March 2010
Major, major problem with thick white smoke filling the car interior, also coming out of the exhaust and from under the car, also under the bonnet.
This problem has now developed into a major problem where the car will only start up if left for a few hours or longer and when it does there is so much white smoke it's unbelievable. It looks as if the car is about to go up in flames.... Read more
I need to charge the 12 Volt Silver Calcium Battery on my 2003 Ford Mondeo. Will any car battery charger do (mine is 20 years old) or is there a more appropriate type of charger I should use? Read more
The safest method of charging a car battery is to remove one, or both, of its connections to the car -- but you may then lose the settings, such as for the clock etc.
The old fashioned charger produces a voltage of about 20 volts or more which is pulled down to the battery voltage when it is connected to a good battery and charging current flows.
If you use one of those and leave the two battery connections in situ, you need to know the battery has not failed by going open circuit before you apply the charger leads ---- is there still a clicking of the starter relay when you turn the ignition key, for instance? Will it light a lamp placed across it.
Because, if has gone open circuit, you will be applying an excessive voltage to the car electronics, [which you may get away with but it is still a risk] because the battery is not then able to control the voltage to a safe level. ...
ok guys this is a weird question.
I have a 53 plate Peugeot Partner van which has 2 front seats. I have seen on a couple of websites pictures which show 3 front seats so I am assuming its possible to fit these instead of my 2. Is this possible? Has anyone done it?
Now the rub, we have just found out we are expecting twins which messes out plans of being able to transport the baby in the van. Is it possible to fit baby seats to the 2 passenger seats in the Partner? Obviously we will need to disable the air bag.
The main reason for the van is that we also have 2 big dogs. An alternative I guess would be to trade in for something like the Honda FR-V and put the back seats down.
I know its recommended to put babys in the back seats but if we want to move dogs and babies, I think we are going to struggle.... Read more
Never seen a Partner/Belringo with 3 front seats (we're talking the original 306/ZX based version here not the 2008 new model). Are you sure you're not confusing it with the Pug version of the Fiat Scudo?
Dear All,
I'm in the market for a 'family' convertible, ie a four-seater, for the coming summer (assuming we have one) which can transport wife and two small children. ... Read more
Having had 2 convertibles I don't believe they mix with buggies/strollers.
Check boot space with roof down - will force you to the bigger, soft top versions....
i wanted to change my car last year when we were expecting our first baby, but things didn't go the way we would had like so i just stuck to my good old Mazda 323.
Now we're expecting baby once again and i want to change my car. its getting really old now and SwMbo is on my case to change my car.... Read more
i know in China honda accord petrol 2.4 ivtec is really good choise.
Following my other half success at passing her driving test i am looking for a cheap first car. i have seen a Seat arosa that looks tempting, bUt could it be trouble in the form of expensive repairs. ?
it is S Reg 1.0 litre engine 88 K miles, any opiinion welcome thank you all Read more
My daughter bought a 1.0 '99 Lupo 5 years ago at 33k; i've now got it as my (and family) spare car at 67k, after my daughter found a 1.4 Lupo.
whilst basically similar cars, there are detail differences between the Lupo and arosa, however my observations are as follows
- the Lupo is nicer inside than the pre-face lift arosa
- for cheap cost of purchase and insurance, and considering its size, the Lupo has very good NcaP crash test results
- our car is boomy at 65-75mph; fitting the underbonnet sound-deadening from a 1.4 Lupo helped and was simple and cheap (approx £25 new)
- a 1.4S Lupo is a much more refined car, (more soundproofing, electric windows, opening rear windows, power steering , improved access to rear) although less charactorful, a bit thirstier and a group higher insurance.
hJ warns about the cost of clutch replacement on the 1.0 compared to the 1.4, though my independant Vw/audi garage doesn't seem to think it would be too much more.
cam belt and full service (filters, plugs etc) cost me £325 3-4 years ago.
From memory, i've had to replace the fuel filter under the tank (5 minute job, once you've done it once!), the oil pressure sensor, the wiper rack (after the linkage fell apart) and the clutch pedal assembly; this may be a weak point, as the 1.4 also had the same problem, and is not such a quick job as the dash and steering column have to come out. if the clutch action is awkward or heavy, be aware!
hJ in the Lupo review also warns of internal condensation if used for short journeys; this happened to mine this cold spell, when the oil pressure warning light came on when starting one frozen morning. if you get an arosa/Lupo, get the breather checked/cleaned when it is serviced next.
i got 50 mpg on a regular 130 mile motorway round trip comute - 75mph there, 65mph back. Daughter used to get 45mpg whilst (shorter!) commuting on b roads; short town trips drops consumption to low 40s mpg.
watch for paint bubbling in roof seams and tailgate
i think they're great cars - so long as you don't want or expect to spend your time in the outside lane at 80mph!
We have a new speed camera around the corner from our house and this morning there are two letters about speeding tickets from it on the doormat for two days last week, 41 in a 30 and 39 in a 30. The camera is not a normal Gatso - was fixed but doesn't flash apparently. My wife and i are both retired and drive the same car and we're up and down there all day as our daughter has a new baby. Not sure who was driving but they want to know. Neither of us has any points and we've had driving licenses for nearly forty years. any advice on how we deal with these? Do i answer honestly and say i don't know, say we'll take one each or say i am the fool and send them my licence and a cheque for both of them? Read more
Reasonable Diligence includes asking for copies of any photo's to help identify the driver. Do not elaborate or use the words evidence or proof. The photo may help you to identify the driver. Failure to Furnish can cost you 6 points and circa £500.
What is this camera that does not flash. A mobile van set up does not flash but Gatso's and Truvelo's flash Is this a RedSpeed cameras mounted hi up 4 to 5 metres up....
I'm having problems with identifying a part of what I think is the turbo system, which is attached to the manifold at the back of the top of the engine. It has a couple of vacuum units fitted to it.
The main problem I've been having with the car is irractic acceleration on light throtlle pressure which smoothes out at higher revs. Have just had the codes read which give a code of P1557 (turbo pressure control) and P1570 ( engine ECU blocked).... Read more
Hi craig
Your an absolute star with that info, it's just what I wanted to hear - a part that can be serviced! - I think you're right about the N75, this is definitely suspect so I shall look to replace this. There is no way I can get away with not cleaning the eGR cos'as I say, this oily residue is getting onto the hot manifold and causing a oily smoke to find it's way into the cabin....
hi
this is a problem which dosnt happen all the time,very frustrating when it does as im stuck till it decides to go... Read more
A bloke I know had the same problem with his Kangoo. He found a company that manufactured an electronic box that allowed the immobiliser to be bypassed. It cost him £85 and it works perfectly well. It can be easily removed and the vehicle is immobilised again. I haven't seen him for a while so I can't tell you who makes it. Do a google search, you may find something.
Before I start, yes I got a Renault, bad mistake so I dont need any of that information :D
For a while now I have been getting really low fuel economy on my 53 plate Laguna 2.2 dCi. Hoping you guys here can provide some suggestions.
The official figures are around 33/43/53mpg for town/combined/motorways respectively.
Got the car in June and for the usual commute (90% motorway, 10% town) it was averaging around 45mpg. Around town was 26mpg
I started experiencing some power loss issues when I got on to motorways at around 70mph when putting my foot down to get up to speed. Used to get a coil light appear on the dashboard as well. I wouldn't lose all power but it was like the turbo had gone with VERY slow speed pick up. Took it to my mechanic who changed the engine gaskets. This didn't solve the problem and infact made it worse. The car started doing around 32-34mpg on the commute and 18mpg around town
After some more investigation it turned out that the inlet manifold was cracked. Got this replaced and it sorted the power loss issues but not the fuel consumption.
After some more investigation the mechanic said that there was some smoke from around the injector seals and it was worn so that could be a possible cause. He did say this might not sort it but it cost me £30 for parts and labour so I had it done. I didn't get my hopes up about it being resolved but what I saw today was not expected.
The car averaged 26mpg on the commute!!! Thats with an average speed for 45mph over about 45 miles. 35mpg I could afford, even though it wasnt how the car should perform. 26 is beyond stupid! I will be giving him a call to tell him this and I think now is the time to bring up the fact that the fuel consumption issues started after his gasket change (someone else did the inlet manifold). Didn't really bring this up before because the mechanic is a good guy. Ive lost count of the amount of times he has checked niggly issues for no charge whatsoever on this car and my last.
So, any suggestions as to what it could be? Read more
The 2.2DCi auto (Sp Tourer) will do 40 - 42 mpg on the motorway and at worst ~37mpg (the official average) on shorter runs. The manual version should do even more. assuming that the cam belt has been set correctly and that there is no gasket problem to deal with, it sounds like you need to clean (and check) the EGR valve and possibly the "throttle chamber" where it sits, which usually needs a good clean every couple of years. It is not a difficult DIY job if you are mechanically minded, if not you will need someone who knows what to do to get involved. It makes a material difference to the performance when all is reasonably clean in that area. The signals that a periodic clean is required are when you notice slower pulling away accompanied by quite a puff black smoke and, of course, (much) worse fuel consumption. This engine benefits from hard work and every week or so you need to pull away fairly sharpish to clean the slight soot that builds up around the EGR valve. The good news is that if you look after this engine, use fully synthetic 5w/40 oil and change it at 9k mls or annually if less mls (to keep the turbo well lubricated) , it will go on and on and need less EGR valve cleaning! at 67K mls your engine is just becoming run in and should go very efficiently at higher mileages. BTW you need to consider changing the glow plugs ~70K mls which costs £45 ish for parts and is simple to do ( if you know how)!
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I dont know but 59000 miles and you got a head gasket problem??? I would fix it if it was me, it would cost you around 300-400 pounds so it is not that bad!!! My mondeo was a diseal!!