October 2007
Sorry if this has already been covered, but couldnt see it anywhere.
I have just noticed that VW are offering to price match any servicing outfit who will carryout the same work using VW parts. Apparently all you have to do is provide a w ritten quote and they will match it.
Has anyone looked at or used this, or is it a bit of an empty offer in that it would be difficut to get a quote in writing etc etc? Read more
I am currently driving around in a 1997 SEAT Toledo SXE but lately a weird problem has surfaced.
The red security light on the radio comes on and the radio ceases to function unless the A/C is on full cold. So I presume the radio is overheating and shutting down as a safety precaution.
Never happened before in 2 years of ownership.
Anyone any idea what's going on?
SLT and moved over from Discussion. Read more
My son is looking at buying one of these cars. I seem to remember that the 1.9 turbo diesel engine had a series of con rod failures at some time. Can anybody remember what registration letter this affected. Thank you. Read more
"Spate of conrod failures on......................"
Well, I'm a tease, have a look at the link below which reveals all and more !
HJ would tell you to look there first.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=295&
Before taking BiL's car down the dealer, any views on my theory. The car still runs on its original pair of keys (nearly seven years old now). Would the age of the key battery (both OE) potentially cause immobiliser failure to engage. The keys are designed to re-charge as the car is driven. The car has been used the last few days with the "spare" key without the problem cropping up at all. Read more
That computes - not been upstairs yet to dig the invoice out.
Can anyone solve an argument. I thought the 1.4 diesel was a Toyota engine, perhaps shared with the Mini. One of my friends insists it is a Peugeot-Ford one. There is a pint on it.
Does the 1.6 engine in the Focus (which is Peugeot-Ford) have the horrible EELYOS or whatever additive.
SLT
Read more
Mark 2 Yaris diesel uses the uprated Corolla one. 75bhp in Mark1
I understand Mark1 can be chipped to 100bhp.
madf
Can anyone help with wiring details? I've replaced my broken 6006e with a 6000cd player in my 2003 Mondeo, but I can't connect the column stalk connector because the old one was rectangular, and the block on this one is square. There are three wires, green/white, yellow/brown and white/black. Can anyone say which pins they should go to? Thanks Read more
Last November I replaced my Bosch wiper blades after 2-3 years. However, just a year on, I'm noticing the wipers are completely rubbish at wiping in the wet!
What's going on, have BOSCH started to do cost-cutting or could these be fakes? I'm surprised that the last pair lasted so long but this pair only lasted just under one year.
Anyone else comment on this? I'm thinking about going for Trupart wipers which are only pence more expensive than BOSCH Super Plus but won the Auto Express 2004 wiper test.
I tried champions last time but as my almera has a slightly curvy windscreen they juddered and didn't perform well, the original and the bosch are the only ones I've tried.
Thanks in advance :) Read more
I get wiper blades from Tesco (£3.49 pr) and change at least every year. Not had a problem with them on 2 or 3 cars.
You may need to clean the windscreen thoroughly sometimes though - I use a sponge, a squeegee & hot water with a small dab of wash up liquid and a good squirt of vinegar - its the best glass cleaner I have found by far, and its also cheap.
Hi,
Some 'chav' removed my driver side door mirror for me overnight, any idea how much i can expect to pay please for a genuine fitted silver, electric door mirror?
Thanks Read more
FYI - Spoke to ford this morning - fitted price 140.
Thanks for the replies.
Hello,
I have a 1997 1.4 Polo, 8v. {Added to header so people can see before opening post - DD}
The engine is now making an intermittent whining noise. The note changes with engine revs (not road speed - noticeable when revving in neutral).
The car has done c. 50,000 miles. Serviced regularly. Cambelt changed about 2 years ago at 45,000 miles (mileage was 5,000 to then - now more c. 3,000)
Instinct suggest the alternator belt might be slipping with age - although I'd expect a more squealing noise in that case. Any ideas?
thanks,
Rob. Read more
Hmm.
Well the service which include replacement of water pump, cambelt, tensioners and aux (alt.) belt has cured the whining.
My tame VW specialist reported the issue of the suspension bushes as an advisory on the service plus the CV boot.
I was asking on the labour time for the bushes - doesn't look too bad. Ditto the CV boot.
These items ought to be looked before the next MOT.
My 96 KA cuts out if asked to idle in traffic when hot. It also has water leakage traces around the top hose joint (newish) but does not need topping up overmuch. There is no temperature guage - does it have a warning light? Otherwise the car goes well - the engine does sound like a sewing machine and use quite a lot of oil - I put this down to previous neglect and short supermarket journies during its 50,000 miles. Could the engine wear and oil consumption be due to a long standing and un cured overheating problem? Is this a known fault alt all I wonder and does anyone havw any idea how to fix it?
Jim Read more
Thermostat sticking?, cheap to replace
Browse
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If people are fool enough to swallow this then they don't deserve the wisdom of an independent. It is interesting that apart from BMW there are more independent specialist for VAG cars than any other make (I stand to be corrected)
The majority of these have gained experience in large numbers at VAG dealers and in the case of a local to me have a former workshop manager and two technicians in there building but here lies the difference they will use genuine or oem only and will fix you car based on the fact that if you are happy you will gow back.
Where as one VW garage I know has a daily target on servicing sales, part sales, air-con sales etc this all adds up to a £35K turnover target to meet. But the building they work out of did cost £4.5 million !!
Back to the independent who has 3 wage bills to meet and a lot lower overhead.