December 2011

tariqbutt

Im trying to figure out what form of oil "red diesel" is when people use that term. Red Diesel is a british term as we dye it for tax reasons in the UK but Im trying to figure out what the specific type of oil would be known as internationally.

I have an international pricing index here for different types of oils which lists both... Read more

piston power

Trains use red diesel & a bloke at work helped himself to some and his car ran fine, but was sacked when caught.!

Industrial engines, generators, fork lift trucks, tractors, farm only machinery, all use it....

nacho66

Hi guys

... Read more

Coull02

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.

welshpear

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

Falkirk Bairn

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....

Man without a plan

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

206Hdi

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.

pmits

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

samies

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

MikeTorque

I was told today that to buy a Ford Direct car (off their computer system) a deposit of £500 ( non-refundable) is required to order a car. The car will not be delivered until a secured order is placed for any given Ford Direct car. Upon delivery the final amount for the car is then paid, upon which I can then drive the car home. If I'm not satisfied with the car (i.e. a fault is found) I can return the car to be fixed/rectified, if the fault cannot be easily fixed (for whatever reason) then I can return the car but I will lose the £500 deposit.
The Ford dealer concerned does not stock Ford Direct cars, but they do have access to them over the Internet ?

Is this what others have been told or this a sales pitch ? Read more

MikeTorque

lol - nice one Jeremy

Ethan Edwards

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

RT

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....

foliage

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

Trilogy

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....

dogstick

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

dogstick

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....

Dougie68

Hi,

I really need some impartial advice following an accident last week when a car hit me from behind at a roundabout.... Read more

Red&Bold

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....