September 2010
Two weeks ago my 2006 VW Passat 2.0 TDI sport just completely cut out on me. No warning. Engine just died, power steering went etc. Had no time to safely pull over. I shudder to think what could have happened.... head on collision and likely fatalities.
Car has 89,000 on the clock and is fully serviced. I've owned it for 12 months.... Read more
I'm looking for a car to replace my ageing Saab 9000 CSE. I've been looking at '95 plate Honda Civics, Skoda Fabia Estate 1.4 diesels and lately, the Volvo V50 Estate.
I'm quite taken with the Volvo, looking at them in dealers yards it seems to be solid, well built and attractive. I'm not so sure about the reliability though. A few horror stories around the internet, which seem to centre on the 2.0litre diesel(poor fuel economy, engine probs)... Read more
I had a V50 2.0D SE Lux for over 50,000 miles and still miss it. Not the biggest, not the most economical but it had a tactile quality and integrity that remained with it until I sold it. Only let down was to have to constatntly replace headlight bulbs!
Firstly,apologise if in the wrong section but just joined.
Worked as a self employed builder for all my life,am now 41 and imo the industry is close to death and i'm sick of worrying where the next job is coming from?... Read more
My son, aged 41, is going through this. He’s been teaching English overseas for several years, but he and his wife now want to settle in New Zealand and an HGV licence will improve his chances of gaining a work visa as HGV drivers are very much in demand there.
He returned home to retrain a year ago. However, before he could get properly started on the training the first lockdown was imposed and he had to wait until September to do the first part, which he passed. The second part, for artic lorries, followed in October, but unfortunately he didn’t pass that as he messed up the reversing. He re-booked for November but the second part has been postponed and postponed due to the successive lockdown measures. It has just been postponed again from March, so goodness knows when he will do the artic test....
I've read conflicting reports about the new VAG 105PS 1.2 TSI as to whether it has a Cam Chain or Belt. Even on this site in the Polo review it has a chain but on the Golf review it has a belt?
I am considering this engine in the Octavia but am tring to avoid a cam belt, any ideas?... Read more
Blimey - it's been a while!
However back to the original post. The new(er now old) 1.2tsi wasan 8v cam chain however the new new 1.2 tsi fitted to the latest Octavia/Golf is the EA211 16v extended life cam belt engine. It is a totally different engine as compared to the old 1.2tsi.
Been scouring the net for a while and cant find a definate answer to this one. What is the law with regards to towing a vehicle on an A frame set up that bolts to the lower arms?
I know I need to fix a light board to the back of the towed vehicle to ensure there are visible signals, but is it still a legal method o towing? My trade insurance states I can tow fully insured so long as Im not doing it for reward/money, which I wouldnt be. My car is capable fo towing 1.4 ton legally and the towbar a lot more. Read more
"I called the police a couple of weeks ago, on this subject."
I think you will find that the level of knowledge of traffic related matters, other than run of the mill stuff' is low to non existent....
Hi, I own a 1998 Volkswagen Golf Mark 4 - Its the 1.4 E model and plagued with problems since buying it from a trader only a couple of months ago.
The major problem is excessive white smoke coming from the exhaust from oil burning - I know its oil as I have only owned it a couple of months and I've already had to put about 7-8 litres of oil in it.... Read more
Before spending lots of money double check the oil breather systems as this can cause all sorts of problems including very high oil consumption (pressure blows oil past valves). Three key ares to check:-
1) There is a tube that runs internally within the air filter (that the oil breather pipe is connected to) that can become blocked with oil mayo.
2) The engine rubber oil breather pipe feeding the air filter casing (left hand side stood in front of the bonnet) can collapse/rot.
3) Oil breather assembly attached to the back of the engine (if the oil breather pipe is OK remove oil filler cap and blow down the pipe - if no resistance should be OK)
No 1) is quite likely - easy job - remove air filter housing and top. Flush the pipe with carb cleaner or white spirit .There is a mushroom valve at the end. On mine a huge amount of oil mayo came out - high oil consumption fell to near zero (no top up between service)
Does anyone know of an effective way of removing alloys that have fused to the wheel hubs? My Polo seems to have suffered from this on both rear wheels. After removing all four nuts the wheel still refuses to budge. Any reliable way of getting them off without causing any damage?! Read more
"I grabbed it, stood with my legs wide in front of the jacked-up wheel, bent from the waist and swung the spare tyre from between my legs"
I'd be worried about keeping things out of the way ;)...
Last week I hit a parked car. I had stopped to get letters from the post person for my sons birthday just down the road from where I live. I felt a minor nudge, and got out. Saw two dents on the car - one small one, and one bigger one. Not sure which one I caused but there was no damage to my car. Anyway I got out - went the post person and got my letters and waited for another 5 minutes. In total I was there for at least 10 minutes - possibly longer. At the same time looking for a pen/paper. My wife + family was also in the car. Anyway - didnt have a pen and paper - as such, but I did however leave a crude note on a receipt (which is all I had!) in pencil - saying 'Sorry - could we do this out of insurance, and left my phone number.' I tucked it into the drivers windows 'rubber'.
Stupidly (thinking I'd done enough) I left because - I had a bowling lane booked for my sons birthday - so left and took him bowling & pizza hut. Actually saw the car going the other way on the way home - and turned round to chase it, but it had long gone.
Went back later on AND later on still - and again most days - but havent seen the car since. Fully intended to pay - and/or exchange details.... fully insured, etc.....
I was admittedly STUPID in hindsight for leaving - but having this never happened to me before, I figured I would either eventually catch up with the owner, or I'd get a letter....
5 days after the accident I get an insurance claim. Told them I was fully prepared to pay and can they let the other people know. Asked if there was problem - was told no.
Now I get a police letter saying I am being done for failure to stop and report, and driving without due care.
Isnt this a bit extreme? I go down this road every single day - plus I hung around for ages! Plus I left (an admittedly) small note?
Apparently there is a witness to the accident (though why they didnt come out when I was there for 10-15 minutes is beyond me!) - and I am guessing they made no mention of the note I left. I think I am guessing that part - as I am being done for 'failling to exchange details'?
What can I do?
Go to the police, tell them what happened and inform them of your actions. The Police will only take things further if they feel its in the public interest to prosecute and on the face of things you have done all that's reasonable. Ask them to find the other owner in touch and let your insurance company deal with it. Something similar happened with my late mother and it was sorted out this way with no drama.
Hello,
I was hoping someone could help me with this from a legal standpoint.... Read more
Yesterday happened something very similar to my Qashqai. Car is less than 6 months old and it is not the first time. First time I was lucky as the car was stationary, waiting for traffic lights to change. I couldn't start it again for about 30 seconds. Dashboard and satnav was totally black, no single light.
Yesterday was more scarry I was driving home on A road, speed about 60 mph, road in middle of fields and forests, no street lamps. Started with weird beep noise for few seconds to then switch satnav off and all lights on dashboard, but what was the worsts the head lamps lost power also, so I was trying to stop the car in pitch black. What was weird the engine was still running. After about 5-10 seconds all went back on. Thank god I knew the road and there were no other people/cars around....
Can anyone advise of any in the removal and installation of the battery on my VW Passat in regards to any problems I might encounter with the computer etc.
Thanks Read more
VW obviously weren't considering health and safety when they chose the location for the battery on a Passat. To change one would put your back out, and anyone with any sense would use a lifting crane. Most people however don't have access to one, which makes this all the more ridiculous.....
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The one to avoid seems to be the 2.0 PD. There have been fewer problems with the common-rail diesels (in VWs from 2008, Skodas from spring 2009).