February 2009
Just had the strangest conversation with National Tyre Service while trying to book my 325D for an oil change. In the end they told me I would be ?better off? taking it to BMW because their work would invalidate the warranty through the use of non standard parts.
It was not what I expected to hear. My lay understanding of the legal position is that the warranty is not invalidated providing that parts meeting the manufacturer?s specification are used.
Anyone have experience of this?
This is not a name and shame exercise. If their advice is correct their unusual candour may have done me a huge favour.
made vehicle non-specific. Read more
I have a diesal 306 that wont start unless it is bump started via a tow from a mate.
I have replaced all the heater plugs and checked that they are getting current which they are, I have checked the fuel supply to the injector pump and this is fine- obviously as it starts when bump started. I have checked all the fuses are fine and that the heater relay works and it does. It stays on for about 12 seconds when it is very cold at the first turn of the switch then on the second turn stays on for about 5 seconds.
The battery has a full charge.
I was wondering if it could be the fuel cut of solinoid jammed shut but surely it would then not run if it was bump started ? Or if it is an immobilser problem?
Please help as i am at the end of my temper......
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have you tried jump starting it off another car, hopefully this should show up if your battery is dead. it could also possibly be the starter motor pulling to much power.
chris
I have seen a W reg Focus at a proper Ford dealer, its £2000 and has 57,000 miles, 12 monts MOT, 6 months warranty and comprehensive health check. It seems ideal but £2k is a little out of my budget unless I can get a good finance deal (I was going to buy 50% cash and 50% credit card but at £2k I would be skint).
Therefore I would need to get this car down to around £1700, would I be laughed at by making this sort of offer? The problem is I think the car is already fairly priced and it comes with an exellent after sales package including two free MOTs so it might be a bit tricky.
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Just to let you know, I have had my mk 1 Y reg Focus for 7 years. It is a 1.8 petrol and has now covered 122k miles.
The handbook said to replace to cambelt at 80k miles, then the service dept changed this to 100k miles. I had mine done at 91k miles, one of the pulleys was split in two places. I had a lucky escape !
The only other problem i've had is the idle air control valve failure. That cost about £80 to replace at a Rapid Fit.
Good luck
I'm shortly going to be looking for a new or nearly new car.
I quite like the Fiat Grande Punto but wondering which one is the best petrol version - has to be 3-door.
I've looked for the Fiat Grande Punto Abarth but cannot find any for sale. Read more
Hi, that's my car on FiatForum and I can confirm that several owners of the Panda Cross, in the UK only as far as we can work out, have experienced a solenoid failure that brings up a "4x4 unavailable" warning. Actually, the 4WD still functions as it is mechanically engaged by a viscous coupling but the fancy electronic trickery does not.
Replacement of the solenoid appears to rectify the fault so I suspect a faulty batch of solenoids.
The Cross itself, fitted at the factory with good winter tyres, is fantastic on ice and snow, a lot better than the petrol-engined Climbing. In addition, its light weight and small dimensions make it more manageable whilst braking and cornering on the slippy stuff than the typical big, heavy 4x4.
My 2.2 Diesel Accord has been a right pain, having suffered from Engine management problems for the last year, especially when cold. Earlier this month I had the fuel filter replaced, and everything seemed OK again, however a couple of days ago, the same problem occured, engine management light on and no power to speak of. Took it back to the garage, same problem low fuel pressure, so they looked in the fuel tank, apparantly it was full of black sludge, by full I think they meant there was a considerable amount at the bottom, that was being drawn into the fuel filter. To cut a long story short £450 later there removing the fuel tank, cleaning new filters, so hopefully this will be ok when i get it back. Has anyone else suffered from this, I fill up at Tesco but would be surprised if this was only contaminated fuel.
Regards
Rog Read more
That gunge can definitely grow in diesel fuel. Had this in my truck tanks - apparently it had been standing for a fair period of time before it was sold. Presumably, condensation could provide a breeding site.
I wish I still had my old outfit on the road in all this snow. The best vehicle I've ever driven in slippery conditions, bar none. Read more
Thanks FT for this insight. I think I'll stick to my solo motorcycle although !
Passed a car this morning, about 10 yards off the road, parked halfway up a tree. Plainly visible from both directions.
Its hazard lamps were on. *Why*? Read more
I think I've twigged it,..... maybe he's parking up the wrong tree.
Ted
The things slip'n'grip repeatedly, wears off the blinkin' tread. Read more
Some friction, of course, but not much. The wear comes from slip, i.e. on ice/snow, then sudden grip, i.e. on tarmac.
I was stuck on the North Circular-London-for 2.5 hours the other day, I also use the Blackwall Tunnel, with all it's problems. Why oh! why do people leave the headlights, fog lights and brake lights on when stationary?
Has anyone done the math as to how much fuel is being used by 240 watts of lighting? Read more
>> I sat on the dual carriageway A50 just outside Leicester watching lorries slide about on....
drivers window being opened then closed for nicotine replenishment purposes every 15 minutes.
Yuk! How disgusting. No wonder you're driving a £200 car!!!
...Some people drive £200 cars by choice. Not all people have your good fortune or wisdom, oldgit. But, if they feel they really HAVE to, most can express their intolerances in a less confrontational way. Please try harder in future. I, for one, am getting really fed up with the persistent sniping on these forums. Seems no-one can do or think anything without having someone else tut tutting. smokie
Hi All
Ive just been thinking about this and was looking for some advice
In about 6 months time my Astra G 1.6 8v '52 Plate will be due a service.
to me a service amounts to nothing more than a oil&filter/spark plugs/change, for aprox £150 (Dealer wanted £200) when I took it to them last year)
This year however as the car has done 45,000 miles its overdue a cambelt change and will be looking to get this done - however AFAIK the waterpump will have to be changed and while they have got the belt of im looking to get the thermostat replaced as well
I was wondering if its cheaper to get a service and the belt/pump/thermostat changed - or
Just ask them to Change the oil&filter/plugs/airfilter/belt/waterpump/stat and not get the book stamped
Ive also been thinking about taking it to my indipentant garage instad of a Vauxhall dealer - obvously I will ring them and enquire when the time is nearer - i was just wondering how other BR's do it and thoughts
Thanks in advance Read more
Hi all thanks for the replys
As much as i would love a new car at the moment I cant really afford one, this car although without its share of problems, and not particually flash does its job and i would like to keep it serviced to minimise potential problems
Thanks for the advice really apreciate it
Browse
I always think that if you cant afford to have the car serviced by the maunfacturer during its warranty you cant afford to buy the car.
Its also an investment. I for one would not buy a car with no manufacutrers servicing during the first three years.,