March 2008
Hi,
Sorry if this rambles on a bit.
My girlfriends has a 106 1.1L Independence. She didn't have any service history with it and hasn't had any servicing done since getting it. I've recently done the oil and filter and the cam-belt / tensioner / water pump. Air filter still need still be changed - am going to tap that out in a bit.
It runs well most of the time but when the weather is very wet it runs very rough - kangaroos, sounds like it's missing etc.
My initial thought was Distributor cap / HT leads but it's a distributor-less ignition system with a rail.
The spark plugs have not been changed in at least the last 25000 miles, so I did wonder if they might need replacing - maybe one of them breaking down. If so how on earth do I get them out.
Does anyone have any ideas where I should start looking?
Many thanks. Read more
I tried to fit a new stereo with 2 extra earth wires, Unfortunately they touched the chassis and sparked, The car wouldn't turn over and had to goto dealer, they reported "NO LIVE TO PCM RELAY" and they got it working, They wouldn't tell me how they fixed it(surprise) Can anyone shed some light on this, Many thanks in advance.
subject line de-mystified Read more
I'm sorry you took my posts the wrong way Dazzle, I assure you I was in no way implying that you were colour blind (whatever that has to do with it), nor was I intending to insult you, I was merely offering suggestions as to what might have happened. If your attitude to helpful suggestions is to take offence then so be it, I will keep my suggestions to myself as far as your questions are concerned in future. Not all black wires are earth BTW.
Just had a "full works" valet done on both cars, and both have scrubbed up beautifully. However, it has thrown the Scenic's worn gearknob into even sharper focus. It lets the whole interior down, and I want to replace it.
Problem is I can't work out how it comes off. It doesn't seem to unscrew, and I can't find a grubscrew or any other fixing on it.
It's a 6 speed manual with a pull up collar to engage reverse (if that's relevant). I've checked the Haynes manual, and it's no help.
Anyone done this before?
Cheers
DP
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Gear knob renovation kit on ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260855821323?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
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>> That American bank ... Would have only lost 90+% of your investment.
It is all about timing my dear.
It's also about spreading the risk, for most people - which is why a generalist investment (e.g. in an Investment Trust) is a good thing.
Hi,
I Have an 07 transit TDCI problem starts runs well for the first 5sec then dies, not showing any codes on the IDS fitted remote tank with clear hose, no air ingress. Checked all relavant PIDS for PCM on IDS nothing drops out when vehicle stops. checked all relavent connectors for corosion or moisture, checked PCM power and grounds. also no fuel contamination.HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rosco Read more
I assume the fuel filter has been changed?
I'm considering a new Qashqai. Some motoring journalists suggest re-sale values will be poor. Some good. There aren't many used models about just yet and the pricing on those seems to suggest that values will hold up. Any thoughts or experience? Thanks. Read more
That is exactly what they are scott - you are doing nothing more than buying depreciation and paying a healthy interest rate for the privilige.
It was a tool to satisfy the "I want it NOW - at all costs" brigade and sums up today's economy in the UK.
The example people are set by the government is debt, debt, debt.
Mind you we are all going to be paying for it now that it has caught up with everyone in this so-called credit crunch.
I am busy planning our honeymoon in July and have just booked 10 nights in Lake Garda at a couple of different hotels.
We are planning to drive down and I have booked the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam (cant think of the port it uses). Ferry arrives in Amsterdam on the 20th July at 9.30am but we dont check into hotel in Garda until 21st. We need somewhere to stay en route (whichever we take).
Has anyone done the trip? got any suggestions where to stay overnight etc?
I was thinking of going through Germany, Austria and over the Brenner Pass but any other alternatives would be good as this type of continental driving is all new to me.
Somehow got to work out how to get 2 weeks worth of luggage in our MG TF now :-( Read more
I did a similar trip on my honeymoon in a Volvo P1800, but via the Riviera. That was in mid-winter 1962 but more recent trips make me fearful of the overtaking habits of Italian drivers. On passes, you may enjoying watching the great verve of local coachdrivers but try not to get too close when they are oncoming. Driving on the eastern shore road of Lake Garda is not too bad (Garda itself is a dump) but there is an excellent bus service between Riva and Verona. I too would opt for Malcesine. If at a loose end, go up the funicular there for the view: even looser, kite sail back down. I too would avoid the neighborhood of Milan, especially the main route to Slovenia.
Count your change. In spite of the official view, you will have to tip although a young Italian hotel receptionist friend tells me that "Italians don't give nothing".
Your MGtf handbook probably warns you not to put luggage in the front as it could interfere with energy absorption in the case of a bump (mine did) and this could have insurance implications. I needed all the boot luggage space for myself for my 2000-mile MG trip so of course my wife had to stay behind. You can probably get a purpose-built, lockable security box to bolt under the passenger seat and a boot lid luggage rack.
On the lines of "I wouldn't start here", I would go in September, still warm but fewer tourists and cheaper. But it will be lovely MG driving whenever so congratulations and "buon' viaggio"!
Hi,
the Anti Skid warning light as been intermittantly coming on on my Volvo.
After a couple of visits to the dealer they said the sensor needed replacing, they would order the sensor and arrange a time to fit the sensor. After a delay and pushing by me, the car went back and instead of fitting the sensor as agreed they have uploaded new software to the Anti Skid system.
There was some discussion that I may have had the Dignostic software loaded, and now I just have the Vanilla software loaded.
Is this a sensible course of action? If they identify a part needs replacing, should they replace it?
It's interesting that there is no record of this on the job card, it is all word of mouth.
thanks for any input,
Durelli
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Durelli
Sorry to say this; but there's not one hard fact here. All just waffle about different kinds of software that simply don't exist.
So you had an ABS light on - what was the code?
Yes; these systems can produce a false rear wheel-speed sensor code and there's a software fix for it - which seems to have been done.
Did that fix it?
hi can anyone help me?
i bought a 2000 model vauxhall astra 2.0 dti and i am having trouble with it starting.
i have replaced all the glowplugs and the power unit, if it is very cold you turn the key and the glowplug light comes on and the car starts no problem, and when the engine is warm it starts no problem but the glowplug light does not come on ,when you turn the key,if the car has been parked up for the day and you try start it the glowplug light does not come on and the motor will swing for about 10 seconds before it starts and when it does start it blows a big cloud of smoke out the exhaust so it seems to be fueling but battles to start, i think it is some sort of sensor which is not powering the glowplugs unless it is really cold but i am not sure where it is to change it. can anyone advise me . thanks
{I realise you're new here, but please take a few moments to read some of the policies in place. One of which is to include the year & engine details within the subject line of your post - as per the 3 separate requests} Read more
How much diesel were you expecting? Try Easi-start.
Changing the pump, which often fails, is a skilled job and the £1700 cost might give you pause.....
A friend is about to buy her first diesel due to a quadrupling of her commute mileage. She's narrowed it down to the two cars above:
Both 100,000 milers with full service histories, the Seat's on an 04 and the Vauxhall on an 05. Both 6750 from indie dealers with warranties. She's driven both and thought the Seat was the nicer car, but preferred the Astra's engine saying it was smoother and delivered its power more progressively.
She rang me for advice and I struggled to be honest. My gut feeling is the PD engine is a safer higher mileage bet, but then I also know of horror stories with these 150 versions.
She has decided on one of these two cars. She also drove a Fabia vRS, but couldn't get comfy in it.
Which of these two would you go for, and why?
Cheers
DP
make/model choice dropped as asking about more than one car Read more
As the owner of a Golf GTI with the same engine in it, and also had a Vectra with the 150bhp diesel lump in it, I would say the Leon everytime. The PD engine does have reliability (mine currently has 128K on the clock, 2004 model). The only things to be aware of are:- (these are Golf issues, but I would think they would be the same on the Leon)
Cambelt change due at 60K - worth having the water pump changed at the same time.
A/C fans can fail - £400 to replace apparently.
Correct Oil is vital - check service history. Is it longlife servicing (ie variable)?
The 150 engines are known to sometimes self-destruct. This seems to affect older models (upto 2003), but it might start to affect the 'newer' models soon.
But, in short, buy the Leon. I did the same thing with the Golf, bought at 107K last August, so 20K since then means I'm also a high mileage driver!
Let us know what she decides!
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Ideal - all sorted. thanks for all the help.