February 2010
Hi. I have been reading through all the issues with this engine (Vol1 & Vol2), but my problem is slightly different ...
Last summer the radiator fan started coming on full blast whenever the car (which I've had from new, now on 90k miles) was stationery in traffic, but as the water level and temp guage were OK, and the engine seemed normal, I put this down to probably the water temp sensor going soft and ignored it.
Soon afterwards, the car became very difficult to start when warm, but absolutely fine when cold. I reasoned that maybe the same sensor was misleading the ECU?
Anyway, as autumn approached these sypmtoms eased, and at the next service (non-Renault!) I asked them to replace the glowplugs. I did this because on our previous Mk3 Espace (2.2dt), this made a huge difference to starting. However, in this case, it made no difference at all.
The problem of difficult starting has now evolved into the car becoming either OK (starts first time) or a complete pain (lots of churning, chugs a bit, dies, try again etc.) - and the mystery is that this now appears completely random! Some days, it will start a dream several times, some days all painful, other days a mixture of emotions - cold, warm or hot doesn't come into it anymore.
My current reasoning is that maybe the radiator fan fault (which incidentally isn't blasting now, presumably because of the cold weather) is unrelated after all, and I've got something else playing up. Then, I'm thinking it can't really be any of the major faults reported in Vol1 & Vol2 (EGR, injectors, HP pump, turbo etc.) because some days its fine, and always after its started it runs OK anyway.
Am I maybe looking at another sensor (TDC?) that's misbehaving, or a bad connection somewhere?
Vol1 & Vol2 have made me rather fearful that it may be wise not to start poking around and going down the path of guessing and changing things - and at 90k maybe its time to chop it in.
If I did sell this one, my aim would be to buy a used Mk4 - but these still have the 2.2dci engine! So was there a time when all the design faults were rectified and it was safe to buy the 2.2dci, or is it still regarded as a pig?
Many thanks for any expert help.
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Hi my mazda 6 2.0ltr 136 bhp diesel estate 2004, traveled round trip of 1000 mls stopped occasionaly for fuel after 800mls with no problems stopped for more fuel and on trying to restart car, it would not start brake down recovery people turned up and said it could possibly be low pressure and towed me back home, took to guarage monday morning they cleaned injectors replaced filters car drove perfect back home but would not start following morning (any ideas) cheers Read more
Hi
Does anyone have any experience with private warranties or the warranties that garages offer with used cars?
Is it worth getting one?
Any experiences with making a claim?
Thanks. Read more
One point to note with warranties.
If you buy a one year warranty on a young second hand car at the time of purchase, you will normally have a three month guarantee from the vendor so in real terms from your one warranty you will only get the last nine months. It might be wiser to buy the warranty after the three month stage and get decent cover.
The A303 in Somerset is currently closed, in both directions, between the A350 and the A371, for a period of five weeks.
The closure was originally going to be for 14 weeks as discussed in 2008 here:-
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=69828&...f
Has anyone had experience of the long diversions since the closure started?
I understand that the works only affect a small section of the closed road. What happens if someone needs to access an area of the A303 not affected by the works? For example Mere from the west, can you still get onto the A303? Read more
There was a notice on the
footpath I took stating that it was an offence to enter the area of the
A303 closed for roadworks. Seems a little OTT to criminalse a pleasant walk.
Ah, that would be our old friend 'elf n safety.
We are travelling westbound on Friday to meet some friends at the National Trust, Stourhead. Our friends are coming from the west so they should be able to stay on the A303.
I am quite happy to work my way round the lanes to approach from the east.
I bought a 2005 Volkswagen Golf Plus from a very well know Volkswagen dealer {snip, no need to mention the location, as it's irrelevant to the question being asked, as well as pointing a wagging finger at them}. I have only had the car three weeks. and it has already been back to the dealers as the engine light came on as i was driving and the car would loose power, that problem has been fixed as i was told there was a loose wire in the engine, now I have been told it needs a new cambelt, the car has only done 35000 miles.
The dealers may want me to pay for this, should I be paying for it as I have refused too..and also they told me it is safe to drive even though i do alot of motorway driving.is the car still safe too drive as I have lost all faith in the car and the dealers, thanks.. Read more
The cambelt on Golf diesels is due for replacement every four years, regardless of mileage. So, unless yours has already been done, it's overdue.
I'm suprised it wasn't done during the service before collection.
Up here in wet cold Leeds in my little town over the years there have been a number of indis closed i can think of four they made room for new houses one still exists but is shut down and empty is this happening all over the country?
The local garage i take mine to for the mot is busy you have to book sometimes 10 days in advance which is just great for him well done, where have all the mechanics gone to?
Have they retrained or working in some shiney dealers?
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He has diversified and supplies mini-buses+drivers - handicapped kids on school runs old folks home excursions + normal hires in the evening.
Even that's not straight forward these days. To be a driver/operator on those jobs you have to go through all the performance of CRB checks. Almost easier to stick with being a mechanic
Ive noticed recently that the amount of fuel that the car uses has increased significantly. I used to get aroun 40MPG and now i barely make 20. Its happened quite suddenly and i was wondering what could possibly be wrong with it?
Ive changed the oil, oil filter and air filter within last 5 months. Howver i have bought a new battery (bosch s4005).
any ideas? Read more
Any black smoke on acceleration?
Possible egr fault when was the last service done?
Have a citroen berlingo VT HDI 7weeks old and the exhaust has started rattling, it is going back to the garage for a repair --but the annoying thing about this car is a whine upon accelerating , it sounds like when a siren far off first comes to your notice. Anybody else noticed this or has any ideas what it could be . I am going to get the garage to investigate but would like a few advance thoughts . Read more
Hello there.
I recently had a minor scuffle in my car. I was not at fault and the other driver has admitted full liability and I am dealing with his insurance company as I didnt want the hassle of losing and then having to get my no claims bonus reinstated, have got courtesy car etc, and my car is being assesed by their people. I know they are going to write it off due to it being old. I have looked around and the average cost for a like for like replacement is 1300 on Autotrader in my local area. What can I do if they offer me soemthing stupid, such as £500, i should not be out of pocket, should I? I know I can turn it down and say it is worth more but any help or advice in getting what it is worth would be greatly appreciated. Read more
Been here myself, I collected some of the relevant adverts from various sources. I also highlighted the fantastic condition it was in. Armed with the info and a few phone calls talking to the assesor he did give in and agree to repair rather than write off. Just stick to your guns, insurance companies will try it on but you will get there in the end.
I wonder if this business with the accelerators is hard wired into the genetic make up of Toyotas, I mean the Japanes invented the art of Kamikaze . . .
Personally I had an Avensis until recently and it never exhibited this trait. I chose not to have another one because the dealer was hopeless, am quite glad I chose something German instead
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Dear me , we talk so much about scaremongering on this site and Daily Wail readers but still many still persist in this anti German trend. All I can say is that all who I know who have or had Mercs, BMWS, VW, Audi have really liked them. !0 years of Merc and no breakdown except for my own silly fault on one occasion and a new Polo which never missed a beat is my experience.
If only Herr Mercedes-Benz would come on the telly & self-flagellate over the 'lost decade'
of appalling build & engineering quality (& current injector issues) or BMW would admit to
the total failure of the bungled Bangle car designs runflat tyres & diesel turbos and
cracking bling alloys that VW would show a bit of humility & admit they're build
quality isn't invincible etc. etc.
Not much chance I'd say...
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Hi there, did you get this fixed?