March 2010
Symptoms started occasionaly a few weeks ago but are now much more frequent.
- The engine management lamp has lit up for a few moments when driving, going off on its own accord, and still driving OK (ie not in limp home)
- The engine stalls or idles erratically and then stalls, usually when hot (ie after warm up cycle), most often when stopping the car.
- When the (hot) engine is started it will not idle - until driven a short distance.
However, most of the time the car drives smoothly etc and runs properly. The idle air control valve was replaced by main dealer less than a year ago. ... Read more
HJ's news - Ford admits price rises went too far
I've long since thought (and commented) that Ford's pricing strategy was self-defeating, I guess they were playing 'game theory' in the hope that others would follow (look up oligopolistic markets and hockey stick demand curves), their rivals didn't raise prices to the same extent so Ford's strategy failed as the demand curve predicts that it might and they've had to change it. Quite a nice case study in economics actually.... Read more
Got my 2.0 litre Mondeo Titanium X(list£26,500) for £17500 brand new(pre reg) so there are discounts out there if you look for them.
Did anyone manage to read it before it was deleted last week - along with another five or so that I posted while out there? (finally thought of a question ;-)
The one I`m thinking of was about motoring across the Leyte Gulf in an outrigger boat, powered by a car engine to an island without electricity, where my wifes family originate.... Read more
Thanks for the `heads up` Hj Publisher. It`s appreciated.
Let`s continue then with a little reporting from Tacloban....
My mother in law is looking to replace her current motor with a new or very recent s/h model (ie 59 plate) and she's narrowed the choice down to the following:
Vauxhall Corsa... Read more
I'd say it's between the Jazz and the Polo.
The Corsa is very pedestrian to drive - feel-less steering, soggy handling and unenthusiastic pick-up from rest....
I have an 03 reg mondeo 2lt tdci. I had the front discs and pads replaced
dec 09 as they were worn and it sailed through it's mot at end of Dec 09
with no advisories. I have now noticed what I can only described as a
grating sound? This is present on braking but also intermittently when
driving along, as though the brakes are binding somehow (and this may sound
stupid but is when driving is is more pronounced when the car is driving
left round a bend!)
I want to take the car back to the same garage but don't know wnough about
cars and want to know if this is the front brakes, and if so why is this
problem occuring when the discs and pads have been replaced and if it is
something else why was it not picked up as an advisory in the mot? Read more
Take it to a fast fit place that offer a free brake check you don't have to get the work done but they will explain what the problems are if there is one.
May have rust build up on the pad carrier and is just sticking on or with all this grit from the other month grit can get thrown into brakes and when pressed grooves your pad and disc like it's happened to mine it graits but is safe to drive.
Looking for ideas. Car is very sluggish with what I would describe as poor throttle response particularly in 4th gear. This followed on from a click I heard from the area of the accelerator pedal yesterday. I've looked at it ( the pedal) and it looks ok as far as I can tell ( i.e.not about to fall off!) Response is a bit better from 2.5 k revs upwards but not what it was. Car still drives fine so suspect not in limp home just not the car it was.
Its done 57k and is driven for economy i.e. pretty gently.... Read more
Just bringing this thread to the top again in case anyone seeing the OP's post in motoring discussion wants to refer to it.
I bought a 55 plate (2006 model year) Mondeo TDCi 130 in early 2007, It was a one owner car with 27,000 on the clock and the first couple of years were great. Strong performance, excellent economy (a measured 62-64mpg on its regular journeys) and good long distance comfort. It's also been a boon in winter with the Quickclear front screen.
But...since then it's gone steadily downhill. Even though I polish the car regularly its paint is starting to lose its lustre (too many fine surface scratches, one or two 'flat' areas), the interior (and boot especially) are starting to show the first signs of tattiness and rattles. It has had one or two minor niggles which have needed repair at services, but worst of all it has had all four discs replaced and the pad sets changed SIX times in a failed effort to get to the bottom of an intermittent squealing/chattering noise. It's a pleasant enough drive, still, but the truth is that the car is not wearing its age well and with no solution in sight for this intermittent noise I've reached the point where it's got to go.... Read more
Cheers for that, Barney. I take your point about their high mileage capability. I know there are a few V70s around, but most of those eight years old or less are 2.0/2.4 petrols, which would cost a fair whack in juice. The only D5s I've seen are very high milers and usually at 'traders' I've never heard of. I don't know enough to be comfortable buying in that kind of situation.
I've seen a 2005 V50 1.8 petrol with 43k miles on non-Volvo dealer forecourt at just under £5,800. I'm tempted, but it's a little higher than I'd like to pay....
My wife and I are soon returning home after 3 years in Canada. One of my first tasks will be to buy us a car. My budget limit is £6K (don't want to take on extra financing at this stage). We have also just had a baby boy. So, I am looking for a reliable car that:
1. is big/flexible enough to carry bulky baby gear with ease (eg push chair, travel cot, nappy bag), along with shopping, car seat and so on.... Read more
latest 1.1 panda is a great car
if ur happy with a white or yellow one dont rule out a new one for 6300, group1 insurance, will be white or yellow for that price tho but none the worse for that...
I nearly fell of my chair when I read this:
Quote from owner of the car, (thank you Daily Telegraph)
There’s no way I’d have given the keys of my car to anyone who wasn’t qualified to handle it. ... Read more
It makes me wonder if these cars are suitable for normal road use.
hi i have a Y reg 1.2 corsa and sometime when i go to start the car the engine ticks over but the car will not start for a while and when it does eventually start the light in the shape of a car with a spanner through the middle comes on and the rev counter does not work, but then if I turn off the engine and put it back on the light goes off and everything is fine
thanks... Read more
thanks :)
Browse
The MAF is a likely culprit, but doesn't usually light the MIL. I'd get your chappie to code read the car to check for anything else, and just disconnect the MAF yourself and see if the driveability improves.
ebay MAFs are generally OK, but be sensible, buy from a decent trader who'll swap a duff one and you'll be quids in.