July 2007
Hi all,
The 'check engine' light is lighting up on my Mazda 323 (2003 1.6GSi petrol manual). I first noticed it earlier today. On two journeys since, it's gone off as normal after the engine starts, only to light up again a couple of minutes later.
Engine sounds normal, and car performance seems OK. I only had my 54000 mile main-dealer service (including timing belt change) a fortnight ago, and that all went through fine.
The manual gives one possibility of a certain fuse blowing, which I've checked and is OK.
Anyone got any other common causes for this, or will I have to give the main dealer a call in the morning?
Thanks,
Sam Read more
I have received an email from the Prime Minister's office explaining why the government intends to continue encouraging speed humps. Vehicles are not much damaged if they go slowly, the message said in essence. Passengers are not much disomfited or inconvenienced. The emergency services are consulted before humps are put in.
So there.
It's true only 6,600 people put their names to the thing. Don't know why they bothered really. Idiotic of them. Read more
in my local London Borough they've removed all the speed humps, when the administration changed back to Tory. Red Ken got the ache about it and tried to deny them a big chunk of road safety budget. The council said they'd only remove them over a period of time when that particular road needed re-surfacing......but amazingly all the roads with speed humps in them have all been re-surfaced.
There are plenty of more efficient ways of traffic slowing than speed humps (e.g. flashing signs). They've also taken out all those stupid chicanes that everyone used to ignore anyway.
I'm not aware of increases in road safety problems.... and with the nastiness of local politics i'm sure the local papers would have been full of it, if there were.
Having cost me nearly 800 quid for front ball joints and suspension bushes attributed to speed humps i'm glad they've gone.
Has anyone got any theories as to why there is such a difference in external noisyness (at tickover) of the good old VaG 1.9 & 2.0 PD diesels. Some seem to be 'common-rail' quiet whilst other seem quite clattery. Having owned 2 cars with this engine and observed many others I can't figure it out. Is it fuel, hard driving, soft driving or just out and out mileage that quietens them ? Read more
I test drove a 1.9PD Leon II demonstrator that sounded really loud and unrefined from inside the cabin that had only done about 400 miles. When queried with the sales manager he said they get quieter with age.
However, the same 1.9PD in the Leon II that we purchased has been very quiet from new.
Strange.
Hi folks,
GF has a Fiat Cinquecento sporting and it always seemed to be requiring coolant topping up.
Today she phoned me to say that she smelled burning, pulled over and checked coolant and it was empty.
I am now wondering, is it likely to be a simple leak, or could it be something more serious?
Never noticed a leak, but with all the rain we've had, thats not surprising...
All advice welcome. Read more
radiators on these are vulnerable but its not a good idea to keep topping up any water system.
Suggest you get the system pressure tested pronto ,this will confirm /deny a leak or a head gasket or both
My Civic 3 door, 1998, 1.4, has developed a rear nearside suspension squeak only when the car has a full load of people and/or stuff. ie: the suspension is out of the normal range of travel. I can just about get it to squeak by jumping up and down on the tow bar.
The car has only ever been used to tow a light trailer and motorcycle, it has done 40k miles and drives fine.
Closer inspection shows that it must have been designed by a madman with an obsession for bushes. Each side appears to have no less than 6. I've had a good push, pull and prise with a socket extension and the play on both sides seems the same. Both the large trailing arm bushes appear to have cracks, but no significant play. Anyone got any ideas or experience? Thanks
Read more
Takes about the same time removing the arm completely both sides
Walking past neighbour's 5 door Fiesta, it seemed full (literally, every seat except driver's) of carrier bags, clothes, towels, covers, toys and other baby 'equipment'. She is a busy young mum, of course, and we laughed later when I suggested she effectively drove a wardrobe on wheels.
Yes, she agreed, "and you could call it an extension of my bathroom, kids room .. in fact, the whole house!"
Made me think: how many BR's cars are similarly and maybe needlessly cluttered? And at what extra weight!
I guess most men don't have same need to carry "things" - or is that sexist to say these days?
Best I can admit to is an extra coat, in the boot. I never saw her boot..... perhaps just as well.
EH Read more
how do you get the wildlife on the blanket?
Fnaar.
My 1997 Punto has developed a fault where the engine is reluctant to rev. It's hard to start then it requires about half throttle pedal travel just to idle and foot to the floor just doesn't make it much difference.
So far I've checked the cam belt is timed correctly.
Timed up the pump with tool and dial gauge.
Changed fuel filter
Checked all fuel lines for air leaks
Checked glow plugs
It's a bosch pump and is prewtty much factory sealed
HELP!!
Read more
There is a cheap "Lindsay Porter" book which covers six different FIAT models, including the 1697 TD diesel Punto. - ISBN 1-899238-42-5
Looking at the (terrible print quality) diagram there is a coolant temperature sensor (207) in series with the power feed to "K.S.B. electomagnets" (208). It goes back to the fuel system relay (218) via a connector block (33).
The wire you want might be orange (c).
At the top of the diagram it describes "K.S.B." as the fuel injection cold advance device.
Grotty connector block or CTS failure, probably.
hi
been thinking of changing my mk2 focus automatic. been looking at leon dsg and the civic i shift. looking up info on the web about the dsg gearbox i found info on reports that ford and volvo to start using their own dsg type gearboxes in late 2007. no real time schedule or info on which models will be using it.
do any members have any other knowledge of when and which models
thanks in advance Read more
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6903902.stm
Despite all the assurances that any road pricing cameras wouldnt be used for anything else....(and it isn't just about the police using the congestion charge cameras in anti terror surveillance) Read more
I don't even wash the car.... :)
iv got a 106 that's just failed its mot on rear radius arm pin and bearing ??? there nothing in haynes about it or where it is etc i know it's as some people call it rear axle but can not find out where!!!! any help will be welcome thanks Read more
You can't replace the bearing surfaces on a 106 as you can on a 205, basically when it develops play the axle is scrap.
//Chris
Browse
Thanks for the replies. It's still doing it, but very intermittent. Once it's on, it stays on for the rest of that journey. But if it doesn't light up within 10 mins of setting off, it doesn't come on at all.
As performance, fuel consumption, engine noise all sound normal, I'm not too worried at this stage! One of those things, I guess.
Cheers,
Sam