May 2007
My ashtray won't stay shut on my 2001 Mondeo, nor will the sunglasses holder on the roof. They seem to have the same kind of mechanism. Anyone else had this happen? Tips on dealing with it much appreciated! Read more
I've got some wear on the drivers seat on my recaro interior , can the covers be changed on these i'm sure i've read somewhere that they can , if so how much of a job is it ? Read more
So what would happen if I stuck some aluminium foil to a large sheet of cardboard and then waved it in front of a speed camera? Would this trigger the camera? What about strips of foil similiar to those used by aircraft to defect enemy radar?
Second question - if the above can trigger the camera what would happen if for example I left strips of foil near the camera just blowing in the wind and randomly setting off the camera, assuming that at some point during the day a motorist speeds past the camera and gets a ticket, would the ticket be invalid?
Third question - If the camera was being triggered every few seconds I assume at some point it would run out of film or memory? Read more
Good luck with your research. Do write and tell us about it.
Is that not a typo? Didn't you mean 'Don't write and tell us about it'?
Hopefully this isn't a daft question, but about to get some new front tyres for my 2006 Passat that's got the tyre pressure monitoring option, and was wondering if there's a different procedure for fitting tyres to cars with pressure monitoring? I ain't got a clue how it works, hence why I'm not sure if changing the tyres is the same as on a vehicle without TPM!
TIA Read more
Not too familiar with the VW system, but in general make sure the fitter knows about the TPM sensor. He should avoid using the spade to break the bead at the valve, elsewhere is ok, but just take care that the stretching bead does not foul on the TPM sensor.
If the tyre changing head is at 12 o clock you should start removing the tyre from the rim by placing the valve at 3 o clock. This way the tyre iron is first inserted 90 degrees behind the sensor and by the time the head gets round to the sensor the bead is off the rim and places no load on the sensor.
The sensors are tested for fitment stresses but you can do some damage to them if you do not take a little bit of care, especially with low profile tyres.
When you look at your valves are they rubber like a normal valve or metal and held in place with a nut?
The previously posted advice about trying to put the same rims back on the same position in the car may save alot of hastle however good systems shouls be able to cope with this, unfortunatly I do not know too much about the VW system and the advice may save you a trip to the dealer to get the wheels programmed back to the correct location.
Out of intrest how much does VW charge for the TPM option?
Search on wikipedia for TPMS to get an idea of what the sensor is likely to look like.
I recently purchased a 2001 fiesta ghia (with the 1.6 zetec se engine). The problem is it keeps running really hot. The only real pattern to it is that it will stay cool as long as its working.. if for example I'm on the motorway it will be fine, however, when i come off the motorway and get stuck in traffic thats when it can really shoot up.. Then as soon as i get on a country lane it will go back down. Another example would be that it will never get hot going up hill because you have to give it some gas to maintain speed but going downhill is when it will normally shoot up.
Ive changed the thermostat and i bought a new cap for my water as my old one looked a bit dodgy and its still doing it. It doesn't have any of the tell tale signs of a blown head gasket - its not losing water, the oil is fine, the emisions seem fine.
I was told to bleed the system to get rid of air locks. The method i used to try and do this was to take the cap off the water, let the engine run until the fan comes on and if before this happens it begins to bubble and spit water turn it off let it cool down and start again. Well it did start spitting water so i kept doing this and i ended up doing this all day and it just did the same thing everytime.
If it is indeed that there are air locks in the system am i using the wrong method to try and get rid of them? Is there any methods that work better? I have been searching google and it seems like theres a million different ways to do it but i need some advice that relates specifically to fiestas. I have a mechanic friend who said he would bleed it for me but when he looked at my fiesta couldn't find the bleed valve (?) does anyone know where that might be?
Well, i think I've explained the problem as best as i can. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt Read more
I see, well i just bought a brand new thermostat from a ford dealer and had it fitted so i guess i just need 2 get the heater control valve replaced and hope that sorts the problem?
hi there, can anyone help me please
i just bought a 2004 peugeot 1.4 206 s semi automatic. I bought it from a local garage with 5k on the clock so I rang the previous owner (who was a nun) and she confirmed the mileage to me and also that the car had no faults.
I had had the car about 10 days when the following fault occured:- the car lurched forward, the gearbox clunked and the Sport & Snow indicator lights came on together along with an audible bleep, the car then lost acceleration, it didn't stop or feel like it was going to stop, it was just really sluggish and if I had to stop at lights or a junction it was very very slow pulling away again. I looked in the handbook and it said the following "If the Sport & Snow indicator lights flash, accompanied by an audible signal and a message on the multi-function display, consult a PEUGEOT dealer".
I took the car back to where I bought it from and they ran diagnostic tests which showed nothing, the mechanic said it could have been a one off blip on the cars computer and to bring it back if it happened again. It has now happened several times and is going back in to the garage this week. In fairness the garage are really good and I trust them implicitly but should they be looking at the fault whilst the car is still under the Peugeot warranty ? Also if this garage try to fix it and make it worse I assume I won't be able to then take it back to Peugeot ?
In between times it runs like a dream, but it is quite unnerving when it happens. Does anyone have any idea why this would happen please ? Is it dangerous ?
Finally how would I stand if I asked for a refund ? I drive young children up & down the motorway in this and when it loses acceleration it is really scary and to be honest I have lost all confidence in the car now, am I within my rights to ask for a refund or am I obliged to let them repair it ?
Thanks for any advice, I don't think the mechanic has any idea as to what is causing it so I am sure he would appreciate some info too Read more
Hi
A friend bought a brand new UK car from an internet company and took delivery nine months ago. However, although the vehicle was (and currently is) fully taxed and came via a franchised dealer my friend is still waiting to receive the original V5. Is there any reason for him to be concerned? The internet supplier has been informed today and is investigating. Out of curiosity, I tried to find the vehicle using its registration number on the DVLA website but they seem to have no record of it. Read more
Thanks Chris. Have notified the supplier and 'it's being investigated'.
I was watching Top Gear on Sunday and they had the Merc SLR on. JC said that it could empty it's 21 gallon tank in 19 minutes, that's 66.3 gallons/hr under full load for a 626 hp motor.
At work we have a machine with a 360 hp Cat C9 (8.8 litre) and it works at between 94-100% for 12 hours at a time and consumes about 10 gallons each hour at this loading. So it has just over half the power and uses a 6th of the fuel. What gives?
So why does the Merc SLR use so much fuel (assuming my maths is correct and JC's figure are accurate)?
What is the specific fuel consumption of a typical car? 210g/kw/hr ish?
How much does unleaded weigh?
Is it just heavey duty engine that are at peak effiency (sp) under full load/torque?
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That equates to roughly 3-4 mpg. Not unexpected for that much power fighting that much drag.
An industrial diesel is designed to minimise it's fuel consumption; 10g/ph is about right for a constant revs engine of that power.
Hello,
Where to i begin? I have a 1997 (R reg) vauxhall vectra with 119000 miles on the clock (still a few miles left in her surely?!).
The problem started with the EML light coming on while starting from cold, the light would flash for around 5 minutes and then go off. While the light was flashing the car had no power (0 to 60 in 3 days kinda thing!).
The EML light is now permanently on. I have changed the MAF sensor, which made little difference, and the EGR solenoid, which again, made very little difference. I also cleaned the EGR valve, it was coated in gunge, which did make a difference (i can now go VERY slowly up hills). The car drives Ok but there is a lack of power and the car will not rev beyon 4000 - 4500 Revs (Could this be the Cam sensor?)
I had the codes read by the RAC which indicated a turbo boost pressure sensor issue, i also cleaned this sensor (again full of gunge) which seemed to make a difference to the power but still EML light is on.
However, i purchased a code reader and it does not show any codes at all, since i changed the MAF and the EGR solenoid, however, the EML light is still on? My code reader does tell me that the EGR monitor continous check is incomplete?
I am completely baffled by all this and would really appreciate some help from some knowelgable person.
Thanks,
Peter Read more
Andrew,
Thanks for your reply. I need all the help i can get ;O) I will try your suggestion at the weekend when i can get the gauge etc. However i have tried disconnecting the vacuum hose from the EGR valve and (very scientific) the vaccuum from this hose when held to my finger does not feel vert strong. I have just replaced the EGR solenoid (is this the same as the vacuum pump? It is located beside the battery.) so i think this component is OK. Thanks for your help. I am not much of a mechanic but am currently skint so i need to figure this out with some help!!
thanks,
Peter
My wife's Focus is suffering from very noticable knock which has come on over the last month. She tends to only do short journeys so I suspect that this is due to carbon build-up. I'm tempted to try an additive such as STP Complete Fuel System Cleaner for Diesel Engines and give the car a good long motorway drive. STP (and other similar) claim that their products are suitable for common rail diesels and cats. Grateful for any comments, suggestions, experiences, etc. Car has done just over 100k - want to avoid expensive options like new injectors which involves Ford main dealer programming, etc.
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kith - thanks, but afraid it's just had an oil change
ive ended up with lolly sticks in drink compartment on dash,pls dont tell me me sunglasses and ciggie box are next lol