August 2007
I took my Alfa 156 (1.8 TS) for an oil change about a month ago at a well-known fast-fit outlet. Since then I have to return twice for them to stop a very slight leak. The last time, a fortnight ago, appeared to have been successful, but this weekend I found spots of oil on the garage floor. My difficulty is that I have lost confidence in the 'perpetrator's' ability to sort out the problem. The last time I took it back the fitter said that the plug had 'backed out' or some term to imply that it had loosened by itself. I am worried that they have damaged the thread and that it might need a new sump. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions, please?
Mr T.
Subject line altered slightly - PU Read more
For various reasons, I have unfortunately let my S80 go a considerable mileage without an oil change. Inexcusable really, but these things sometimes happen :-( I'd like to give the engine an internal 'clean out' if possible.
From what I've read, 'flushing oils' have generally had a bad press - apparently causing more problems, like oil leaks from tired seals etc. The Volvo has 132,000 miles on the clock, BTW.
I was toying with the idea of draining the tar (sorry, oil!) and re-filling with a mixture of 25% flushing oil to 75% 'supermarket oil', replacing the oil filter element and gently driving the car 100 miles or so before draining this oil, re-filling with quality oil and again replacing the filter element. Is that too OTT?
I promise not to let it happen again!! Read more
This advice isn't mine but comes from a good Volvo service manager.
1. Drive 15- 25 miles imediately drain all oil the longer the better. Replace with Quality 10-40w oil (Fuch, mobil etc) and a genuine volvo filter can be has for £ 6 ECP.
2. Take car for a nice long drive replace both again.
one car ready for another 120K (please do regular chages at 10K intervals (maximum)
Paul
My 136k Dualfuel Vectra has started cutting out when running on gas, usually when going from overrun to drive (ie going onto roundabouts, accelerating after slowing for corners etc. Continues running after manually switching to petrol, but then will not switch back to gas. If I turn the ignition off, however, having switched to petrol, it will be perfectly happy to switch back to gas. Have recently replaced spark plugs (with Bosch "4 electrode" plugs) plus coil pack as prior to this latest problem, the "emissions" warning light was illuminating intermittently. Any suggestion? I assume some sort of sensor is at fault, but don't particularly trust a Vx dealer to diagnose accurately and economically (previously advised to replave all gas injectors at c £800 cost when a new set of plugs resolved the problem!).
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Multi electrodes are not advised, NGK single electrode are recommended, preferably Iridium and with a .3 smaller gap. Make sure all your ignition system is tip top, other than that, could be a multi-tude of things for which you will need to get the interface and software as well as checking mechanical isssues such as inlet manifold air-leaks and valve clearance if it's not auto adjusting.
I have a mate who sells motorcycles, he is getting very busy and needs some help, one way I could help is to valet, service and do minor repairs to bikes in my spare time and earn a bit of extra money, in fact I would enjoy it so may dedicate a day a week to it if it worked out. I have a double garage so could keep one or two on the premises at any one time with out them being in the way.
However I would need to make sure they are insured for accidental damage and theft if his policydoes not cover them when off his site, which is questionable, also I would ideally need to be able to ride the bikes back and forth from his shop.
My policy covers me third party on another bike which is not good enough if I were to drop a £5000 R1 or similar.
Any thoughts? Read more
>she is covered by our employers liability insurance
But then you have e'ees and thus e'er's liability insurance. Cheddar's mate may not.
I have been told that there is now, no duty to pay on using SVO and WVO as a road fuel ??? I find this difficult to believe. Something like we are allowed to use upto 25,000 litres a year duty free? Read more
FRom HMRC
"If the fuel substitute is straight vegetable oil or as listed in section 2.2 of Public Notice 179E then it does not have to meet the specifications for biodiesel as described in the notice. Please see below further details of the Bio-fuels Simplification."
As the following user pointed out this is very badly worded - other notices, say for example
3.5 Can I use Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) or Used Cooking Oil (UCO) to produce Biodiesel?
Yes. However, the fuel that is produced from SVO and UCO must meet all the conditions of the fiscal specification before qualifying for the lower rate of duty.
3.1 What rates of duty apply to biofuels?
At the time of publishing, Biodiesel and Bioethanol have an excise duty rate of 20 pence per litre less than the sulphur-free diesel/sulphur-free petrol rates. However in order to qualify for these lower rates these products must be shown to fully meet the relevant fiscal definitions as described in Section 2.1 of this Notice.
The responsibility for this rests with the producer who must carry out sufficient tests to show that the specifications are met. We may also carry out sample tests as part of our audit programme.
If the product does not meet the appropriate definition it will be considered a fuel substitute and will attract a higher rate of duty. See sub-paragraph 3.1.1 for more information.
**********
That particular letter from Emmerson is not clarifying that the SVO must meet the specifications, to be duty exempt. In fact it is almost saying the complete opposite. Why can't they just say it in plain language what we can use to qualify for the 2500 litre rule!
Everyone talks about the refinement and performance of common rail diesels, and rightly so. However, just thought I'd share this little comparison with you.
I normally use the Mondeo for my commute. 70 mile round trip on motorways and A-roads, generally just going with the flow of the traffic rather than trying to overtake everything. Typically cruising along at 50-70 mph on the motorway, with the odd blast up to 80-85 if it's clear (which isn't too often). Last week however, I used the Scenic for the first time. Drove it the same way on the same roads at the same speeds at the same time.
Mondeo - 46 mpg
Scenic - 53 mpg (computer showed 55 mpg)
The Renault is 100cc bigger, 150kg heavier, and considerably less aerodynamically efficient.
They're good, these new diesels.
Cheers
DP
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04 Grand Scenic 1.9 dCi Dynamique
00 Mondeo 1.8TD LX
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Car - 320D, 52 plate - 104k miles on clock.
Average (calculated brim to brim on every tankful) over the last 14,500 miles is 44.9mpg. It is driven fairly rapidly.
However, the OBC says that average consumption is 51.9mpg. I wish!
Just got back from a weeks holiday in Finland where we hired a Nissan Note and did about 1200 miles. The car was virtually new and did everything it was supposed to do in an OK sort of way but oh dear how absolutely boring. If it was a colour it would be magnolia. Got back to Stansted and picked up 12 year old Pug 306 with heavy clutch, rattly bits and pieces and no aircon but what a joy to drive after the Nissan. I'm sure the Nissan was safer, more economical and it didn't smell as if it was running on coal dust but how can any manufacturer produce a car that is so utterly bland?
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DP. I am delighted to read your letter. The famous French designer of the Scenic really is quite a genius. I just can't think of his name right now. I haven't driven an S Max. I have heard they are excellent. I am sorry to say I don't like their looks.The Scenics and the new Picassos( new shape) look good.A very good friend of mine truly loves Fords.
This summer the hire company gave me a Vauxhall ( Opel) Zaffira 1.9 diesel. I had it for four weeks in Nice and I drove it all over the place into Italy etc etc. The Zaffira is very strongly made and it's roadholding is wonderful ( I was doing 130 kph on slight bends on the autostrada in Italy, it felt rock steady). My relatives as passengers thought the suspension too hard and they thought the seats were not as comfortable as the Scenic's ones). Of course in looks it is not really attractive. I must say that as a driver, the Zaffira was amazing. The 1.9 diesel drove so well.Also in sixth gear the revs were very low.
Next time I will try to hire a Grand Scenic again or indeed a new seven seater Picasso. I will just drive slower on bends. The French certainly have flair with their designs.
How many cars can you buy and sell from home before you are considered a dealer?
culmhead Read more
The last time this was discussed things got a bit heated:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=46159&...e
May I just say how plesed and delited I am that the BR now has an editorr. PU's magnificent attempts to edit out all speling and grammatical errers are greatly to be applauded.
Thank you, PU.
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Well dunno how to take it. But annoying as misspelling is, when I edit a post Firefox automatically prompts misspelt words and a correction is a click away.
Anyway meanwhile on planet BR back to motoring.
2000/X Primera P11E 1.8 (QG18DE), 78,000 miles.
Before I take this in be looked at, thought I'd seek some advice on here first.
Occasionally this car is wandering over bumps in the road, rough/potholed bits, and speed bumps. It's only an instantaneous thing, and the steering seems to quickly "catch up" with itself afterwards. This also manifests itself in a vagueness in the steering at times -- usually the car's steering is pin-sharp, and continues to be although it does seem generally a little more vague than usual.
Also noticed the occasional clunk coming from the steering/suspension, at lower speeds only, going over bumpier roads. Particularly concerning is the fact that the steering thunks when moving the wheel from side to side when stationary, although the front wheels appear to be moving OK without any play between the clonks. This happens regardless of whether the engine is running, so is not a PAS-related issue.
Not sure what to think to be honest -- my first thoughts were a suspension overhaul (track rod ends, ball joints etc) but the steering clonks make me think possibly something more serious (rack??).
Any help gratefully received. Read more
Knocking when going over bumps or rough roads is almost certain to be worn front suspension bushes, a common problem on this shape Primera. I had exactly the same symptoms on my previous Primera a few years ago and garage changed them easily. Not sure about the steering - as you say, normally the P11 has razor sharp steering that shames most rivals even today.
Browse
Local garage changed oil on my yaris and used a plastic washer insted of the std fibre washer. Didn't leak but when I changed the oil 6 months later the washer was badly split.