October 2009
Recently got a 1.4 TSI SE. Have noticed a rather annoying booming/reverberating/droning noise from the rear when travelling at anything over about 40 mph. Not sure what it is exactly, Sounds are always difficult to describe. Had a saloon car before and wondered if hatchbacks are just noisier. Even so the noise is noticeable and could be irritating on a long journey.
Layed a thick blanket in the boot but no noticeable difference when testing on a drive.
Sound is slightly similar to having a roofrack rail. It's not engine as dropping the clutch the noise is still there.
Called the garage and they said it could be the bearings! Could they fail so soon? Only done 150 miles!
Just wondering if anyone else has noticed a booming noise.
Shame as the car is very well built and quiet otherwise.Hope this isn't going to be the minus point of the car.
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Had engine management light come on did code read came up as p0420,=faulty cat,faulty lamda sensor or faulty wiring,local exhaust co removed exhaust found half the cat missing(internally)nissan want£800 for front cat,got aftermarket for£350 fitted with a mate(mechanic)engine light reset ,came on again,replaced lamda sensor can only get gen nissan£198 fitted another reset,light came on again,same code,had emmissions test done exactly same readings as last two mot"s,had test on lamda sensors on oscilliscope both switching fine,more cost,tried four garages,no one seems to want to know now as its no longer just a bolt on,even my local auto electrics co say they cant help,spent a fortune car now only worth about £2500 max trade in ,HELP ANYONE? Read more
I am not proposing to offer any excuses, other than to say I should have been paying more attention.
I was recently flashed doing 37 in a 30 area. After some correspondence, I have been offered a speed awareness course in either Brighton, Eastbourne, Bognor or Horsham.
I am inclined to accept the Horsham location, however the don't do automatic cars there. So this would mean driving a manual gearbox car - something I haven't done much of for about 15 years - apart from driving my Minor.
Does anyone know how much driving is involved? Read more
I did one this year in East Sussex. I learnt quite a lot too and also enjoyed it. There was a fair bit of driving involved. It included negotiating what, in my opinion, is the most dangerous crossroads in the area, which rather surprised me. An expensive day out, though ? I don?t intend to be flashed again. I?ve decided it?s just simpler to stay within the limit all the time. What?s the rush?
Can anyone confirm what engine oil I should use for my V70 D5. It's a 2002 model and has always been previously been serviced by a main dealer. Mileage is 116,000. One dealer said I should use 0W 30 and A3/B3 fully synthetic and another dealer said a oaart synthetic ws OK so I am confused. A trusted colleague said Chevron 5W 30 sold in Costco would do the job. Also should I use an engine flush, and if so what sort. I would really welcome any comments. Read more
PS> I certainly WOULDN'T use the 15-40 semi the link above recommends, and you don't need to flush the engine
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As the title suggests, this thread is for all things Formula One and other general motorsport related stuff.
This is Volume 37.
Usual rules apply. When we get to around 100 posts, the thread will be locked and the next volume will start.
PLEASE NOTE
As with the IHAQ & the Computer threads, When posting a NEW topic, please "Reply to" the first message in this thread, i.e. this one. This keeps each topic in it's own separate segment and stops each new topic from getting mixed up in amongst existing topics. Also please remember to change the subject header.
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Helmet our paths may have crossed. I was on the North Lincs rally circuit for several years until 1995 with Grimsby Motor Club.
The Triumph Mayflower was only produced from 1949 to 1953 so there are not many examples around these days, especially ones in good condition.
One example was traded in for a new MINI under the Scrappage Scheme and as disposal of scrappage cars is dealt with centrally by BMW UK, the Dealer had no control over its fate and it was eventually destroyed.
Follow the link below for a picture and a copy of the response letter from BMW.
www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/2009/10/11/scrappage-kill.../
Mandy should have set a 25-year age limit for the scrappage scheme like the Americans did for their scheme! Read more
I do agree that not every old car (or bike) is necessarily a classic and the Triumph Mayflower is not exactly Pininfarina! However, there was a recent short article in my local paper about the car Scrappage Scheme as implemented, in this instance, by Suzuki as below:
"Of the orders taken, Suzuki has seen some unusual and classic vehicles that have come through the door to be traded in. These include a Fiat Coupe, Triumph TR7 and Spitfire, BMW 2002, Jaguar XJ Sport, Mercedes-Benz 380 SLC and several MGBs."
There are some genuine classics in this list and it just seems a shame for them to be scrapped. If road tax exempt vehicles were no longer eligible for the scrappage scheme, at least cars like these would be more likely to be sold on to enthusiasts. Even if they are old rust buckets, at least the parts could be sold on and re-used to keep other BMW 2002s etc on the road.
It does seem odd for government on the one hand to provide support for historic vehicles through tax exemption and then to also provide incentive to scrap them!
As Harleyman says, guess they could revert back to the 25 year rule, but even if this were implemented for the present pre 73 rule, it would save some good cars. Not sure what the figures are, but the numbers must be quite low for cars this old going for scrappage, so it is hard to see how this would impact much on the dual aims of the scheme, the green aspect and the industry stimulation aspect.
Hi All
For some reason, the left hand side of my front widscreen is not demisiting when I hit the button, the right is fine. Anyone had a similar problem? Read more
The OP (Willow) hasn't responded to any of the replies or given us any indication whether they have sourced the problem or sorted it out. I would like to know the outcome please. :-)
Way back in July I placed an order with a Hyundai dealership for an i20 on the scrappage scheme and paid a deposit. Was told it would take roughly 6-8 weeks. Fine by me.
At the end of September the MoT on the vehicle to be scrapped would be expiring, so a week or two prior to this I rang for an update. Delays until the middle of October.
So - decision time. Risk and pay for an MoT, or take the old banger in for scrap and get the bus for a week or three. Decided to take it in for scrapping.
Middle of October, told it will now be November as I ordered a "special order option".
Quite cross now as I wasn't told at the time that this would cause a delay. Anyway, this much delay?
Approaching end of October, now told a vague "end of the year".
Furious as:
a) I have paid a deposit
b) I have scrapped my car (yes, my decision but based on getting the new one in the middle of September)
c) Requests for a courtesy car are falling on deaf ears
d) Winter is coming!
HELP! Read more
Sorry about that software issue Bintang - Avant`s reported it to the site developer.
oilrag
Ive had my Vectra for about 4 months, and its great, however the boot light never worked i just put it down to a blown bulb.
Was leaving the supermarket today and as i pass Hallfords to go home i thought I would call in and see how much the bulbs where and possibly fix it
so in the car park of the supermarket to get the old bulb out i removed the plastic lens/bulb holder from the back of the boot and it came out completely unattached to any cabling.
i was a little puzzled so poking my fingers in the hole that the holder sits in, i managed to pull out the cable and connector and connect up the bulb, and it works absolutely fine, i even tested that it goes out when the boot lid is shut by removing the parcel shelf and closing it and it does
The car isn't throwing up any error messages ( bulb failure) and everything works as it should
I think its been removed by the last owner (for reasons i cant think of) or its not been fitted when manufactured (i think unlikely)
What do other Br's think, has anything similar happened to you? Read more
EDIT:
"scuff on the rear bumper" i meant to say. only noticible if you really look for it
Car - Peugeot 306 D Turbo HDI.
Hello there,
The alternator has failed on my car and my father and I are having great difficulty in
accessing a particular bolt. The belt has been removed.
The said bolt is hard up against the tensioner pulley. We are managing to spring the tensioner as far back as we can but still having serous problems.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Gary. Read more
After spending an age replacing the alternator and battery, got connected back up and battery light remained on.
A friend told me that a common problem is for the relay which is situated next to the rear wiper motor to become damp and cause the battery light to illuminate.
The said relay was removed and was full of water. After being taken apart, dried, cleaned and put back together, problem solved!!
On my friends advice either end of the wiper motor spindle has been siliconed and the affected relay placed in a small food bag and sealed with a tie wrap.
If your battery light illuminates on one of these, investigate this possible cause first before expensive outlays.


As a test, change the tyre pressures - either pump them right up to the max load, or down to 20psi (for a short time, short distance in the dry if poss) as that may change the noise and help pinpoint.