February 2008
I decided the other day that I could do with new set of wiper blades - a bit under £30 the pair at Halfords. While in a small market town up North I went into a shop doing motor spares and had both rubber blades replaced while I waited, for £6. On the basis that the metal bit doesn't wear out, replacement blades only seems to be the way forward. I didn't even know this was possible and I have so far paid thru the nose for the full set, metal fittings and all. Can most rubber blades be replaced in this way or was I just lucky?
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Hi guys,
Just wanted to pick peoples brains about the drop in economy that I've noticed with my passat over the last couple of months.
I noticed that the mpg figures on the trip computer were down just before the car went in for it's 60k service and cam-belt change. This has happened in the past and the mpg figures usually increase following the service (usually the same with performance). My usual figures were from high 40's up to a max of 55mpg. Most of my journey each day takes me along the motorway and I tend to drive the car pretty enthusiastically.
The figures have since dropped to high 30s to a max of about 47mpg (taking it really easy) but I've not noticed a change in performance.
I have changed the fuel filter, air filter and pollen filter for non oem parts but all are Mann products (parts were previously oem). I was also using synthetic oil (left over from when it was on a long service interval) and have since changed to semi-synthetic (fixed service interval) - correct VW spec. Could all of these changes had an affect on the economy figures? Or could it be somethging else like the cold weather?
Don't think it is the MAF as I still have the performance - but could be wrong!
What do you guys think?
Cheers
R Read more
Thanks for all the responses so far. Injection doc, I was wondering whether a go at the AFM with electrical contact cleaner (?) is worth a bash? I think I've read somewhere that this is an option. Or should I keep an eye on things until they get much worse and then replace the AFM with a new one?
Cheers
R
any one out there got any opinions/experiance on the getz 1.4gsi automatic, fuel consumption, reliability & customer service etc. Thanks Read more
Small car, small engine, auto gear box = poor economy. Always has, always will.
We have had a Hyundai for 3 1/2 years - a Trajet. Reliability has been fine. Dealers reasonable. A few minor issues. but the car is treated by SWMBO and the kids as a rubbish tip so it is a simple workshorse that copes.
I have driven several Getzs and they have always seemed to be likeable vehicles.
hi can anyone shed any light on the problem i have with my citroen C5, sometimes when i try to start it up it assumes im trying to pinch it and puts the immobilizer on, i have to wait for about a minute lock then unlock the car before it will start. has anyone else had this problem, if so is it a simple fix or have i got to put my house on the market. Read more
hi c5 owner and screwloose sorry not replied before i've been away for a couple of days working. thanks for the tips i shall have a look at the week end, the sticking lock sounds promising though as the passenger door dos'nt unlock most of the time although it always locks, thanks again.
This warning light (yellow) has come on . The car has 112000 kilometres, spark plugs are two years old (35000 kms), oil/filter changed 10000 kms ago. I'll get it to FIAT next week. Any ideas what it is ??
Thanks a lot Read more
'Dealers' sound the same the world over, make up any rubbish to charge you a packet and leave you find the fault eventually, which you then pay for again, of course.
Fiat/Ford/anyone else?
Suddenly the heated rear screen in my 1998 Fiesta has stopped functioning, having checked the fuse which incidently was ok (replaced anyhow, incase this was at fault) the screen is still not working. The button lights up as if it should be on but the screen itself does not work.
Any ideas?? Read more
thanx to all for helpful comments on here, it seems that cleaning contacts etc has done the trick. fingers crossed anyway Cheers!!
I have been enjoying myself immensely roaring up and down my garden in a Benford dumper which I am using to muck away the footings for my new garage (ebay, £200).
However, yesterday it ground to a halt with all the symptoms of fuel starvation. This morning I took the diesel tank off and cleaned it out - found a little water and some fine rust, but not too bad - took the fuel filter off and cleaned it all out, blew through all the pipes, bled it up to the injector and fired it up. It took a while (hand cranking start!) but it finally fired. Only trouble is, there's now loads of black smoke and it's not its usual self, sluggish and unwilling to rev, won't idle.
I've checked the fuel system very carefully and I'm fairly confident there's no air leaks, and now I'm stuck for ideas.
What's causing all the black smoke? Why did it break down in the first place?
Any hints gratefully received.
WB Read more
Every dumper I've ever seen has smoked anyway!!!!
Is the auto gear box on the current Renault Espace {2002 on}, Renault or Nissan?.
We are looking for a 3 year old {2005 approx} , 3.5 petrol Renault Grand Espace.
The 3.5 pertol engine is a Nissan {as in the 350z}, but is the box Nissan too?
I've read many tales of Renault auto boxes going 'south' and indeed many a Renault 2.2 and 3.0 diesel's top end self destructing, plus turbo and fuel pump probs too.
At 3 years old it will be out of warrenty. I want a Grand Esapce that we give me the least trouble.
Fuel consumption, not too big an issue, as I'll only do 5 to 8k miles per year.
Ta
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You haven't had much to compare it with I assume,31mpg I wonder why manufacturers bother with research when they can get such such good economy from an old 3.5 petrol engine .These have to be one of the worst vehicles ever to let loose on the public ever and probably more expensive to run and maintain than a chieften tank..
Hi,
I have a 2001 (1.3 Endura) Fiesta Flight, which only came with one key with a red chip at the top. I have since bought a blank key, which has been cut successfully. I have also bought a second-hand 3 button remote, with the serial number 98AG 15K601-AD. I have found instructions on the Net, which are suppose to allow me to reprogram the remote. However, they don't seem to work. The instructions I have suggest turning the key from I to II four times, which should make the PATS light come on. Then turn the key to 0, and then hold the unlock button on the remote until the PATS light flashes 4 times. When I turn the key to 0, the PATS light goes out. Does anyone know of any other instructions, or do I need to go to a Ford garage to get this done? Read more
The car does have central locking (I can hear a motor turning over when I turn the key in the door) and an internal boot release.
Oh dear, it's the old Mondeo this time!
I've noticed over several months that the temperature gauge has been slowly rising when I've been in slow traffic. Then this evening, after about 20 miles of a 30 mile journey (freezing cold weather), the temperature of the air from the heater seemed to drop and the temperature indicated by the gauge started to rise. When I arrived home, I lifted the bonnet and the fans cut in, though a few seconds later when I looked at the gauge again, it was in the middle of the dial. The expansion tank felt cool.
The car has done 145k miles, and I wonder if this is likely to be a sign that the water pump has packed up.
Any opinions would be very welcome. Many thanks, Waino Read more
I had a similar problem. The sniff test confirmed a slight (slow to register) hg leak, and the engine was overheating on short journeys.
Against my natural instincts I added a bottle of K-Seal and it's cured the problem - so far anyway!
Browse
You can normally buy Bosch Aerotwin refills from Audi dealers, or buy whole new ones (sometimes refills too) from search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZmickstaps or www.wiperblades.co.uk