March 2008
My 2004 Honda Accord I have not used for a month, and today polished it up, jump started it and got the cobwebs out. (Been running round in a Corolla).
On the Accord I thoroughly warmed it up, and took it for a 2 mile spin.
Something is seriously wrong! When idling it goes vroom, to 3000 RPM like one had dipped the gas pedal, falls too 1000 naturally as soon as it gets there it happens again. The cycle is about every 2 seconds. THis makes for idling in traffic a nightmare. I have red lined it in 2nd (6o mph) to see if it cleared. No good!
Since the care is Fuel Injected it cant be a mucky carb. Any ideas. The tank has about 6 litres in it so I don't thing its tank gunge. Read more
I have been toying with changing my car - I can normally keep this phase going for about a year, so no rush. However I've actually suspended this usually enjoyable speculation out of frustration - most of the websites I've looked at for specs/list prices are unbelievably slow.
Fine if you have a real 8mb connection but mine is lucky to reach 500kb. Bonkers. At the very least they would have much greater reach if there was a low graphics/no-flash version of these sites for folk with slow connections (never mind dial up) who just want information?
The marketing people must live in a fantasy world. Is it me? Read more
I also hate sites which run video (with sound) without asking permission - I often listen to something else in the background, and immediately leave any site which tries to take over my soundcard. Usually the Telegraph motoring section, but the Landrover site does the same.
Afternoon to you all,
Thought I'd throw this one at you and see what you come up with. I currently work as a coach driver. My work over the winter has been school contracts, council day-care contracts, rail replacement work and occasional private hires. My work over the summer will be the same but with tours and holidays which I really enjoy.
The things is, I'm getting exasperated with the job. I rarely know what I'm doing until 2000hrs the night before and I don't get to find out where I'm going on tour until generally the Thurs before I go on the Mon. Also, I never know when I'm going to be off. I've tried speaking to the management but with little or no results. On top of this, I'm only paid £6.50 per hour, plus 50p per hour bonus.
I'm very much feeling that I need a change but I'm stumped as to what to do next. I've done 10 years on service bus work so don't want to go back to that. I tried taxi driving before that and definitely don't want to do that! Driving is really all I know but I really need something that a) pays more and b) gives me more of a life.
Any thoughts folks? Thanks in advance...
Cheers Read more
Don't train as a taxidermist then....
ROTFL
I've only joined this forum recently.
My wife and I have a Nissan each. I've noticed that there are astonishingly few technical queries about Nissans. Is that because they're incredibly reliable or because Nissan owners don't join in? Read more
Without delving further I bet there are far more problem posts about post Renault merger Nissans than proper old-skool Nissans!
Hi i have a Vuaxhall Zafira 2.0dti comfort which ive just serviced it never had trouble starting before but now first thing in the morning it takes about 5 minutes to start ive changed the air filter, oil diesel and glow plugs which i have made no diffrence any one got any ideas. I did the glow plugs a few days after because it would not start and when put on the computer the only error was glow plug error this as since gone but sill will not start. Any help would be great.
{edited engine details into subject header - year of manufacturer pending reply to email sent} Read more
agree with previous post but as you have not been anywhere near the leakoff pipes then unlikly to be them, but easy fix, relatively cheep to do, and would not hurt it, i would also check that the fuel filter houseing seals are sealing correctly not forgetting the seal on the bolt in the middle if definatly sounds like fuel draining back over a period of time, i assume that it starts okay for the rest of the day, its not unusual to get a glowplug general error code
I have a 2003 Mondeo TDCi 2.0. After 70,000 miles of trouble free driving I was motoring back from the airport last night and shortly after filling the fuel tank was driving along when the engine cut out and the Glow lamp indicator started flashing. Pulled over onto shoulder turned the ignition off then on and it restarted. It did this twice more somewhere around the 80 mph mark but stopped doing it when I cut the speed back to 70 mph and kept it in 5th. The car is on 82,000 miles now and skipped its 75000 mile service. Any one have an idea what it might be?
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if the glow plug light is flashing it likely that an injector has gone down/ faulty . some times if the faulty injector is reprogramed the fault goes away. most garages wont tell you this!.
TDci pumps can also be a problem they do not like bio diesel it makes them wear and CRi stage 2 injectors are very sensitive if fuel is contaminated (ie fileings etc) .if your trouble code turns out to be P2336/9 (cylinder above knock threshold) reprograme the injector you might be lucky. cleaning the injector ( strip down rebuild dont be frightened there is less than 10 parts inside but be clean and carefull some are parts very small, ultrasonic cleaning is best) may also help. good luck. Brian...
Just had my 1994 1.6 Corolla MOT'd.
FOr the 2nd year in a row the HC emissions are approx 100ppm, although in previous years they have been down at 18-20ppm.
Any ideas what has made it suddenly jump so much in the last 2 years ?
I dont think it can be running rich as the CO levels are very low.
Is this anything to be concerned about, althogh it it hasn't changed since the one last year ...?
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Interesting that you say that this has changed over the last two MOTs; [admittedly from an extremely low base] did you fill up at a JET or Total garage last February?
Had it now a week. Totally satisfied with it, doesnt put a foot wrong really.
Ride is a little hard on unbroken surfaces, but then the handling makes up for this.
Fuel economy for what has been mainly town work has come in at 26 mpg, not bad at all considering the manual is supposed to average 30 mpg combined.
Auto gearbox is smooth although not seamless, kickdown is not very keen.
Engine is very refined but does appear to lack torque for such a big engine - feels like a 1.6 rather than 2.0 - this may be due to the gearbox more than anything. It also seem sto idle very low ( 500 rpm or so ) when warm but maybe this is normal - doesnt affect the driveability at all.
The interior is excellent and is all we could ask for.
Overall, no regrets at all. Read more
I wonder if they'll ever
do a 6 cylinder version of the engine?
>
I do hope so, that'll cause some cold sweats in certain German boardrooms.
Imagine 6 pot diesel power and total reliability, and a dealer who treats you as a customer...intoxicating.
Hi all,
Got a call from my little sister last night. Think her words were "my car sounds like it's going to fall apart!". Basically, a really loud sound coming from the front of the car (she thought it was the engine), so I went out (in the rain) and dragged her home.
The sound was a constant grinding, followed by a bang on every wheel revolution (increasing in frequency with speed). Pushed it home, and had a look this morning jacked up. The RHF wheel doesn't rock backwards and forwards (as my MGF did when the bearings were shot), but it's extremely difficult to turn by hand (ok, nearly impossible to turn by hand).
Does it sound like bearings, or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Oh, and if it's the bearings, will I be safe driving it to the nearest garage (about 5 miles), and what sort of price am I looking at?
Cheers, Read more
Can you turn the drive shaft relative to the wheel, that is can you detect free play in the CV?
What's the state of the CV boot?
Have you checked the wheel nuts - sorry but it's been seen before.
Could something have collapsed in the disc/stone jammed in there? Could be worth taking a wheel off and having a look.
What work has been done lately?
Is it regularly serviced?
Well, it's been a while since I've started something that will no doubt stir up a hornets nest, so here goes!
I'm going to be changing cars this year, the first to go will be the Mondeo V6, I'm putting it on Ebay as soon as I know that the TF is back up to full strength following the HGF.
At the height of summer, around late July, I intend to sell the TF and will most likely be looking for a diesel. :-(
I know I said that I wouldn't get a diesel, but there is a possibility (I will know for certain by July) that my mileage may take a sudden increase above the 20,000 mark for which I think a diesel may be best suited.
The cars that I'm considering are as follows:-
MG ZT CDTi 04 model on - I like this car a lot, it looks good, drives well (apparently), has the BMW diesel engine but without the BMW problems (failing turbo and inlet manifold).
Ford Mondeo TDCi Ghia X 53 reg onwards - love the spec on these following the facelift and I think they're pretty comfortable, tyres should wear slower than the MG, parts will never be a problem but I've heard tales of MAF, EGR and injector problems.
Jag X Type 2.0d Sport - As per the Mondeo really, also concerned at possible discontinuation leading to plummeting resale values.
Volvo S60 D5 Sport - I really like these to sit in, but only like the looks of ones following the 2004 facelift. Heard of no major problems apart from heavy tyre wear and some injector problems. Concerned that this may be replaced soon and consequently the resale value of older ones will plummet.
Audi A3 2.0 TDI Sport - Again, I would only have the 53 reg model onwards, I don't like the old ones, probably a bit too small and a bit spartan, but I like the look of the car and it's the only diesel that doesn't seem to have common problems whilst still returning good mpg.
Audi A4 2.0 TDI Sport - As per the A3, but I only like the S-Line model.
So, what would the backroom buy?
Budget is circa £6K, I'd be asking Joe Dowd to look out for whichever car I get to ensure that I get a decent price.
(typo in header amended)
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Blue
I've recently bought a ZT190+ (hence changed my user name from primera man!). I have had a couple of hiccups with it (one being an accident which put the car off the road for 7 weeks), but, overall, I am very pleased with it (touch wood).
It's extremely refined, feels very well built, looks fantastic and is very quick - although I think I actually drive it more slowly than the Primera because it's so great to waft along in. OK, it only does 28 mpg and will be penalised under the VED changes, but I still love it. Oh, and for what you get, they are very cheap. The ride is very good on smooth roads, but a little fidgety on poorer surfaces - only to be expected with a sporty car.
I did worry about parts supply, but all I can say is that all the parts I needed after the accident were readily available.
Before buying my car, I did consider the more sensible option of going for a ZT diesel. I test drove one, but really didn't like it. The car was very nose-heavy, the brakes seemed to struggle with the weight and it just felt like an old-fashioned noisy diesel. TBH, I felt the diesel engine just didn't suit the sporty nature of the ZT. It may be that the car I tried was unrepresentative, because the diesel owners on the R75/MG ZT forum all seem to rave about their cars.
But personally, I wouldn't go for a diesel ZT. I'd recommend the ZT190+ I have. They'll be even cheaper now with the VED changes. My annual mileage is ~14k, and I reckon it will cost me another £600 per year in fuel over the Primera, which to me is a price I'm prepared to pay. But a 190 would probably not be a good idea with an annual mileage of 20k. Of course, you might be able to consider a 190 if you don't go for the job you're considering and your annual mileage is less.
If you have any other queries on the ZT, let me know.
Browse
Hi there,
this is precisely the problem with my car as well.
I have 1998 Honda Civic.I didn't use it for about three months.
it jump started without any problem but than the unusual stuff began.
it goes up to 3000 RPM and than goes down within a second.
I took it to two different mechanics and they had no clue what it is all about.
they advised me to take it to the Honda Authorised Mechanics.
has anybody got any idea what is it all about??
I will really appreciate any help.
regards,