December 2011
Hi guys, I've got a 2003 53 reg Mercedes e320cdi auto. it has done 177k with full Mercedes main dealer history.
It recently developed a slight judder when mild accelerating. I've read lots of information online about coolant in ATF prolem. Hence, I had the car for a Glycol test at local gearbox specialist last week. The result is good and they found no coolant in the gearbox. They noticed that the fluid level was slight low and fluid was quit dirty and recommended a fluid&filter change. I deceided to go ahead for a ATF fluid change and the car is fine now.... Read more
I know nothing of the specific car mentioned above but I believe the "dirty ATF" is due to the fact that ATF cannot be drained fully unless the g/box is taken off the car.
Typically up to 40% of the original fluid is still in many gearboxes when the new ATF is added....
Hi folks,
Two weeks ago I replaced the tyres on my Ford Fiesta 1.4 Petrol (2007 = '57). Previously it had on the original tyres, I forget which make they were but one the the better known brands.... Read more
I was wondering about the mileometer given that I know my speedo overheads. Having time on my hands when I drive I have tried testing this and found if I set the speedo to 60mph and reset the journey timer, trip and the average speed it takes me longer than a minute to clock up one mile (obviously doing in for 10 miles reduces error) and I find the average speed computer tells me 57mph. Great news on the mileometer as it means I am not filling the dealers pockets by getting my car serviced too early.
I figure it's just the software in the car reduces the speed shown on the speedo, with other speed/distances related outputs being broadly right (but certainly not fuel consumption).
It does perhaps explain why some people take their car to the garage and come away saying the revs have changed at a given speed. Since we know the mechanical parts haven't been changed it stands to reason that a software update could increase/decrease the speedo over read but without changing the revs.
As I say I have a lot of time on my hands when I drive to ponder these things.
We are in dispute with Renault.
My company runs a number of renaults all bought from Renault Wirral. We had a 58 plate Renault Koleos that had an engine failure at 28,971 miles. The vehicle was 6 months old when we bought the car from the main dealer.... Read more
We have now heard renault are putting another new turbo and now a new cat too!!! So in the last eight weeks we have had a new engine, two new turbos and a new cat converter all under the Renault warranty which has been fantastic of them but we can't understand why they are putting another new turbo and cat on when before the original engine went it was all fine and since fitting new engine two turbos have blown!!!! I really think it will blow the next turbo too - It is a shame as we loved the car, but would be more than happy to swap out of it for another renault ( had scenics before and they were great) - I wonder how any more parts will be replaced :s-to be honest if it could be fixed for long enough we probably would trade it in but would lose a fortune- first new car we ever bought!!! - will see what happens this time but will probably ask them for a swap to a grand scenic
My N Note has an odd sized wheel/tyre and this restricts my choices...a lot! 185/55/16 V rated (no it isn't but don't ask!) . Very very few manufacturers make this size/rating. Uniroyal don't.
Anyway I currently have some Conti Premium Contact 2's on there (OEM) - OK but not great in the wet. I've been reading good reviews about the Falken ZE912's and it's them I'm set on.... Read more
My local independent workshop, which I use for everything where possible, have no problem with this when I phone for a quote for fitting, they do know I'd be bringing the tyres in from somewhere else - if it's a popular size they'll ask for the opportunity to price up their supply, for the popular tyres they can usually undercut slightly so I give them the business.
They know they can't compete on everything and they don't even suggest pricing up themselves for more unusual tyres like SUV All-Season....
3rd child on the way so need to get a car which can fit 3 car seats across the back seat. Do small mileage with a lot of short journeys so looking at petrols. Looking at an 06 - 08 car up to 2.0 litre. Anyone have any experience with any of the above cars in petrol form? Particularly interested in experiences people have in the Grande Picasso.
Ta Read more
Hi foliage,
Apologies for the delay in responding. My brother has a 2.0 petrol, on an 07 plate, bought 18 months ago, from a Citroen dealer. Its now done 30,000 miles and averages 30 mpg. Its been serviced by a Citroen dealer. All has been fine apart from a faulty rear door catch which was sorted under warranty....
My G reg VW Golf mk2 seems to slow down and almost stop for a couple of seconds when I accelerate from a standing start.. It then starts to pick up but still runs poorly and will cut out when I stop. I know it is probably to do with the Pierburg 2e2 carb.
Fuel pump pumping, Visible jet at top under valve/flap jetting. It just seems like on acceleration too much air is getting drawn in and is affecting the fuel mix.... Read more
I removed the airbox assembly and checked that the flap inside operates to a vaccum and isn't jammed. I believe this only functions until warm air is detected in the air filter box. It seems to be working OK and I have removed the air hose to the wheel arch so just getting air from inside the engine compartment. Have also made sure the hose from the manifold is properly connected. The car does seem to be running/idling better already.
I will check the carb/manifold gasket tomorrow. The carb does seem to wobble quite easily and the gasket wasn't changed when I fitted a new inlet manifold a year or so ago....
Hi,
I really need some impartial advice following an accident last week when a car hit me from behind at a roundabout.... Read more
I am in a similar situation to yourself. i was rear-ended back in june waiting at a round-a-bout. i phoned my insurance (admiral) when i got home and was advised to go with albany assistance. since then they have been great with my claim. i made sure i read all the small print because like yourself it just seemed that admiral was just trying to pass the buck. but it had said that even if there was no response from the other party i would not be liable for any payments. the only money i have had to fork out was £15 for the petrol already in the hire car while mine was fixed. they arranged a medical appt that suited me and have pretty much sorted everything out. the other party has now admitted fault and im assured that i will recieve a pay out by middle of january for my injury claim.
I'm not trying to sell them to you but just thought i would give you my experiance of them. it seems that this is quite common for insurance companies when they feel it is a pretty "open & Shut" case, to pass you on to a third party....
I recently had the check engine light come on flashing and the engine running rough. I drove home, about 30 miles then put the car into a local independent garage. A faulty coil pack was diagnosed, using a computer hooked up to the car, and replaced. The car is now running well but the check engine light is now on steady at all times when the ignition is on. The mechanic tried to reset it using the computer without success because the oxygen sensors are indicating an emissions fault. He suggested to leave it for a few days then try the car on the emissions tester if the light is still on. I suspect that the catalytic converter and or sensors may be affected by the unburnt fuel due to the misfire. I've have done about 20 miles over 2 days since the coil pack was replaced and the light is still on. Does anyone have any ideas on this?
Since the coil pack was replaced and the attempted reset of the engine light the alarm has also been affected. A few seconds after switching off the ignition a warning is diplayed that the interior alarm has been deactivated. A few hours after locking the car the main alarm becomes disabled and the car can only be opened by using the key in the lock. It seems like the car is in a factory mode where the alarm is automatically disabled after a period to prevent false alarms and discharged battery during transort and storage. I sure I can get this fixed relatively easily by a ford dealer but if anyone knows a home fix please advise.... Read more
In case it helps anyone in the future I can now update on the resolution to the two problems in my original post. The car is a Mk ll Focus Ghia with the 1.6L Ti-VCT 115PS engine.
Check Engine Light: The CEL didn't go out on it's own so after about 1 week I returned the car to the garage for further investigation. They cleaned the spark plugs, checked the exhaust emissions and found them to be OK to MOT requirements, then reset the CEL to off. However at the next engine start the light came back on. (I later found out that it takes two engine start cycles for this fault to be registered by the engine management computer.) I decided to investigate myself and found that the wiring of the Heated Oxygen Sensor No. 2 (the after-CAT sensor) on Bank 1 (for cylinders 1 and 2) of the catalytic converter had made contact with the CAT, burning throught the insulation resulting in an intermittent short circuit between one of the sensor heater wires and chassis. Fuse F33 (10A) in the engine fuse box was blown. I found that on this car F33 supplies +12V to the heaters on all four oxygen sensors and not just two of the four as stated in the Owner's Guide supplied with the car. Also, the fault codes generated by this fuse blowing relate only to the two pre-CAT sensors....
I am currently looking at changing car and fancy something that is reliable, nice to drive and has decent specification levels and economy.
After spending a few days narrowing the list down, I have come to a shortlist that includes the Audi and Honda. However, I cant decide which one I prefer the most and which one I would be happy living with, so thought I would get some opinions.... Read more
Honda's CDTI certainly has a few issues, but no more or less than most other 'modern' diesels. I suggest you research well. Plenty of forums available for you to browse on the net
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Hi
Did you ever sort this I have same issue on scenic bad starting and warning light coming on normally when engine under load ie higher revs.