped up or provide a detailed invoice is going to invalidate the warranty from the outset and what is the point of that. Get his response and if it is not to your liking inform Trading Standards.
As for the tyres measure the tread depth yourself to gauge (!) when you're going to need a set yourself.
Can anyone tell me what silicone grease can be used on and has it any special properties?
On a similar vein can anyone recommend a good door hinge lubricant.........ie :white spray grease, WD40, 3 in one oil? Read more
I use "Comma" spray grease-bought it as a chain lubricant but on reading the tin,it can be used for all sorts of things;it worked well on on of my up-& over doors which was was starting to sieze.
looking for a second car for commuting and general runround.seen a 1995 passat2.0cl saloon with 78k miles fsh.main dealer registered and 1 owner.mot nov07, taxed june07.garage is looking for £950.any advice on these vehicles for recall or common problems.also is the price fair or a bit steep for a 1995 passat.all advice welcome. Read more
I ran a 1.8 cl for 11 years and did over 120k miles in it. Being a 1.8 it was a bit under-powered but quite economical. Plenty of room in them, particularly rear leg room. I always thought the gearchange was excellent - light and precise. Things I had to replace; front engine mounting, clutch due to judder, rear window mechanism plus usual exhaust etc. I would consider all the above to be reasonable over 11 years. I can support mrmender's comments about electric windows. I had to replace the driver's side twice and not cheap - make sure you check that they work OK.
In this weeks Autoexpress magazine there is a full page ad for "Prestone Extended Life Antifreeze/coolant up to 150,000 miles/5 year protection" and the ad says it is "Good for All cars, All models, and mixes with All colours of antifreeze".
It seems too good to be true, a coolant compatible with the traditional bluecol, the red OAT, Subaru's green/yellow stuff, VW G11, G12 and the purple G12+, etc etc etc
Anyone know about this stuff, is it really that good?? Read more
There are two types of anti-freeze commonly available, Monoetheleyne Glycol and Ethanol. These should not be mixed, as they are incompatible and will stay seperate in the system. As far as service life of antifreeze goes, I check it every 3 months and re-dose accordingly. In my own car I change it every 2 years but at work (I am an industrial diesel engineer) we can run this stuff almost indefinately as long as you frequently monitor it's condition. My preference is a 50/50 mix, stronger than really needed as this gives protection down to -40 degrees celcius.
DW
Following on from my other thread, it looks like we will be removing the cylinder head from this car tomorrow.
I have a quick question re: the exhaust manifold and cat.
My plan was to separate the cat/downpipe from the manifold and remove the head with the manifold still attached. However, it looks like the manifold, cat and downpipe are once piece. The first join I can find in the system is where the downpipe joins the middle section roughly level with the engine sump.
My (Ford) manual says that looking towards the ground from the engine bay, there should be four bolts spaced equally around the "top" edge of the catalyst where it joins the manifold. On this car, these bolts don't exist, and from what I can see, the entire manifold, cat and downpipe are one piece.
Am I missing something? it's going to be awkward as hell to take this whole lot off with the head, and one of the lower exhaust manifold nuts is completely inaccessible with the head in situ meaning taking the manifold off the head is going to be very difficult.
Cheers
DP Read more
you should see the nuts looking up from the floor on your back as it were (they do on a fiesta anyway )
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Agreed. once that little light is on the ONLY way to turn it off is with diagnostic equipment.
Andrew
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Simplicate and add lightness!!