June 2008
Car fails to start sometimes, usually after I have refuelled.
Noticed recently, that fuel cutoff did not work and overfuelled it resulting in fuel spillage at petrol station. This has happened a couple of times at different petrol stations, so now I only fill it 3/4 full.
Starting problem only seems to happen the next morning - after i have refuelled.
Last time it happened got a friend to tow me and it started after being towed about half a mile, then worked fine for a few weeks.
Checked fuel into injector rail on cranking and nothing being pumped.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Billy
Read more
Can anyone help with a strange creaking noise when engine temp is up to 90' or above
when steering left or right or going round roundabouts the steering just creaks like a rubber sound, can this mean there is no steering fluid? or lead to another problem. it only happens when the temp goes up. also how do you tell if a spark plug is not firing properly and need changing?
Steve
{subject header edited to include a brief summary of question being asked} Read more
Hi,
I have this grinding noise when I brake that gets louder and deeper the more I push the pedal ending in a kind of grinding clattering noise as I stop.
I have had the problem with the brake calipers seizing before which made a similar noise but I had them replaced (and all the other bits that burnt out as a result) last March so I dont think its that - also, the brakes actually work, its just noisy!
Its a hard noise to explain but it sounds like something metal rubbing on something else metal that is a little smooth and rotating, then when I brake more the tone drops and clattering starts as well as the grinding noise.
I had a similar noise last year that turned out to be one of the wishbones (exciting driving that was!) and so I got one replaced but not the other. I think its might be that but I am not sure as previously I had a wobbly steering wheel but I dont have that this time. The noise didnt get as bad as it is now but the steering was affected much more so maybe it isnt the other wishbone??
Before I found out the cause was the wishbone I got my garage to check it as I thought it was the brakes again but they couldnt find anything wrong with the brakes. The noise only occured when the car is warm although now it is happening within about 1 mile so not that warm!
I hope that all makes sense. I don't really know what to do, the noise is loud and horrible enough to drive me to cycle to work this week but I need to get my car to the garage (early MOT and service) on Thursday (19June) and I dont know if it is safe to drive it there and ignore the noise or if I should get a truck to take it??
Thanks for reading this far, I'm on my last hope for this car yet again and any thoughts anyone can give me about this problem are most welcome!!
Julip
{typos, re: break / brake corrected}
Read more
Does anyone know whether a re-conditioned fuel injection pump for a 1999 Astra TD (gm engine) will need re-programming once fitted? Vauxhall parts guy said he wasn't sure, but possibly due to the injection ecu built into the unit. I didnt think (hoping!) it would need as it has the older engine.
Cheers
{No need to repeat what you've already selected from the drop down menus as this automatically gets included within the subject header} Read more
Best do as Screwloose says, take it to a diesel specialist, they know what they are doing!
My wife has decided that she wants a really small, five door, five seater car. We have looked at several models and the one we like the best is the Citroen C1 (or equivalent), but this only has two seat belts at the rear.
Does anyone have any idea if a third seatbelt can be fitted retrospectively to this model and if so, how or by whom?
Alternatively, we have looked at the Hyundai i10 which she likes, but whilst it is incredible value for money, and nicely built, the Citroen drives so much better. We have not yet driven a Fiat Panda, but apart from that, are there any other cars we should be looking at at in this category? Read more
We had a look at a Daihatsu Sirion on Sunday. 1.0l is £8k but has 3 reat seatbelts. A/C. 4 electric windows. The car felt solid and well-built, doors closed with a thunk, though the glove box was plasticy. Seats quite firm. I didn't get to drive but OH said it picked up well and was easy to drive. Good boot space.
The attraction is the 5 year warranty and I understand the engine is the same as a Yaris and the cars are actually built in Japan. The down-side is the price and the depeciation. Also you can get a lot of bigger year-old cars for £8k. OH wants to try the i10 so he can compare the two.
A local Renault dealer was advertising 08 old-shape Clio campuses for £6,350 at the week-end. There seem to be some good deals around at the moment and likely to be more as the credit-crunch bites.
Helo, i have a mk2 punto jtd and it was running ok today (first day iv used it ) but this evening it seems very slugish and doesnt want to rev which makes it a bit dangerous. I was wondering if there is anything i might be able to check or should i just take it for a diagnostic? Read more
For no particular reason, mine are:
Best. Toyota Celica. Just love its sleek looks.
Worst. Skoda Roomster. Just ugly, not even quirky ugly. Read more
Best: the latest Lexus GS and LS models take some beating in the gracefulness stakes.
Golf MK 5, Ford Focus, the latest Mondeo and the previous Mondeo are also nice lookers.
The new Jaguar XF is a beauty too. For smaller cars I think the Ford Fiesta is plain but easy-on-the-eye. Alfa Romeos are spoiled by the clumsiness of those 'afterthought' offset number plates.
Ugly: Fiat 500 - if it handn't been for the original version, nobody would consider the current pastiche anything but ungainly. Nissan Micra - which ever way you look at it there isn't a single graceful line. Toyota Yaris Verso - looks like its made from panels taken from lots of different cars. Porsche Cayenne - odd how the VW Touareg looks neat but the Porsche sharing much of the bodywork looks ugly!
When cold my Saxo (VTR) starts well enough but runs rough if I don't keep the revs high (above2500). Once the engine temperature starts to rise the fault goes away.
When the engine is warm and I start the car there is no fault, it only seems to be from cold
Can you help? I have tried a couple of garages but they have changed this and that to no avail.
Thanks
John Read more
hi all
stranded in Ibiza, lost my keys somewhere (in one of 4 strip bars....)
got new keys (non plip type but transponder) from peugeot but need to know if there is a programming procedure i can follow or if i really do have to truck the car to the dealer (rather a nightmare, both the dealer and the tow truck guys!)
anyone who can sort me out on this one gets a paid night out on the tiles in San Antonio (but this time i'lll leave the keys at home!)
thanks
Owain Read more
All, had a trip from Glasgow to Wigan today, journey of 210miles, only 8 major turns / changes of direction would take me to my destination (straight on through roundabouts notcounted.) Just proper junctions or left / right equivalents at roundabouts.
Knowing that some of you folks have driven around the world, howfar have you got for the minimum number of proper turns (change of road / route) from start to finish for your journey. (I know there are some very long straight roads out there.)
Read more
The late Len Beadell built a number of roads across the interior of Australia in the 1940/50s. The first one was the Gunbarrel Highway because the aim was to make it as straight as a gunbarrel. It is about 1400km long. As it passes through remote desert areas it is not for inexperienced drivers and definately not a holiday jaunt. You also need a total of three permits to travel along it. It connects Victory Downs near the NT/SA border to Carnegie Station in WA. The only real turn is at Jackie Junction
Browse
Bizarre is right. Thanks for the update - but I'm still struggling to see how it caused the back-pressure when filling.
Still; that's cars for you....