March 2009
Hi there.I recently took my fiesta to a garage for a service and whilst there they gave it a diognostic test as the engine warning light has been on constant for a while yet the car is still running smoothly and regular.the result on the print out i have says 'catalyst system efficiency below threshold(bank 1)'.could you please giv me some advice on what this means as a dont understand.
also if i was to remove the plastic trim from the sides of my fiesta are they just fixed on with glue or will i find holes behind?
thank you for help.
racerchick Read more
Hi all,
Hoping you may be able to help me. I've finally decided to cut my losses and get rid of my terrible Ford Focus 1.8tdci estate.
Since I've had it I've had problems with ecu/fuel injection (£1,100 quoted to fix), blocked injectors (£250 to fix), battery problems (£150) and now I've been told that it needs a new flywheel system and possibly a clutch (at least £700).
So it's going! And I'm not sure I want another Ford either!
Can anyone suggest a suitable replacement? I've got about £8,000 to spend, and here are my needs:
* Generous boot (preferably estate/4x4 - got two dogs to take with me)
* Reasonable ground clearance (the Focus has been ok) as in the summer I go to dog shows and the parking is often on rough grassy fields
* Needs to be heavy enough to pull a (small) caravan
* Diesel
I loved the Honda Accord when I gave it a test drive but, though the boot was a good size, the roofline was too low.
I'm even thinking about something like a soft roader, like the C-RV or X-trail.
Any suggestions gratefully received!
Thanks in advance Read more
Megan Estate 1.9 CDi 130bhp. very good economy (did 57 mpg on the 330 mile run Portsmouth to Durham last Friday), good load space (bigger than older Laguna) and a few toys like cruise etc. For your money, I have a 57' plate with FSH, so still got manufacture warrenty if interested.
I have been asked to help sell an elderly relative's Peugeot 206 automatic and would appreciate an up-to-date indication of its value (trade and private) in the current market. It is a 1600cc Look in metallic grey and was registered December 2006 (one owner from new). It has done 5000 miles (currently on a SORN as she has stopped driving). Located south-east London. Read more
Have a look on Autotrader for a similar car within, say, 50 miles of the selling location postcode. That should give a mixture of private and trade sales to work on. When I was young and poor, as opposed to old and poor, I used to go to WHS and have a quick scan of Parkers Guide to check prices without finishing up buying the magazine!
just bought a clio today but its got a few issues which i hope someone on here has a solution to
1. drivers side electric window has come off its runners i think, i know the motor works as you can hear it when the button is pushed, although nothing happens. how easy is it to fix this
2. airbag light is on for some reason, how do i switch it off
3. handbrake light came on earlier for no reason with handbrake off
4. speed stopped working halfway home and is not intermittent
and answers to these problems would be much appreciated.
cheers Read more
sorted the lights, was a loose wire under the drivers seat, the speedo is working again for some reason now, just gotta do the window now
Given the state of GM's finances, would buying a Vauxhall be a risk in any sense (e.g parts, re-sale etc etc)?
I'm thinking about switching from my Saab 9-3 diesel (1.9 Tid 120) to an Astra 1.8 VVT Automatic, but I wondered whether sticking with a GM brand is a safe bet?
Incidentally, any thoughts on the Astra are also welcome! Read more
Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
Yep, you're right OilBurner that is my question(!) but with the supplementary question of whether the Astra (1.8 VVT Auto) is worth a look.
(The Saab is a huge disappointment before you ask!)
Also quite like 2.0 petrol Focus but the hatchback is like hens teeth, and I'd heard the Astra is much nore refined.
Thanks again all
Spring iz sprung, der sap iz riz, I wunda where dem Alfas iz ?
This seems to happen to me every so often. I call it Alfitis. The sun is to blame. It only has to bounce momentarily off the sleek lines of an Alfa to set me off. For years now I have been sensible about cars. A selection of mainly diesel engined honest workhorses have come and gone. My previous habit of spending far too much money on unsuitable cars has long been kept in check.... But Alfas, they keep calling me. They even do one which would be sort of useful to me, the 159 Sportwagon.
Saw one today, black metallic with tan leather. Abso-blinking-lutely stunning.
I need a spacious, reliable, hard working hack. I don't need reliability grief. But......
I so want one.......
Talk me out of it someone.....or not.....
Ciao, Humph..... Read more
I was bitten by the Alfa bug in 1999, and now on my third. All 156s, the latter two including the one I drive now is the GTA which is stonking. Never been left stranded by any of them. The first (an early 156) had some problems from new but the 2 GTAs have been pretty much faultless. And no, Im not dillusional about having one.
One thing on the bootspace, its not quite accurate, the 156 sportwagon boot is smaller than the saloon UPTO the parcel shelf. If you use the space above it then it is larger.
There are also now plenty of independant Alfa specialists who offer good value servicing and discounted parts, even for a GTA.
BTW the new 3.2 in the 159/Brera is a GM block with an Alfa head and not the Arese unit found in previous generation cars (156, GT, GTV, 166). Owners seem happy enough with them though the consumption doesnt appear to be good.
Karma. Read more
I didn't get anywhere with MB or with MB World. The initial enthusiasm of one
of the PRs seems to have been brickwalled.
Could be because Classics Monthly used them as well?!!
I was underneath today attending to a slipped off CV boot and I noticed whilst under there that the front subframe has cracked in half and another part id proper flaking rust. It seems to be lower half has a 1 inch crack but the upper part seems to be OK. I have noticed a sharp drop in ride comfort despite have new shockers fitted on Nov and my friend mechanic did not notice anything then. Apart from that the car is in good condition and I think the ride quality issue is down to that. My questions are;
How much for a recon subframe?
Is it a pig of a job to do?
How would I support a car on axle stands with out a subframe?
Any ideas peeps? Read more
Click on Pugugly and a window will come up with his email address. Regards Peter
Last November, after 160,000 miles, the clutch on my Audi A4 1.8T started slipping, so I had a new one put in at my local VAG dealer.
However, 8,000 miles later, this one has started slipping.
The dealer has said that he will need to remove the gearbox etc to see what the problem is (fair enough, of course). However, I'm worried that he'll come up with some excuse that it isn't his fault (unless it's clearly a faulty part) and I'll end up having to pay for another clutch.
Does anyone have any suggestions about how I should approach this? I'm not particularly mechanically minded and could probably be easily conned, especially when dealing with badly fitted clutches.
Once the car's in 1001 bits, I'm not in a position to take it somewhere else for a 2nd opinion!
Thanks in advance
Dave
Read more
No everything feels normal, apart from the slipping.
Hi folks i wondered what your thoughts were on this.
I bought a 2007 57 plate ford focus tdci from a well known national chain ford dealer in jan 09.The car had 18000 miles when purchased . Ive not had any problems with the car .The car was advertised as a Ford Direct warranty qualifying car and when i picked it up was given a ford Direct warranty form copy which the dealer sends his part off to register the warranty. The cars previous owner had delayed the first service until 14000 miles so i was aware the manufacturers 3 yr warranty was void, but was comfortable with the ford direct 2 yr warranty and this included 2 yrs breakdown cover. I was sent a Ford Direct warranty pack but this was for a similar focus with 1 letter out in the registartion document and related to a petrol focus which ,coincidently was owned by the same dealer group ! I queried this with Ford Direct and was told they would not validate the warranty as it had ceased to be Ford Direct car when the dealer had not sold it within 180 days of supply from ford and they were 30 days out. I am suspicious the dealer knew this, i have contacted them and they say they will contact ford direct themselves monday. I have advised them that i want the proper warranty though ford direct or if they still refuse to honour it then the dealer pays me to obtain 2yrs warranty / 2 yrs breakdown cover with Rac /warranty direct which will cost approx £ 700. Am i unreasonable i love the car but am already feeling suspicious of the dealer ? Read more
The car was serviced at 14000 miles book stamped and again at my request when delivered at 18000miles( 16 mths old ). The 14000 mile sevice was done just prior to 1 yr old but clearly should have been done at 12500miles. I have since put 3000 miles on it with no complaints till now The dealer is contacting ford direct tomorrow . Ill see what they say and ill report back
Browse
Hi thanx for the advice i will definately get this idea looked into,dont suppose you can remember how much roughly it cost t for it all worst case,cat and sensor?x