February 2009
My daughter has a 2003 Ford KA 1.3 with 31000 miles. As she is not working and cannot find a job for the moment I have offered to service her car for her. (I used to home service all my cars until 15 years ago so I am out of practice).
Does anyone have any tips on how to remove the spark plugs as they are prone to sticking and breaking off. I am sure they are the original plugs so they will likely be a nightmare to remove. I was going to soak the plugs in GT500 penetrating oil overnight.
All tips welcome Read more
I am considering buying a Subaru Forester XT and would be grateful if backroomers have any views on the pro's and cons of the 5 speed manual and or 4 speed auto. In particular the reliability and function of either.
Thank you.
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With the manual, 5th equals 23.2mph/1000rpm (26.6 in the Auto).
If there was a leggy 6th running 30mph/1000rpm (which the humungous torque could no doubt use easily) I'm sure it would have managed closer to the magic 225g/km CO2 to save £200 a year on VED and thus been hugely more popular with the public.
Of course the monster discounts wouldn't have then been available.. c'est la vie!
There must still be a stash of unregistered 08 vehicles as the Subaru.co.uk website still has details for the old model.
Hello all-been a while. It's that blasted 406HDI 2.2 136BHP Estate again. The one with the FAP & Eloys (sp?). Anyhow, that now all works.
But it's been whizzing up all manner of rubbish intermittent error messages. The one that's a constant is the 'fuel caop open' one-a recent event. Now the fuel flap itself needs extra oomph to open it, but has done for ages. As usual, what's making this warning & how do I fix it? I've had a really good look around the fueling area & can't see any obvious catches/sensors.
Incidentally, for forum amusement, we've had STOP, engone temp too high the second after starting from cold. This happens fortnightly & has done for a year. The water temp gauge sometimes doesn't work & then does, & frequently dips down if you accelaerate hard, & then bings back up. About 2 years of this. Last week we had 'anti-pollutions sustem ineffective', & it then stopped the car. Revived on leaving it for a minute, but stilll had engine management lit on dash & repeated the warning. Took battery off last night & , so far, all seems OK. It has had an van aaken box attached to it about 6 months ago, if that might influence things.
Anyhow, hope regulars are well. Thanks as usual!
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I must be allowed a LOL by now...
stick a rag wrapped in a dustbin bag in it, until you fancy a project....
Hi all,
I bought a 2003 Honda Jazz 1.4 CVT 9 months ago. It had 21,000 miles on the clock, and since then I've driven ~1,100 miles. I only drive infrequently, usually ~8 miles a week, with occasional motorway trips every couple of months.
1 month ago I noticed whilst driving on the motorway that the engine was a bit jerky at high speeds but low revs.
Since then I've noticed that it is jerky at lower speeds to, when at low revs (1,000 - 1,400 revs). It feels a bit like the car is about to stall.
I've booked the car in for a service and MOT on Wednesday (as it is due soon).
Is the problem due to blocked or faulty EGR valves, or is it due to CVT transmission fluid needing changing?
Should I ask them to look at or do anything specific in order to fix the problem?
Thanks in advance,
Rick Read more
Tony,
Had similar problem on our 52 Jazz.
As it was under warranty from Dealer we got the EGR valve changed shortly after we got it (?
5 yrs ago) and the juddering stopped.
Roll on to end of last year and it started it again (but a more subtle judder).
I replaced the CVT fluid and all has been well since.
The original spec fluid was ATF-Z1 ; but now there is a 'proper' fluid (CVT-F) which is what I used.
We're expecting our first baby in few months time and my Mrs wants me to have a decent family car and I quite like Accord and BMW 3 series. Ideally looking at diesel models. Budget is between 4 to 5k.
My main requirement is car has to be as reliable as possible.
Out of the 2 what would you guys suggest? I know with this budget I won't be getting the latest shaped BMW but I quite like the previous shape. Read more
The Honda Accord is an outstanding car. Superb quality.
True. In reality the UK Accord is the ACCURA TX in North America. No wonder the build quality is top notch.
A pathetic post for the Mr Angry thread I think Read more
No harm in making a complaint if someone feels strongly about it, but this matter has already been put publicly to Surrey police by the Herald, and they have responded. >>
Depends what you mean by "this matter" and assumes you know exactly what the Herald put to the Police.
The inspector says no complaints have been received, so presumably the driver at the centre of all this is not taking it any further. >>
I am glad HJ has now put his complaint to the Police. The driver may or may not be in a position to complain, may or may not have complained.
However, apart from the driver, it seems that the public in Weybridge High Street may have been inconvenienced for a matter [the seriousness of which we do not know].
The photo seems to show that it was serious enough for a motorist to be stopped on a narrow pinch point of a busy main street, when according to HJ just a few yards further on there was a better [safer?, less inconvenient?] place next to an old Post Office.
It seems that none of the witnesses nor the motorists who were inconvenienced have lodged a complained. There can be may reasons why people don't bother to lodge complaints, and one of them is that the Police take the attitude [as midlifecrisis said above at Sat 14 Feb 09 13:09 ] "Frankly, I don't give a monkeys anymore".
However, now that HJ has officially complained, we wait to hear the outcome.
How easy to change the rear springs on a 53 reg corsa? Read more
easy you will need a jack and a spanner/rachet and socket, jack the vehicle up one side so that the wheel is just on the floor remove the bottom bolt for the shockabsorber continue to jack the vehicle untill the wheel is just of the floor if you now lay under the rear of the car (a carefully placed axle stand should be used) remove the spring, refit new spring, then carefully lower the vehicle untill the shockabsorber bolt lines up with its hole, tighten, then place vehicle on the ground, repeat the otherside, job done Regards TB
can anyone advise as to wether or not the older model engine (2.2di 2003) has the same turbo and intercooler nightmares as the later 2.2dci x-trail ?
cheers Read more
All the turbo failures started i believe from the second generation, of the xtrail ,2004 onwards.
The first edition i looked at, but thought it down on torque at 199 lbft.
At the time i had a A4 1.8T which gave out 173lbft, so i didn't see the point in changing.
The most common problems for the early versions were chain tensioner failures, black smoke from the exhaust, and the odd rear brake problem.
models 2004 onwards common oil leaks from the intercooler. New version fitted under warrentry sorted my 2004 car.
Some reports of turbo failure, usually if one failed the replacment failed. Turned out refurbished turbos were being fitted, not recommened by turbo experts.
I had the boost sensor fitted in warrentry, and covered 30k trouble free miles before passing the car on to my son.
The sensor was blamed for overboosting the turbo.
When the 2004 model came out power was up to 134bhp and torque 131lbft.
Owners of the first generation engine were happy with the power, but i saw a reason to change when 131lbft was available.
The power increase was maily by a larger intercooler, variable vane turbo, and a fuel pressure increase.
So the choice is yours.
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to two hours - A couple of years ago Ray-O-Vac even offered one that achieved
the feat in just 15 minutes but was very expensive.
And not very condusive to battery life. A small nicad charged in 15 minutes would get *very* hot
I hope someone can help. The central locking has suddenly stopped working on my 1996 polo. I put the key in the driver door and turn it and nothing happens at all, the barrell on the passenger side has been missing for a while so I cannot try it on that side.
I have gone to a petrol station today to fill up only to find the petrol cap is locked and I can't get into it, I presume it is because of the central locking failing. I'd be so grateful if someone could get back to me asap as to whether I can get the cap opened.
Thanks Read more
If you want to fix the C/L this thread may help tinyurl.com/dfsv6f If it is the pump make sure you get one with the right code number as there are several different ones.
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fair enough. Thanks for letting us know.