September 2008
With more people apparently opting for smaller more fuel efficient cars I wonder if we are going to begin to see more super-minis type cars - Jazzs, Micras, Yaris, the small Citroens, etc - on our motorways doing the commute?
I haven't travelled on motorways for over a year so, perhaps, you guys are already seeing this? Are you noticing more or are the motorway commuting cars still by and large the bigger Focus and above sized cars?
From my own POV I find it bad enough being in a Focus sized car on the motorway when lorries and coaches are over-taking so can't imagine what it would be like in a Jazz or a Citroen C1, 2 or 3.
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At slow speed and more or less stopped steering wheel pulses from side to side. Wheel alignment etc seems OK. Perhaps this is a power steering problem? Any ideas or experience with this problem. Car is a 95 XSI with 170000km. Otherwise runs fine.
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Find a quite slope like a business park on a Sunday and freewhwwl the car down the clope engine off and see if the pulsing stops, engine off or course. Take care doing this. Regards Peter
Banks are fighting not to go bust themselves and those that are not are cutting back heavily on lending for anything. Watching the Media in the past 48 hours more and more commentators are saying that loans for just about anything will be impossible to get from banks for the foreseeable future as they attempt to keep as much funding as possible.
House prices are going to fall as a result as the huge mortgages are gone forever but what does this now mean for car sales and car prices? What about dealers - must be quite a few struggling out there at the moment. Would be interested to hear from those in the know about how sales are doing at the present time? Read more
I looked into a Chrysler/Dodge dealership yesterday (whilst waiting for provisional bid at nearby auction), all the new stock had A4 notices, proclaiming the vehicles were to be sold at 'cost' price, so ignore the sticker £$£$.
The young salesman, who seemed to be glued to his chair, did roughly calculate the 'saving' as about £2000 on a well equiped £24995 Dodge Nitro! He was true enough, to say they sold at 'cost' but got their profit from an overriding makers bonus. Perhaps you could quote Trading Standars & insist on this additional payment should be made to the customer.
If you wanted to part with so much £$£$ on a heavy depreciator!
I said I'd take another look at the vehicles & pick up a brochure, after.
Was this a 'buying signal'??? Not to this chap - he simply gestured towards a display rack, that there were some 'over there'!!!!
Glad he doesn't need to fight for business!!
VB
Over the past few months the car idle speed has been revving from about 200 revs to 900 revs 2 times every second. When stationary, the revs return to a steady idle of about 900 revs/min. The big problem is that when the car is cold it stalls as the car comes to rest. Otherwise the car drives great on the open road. The ECU light's not been on so I guess there won't be an error code logged. Just wonder if this is a common problem and if anyone has had this happen to their car. Any ideas greatfully accepted. Credit crunch hitting badly, looking for a cheap and easy DIY fix ( Ishould be so lucky!)
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I've cleaned out the throttle body and the car idle is almost perfect, just a very small fluctuation in revs at idle, but nothing to worry about. it's certainly not going to stall. I just wonder whether I should have cleaned the throttle body below the butterfly valve. I only used a dry cloth to clean around the valve. Is there a special cleaner available and should I be poking around under the valve? I dont want to push my luck and damage something.
Thanks again for your help!
I've just bought an 01 Micra (Activ special edition).
With the car switched off, wiggling the gear lever around results in metallic clanking, louder than on a previous Micra I had, which gave a plastic, dead sound. Also, moving from 2nd to 3rd is sometimes hit and miss, though I am now getting used to slotting it in the exact place it needs.
Anything to worry about? Or will the driver adjust to the gear slots eventually?
Thanks
Mike Read more
Am I the only one cringing at the wallet busting scenarios concerning FAP and Common Rail, that appear daily on `Technical`?
There`s Screwloose doing a wizards job with often sparse initial detail - you know- a bit of eye of newt and hair of dog - stirred into the pot in an attempt to get the codes, more info and even solid blocks of concrete like text paragraphed.
Sometimes though don`t you just hope that after an initial consultation it will be sent to auction/dumped/given away/ dropped of a cliff - rather than hundreds and thousands of pounds being fed into its ridiculously and pathetically over complex and seemingly unfit for purpose systems?
You know, FAP and particulate filters. What will we think of the current systems in 20 years time? Will it be like looking back at the old Vauxhall Victor rust boxes in the 60`s and knowing they could have been better.
Unless mileage and tax and so on demand it - I`m surprised these complex cars are not abandoned.
Perhaps gritting the teeth for some with regard to loss of luxury and power, but a Fiat 1.1 Panda new, at just over £5,000 has never looked better value with regard to ceasing to dump cash from the wallet - in the fashion of a turbo waste gate opening. Read more
Agree on the Cavalier. Tragic handling, but otherwise a very good car. That 2.0 8v engine (and the 16v C20XE) were some of the best mass produced engines anywhere. Powerful, smooth, reliable, and capable of starship mileage.
Anyone out there own or drive the new 2008/9 Forester? Especially interested in the new diesel version - are there any on the road yet? Wondering if the new diesel is strong enough to lug the bigger Forester around capably?
Got my eye on one of these for the New Year, subject to lead-times, waiting lists, etc... Read more
>>Wondering if the new diesel is strong enough to lug the bigger Forester around capably?
I'd have thought no problem, it is plenty quick enough in my Legacy and improving as the miles pile on. The Forester is shorter, half a wing mirror wider and doesn't weigh any more although I suppose top speed may be down a smidgeon with aerodynamics affecting it.
From Subaru UK web site:
Legacy Sports Tourer - Curb Weight 1565KG, Gross Vehicle Weight 2000KG
New Forester - Curb Weight 1475KG Gross Vehicle Weight 2015KG
I recently had an electrical problem on my Accord which resulted in a rather expensive electronic control box having to be replaced. The fault was caused by the wiring on the towbar (fitted before I got the car) not being a Honda part - appparently the genuine Honda wiring, which I've since had fitted, has built-in protection. With electrics on modern cars being more complex than they used to be, it's worth bearing in mind if you have a towbar fitted.
Regards
Catcher Read more
Yes, it has multiplex electrics. The fault caused the 'passenger side multiplex control unit' to pack in. I had been using the rear fog lights while towing and they wouldn't switch off (even with the key out!). It was an expensive way to get the lights working properly - but of course, being part of the MOT I couldn't get away with just leaving the fuse out! (plus there might have been other electrical problems lurking to surface as a result)
Regards
Catcher
Hi, I've just bought a mark 4 '99 golf 1.4s..the gearbox seems sticky when i drive it around. The cars fine overall, there isn't any other problems with it-(i'll keep everything posted if there is).. Read more
Check the engine mounts, if one wears/fails it can cause gear change alignment problems.
Bought a Laguna 1.9 dci diesal , approx 18months ago. It has fairly high mileage (149,00) but has got full service history. The problems started when then boost pressure control valve went faulty. The car produced vast amounts of black smoke, wouldn,t switch of, even with key in my hand!! had to stall the vehicle in the end. The conclusion was blown turbo. Removed turbo from vehicle, stripped down, impellor shaft complety shot. Is this a common fault? Is there a modified pressure relief valve available? Where can I get to turbo from? don't want to spend lot of money to get it fixed, coz have decided to get rid of the car, biggest piece of junk have every bought!! Read more
Recoil from memory had a engine management light come on when driving, then lack of power, followed by excessive revving. When stripped turbo, have had the holes where the shaft would have been welded up. Rebuilt the engine, every thing runs fine. So am happy that no turbo bits made way into intercooler, engine etc. However,loads smoke when rev above 1500rpm, as you would predict. Just want a cheap s/hand turbo to make good a bad job!!!! Have looked but seems have to spend £300 - £400 for a recon unit.
My Smart 4-2 Brabus was capable of 90. Now that WAS scary!