January 2014
The problem: Heater blowing cold air, radiator cold. A few weeks back there was oil in the header tank; the oil cooler was leaking (pin hole, but what a leak !) so I changed that; I had the system flushed and new coolant put in. But now, the heater is just blowing cold air ( thought it was air locked at first but no) . I took car to the garage, says radiator is full of oil, tried to flush it best he could but still blowing cold. Also, over the past year I've replaced the HCV three times ( Two were genuine ford) So that's not the cause.
Getting really frustrated now, so any one with info who's had a similar problem and found the cause, and cure would be a legend in my life time. ... Read more
I have a VW UP and one week ago had a low speed collision with a log in a nature reserve car park which I did not see. This damaged the undertray, a plastic panel beneath the front bumper that clips to the base of the radiator support. The undertray later fell off. It was examined at a local garage, and the undertray is missing, the arm that sits below the radiator is damaged, and the washer pump/bottle is damaged. They can get parts in 3 days or so, but they have no loan car for 4 weeks.
So my question is how long can I reasonably drive the car in this state assuming a daily 24 mile commute each way? Is it likely to be safe to wait 4 weeks, or should I take holiday and get it done ASAP?... Read more
I have a full tank of diesel and my car had died, how can i remove the fuel before the car is scrapped. Read more
Try a clear (but reinforced) pipe down the filler neck first of all, could try reinforced garden hose but make sure you have a long pipe so you don't get a lungfull), you could syphon earlier Primeras like this, don't know about the Renault model.
Take a tip, cut a 45' angle at the end of the pipe thats going in the tank, cut it following the natural curve of the pipe not against it (if that makes sense), any tight turns or joins in the filler neck the cut angle will ride over them better, but only if you've cut the angle the right way....
It's not hard to break unrealistically low limits. Driving at 70 on a motorway for hundreds of miles is stupendously dull. When are we finally going to abandon our penchant for archaic speed limits?
It is also interesting to note that truck drivers are getting fined. This must mean most offences are taking place on single carriageways or urban roads, as their rigs are prevented from even reaching the legal limit on motorways. It seems perverse to force a situation where they can only recover time on the most dangerous roads, rather than the most safe. Read more
My nearly 4 year old 35k miles Auris has worn out its rear pads and discs, the front discs are corroded and pitted.
What could cause this to happen? From what I understand it should be the opposite, ie common for the front to wear out first and the rears to rust and corrode. So why has my car done the opposite? Is it possible the brake ratio front to back is incorrect? Is this set by software or a mechanical system?
The car is used daily and does average annual mileage. Read more
Do you wash your car weekly and hose under the arches, or wash teh wheels?
...
Hi I have an intermittent problem with my dash lights now and then they flicker and go off completely as do my headlights could this be a faulty earth or low battery causing this or a control unit ? Read more
Cheers peter checked and cleaned everything today all earths etc battery tested fine and charging well , it hasent done it yet I will see how it goes over next few days before I go more indepth plzd I had a quiet day at work so I could get it on the pit .
I have bought this zafira a week ago. I have put in a garage to get it checked over. To my horror I have been told it has a major oil leak at front? I took it to another garage for a second opinion to be told it's a major oil leak at the back of the engine, which they said they put 3 litres of oil in. And I was told it was coming out as quick as it was going in!? When my car left the bay, I did not see any oil on the ground? And no oil warning lights has came on in the car. Could anyone help in telling me what would actually happen in both instances, as I'm at my wits end. I'm scared to drive it, & put my family in the car. Thank you Read more
You need a decent garage and a proper diagnosis.
Hello. Now my Renault Twingo (which has been a totally joyless car to own) is approaching its third birthday I'm looking to chop it in for something new. As I only do 5-6000 miles a year on mainly urban roads with only myself in the car 90% of the time I was looking for something of a similar size but with a bit of a higher spec.
... Read more
And yet again a poster asks questions, gets prompt and well intentioned answers......
...
Hello, my daughter's car has a rear view mirror that does not stay put. Does anyone have the answer as it is driving her nuts. She has tried sticky pads and glue but it does not stay put. I think the road surface plays a large part in th mirror coming adrift but that said any helpful suggestions would be much appreciated.
... Read more
You could try this :
www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product...y**_255230...
I am gutted my beloved civic just stopped while driving. Towed to garage. Would not start. Finally diagnosed as high pressure fuel pump failure. Car just under ten years with 136000 miles. To remove, send off for repair and refit will cost £1200. I am guessing trade in value is about £1200. It was also due new brakes and we suspected the power steering could fail soon. (Would not recentre and sometimes steerring sluggish). Garage says a tooth has actually broken off the drive for the fuel pump.
Is it time to call it a day, not really an economical repair. We do have an alternate car which ironically we were about to scrap. A 99 skoda octavia 146000 miles . It needs full set of brakes to pass its mot. We thought this is the better bet at mo. I just thought it would be nice to hear some other opinions. ... Read more
from my constant googling on this question, I have read that if you can hand pump fuel in and the engine turns over then it is not the high pressure fuel pump. As if HPFP has gone the engine would not start. The car does run for about 30seconds if you hand pump the fuel. What the garage man said to me is that it is the drive to the low part of the HPFP has a tooth missing? Does this mean the HPFP is actually okay, it is some exterior part that is broken, but still needs comlete removal, repairing and re-fitting?
...
Browse
And right to be concerned.
Whilst we would manage perfectly well with a squeezy/spray bottle of clean water in the drivers door pocket...and i still use that method in extreme cold conditions when the washer pump might get damaged when the car is still cold...the fact the mounting under the rad has taken a clout means i'd want to have a good poke nose underneath before i risked driving the car, the rad dropping out or getting punctured could make this repair a whole lot more expensive....