January 2012
Latest in the saga of Epica ownership, had a bit of difficulty starting the car recently, thought it was cold/short runs, so my friendly Vaux dealerscame and boosted the car for me, and then I made sure properly charged, and less short runs, till yesterday when car started but only just, and windscreen washer level warning light coming on intermittently, with fluid level and strength good, also the glow plug warning light intermittently not coming on on the run through checks when switching the ignition to position 2. Phoned the chevrolet dealers near here and after speaking to the very helpful master techie, booked the car in for diagnostic checks (under warranty)
After a while told battery failed, will order replacement chevrolet 100amp battery, then the bad news, not available till monday, as 2 day delivery, can,t promise it will be there for sat am. disappointed, but went to my local Vaux dealer who could procure a battery overnight, but wouldn,t be warranty as that has to be chevrolet doing the work, so phoned chevrolet, told them my problem, that SWMBO is doctor on call this weekend, why could i get a battery from 1 vauxhall dealer for next morning, and not from chevrolet? Uuh? let me make a phone call sir, I'll call you back in 5 mins. (AND SHE DID!) dealer told to order part VOR, so next day delivery, called dealer to rebook car for tomorrow to be told delivery not certain! But chevrolet said it would... call in the morning to check before coming, (sensible, it is 30 miles) but the actual point here is the dealer ordering 2 day delivery to make a bit extra profit. techie, who was pretty good said the warning lights might be related to the battery being shot, so will wait for that before the next bit of the saga,... Read more
Hi
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Don't continue driving with a spanner light, otherwise you'll be buying a new engine
Pretty obvious
I have had my car for 3 weeks, it was brilliant starting first time, until recently, the battery seems to lose the charge that it has. Take this morning, the battery unlocked the car, jumped into the drivers seat, put the key in the slot, all lit up, turned the key and ooopps the care tried to start with a little turnover, then nothing it was as dead as a dodo. Anyone got any ideas. Read more
I would have moved this to Technical but the thread has drifted somewhat.
Angry2 - as others have said, the battery seems to have failed: but first get the alternator checked to make sure the battery is being charged properly. If this is the problem, the battery could still have some life in it if you get it charged up....
I have been away from the UK for some time and upon my return I am making observations that puzzle me a lot - they are things I didn't see before I left. My latest one is drivers habits when it comes to clutch use.
As a passenger in friends cars I have noticed many of them dip the clutch and hold it down when going around a corner or negotiating a junction. I even see them de-clutch to go over speed ramps/humps. For me it is the oddest thing to watch.... Read more
Many thanks - very helpful. I now understand the point.
Hi all am new on this site,I have the following issue also posted in toyota forums aswell and seiced to share it on here too.
I had the Injector pump replaced in my 1996 3C-TE Toyota Estima and upon turning the ignition in the on position,there is a continuous ticking sound right on the spill control valve. see video LINK below to youtube... Read more
I doubt that you will receive a reply from the original poster, who hasn't been seen since 2012.
Maybe someone will assist, but we need a lot more information before suggesting action. Good Luck.
Please can someone help!! My trusty old Rover was written off about 5 months ago as it was damaged down the passenger side by another driver, It was written off because it wasn't worth repairing. My insurance company made me a cash offer and it was classified a Cat D, I had to have it re-MOT'd even tho it was purely cosmetic damage and I had only had it MOT's about 2 weeks before the accident-very annoying! My insurance company re-insured it and I realised the other day I had not received my tax reminder which ran out at the end of December.
How do I re-tax it if I have no reminder, looked at DVLA's website and am wondering if I have to take it for an inspection to have it verified.... i seem to remember being put on a 3 way telcon with myself, the DVLA and my ins co during the time of me negotiating buying my car back from them, and they mentionied something about an inspection when i next need to tax my car...... Read more
Water damage (probably hidden) can and will write a new car off. Likewise fire damage from an electrical problem. Stolen/recovered will probably be a cat D as well.
When knowingly buying a cat C or D it is always wise to ask for photos of the 'before' damage....
hi
just a quick question... Read more
A diagnostic test has shown a P0011 fault code - Intake position camshaft over advanced. I suspect it is the Vanos that needs replacing. Although the garage cannot guarantee that this is the problem, they have said they will investigate but the work will take all day at a cost of about £800. This seems excessive to me as some internet sites indicate about 4 hours labour as the timing chains are not removed on this engine. Can anybody confirm the labour hours for this work and am I right in thinking it is the Vanos before spending all this money. Many thanks. Read more
Hi,
If it is the Vanos that is failing, then I read an article in Total BMW magazine, April 2011 on the subject that may help. May be worth contacting Mr Vanos; www.mrvanos.com. He rebuilds the units and offers nationwide coverage....
Hi my waterpump started to leak and need replacing .I have some mechanical skill but would like to know how big a job it is as I cant see how to slack the belts to get pump of . The old girl has 215000 on the clock and is starting to show her age but runs on vegie oil .Lot cheaper than diesel .I m not sure how this site works if it will notify me of replies or not hope so . Cheers hennyv@talk21.com Read more
I've got one of these but I've never had to take it apart, fortunately, and fingers crossed. I do get the feeling though, that they are quite conventional engines, once you get over the diesel fear threshold. Mines only done 80,000 so timing belt time soon. I am interested in alternative fuels, how many miles have you done on the eco system, and any problems or adjustments to make?
Hi, I'm new here but I think you might be able to help me, I have a Citroen VTR HDI 2.0 Diesel, on a 54 plate . I have just changed the engine with a second hand one and for sosme reason it is not starting. The engine I have swapped with is good and the compression seems fine but it just wont fire. One thing I will mentione is that I 'm yet to replace the suspension fluid I lost ( Not sure if that will stop it from starting) and I have noticed that the glow plug light in dash stays on berly for about a second then off...... is that normal with C5s? I may have one cable from the glow plug not connected. A red cable which I suspect is a live feed cable but I'm not sure where it goes as I dd not have that in the engine I took off... and the old engine started without a fuss though the bottom was knocking ......... does it go to the back of the starter...??........ it wants to start but it just wont..... I will try to bleed it again then ......... and see...... Any suggestion please.... would help......
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I think there may be something incompatable between the electronics in the engine and car. You could check for pulses at the injectors but you really need a code reader.
Browse
Since I have had the car, actual number of visits has been as follows:
aug 2010 collected car
sept 3 visits to replace non working drivers door mirror and mirror switch.
oct 2 visits to replace oil pipe and repair air-con
oct 1 visit to replace oil (wrong grade put in at intermediate oil change done at my request while in for warranty work)
dec 1 visit replace fuse, immobiliser warning light on
march 2011 annual service
july 2011 intermediate oil change after "change oil now light on"
oct 2011 next annual service after 10,000 miles so next service due to stay in warranty terms.
dec 2011 4 new tyres (not strictly necessary but nice to have new rubber before winter and lots of tread...)
jan 2012 2 visits to get battery sorted, alternator checked and warning lights disappeared with new battery.
although it has had some problems, till the battery went, the other problems were present at purchase, and because of holidays at that time was necessary to split the work for the mirror/oil leak/aircon.
And actually, because it is so good on the motorways and so comfortable, I'm happy with the servicing costs, reasonable, and given that the warranty problems HAVE been sorted each time, I am still happy overall!