May 2011
I have a mk2 VW Golf 1300 petrol engine with hydraulic tappets that needs an oil change.
What is the correct oil specification, is it 15W40 or 10W40?... Read more
Hi all,
I noticed recently that the clutch pedal had a vibration to it when used, after taking itto a garage I was advised that the clutch needed replacing. after having it replaced today (was told the flywheel didnt need replacing), driving home I've noticed that there's a very noticable judder driving off, dropping into first and engaging reverse. Is this normal for a new clutch and if not any ideas what could cause it. It would be good to know before i go back to the garage tomorrow to avoid any flannel.....
Thanks in advance,
Richard Read more
yes
Saw this topic but could not find a recent post.
Anyone got any ideas if the diesel fuels above are any better than ordinary diesel fuels ? Read more
...if there are contaminants or water in the fuel when it's stored...
Good point. Not to mention the length of time the fuel has spent in the tanks. The regular stuff has a definite advantage here as the turnover is much higher.
Advice needed on low cost (mostly) motorway driving
Hi
I need some advice on what car (probably second hand) to buy.
My priorities are:
MOST IMPORTANT:
1. Low *overall* cost motoring
2. QUIET & comfortable with good ride on motorways (long journeys & making phone calls from car)
3. Good-ish acceleration (for safe overtaking). (0-60 in c.8 or 9 secs max)
DESIRABLE:
4. Ideally need a hatchback (for transporting larger items)
5. Good cornering (fun & saves fuel).
6. Cruise control (useful for long journeys)
7. Easy to park
WHAT DOES NOT MATTER:
- I do not care about make of car/image.
- I do not care what the car looks like.
BACKGROUND CONSTRAINTS:
- I am open to leasing, purchasing new or buying second hand.
- I have about GBP 10,000+ to throw at the problem.
- I do about 20,000 miles per year.
- I am in my early 50s.
- I have 3 years no claims bonus.
MY INITIAL THOUGHTS:
I have been advised to buy an old second hand Honda Accord, c. 1996 which apparently "never break down".
AVERAGE HISTORY COSTS:
I have just run the numbers for over the last 4 years, which are:
Depreciation: GBP 1,400 per year
Deisel: GBP 1,800 per year
Repairs/parts: GPP 2,100 per year
Current car: Golf TDI 1.9 (150 BHP I think).
Mileage: 16,000 miles per year (about to be 20,000)
DISCUSSION:
To me the huge surprise is just how small a proportion of overall costs is fuel - even now it's only about 33% !
Any advice?
John
John Smith
I had read about that. There's tonnes of probs with the diesels pre-2009, but apparently they've ironed them out for the new releases (2011). My petrol one gets quite good mpg anyway.
Hi, a question on behalf of an office colleague who has a 58-plate Tiguan 2.0 TDI with just over 15K miles up.
It's been at a local independent for 3 weeks having a problem diagnosed. The car cut out and would not restart, so was towed to the garage.... Read more
omg this IS the authorised dealer/specialist for the country I live in....
After noticing that the driver's side brake light bulb had blown on my son's Corsa, I replaced it, checked that the new bulb worked, then fitted the holder and cover back into position. We checked it again, fully expecting it to be working OK - but it immediately blew again. Something must have gone wrong fairly recently as, only last month, the car passed its MoT test.
Has anyone any suggestions as to what might be the cause of the problem? I read somewhere that a poor contact could lead to reduced voltage which could damage a bulb though this would surprise me because AFAIK, dimmer switches operate by reducing the voltage to a bulb.... Read more
Under voltage can cause deterioration but not failure in the time span being reffered to.
Yes, dimmer switches do work by reducing voltage and thus current, it probably increases the life of mains powered bulbs.
Hi,
... Read more
Just over the max in a petrol car I wouldn't be bothered about it.
got to do timing belt on a fiesta 1.25 zetec , w reg and was wondering if any body could tell me where the timing marks are and what is involved thanks Read more
There are no timing marks on any of the pulleys. All are fully floating on the shafts. You need to remove the rocker cover and use a special tool to lock both camshafts. Then you will need another tool which is a locking pin which screws into the crankcase to lock the crankshaft. You must tension the new belt with all the shafts locked and the pulleys free to rotate. Then make sure all the pulleys are tightened to the correct torque settings. If you're not sure it would be better to give the job to someone who knows what he's doing.....
Are the camshaft sensors and crankshaft sensors the same thing and would failure of these cause completely dead non starts? Read more
The crankshaft sensor tells the ECM engine speed and position. The camshaft sensor tells the ECM cylinder identification. Both will prevent the engine from running if they fail on a TDCi.....
I have a new polo with large plastic lensed h'lights which I want to take to France on holiday. With my old cars I just stuck some black tape on the lights over markings on the glass lenses. With this car there are no markings on the lenses and my vw garage advises fitting lense protectors first and then sticking their expensive stickers to those to avoid damaging the plastic !
Any advice gratefully received Read more
The circular stick on deflectors work fine on my Passat's plastic lights and the instructions cover just about every car so you'll get them in the right place easy enough. Clean the lens and warm them up on full beam for a couple of minutes and they'll stick fast. They're cleverly designed so you can't easily reuse them. The AA ones on Amazon can be had for much less than Halfords and other places.
Last year I was stopped and checked as I parked up at the Aire de la Baie de la Somme on the A16 45 minutes from Calais. They checked the deflectors asking for the lights to be switched on, checked for 2 hi viz jackets (keep these where you can reach them in the car, not the boot) and all paperwork including letter from the company authorising me to use the car abroad. They chose not to speak English but nevertheless all very amiable and courteous. Not worth the risk IMO of not having everything sorted before you set off. ...
Either will be fine, If it's a high mileage engine I'd edge towards the 15/40 but assuming the engine is healthy it really doesn't matter.
As for the GTX, no Castrol oils are true synthetics (take a look at the rather poor cold pour points for proof) - they are a marketing over contents brand, you'd be wasting your money. Get yourself down to "The Range" and buy 5 litres of Unipart semi synth for £13.99 or fully synth for £17.99, probably better than the Castrol stuff and half the price.