Advice needed on changing gearbox oil (manual) on stated car.

I take it there is a drain plug and a filler plug.....anyone know the location of these?

Also what type of oil to use(am guessing at fully synth) and box capacity?

Thanks in advance! Read more

Just bought an 07 plate corsa 1.7cdti and so far been unimpressed with fuel economy. Used to have old style 1.2 petrol corsa which gave a range of approx. 400 miles to a tank.

New corsa, diesel!, is averaging 440 tops, way short of the 582 quoted in the press figures etc.

I know these are'nt realistic but surely I should be getting nearer 500 than I am.

I drive 60 miles round trip a day tho in the mornings its very stop start and evenings can be same. But I did same journey in petrol car!

I read somewhere Vauxhall have an issue with these diesels and they need a re-map. Can anyone confirm before I approach my dealer. Don't want to look stupid. Read more

Hi,

I've recently bought a Focus 1.8 Tdci 115bhp from a Ford dealer. I'm a bit disappointed by its fuel consumption as I'm only getting about 48mpg from it whereas I thought that this car is supposed to do about 53mpg. This is about 540 miles on a full tank if I leave it as long as poss until the fuel needle really isn't moving.

I have replaced the air filter with a K&N replacement filter (not induction kit) as the dealer appeared to have failed to replace the filter when they serviced it (black as the ace of spades!), but this has not improved the consumption. I have also once or twice red-lined it to try and clear its throat (not sure whether this still applies as older diesels used to get a bit sooted up if not revved occaisonally).

I'm reasonably enthusiastic driving it but I drive approx 30miles to work and back each way so its not short journeys. Is this the sort of consumption to expect? What do other people get out of theirs? I'm a bit cheesed off about this as my previous car - a Pug 306hdi estate which was a much heavier car but with slightly bigger 2L engine but only 90bhp and with better low speed torque used to do a regular 50mpg no matter how I drove it.

I have vaguely wondered whether after 70,000 miles its advisable to run some injector cleaner through it - I am also extremely aware from other forums (veg oil, doh!) that these injectors aint cheap! Can anyone advise?

Another thing I have vaguely wondered about but wouldn't really consider without making very, very sure, is an ECU remap - does anyone have any experiences??. I can see that the benefits of tailoring the ECU settings to get the best performance/economy but also a bit concerned about possible side affects.

thanks

chris Read more

Hi All,

I wondered whether anyone could shed some light on a diesel Focus 2001 1.8 TDCI - I'm unfamiliar with diesel engines, so I'd like to know whether the cambelt changes are similar to petrol models - does anyone know the mileage at which this should be done (I looked at a 1.6 Zetec a few weeks ago and this wasn't to be changed for 100k miles). The car we're looking at has 57k miles, am not sure whether the cambelt has been changed already. What kind of mileage is this engine capable of? In terms of servicing costs, what is the norm for an annual service on this model?

The car is tidy and seems to have been looked after, just wondered if there is anything especially to look for on this model?

Many thanks

P Read more

Vectra 2.2 direct petrol 56/07 - advice please. It is technical question but is related really to a buying decision rather than solving a technical problem, hence the question is appearing on this side of the forum.

I am posting on behalf of a friend who is considering buying a one/two year old Vectra 2.2 direct petrol engine car.
I have told him of the few issues mentioned on HJ's car-by-car. The problems listed by HJ are
1. Ignition control unit of 2.2 petrol engine is prone to burning out.
2. Seems to be a problem with clutch pedal return springs (which can contribute to a burned out clutch).
3. Several complaints of "creaking from front suspension", later identified as loose radiator mounts.
4. 2.2 16v petrol engine has been known to snap its timing chain due to the lubrication jet becoming blocked, ..... Vauxhall Z22SE 2.2 litre engine was modified from March 2002, engine number 11065400, to overcome the timing chain lubrication problem.

Does any one here know whether any of the above issues would apply to the 56/07 year models, and in particular whether anyone has come across the chain snap problem has been cured or whether it has continued on the modified and supposedly "problem-cured" engines made since March 2002.

Many thanks for any information/experience of the above engine/car that you might be able to pass on.

left in here ! Read more