November 2012
Anybody any idea why, very occasionally, when parked for a length of time, all of the windows on our car open themselves - about two-thirds down.
Ours is an 04 plate but our neighbours have a 57 plate V50 which has just done exactly the same. Cheers. Read more
A few weeks ago while out shopping I came back to my car and started it as usual,but after selecting reverse it cut out and has not stated since.Earlier in the same thing occured,after many pounds and searching with my mechanic friends we diagnosed a open circuit ignition transponder ring.Parts changed timing belt and tensioner lp pump hp pump hp rail sensor ,fuel pressure sensor,ecu and bsi checked and given a clean bill of health.Anyone out has any theries on what is stopping this car from stating as i am using my sons car and he sort of needs it back Read more
I have come across a similar problem where vehicle would not start of starter but started when it was parked on a slight incline after doing exhaustive checks we found the cause we found that the starter wire at cranking was causing a rf interference to cranshaft sensor to interupt cam/crank sync. Then theres the possibility at key on at certain components where you get a 12v feed but at cranking you get zero volts.HthRegards Mickeybo
Hi there. I am new here and heard through friends that this is the best place for advice. My car has been eating oil like mad for a while. Started to loose power and stayed in high revs before changing gears(automatic). Had the cat change and fitted a new egr valve. But problem is still there. Started to blow white smoke realy bad when reving engin or pulling away. There is no noise from engine or overheating problems. Have change coil pack and plugs also. Two plugs were very oilly and realy bad. It idels okay and only sounds like misfire when driving. There is also no oil in water. Had a diag check done and they say it missfires and piston 4 is bad. So i just want to know if its better to get a 2nd hand engine or try to do the valves and piston rings myself. Or if anyone knows were i can send the head off to to get checked and replace the inside bits. dont want to go to dealer, they want a stupid amount of money just for taking apart and chekking. I can get piston rings from eurocarparts if i realy need to but i dont know how to check what i need to replace. The car has done almost a 100k. I also did the pedal test and it comes up with all 4 pistons misfires. Thanks in advance. Read more
Thanks. I think its better to get another car then.
Hi All,
For most of my car's life I've easily achieved >200 miles on a tank before reaching the halfway mark, and a minimum of 360 miles before seeing the fuel light. For the last couple of years the fuel economy has been much worse and it's finally time that I do something about it!
I'm now lucky if I get 160 miles on half a tank and ~290 from a tank.
I'm not totally sure if the drop was sudden or gradual but I'm really noticing how often I have to fill up now.
I've eliminated things like tyre pressure/condition and despite having a small oil leak, it seems to make no difference whether the car is a Max or Min oil level.
One thing I haven't changed for several years is the fuel filter, but despite a friend suggesting it as a possible cause I can't really see how it could cause the car to use *more* fuel?? I almost exclusively buy Shell fuel and never buy cheap supermarket stuff.
Can anyone give me some pointers of things that I should test (and perhaps how I can test it/them)?
I've got a decent multimeter and have access to an oscilloscope if necessary too.
Thanks in advance
Jonathan Read more
Hello Jonathan - Did you ever sort this out? I have the identical problem with the identical car (Focus 1999 1.8, 135k miles - yes lots). Has gone abruptly from 10 years of rock-steady 39mpg / 8.7 kpm to about 25 mpg / 5.5 kpg. Also feels flat and once lost compression completely. Suspect I am running a too-rich mix. Garage tested emissions and they're fine. Thanks Roy
Hello back roomers - I wonder if you can help me?
I'll keep the details brief just now and am happy to provide more if you wish.
I bought a car recently from a car dealer after seeing an ad on Auto Trader. I called them up and discussed the vehicle, then did some background checks on it's service history etc. I then called up and agreed to buy the car over the phone and take delivery of it 2 days later. I paid a deposit by credit card on the phone call then paid the remainder of the balance to the dealer via bank transfer. 2 days later the car was delivered to me near my place of work. I signed for receipt of the car at this point. At no time did I set foot in the dealers place of business. The car was in no way customised for me.
After deliberation I decided I did not want to keep the car (for a number of reasons related it it's condition) and informed the dealer via phone and email of this. This was after 5 days so still within the cooling off period that should apply. I offered to drive the car to the dealers that afternoon to return it. The dealer refused to take delivery of the car until he had considered it further. I have now received confirmation from the Manager that they will not take the vehicle back. They are completely resistant to the idea that Distance Selling Regulations apply here and won't discuss it.
What are your thoughts?
Am I wrong - after looking through everything I can see on Distance Selling this seems to be a fairly straightforward case.... Read more
So after a conversation with the owner of the dealership they finally agreed to take the car back and provide a full refund.
Hours later I drove the car to the dealers (first time i'd been there) and handed it back. Case closed - well, assuming the cheque clears ;)...
Or just pay 18k and buy the wheels separately Read more
I recently discovered my local authority can arrange a 2 hour driving assesment for drivers over 70 for £10. The examiner was a fully qualified instructor for both cars and HGV's and the test was very thorough with many different situations.
I got a good report except turning right I tended to cut the corners.
All local authorities should offer this sort of course for older drivers.
Well done Herefordshire Council ! Read more
What a rediculusly flawed piece of research, the test sample was so tiny it competes with cosmetic adverts on TV! Now how about.
"They drive at slower speeds on all occasions"...
Hi
Computers I can do. Cars I can't. So I'm puzzled by this problem our car has developed.... Read more
Thank you! :)
Hi all,
I have a v plate (99) and it has decided to throw out its crank seal.... Read more
Moved to Technical.
I parked in a side road with no yellow lines, warning signs or notices, on a dropped kerb with a solid brick wall in front of it leading nowhere, in which I recieved a pcn. On any day of the week cars are always parked along every inch of this road as space is limited in the area. Are the charges justified in this case. Read more
There are two types of dropped kerbs, those outside driveways allowing easy access to the residents of individual houses and those used for pedestrian crossovers.
The law basically says that you should not obstruct dropped kerbs unless you are obstructing a dropped kerb outside a house with the permission of the owner. Of course, obstructing any dropped kerb will cause inconvenience either to the owner of the property who cannot obtain access or egress from their property, or in respect of pedestrian dropped kerbs you can even cause danger to pedestrians, particularly the elderly, disabled and mothers with prams...
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Quite alot of cars have it. Audis, Skodas, VWs, Fords etc.
So its not just a Volvo feature, it comes in mighty useful when its a hot summers day and you can open your windows from the office window before you jump in it.