October 2009
My first post:
I need to sell my beloved VW Passat 4motion but it has been SORN off road for a couple of months - I have started it every 2 or 3 weeks for a few minutes during its time on the driveway but today when I checked its battery was flat. It started immediately with jump leads but there was a fair bit of white smoke coming out of the exhaust at all revs. I thought it might clear as the engine warmed but 15 minutes later it was still there (including 5 mins at 3000 revs). I checked the oil and it had some white gunk.
I'm not sure if the head gasket has gone while sitting on the driveway or if here is some way damp has got in with recent rain and cold? I'm not sure if I should run it longer to see if it clears or if that might damage the engine - as it's currently SORN and no insurance I can't get it to a garage for anyone to have a look. Should I change the oil and see if that fixes it? (cheaper than a head gasket!).
By the way, the engine oil looks clear, it's only on the oil cap there is the white stuff. The engine temperature needle stayed right in the middle where it should be.
Thanks for any input. Read more
I have a Clarion Cd Multichanger in my Pug. The radio has stopped working and the CD changer wont eject the discs. Is there a manual eject button on the changer to allow me to get the discs out and what could have caused the radio to stop working? Read more
I've checked the fuses both under the dash, the rear of the radio and also checked to see if there is one in the changer it's self. All appear to be OK. I'm not so much bothered about it not working at the moment, but I need to get the disc's out of the changer more than anything. I have had the changer out and cannot see any manual button to press or put something into to get the cassette to eject.
The front of my car is covered in stone chips and lots of them. You aspect some in everyday driving but not this many there are simply loads and I only do about 8000 miles a year. Colour of the 6 is Dark Red. I am wondering if it is poor quality paint used by mazda but not sure how a could sort the problem as they are likley to say it is every day wear on the car but I have never had a car so prone to getting so many chips. Read more
Hi, I have a new shape 57 plate 6 in dark blue. It's the 2.0 d Sport. I have covered a total 19,000 miles in nearly 2 years of motoring and I am amazed at the number of stonechips!!
I have recently been toying with the idea of selling the car so went to a body repair shop that said, and I quote "I have never seen that many stone chips on a car...ever" and continued to question the thickness of the lacquer that has been used on the vehicle. His recommendation to me was to speak to Mazda directly as, in his opinion it should qualify to be rectified under the paint and corrosion guarantee. I have not yet had chance to speak to Mazda (as I only went to the bodyshop today) but when I do I'll let you know how I get on.........
Hi
I have tried the dashboard suggestions and re soldered all the connector pins to no avail, but I did not know about the heater earth.
Just waiting to have it brought back from the dealer who say the gearbox has gone and want £3k to replace. This does not make sense as I drove it there, though it was a hairy journey.
When the problem happens I have noticed that the LT to the distributor has gone or is 0v which sort of says it is an immobiliser problem coupled with the fact that the car has to be locked and then unlocked or it can be cranked all day without starting.
The only other issue is that the battery will not hold it's charge, even though it has been replaced.
Would really be grateful for any advice.
Regards
Read more
The CD player in my car often rejects a disc, with the message 'disc error' or similar. Sometimes does it repeatedly. Is the problem likely to be the disc, or the player?
The disc it often rejects isn't in the musician's discography and may be pirated or sort of semi-pirated by industry insiders. A copy of it made the other day by a friend won't play at all.
Is this a common fault with CD players, and is there anything simple to be done about it? I've never had one in a car before. They're a bit new-tech for me. Read more
They don't like some copied CD's if it's ok on a normal disc try another make of CD to do your copy.
Whilst I would be the last to condone tailgating, I've noticed an increasing number of car drivers leaving an ocean-wide gap to the car in front. Okay, maybe not Atlantic-sized, but a good five seconds or so at 60mph.
Sounds laudable, but in busy, fast-moving A-road traffic it creates a quandary for drivers emerging from side roads. The gap they leave seems just short of what is a comfortable pull-out - and I've seen quite a few 'interesting' moments recently at the same junction.
It's not that they are just 'exercising caution' at junctions, as they then maintain this gap on clear stretches, too.
Any ideas why? Read more
Having that "two second" rule componds [sic] the problem by suggesting >>
And [sic] to you too!
Interesting to see Avant's letter to Autocar agreeing with their view that the thick end of £20K for a Yeti is too much. I hear that the much talked about Fabia Vrs replacement (if it ever sees light of day) will be £16K.
Skoda make wonderful cars but their prime sales virtue was offering all of VWs quality for a lot less. Is it only Autocar, Avant and myself that share this view? Read more
Understand the point about the bottom end. my Octabvia is an Elegance so towards the upper end.
I added some of the safety extras (e.g. airbags) and the equivalent Golf would have needed a better radio to match the Octavia (18 months ago the Golf/Jetta did not play MP3 or have an aux socket) and on list price with equivalent specs the Golf was £1000 (on 17k) more (so more tax) and within a tenner on the monthly lease.
The different standard fit / options tell you they are aimed at different parts of the market.
i have a puddle in the drivers footwell any ideas please Read more
Check the bottom of the door when its been raining, either the seal could be leaking or it could be running down the inside of the panel, especially if its been off at sometime and the waterproof membrane has not been replaced/repaired.
Cos I got a really good one
Honest Read more
what causes a loss in compression, if it is the cylinder head gasket what signs do i have to look for, the cars acceleration has been affected, is there any other reason than the head gasket that can cause this problem. i used to get to 50-60 mph in third gear with no problem now the engine makes a noise like it is protesting. Read more
Thanks for your reply, i will check the water level and the air filter this weekend, by the time i get home from work it will be dark.
I have had the car for about 18 months, up till recently the car was very responsive, i had the oil changed and replaced the air filter about 6 months ago, i have not had the spark plugs changed, i believe they were new when i purchased the car.
I will also check the dash for any warning lights, there was a grating noise coming from the front of the car, it turned out to be inner brake pad wear and sticking caliper, i had the pads and the caliper looked at, this has made not a lot of difference.
could it be ann thing to do with the fuel side of the car
thanks
Browse
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>>what regime should I have run if storing a car off road for a couple of months?
Nothing!