November 2009
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Hiya
If I list the symptoms - can somebody check my logic? Also is there a common location where the head gasket fails on the mk3 GTI's? Engine in question is the 8v AGG - about 80k miles.
1) Oil residue in the air box - despite cleaning
2) Oil being blown out of the oil filler cap
3) "Blowing" noise from the airbox when there is any load on the engine. Exhaust has been checked twice and is 100% ok.
4) Gurgling / running fluids sound when the oil cap is removed when the engine is running. By this I don't mean the puff-puff-puff sounds of the compression cycle. Sounds like air is blowing through fluid (oil!?).
5) Possibly a very slight water loss - but this could be a minor radiator leak - so not so worried about this one
6) Lumpy idle
7) Its very hard to drive smoothly when hot and in traffic - i.e. start stop - low RPM. Never sure whether it'll shoot off or stall when I pull off.
8) Cylinder compression was 165,165,145,145 (PSI)
9) No mayonase. No oil in the water. No overheating.
Have checked the PCV breathers - all clear. My hypothosis is that the gasket is starting to give between 3 & 4 and into the oil channels? Is this a common failure?
Local garage is not convinced - mainly I think due to (9).
Cheers much!
James Read more
I would appreciate an overview of using Ipods and Itunes. Both girls want them for Xmas and they are completely outside my experience.
When you download music to them can it only come via Itunes of will they load any mp3? When you buy a song on Itunes I assume it goes to the PC first and then to the Ipod? Once you have the song on your PC or Ipod can it be transferred elsewhere such as burning to a CD to play on the hi-fi or in the car? Are there different qualities of file available... I'm assuming the standard one is really too compressed for real hi-fi? Read more
>>CDs are selling to an ever decreasing group of people in the middle...
Quite proud to be in that group holding out with the CD. I honestly believe the CD has been one of the best formats of my lifetime. They lost the annoying surface noise of LPs, were easy to carry and play just about anywhere in devices little larger than their own cases. They were easy to store and have proved (so far) to have a very long life. CDs retain the vinyl benefit in being a physical object with cover and some stuff to read while playing. I reckon they are cheap new for what you get and obviously there is a huge used market out there as they are often a far safer used buy than vinyl.
You can talk about jitter, colouration and offboard DACs etc as long as you like but the simple fact is the CD brought reliable quality music to everyone from the masses to the top enthusiasts.
Much of the grumbling about CD quality by those that do is not strictly the fault of the CD itself. Many old albums were poorly mastered to CD with a quick remix by the tea boy. On the flipside much modern music suffers over compression which makes it sound odd on a good hi-fi.... this in your face sound has become associated with CD when in reality it is a product of an earlier step in the chain.
I worry about our kids and their use of music 90% as a file with no physical presence. I can bore them to death playing the first LP I ever bought plus a huge collection of CDs showing how everything they like has its roots somewhere in the past.
Will they still have their virtual files to play to their kids... I doubt it as music seems much more transient now. Does that matter... well it does to me.
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This programme more or less automates the process Rattle is suggesting:-
www.windowsstartup.com/
My 2003 car had the brake pads and discs changed at the dealers at 44,000 miles - and now after a service at another gargae (non-dealer) I'm told that I need a new set of discs and pads again - this at 75,000 miles (cost around 280 pounds - again!). I used to own a Carina and never had a problem with discs. I think I saw on a previous post that Bosch pads were too hard, so does anyone have any suggestions on a make that won't wear out every 35000 miles?
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Do you wash your wheels with a hose? And then leave the car?
If so the disks will rust more quickly than normal.
Do you brake gently? and never brake hard? If so, your disks may ppit with rust.
Lots of variables.
Are you near the sea? If so salt corrosion...
Do you drive on muddy roads? If so, you will get disk erosion from grit..
I wonder if the damaged bridges will be replaced as quickly as the California earthquake ones were? Read more
Transit vans must float
Could that have parallels with the current "petrol stations" thread...?
hello folks
how do you adjust the handbrake on these - can't see an adjuster on the cable and is taking too many notches to pull
cheers Tel Read more
The Haynes says you can use either method. However if you do happenj to undoo the big nut then make sure you are very carefull that the bearing does not fall out asnd get dirty when you remove the drum
Hi,
Good morning to you all.
Im asking this question on behalf of a work colleague:
He is looking to Purchase either a golf gtd tdi 150 (2004), seat leon tdi Cupra 150 (2004) or the Seat Ibiza Cupra TDi (2004).
His personal preferance is the Ibiza due to its looks etc. Also it has a 160bhp engine compared to 150bhp for the other two. I assuming it is a PD type engine?
Asking price is £5895 for the Ibiza, 82000 miles, 04 reg, red colour, 3 door, recent cambelt etc. Only thing is it has got aftermarket audi replica alloy. Im not a fan of after market mods. Should this be a bad sign if it has got replica wheels? Car is on the pitch of a local well respected car seller.
What is your opinion on this purchase? How reliable are these engine? I have read that the PD130 engine is very reliable. Is this also?
Any things to be wary of?
car will get driven about 550 miles weekly.
Any opinions welcome
{Shouting in header amended}
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It was a £32,000 car new. Ask him if he can afford to service and run a £32k car
Well, we've just had the CRV serviced today and was told that the n/side front tyre is showing wear on the outside edge.
(apparently according to Mr pda, I have to start going round roundabouts the other way to even the other side front tyre up).
It currently has Bridgestone Duellers 205/70 R15 on it all round.
We have been quoted £293.02 fitted for a set of 4 from our local Central Tyre depot, which I was quite happy with.
The problem is that the rear tyres still have 8mm of tread and the fronts have 5mm.
That's a lot of tyre to throw away but we're sure we've read somewhere that on CRV's all four tyres should be replaced together.
So do we bite the bullet and replace all four, move the fronts to the back, or just replace the 2 front tyres?
The worn tyre is still legal.
I have searched the backroom and googled CRV tyres but can't seem to find where we (thought) we read about this.
Pat Read more
Switched my CRV from Bridgestone to Avon - much better grip, less noise, and looks better too!
Does anyone know if it's possible to turn off the front passenger airbag on a 2006 Ford Focus?
I would refer the owners manual but I didn't get one with the car when I bought it last month.
Thanks! Read more
Is this to facilitate a youngster in the front seat. In days of old that was the last place you put them and I think that still holds true in my book. Regards Peter
Browse
Sorry about the vacuum pump goof - I've run diesels for so long I have forgotton what a petrol engine is like.