May 2010
"We will be limited only by our own imagination"
www.telegraph.co.uk/science/7745868/Scientist-Crai...l... Read more
Hey guys,
Right my car starts fine and seems to idle and run ok until she starts warming up (roughly around the end of the red bar), when she seems a little down on power but also starts smoking from the exhaust. Upon parking up, she spits out plenty of smoke and even some petrol splashes and reeks of fuel.
I've got a peake research tool and she's showing no error codes logged, the MAF is only a few months old, she runs on oldish NKG plugs (she doesn't like bosch).
The other thing of note is I had a tiny rad leak a few weeks back and at the advice of a local RAC bloke on his break, I used rad weld.
Does anyone have any ideas? If it's an air leak in a pipe, wouldn't that trigger a code? I've been told the rad weld could have caused problems with my coolant temperature sensor (and even damaged the heads), but the car has never overheated and I'm pretty sure the smoke isn't steam.
Thanks,
Marc. Read more
I have recently bought a Focus 2.0TDCi 06 plates, 92000 miles and last service at 88000.
Have discovered that whilst accelerating up hill in 4th,5th gear and sometimes 3rd, on reaching 2200rpm i get a strange faint high pitched whirring/whine with a very slight dip in revs down to 2000rpm with a slight loss in power, almost unnoticable but there all the same. It normally gets better and carries on accelerating again but in 5th gear it can happen again at about 2400revs dipping to 2200 and carrying on as normal. I then noticed that it also happens on the motorway in 6th gear and always at 2200-2600 revs. No warning lights come on and also there are no other probs i can see or hear with the car. ... Read more
You wonder how some of the `mechanics` mags hang on really, don`t you? Considering the depth of information - the sheer through-put of interesting topics and quality of advice - much from working techs - in this forums Tech section.
It`s the first time this month that i`ve not handed over the money in Smiths for the `car mag`. Sick of product placements in them and lightweight reviews in some of them, that tell you nothing.... Read more
The modern car is becoming more and more a "black box" with "no user serviceable parts". You look under the bonnet and wonder what the hell everything is.
Bless my old Triumph Herald and later GT6 with their walk-in engine rooms, and a Saab 96 you could fix with a small hammer, a mole wrench and a bed spanner....
Driving my gf's car today it seemed to be running rather hot it was always above 100 with the fan on 2 and sometimes 3 even after stopping for around 10mins the temp had not dropped
later got the car upto around 50mph and it started to cool to around half still with the fan on 2
this seems to be running hotter than it should i have checked to coolant and it is not a good colour looks a little brown and the car does seem to be going through oil quite quickly (cant see a leak or drops on ground) do you think i would be right to think head gasket?
the car has done 105k and does stutter at times when driving (dont know if this could be related)
any help would be appreciated cheers Read more
Thanks for the suggestion, will get someone to take a look at the waterpump.
Just out of interest, would a partially blocked exhaust contribute to high running temp? The waddding from the back box is making its escape throught the exhaust pipe!...
hi does anyone know what the light with a car and a key under it means thank you Read more
I would think this is the immobiliser warning light.It should illuminate for a few seconds when ignition is first switched on.hth
hi, can anyone confrim if the above with towing pack has cruise control? it is 58 plate.
... Read more
Cruise Control on my Zafira was fitted 9 months after it left the factory... The VX stalk cost £35 and the TECH2 configuration cost £30. I fitted the stalk (a good pull is all it needs) and then drove it to VX who did the work at the same time as the 1st Service.
I'm test riding a Rocket Three Roadster on Monday, I'm looking for a bike to cruise with the misses on, she doesn't like speed so I just feel frustrated when taking her out on the 'Busa. I'll be keeping my old bike for one-up shenanigans, track days and sprints. I hope the RIII has enough grunt to at least make it interesting for when I want to go for a solo blast without "accidentally" hitting 160mph every time I touch the throttle. Whatever I buy it must have some performance - I will not tolerate a pig slow bike!
Has anyone ridden one? All the Triumphs I've owned have been lovely to ride - I hope this is no exception. What are the alternatives? I've not looked into this sector before. Read more
Not far off, she's slim and does yoga! :-) The stock seat is more comfy than it looks, however I'd specify the gel touring seat and sissy bar to keep her happy. She thought it was good - it's certainly no Goldwing in terms of pillion comfort. The sissy bar comes off in 5 mins just four bolts - good coz I hate them!
I experienced intermitent clutch judder on take-up in first gear. Garage diagnosed and replaced cam shaft position sensor under warranty. 12 months later the symptoms are reapearing. Any ideas? Read more
The garage mistakenly fitted two rear tyres with load index of 94 rather than the 91 that I (and the handbook) specified. The tyre fitter told me that I do not need to get these replaced with 91 load index tyres as 94 is stronger than a 91. However the sales staff at the same garage had previously told me that a 94 rated tyre would give my car a harder ride.
Should I demand 91 load index rated tyres be fitted or just leave the 94 rated tyres on?... Read more
Thanks for the advice.
Adam
Hello again,
Right a quick summary: '94 M3 pouring out whitish smoke from the exhaust when hot, car slightly down on power. No ecu codes and to top it all off, even though the car filled the mechanics garage with smoke, the emissions test was spot on.
As far as I can see the car isn't loosing coolant for it to be steam, but from startup when cold (all the way through to warm) she stinks of fuel. The guy reckons it must be from the exhaust (it's a 2nd hand evo exhaust fitted 6 months ago), but there's no obvious leaks or failures in it. He said he'd do a compression test, but he doesn't think it's a head gasket: i.e he doesn't have a clue what the smoke is and where it's coming from. The main fan has a little play so I will change the water pump, but as far as we can see it is working ok.
So I've got no ecu codes, no problem with emissions, no coolant loss - plenty of smoke.
So help please people, through any idea my way!
Marc.