May 2008
A while ago it was said that you should think twice about buying a car that had a towbar fitted as it possible it has more wear to the gearbox/suspension than a car that has not been used for towing.
Is this in fact correct? Would a car have had to do frequent heavy towing to see any difference in reliability? The car I am looking at it a Y reg focus diesel with 90,000 miles on it. Read more
Hi my daughters car has just failed on co level and lamber sensor readings on MOT the co was 3.85 and the lamba wa off scale
how can I adjust the co level
thanks Read more
Jon
Can you confirm it's a 1.2, C3G-700 engine, with Marelli G6 fuelling?
No adjustment possible; it's got a fault. Check the hose to the MAP sensor for deterioration and the coolant temp sensor, TPS and oxygen sensor readings.
That's too high a CO reading to be just a failed cat.
A couple of weeks ago I bought a pair of 'super bright' bulbs from a well-known car accessory store. They were for the main beam on my 2007 Impreza.
I fitted them carefully (I teach electrical/electronic engineering so know how these bulbs are made, the pressure that's inside them, and the critical importance of keeping the glass envelope clean).
Driving on Sunday night I noticed the passenger-side bulb go out.
When I got home I could see that it had exploded with great force. There is glass debris inside the headlamp unit and some scratching of the reflector where it has been struck by high-velocity shards of glass.
Back to the store today and the manager is going to call head office to see what they have to say.
My guess it will be 'tough luck' and a replacement bulb.
I won't be particularly happy with this and reckon that the bulb was most probably defective from new, or possibly handled prior to me getting it (the packaging is not tamper-proof).
The headlamp has a HID dipped unit and is sealed, so impossible to get the glass remains out. I reckon they owe me a new headlamp.
Any views on the best way forward on this - possibly a small claims court job? Needless to say I have lost the receipt, but the bulbs are in 'own brand' packaging and clearly identifiable as such. Read more
I cannot understand the attitude of some posters who seem to just want to shrug their shoulders when something like this happens.
The original poster bought a product, to my mind it does not matter what product, but it was a faulty product that has caused additional damage. He is right to complain and seek compensation.
It is because of this "forget it and get on with your life " attitude, that lets manufacturers, service industries and Governments get away with charging more and giving us less.
Just out of interest, Mapmaker, do you drive an old banger, or if not you do you have a company car ?
Hello Again! another problem with my GTI. this time i am being told that the thrust bearing has been destroyed by a cheap clutch that was fitted about 2 months ago (along with a recon box) i unerstand that the gearbox is "back to front" with the thrust bearing at the end of the box. But how the heck is what these people say possible????
is it a con? or just a straight bearing replacement?
Oh and the box had been leaking oil from the end plate.
ANY HELP GRATEFULLY RECIEVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read more
had a closer look at this clutch..... looks like it hasbeen set upon with a ball pein hammer!! compared it to one that was replaced on my MK1 and this one is much smaller..?? called the garage and they replied that it had been done when they removed the clutch..... so acting stupid i said that it loked like they droped the gearbox on it.... to this he replied that the clutch can (And was) changed without removing the gearbox!!!!!!!!!!! this was thier so called "Time served and VAG trained mechanic" talking pink fluffy dice taking this to trading standards me thinks................................
{trying to bypass the swearfilter again will result in the whole post being deleted, rather than edited as it's quicker}
Many thanks to those who reported the spam post. Easier to thank you here than email you individually.
DD. Read more
Problem A: Engine cold
I start my 3200-mile 1.6 04 Focus on a cold day and it sounds like it is running on only 3 cylinders, as if one is running weakly. It drags itself along the road... The colder the day the worse it behaves, and the worse it sounds. This clears up when warm and sounds and drives 'normal'. Difficult to demonstrate to a dealer as they aren't with me when I start off from cold... have left it overnight at dealer but they drive out into standing traffic, so can't pull away on a cold engine...
Problem B (may be linked)
The power of the engine is getting less and less over time. I go up the same hill, and it used to be happy in third, now it struggles in third and I change to second. And I can hear that one of the cylinders isn't right, as if something might be 'throttling' one of them. On my old Kawa 750 I would have said it had a leaky valve, causing less power on that cylinder; that's the best way to describe this.
No problems show with Ford's diagnostics. Compression test by them shows 200psi on all cylinders (though curiously another garage showed low compression 130psi on one of them, which would start to explain all this)
Why would one cylinder be weaker than the rest?
No misfiring (ie ignition) problems.
Could the ECU anti-knock feature come into play and cause the ignition to retard when it shouldn't?
I have been trying to record this sound to make it plain. Read more
Hi !
Sorry if the topic is not in the right place !
This is the thing !
I am gonna buy a car in UK and then take it to Croatia !
Law in Croatia says that car can be old up to 8 years but MUST have at least EURO 3 ENGINE!
Now, i have no idea how to buy a car and be sure that it has euro 3 engine !
I have 4 cars to choose and i would like you guys to help me please !
FORD MONDEO 2001, PETROL, Zetec, Ghia or LX any size engine
FORD MONDEO 2001, DIESEL, 1.9 or higher
RENAULT LAGUNA 2001, PETROL any size
RENAULT LAGUNA 2001, DIESEL any size
Wich of these cars have (FOR SURE) Euro 3 engine !???
Thanx for help ! Read more
Haven't checked those particular cars; but AFAIWA all petrol cars were Euro 3 compliant by 2001 and diesels by 2005.
Whats the teams opinions on owning a Smart 1.3 or 1.5 with AC do you think they will hold their value or drop like a stone,they seem pretty carsa well put together and economical plus quite nippy thats the fors what are the againsts. Read more
The Smart Forfour is a discontinued model. The price drop should be evident already in the second hand market.
Update on March Subject
(Thread here) www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=61574
They are still driving around in the Citroen Saxo - No RFL and likely No Ins (not on MID)
Nice day for a run so I went 2 miles - popped into the local Police Station and reported the suspicions of No Insurance - the RFL bit did not bother me.
In the last 6 weeks Car has acquired a smashed offside wing an is still being driven around corners on 2 wheels and often with 2 x kids sitting unbelted in the back.
May be this will cease if the BiB can be bothered to follow the matter up Read more
I will see if either he/she will come along your road at 60mph on a
nice sunny day and see if you like it.
It is not just the RFL/Ins but the devil may care driving.
cul-de -sac prevents such behavior in my street , but i agree lets give all our senior citizens with too much time on their hands a speed gun to play with
Has anyone else had problems with the Honda Satnav? In 6 years, we now look like we need a new reader for the second time. Read more
Or do a drive past to see how big the caravan is?