February 2010
I have lost all sound from the radio / CD player, this just happened recently. I still have visual display of the radio station or the track being played from the CD, but nothing from the speakers. This is the original (CD 30) vaux system in a 56 reg Astra. Any idea's?? Read more
Will be getting a fuel card with my new job and will change my (personal) car to something with a MUCH lower CO2 number to minimise the BIK hit. I want to stay with petrol and have found that several companies now do a 1.4 turbo petrol with 120-140 ish horses in an Astra/Focus/Golf sized car.
Anyone got such a car? If so what's it like in the real world? Read more
The 1.4 TSi 122 Golf is on 'back order' of at least 5 months at the moment for a reason - everyone wants this engine. So there is either a consensus or a herd mentality.....
I agree it drives like a 1.8 or even a 2.0 in a low state of tune, however the fuel economy is markedly better than the 1.8 Focus we ran a few years ago and similarly better than the 2.0 MK4 Golf we ran before that (which it also beats on performance).
HJ commented that in Germany they are offering the 1.8 TSi in the Golf as an alternative to the 1.4 TSi for people who don't want to wait, it would (perhaps) be a nice combination (available in the Octavia anyhow), however it doesn't detract from the fact that the 122 TSi / Golf combination is a good one.
Personally I don't care about the complexity, if it breaks it may cost money, it was a lot cheaper in both real and numeric terms than the similarly specced 2.0 Golf MK4 was 10 years ago.
We didn't get (the undoubtedly good) Octavia because it was too big (for a second car), lacked safety equipment and quite simply wasn't a Golf.
My father has a citroen xsara 1.4, on an X plate (which I think is 2000 registered), recently the heater/blower was full on and now has stopped completey.
Any advice/suggestions greatfully received
Thankk you Read more
First place to start is to check for a power supply at the motor.Remove the underdash plastic panel ,below glove box,on passenger side.Locate the heater blower motor and check for power to the thick red lead on a multi plug attached to the motor.The engine needs to be running for this test.hth
Got a 1.2l petrol Vauxhall Corsa as a loan car. Finding it difficult to accelerate fast enough to avoid inconveniencing other road users. Also seems to be flat out at 60mph in fourth gear up my usual long hills. As far as I can tell , maximum engine torque is at 4000 rpm, but it seems very unsympathetic to rev it at least that hard to avoid slowing down between gear changes.
Be glad to get back into my turbo diesel.
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>>>That's interesting - the "B" has 74BHP, and the "D" has 85PS (about 84 BHP), according to HJ's figures (Autotrader's are less generous at 65BHP("B"):80BHP("D").
I'm wondering if that the main reason is that the newer car is fitted with a 3 cylinder Ecotec engine and that to get the emissions down there has been a sacrifice somewhere, like grunt.
Must admit, getting out of a side road in one piece was a challenge, especially with the 2nd gear flat spot.
If you want to start uphill, in autos, you disengage the parking brake and car will creep forward.
In normal manual (with handbrake), you release clutch and disengage handbrake at same time so car will crawl forward.
How will you do this in an auto where parking is brake is operated by left foot?
PS: For autos, I think foot operated parking brake is a good thing as left foot is no longer decommissioned :)
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In the mid 90's I had a C class manual. Managed OK with the foot handbrake 95% +time.
Only real issue was queuing on a hill in Glasgow ( A Drumlin Hill- very steep) - brake held OK - traffic moved off, so did I BUT then stopped after a few yards - at this point a 3rd leg would have been handy - also wearing a brown trousers would have been advisable.
In the 2 years I had it SWMBO drove it 3 miles and then encountered a hill start and never drove it again.
I changed the engine oil on my focus (1.8 petrol) today but was unable to remove the oil filter. Access was awkward and the filter was tight, I'm not sure when it was last changed because I have only had the car a week.
I put in new oil but left in the old oil filter which was slightly damaged but not punctured. Would there be any detrimental effect to the car by leaving the old filter in? I can either take it to the garage to get them to change just the filter or leave it till the next oil change and do both. If I leave the old filter in will it contaminate the new oil? Read more
Clean it thoroughly, then wind a long length of thin rope round and round and round and round.....starting from the bottom, then pull REALLY hard [obviously anticlockwise]! If you've got enough turns on it won't slip - like a mooring rope wound round a capstan.
Hi - the handle/leaver underneath the steering wheel of my Ford Fiesta (2000, W, 5dr, 1.25zetec) has stopped opening the bonnet of my car. It seems the wire is still attached but it is not opening up.
Can someone suggest how I can open the bonnet without using the leaver? Read more
Get someone to gently press down on the front of the bonnet while you pull on the handle to take any pressure off the latching mechanism. Once bonnet is open, adjust the cable to take up any free play.
Hi
1.8 Petrol 29K Miles
Used around 10 miles per day Town journey
I have a bit of a issue with my Vectra C
Sometimes when you start the car 1st time on a morning, it will struggle to get above 800 RPM and is lumpy, sometimes the car will realise this and correct itself other times it wont and will just sit at around 600 revs pulsing up and down slightly.
A dab on the throttle and all is well it ticks over normally (> 900 RPM) the car will be fine to use for the rest of the day ? it has been fully serviced and is great in every other respect
I have posted this on another forum however I?m calling on the expertise of the BR
Many Thanks Read more
Thanks tb that would be great but I don't want to waste anyones time if I don't do it...
on older cars I would be quite happy to unbolt things however with complex electronics I don't want to damage anything. The car is under warranty but I would have a hard time replicating the problem as it only ever happens 1st thing on a morning and I would like at this stage more information about the problem especially if I can sort it myself
If you do have some more information you could give me it would be very apreciated I just don't want to appear to be wasting your time if I decide not to tackle it myself
many thanks
I won't go into any details because there is a thread in tehnical but the upshot is my head gasket has gone on my Corsa and I cannot be bothered with old cars anymore. With my luck on used cars and my personality I just don't want the stress or hassle.
I have just been to a FIAT dealer to enquire about a loan for a new Panda I will find out in a few days if my application is sucessful. My credit score is rated excellent so its only really my self employed status which would effect me.
The Panda is £95 a month for four years, then a £1200 final payment.
The problem I have only owned my Corsa for 11.5 months, on the 27th of March I will have owned it a year and the scheme expires on the 31st.
The MOT is due on the 15th of March so as you can see the timing is all wrong. I have bought some block seal to hopefully bodge the HG and get it through the MOT but before I go down the scrappage scheme is there any other deals I should consider?
I only do city driving so engine size is not important, I just want something hassle free and simple. What ever car I buy I would keep it for a long time.
All this depends on my ability to get a cheap loan there is no point on paying higher APR. I did make a similar thread a few months ago with regard to my dad but the difference is my parents have poor history and my dads not driving anyway now. Read more
No idea... maybe Dave will know. If never looked at the old swear filter.
please can you tell me where is the fuel additive reservoir tank for Eolys fluid is situated as i need to top up first time on many thanks Read more
Thank you dieselnut yet again someone who cares and always ready to help thankyou very much (ansome) John.
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Hi Gimley. Did you get to the bottom of this? Got into my astra this morning and also have no sound coming from the speakers. Thanks.