December 2008
i'm thinking of getting rid of the fiesta zetec s for something else but i'm not really sure what to buy. I've got 7k ish, i want something fun to drive, at least as good to drive as the ZS. I mainly drive on motorways and a roads. I was think S2000 or Focus ST. But i'm not sure if they are a bit 'much' for long distance commute. Any ideas? Read more
With car main dealers going bust/closing now on an unfortunately regular basis what happens to their new unregistered and pre reg stock? Does it belong to the manufacturer, a finance co or the dealer themselves? If so does this "new" stock find its way into the car auctions? Are these generally as closed sales or as ones open to the public?
Are there bargains to be had. What about the remaining manufacturer warranty? Read more
Indeed you are right GordonB, paying cash to any company, unless you are taking your goods away there and then, is a big gamble. I remember a chain of carpet dealers years ago were pressuring customers into paying cash a day or two before going bust.
I drive a Ford Focus 1.8 petrol which is a 99T with about 78k miles.
I had a service last month and when I got home afterwards and looked at the invoice, it said that the oil used was 10w/40. The next day I told the garage the oil should really be 5w/30 and they agreed to change it. However I have noticed in the last 4 weeks that I have only been getting between 23-26 miles per gallon urban driving instead of the usual 27 mpg for this engine. I wonder if this is to do with the oil change or if it is to do with other factors like colder weather for example. Also sometimes it does not start first time and I've got it in my head that the 10w/40 oil is still in the engine and that this thicker oil is causing all my problems.
Is there any way I can test the oil on the dipstick to find out once and for all ?
Thanks
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Ford Focus 1.8 petrol 78k 1999
I had an oil change last November and the idiot at the garage put in 10w40 engine oil instead of the recommended 5w30 oil. So I went back to the garage the same day to confront him about it and he agreed to change it again and put in the 5w30 (which he really should know and if there is more than one type of oil that can be used for any engine then the mechanic should give you the choose of which you would like used). So I went back the next day for him to change it and he took about half an hour to do it.
Since then, however, and through the winter, I have been getting about 23/24 mpg urban driving whereas before I used to get 27mpg quite regularly. Also the engine has been needing 2 or 3 attempts before it starts, not every day. This starting problem seems to occur not when cold but when the engine has been run up to normal temperature.
What are the items on the car I should test to find the cause of these troubles ?
Thanks
I have an all of a sudden combined problem with our 'K' series 400.When I switch off the engine the cooling fan now continues to run for up to 20 mins.,even though the gauge shows a typically normal temperature(no bubbles,no oil in expansion tank etc).Secondly,the car has become difficult to start when the engine is cold.Once warmed up it runs fine.I have given a bit of thought to the possible cause and wondered if anyone could give their thoughts.
The one thing,looking at the wiring diagram, which could connect the two situations I feel is the coolant temperature sensor,which sends info to the ECU which in turn controls the fuel(including cold starting) and cooling fan amongst other things.So if this sensor goes belly up and sends out a signal that the engine is very hot,then I presume a)the fan kicks in and b)when you start from cold,the ECU is told not to use the automatic choke.Any thoughts would be most welcome as I loathe paying out a small ransom just for having it plugged in at the local dealers!
One final word,does anyone recommend a possible handheld plugin diagnostic tool for using on the car or does anyone know of any technical bulletin on tracking down ECU/sensor faults that can be used instead.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all at Honestjohn. Read more
Well I might as well write to myself,just in case it crops up for anyone else!I decided to take the plunge and pay out £12 to the local Rover parts dept. and fit a new sensor.Hey presto!,sorted both problems in one go-no fan on now and starts straight away on the coldest of mornings.Byeee.
Collected the Mondeo Titanium on thursday which i am absolutely delighted with, seems very well made and drives and handles brilliant also a good range of toys and the sony rad/cd player is fantastic, fingers crossed i hope it turns out to be better than HAT unless i just dropped on a bad one.
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Any idea if the dealers 3 month would cover this.
evenin' all;
SWMBO's Zafira developed a little 'feature' a couple of months back, finally got round to having a look today. Basically the TID is constantly showing 'brakelight'; although all 3 brake lights are in fact working. Poked around in the rear light clusters today, both brake light bulbs were rather black, although they've only been in a few months. Poking around with a DVM there is only 11.0V on the bulb when lit, which sounds a little low. I've replaced both bulbs and cleaned / bent the contacts in the cluster to make sure all is Ok, but still showing 'brake light' on the TID.
Any ideas anyone? Read more
Just a quick update; the tail light on the opposite side blew today, so I replaced that stop & tail bulb ( which was also black inside), now the 'brake light' nag has gone away. I'm not at all convinced I've solved the root problem mind you.
Has anybody experience of removing the ABS ECU from the hydraulic unit? Haynes as usual says dealer job as Hydraulic unit has to be removed & fluid must not be lost from it. what a great design the earlier model ECU was under the passenger seat easy to remove etc - progress?????????
VW seem to have carefully designed this version of the Passat to make even simple service jobs awkward & inaccessible. Read more
hi there found this thread you posted a while back, i have a golf vr6 i have put my abs problem down to ecu under pump now, you mention soldering etc, when you take off the ecu from the pump how do you get in to solder etc does ecu split open or is board visible once its off, if you could help that would be great thanks
Just a quick note, dont know how new it is but yesterday I was behind a Debenhams lorry which had in big letters on the back of the trailer, that on single carriageways it is limited to 40 mph.
Ive never seen this before but it seemed like a good idea given how few people seem aware of varying limits for different vehicles and subseqently think the HGV driver is holding them up on purpose. Read more
>>they have had the latest batch of 50 vans governed to 62 mph (60 true speed)>>
The company have not governed them, all new vans over 3.5 tons have to be governed by law. The manufacturer fits the governor.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=58674
Well, I made my debut post on this forum just 12 months ago and the above link.
It angered many of you and was seen as confrontational. It wasn't meant to be at all, but having just sat and read it through from start to finish, I can certainly see why it was seen as such.
It had been a very bad year for me but things had just started to look a bit better then, with some light at the end of the tunnel.
I've stuck around ( welcome or not!), I read far more posts than I reply to and it certainly gives me some valuable insight into the way car drivers perceive us lorry drivers, and has brought a far greater understanding for myself and hopefuly our PDA Members too.
I admit to being a tad intimidated at times and thinking my opinions won't be welcome, but I log on to HJ every evening, sitting in my lorry wherever I am, and read the latest threads.
Things I've learned from these forums>>>>>
Car Drivers are just as proud of their skill as we are.
We are ALL road users and in the bigger picture, DO have respect for each other.
There are more very good and considerate car drivers than there are bad ones.
There are some very arrogant and bullish lorry drivers about ( and there are getting to be more than ever before).
Your sense of humour is sometimes hard to understand! ( but then again, so is ours!)
I'm amazed at how many of you are also Bikers :)
The Moderators are great and thanks to PU for calming the waters last year and allowing me to stay.
I've enjoyed being around here, I've learned a lot and if it's all the same to you all, I'd like to stick around for 2009 as well and learn some more.
Pat
That's a lorry drivers attempt at an apology, by the way!
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I'll echo the above. Always good to have an informed opinion from someone who knows their game. I enjoy the banter on here and especially so those that don't necessarily agree with my angle, as you can always learn from others can't you, or enjoy trying to get others to see your viewpoint...(NowWheels i'm sure i've detected a chink in your armour)...;-)
I particularly enjoy the mostly civilised behaviour on here and for that the Mods can take a deep bow...I know some things get nipped in the bud early, but that's the price for the most civilised site i've found...and why i'm still here.
I do though think it's a shame that some posters who perhaps aren't as robust as some (and why should they be) get hammered by the 'perfect' brigade for an honest post, which causes them to disappear early. The thought ought to be no one's always right and if they're willing to discuss it on here they might learn something and improve..(cue someone finding one of my posts that steams in)...:-)
This site can only benefit from people like pda (and others), long may it continue.. from an avowed addict.
where is the egr on this car before I go getting cold and dirty for no reason?
Im trying to find out whether its gona be coked up due to short journeys
cheers Read more
Browse
Nice dilemma Sooty. You have a reasonable budget and should be able to find something suitable. As for the motorway element most modern kit will cope admirably, especially if you are looking at cars with a bit of power. For A road work you probably already have quite a good car and you will be aware of Ford handling and that any model from that manufacturer is generally good on the twisties.
I guess only you know how comfortable you would be with fairly high fuel consumption and insurance costs which would, I'm afraid, be a given with the models you mention.
As a bit of a different alternative and assuming of course that the the size is appropriate, it might be fun to check out the Panda 100hp. Never driven one but they look like a hoot and you could probably get a new or almost new one for your budget.
Have fun looking !