January 2014
Thinking of buying an Audi A3 3.2 V6 quattro with the DSG gearbox. Any problems reported with these- in particular the transmission? Read more
My central locking is locking and unlocking by itself. I have only noticed this while the engine is running, I don't know if it does this when parked.
The first problem happened after I scraped the ice of the car, with the engine running. When I got back in the car to drive home, the interior light remained on, and dashboard alarm said driver's door was still open. The door was firmly closed, but I re-shut it a few times to no avail. I had to turn off interior light to drive home. When I got home, I could not lock the car (using the remote locking) because the car thought the door was open. I left it in the garage and then checked it a few hours later, and door could now lock. It was -8C that night, but I have used the car in much lower temperatures than this before.... Read more
I rather think that disconnecting and then reconnecting the battery may well have had the same effect.
But glad you got it fixed.
I purchased a Volvo XC60 2.4 diesel recently with a full Volvo service record, when it was 3 years old with 60,000 miles on the odometer. Last month the car developed a random, intermittent, 'non-starting' fault. Despite diagnostic tests, the cause remained unsolved. However, after the inconvenience of a number of random refusals to start over the following weeks, the problem was isolated to the fuel pump assembly in the diesel tank. A replacement assembly is only obtainable from Volvo. Faced with no alternative, I purchased one from my local dealership, at a cost of £345.60. During the replacement process I saw that part of the original assembly was marked as a Ford part and the new assembly had a Ford format part number. Subsequent research suggests that 'Ford' diesel pumps, especially on the Focus, after some 50,000 miles can develop a known problem: intermittent failure to start. However, a replacement from a Ford dealership costs just over £100. I am disappointed to find: 1. Volvo using a fuel pump assembly from Ford which has a known issue, & 2. Volvo charging 3 times the price for essentially the same part. I contacted Volvo to see if, in view of the circumstances, they might make a contribution to the cost of the pump - I have the invoice for the new one and the original is available for their inspection. They were totally unsympathetic and tried to justify the price difference with all sorts of excuses with just weren't credible. Is it unreasonable of me to think I've been ripped off?
Thanks for your replies folks. There's a recurring theme, isn't there? Trouble is, I love the car and I'll see how durable it proves. If too many parts need replacing then it'll have to go, but I'm hoping it will stand me in good stead. Watch this space....
Regards to all, Mr. Smith
Hi there,
Recently bought a Volvo S60 with only 40.000 (genuine) miles on the odometer. Within 5000 miles the idel pulley seized causing fatal damage to the engine. It's a writh off!... Read more
Pressure washing an engine, although a practice I thoroughly deprecate due to the likelihood of moisture ingress into connectors and other areas which will give long term problems, is unlikely to be the cause of this problem.
I have in the past looked into the problems of idler failures of this type, and in many cases the failure has been due to a lack of grease in the idlers from initial manufacture. I well remember obtaining about 20 new idlers from a well known bearing maker and weighing them on a precision chemical scale. There was a totally unacceptable failure (revealed by opening up the lightest wheels) but I would prefer not to name the manufacturer concerned....
C3 owners....Hope someone can point me in the right direction...I purchased a brand new citroen c3 in October 2013 the problem I have is that I have noticed that the rev counter whilst reving between 1000 -2000rpm that the needle fluctuates up and down noticebly and you can hear the engine revs moving up and down as the needle moves this is not due to me pressing the accelerator pedal up and down, I have also noticed that when moving out of first gear that the car seems to lunge before moving off....Is the the norm for this 3 cylinder model or is it something that I should go back to the garage with?? Never had this issue with a car before.
Thanks... Read more
Hi Ant
Just having the very same problem with my 2013 Citroen C3 1.2 vti selection it spent all of last wk back at the dealer and in the end they say there is nothing they can do and its just how they are, all the tests have been done showing no problems, i have had a drive in another 1.2 vti C3 and that is nowhere near as bad but it is there a little. My next option is now to contact Citroen UK but looking online im not holding out much hope as they are not the best, so they say. It makes a very good little car unpleasant to drive....
Are there any car insurance comparison websites that do not ask for a telephone number? I do not want insurance companies bothering me, I get enough cold callers as it is and don't tend to answer my phone any more anyway. I am happy to give my email address but not my phone numbers, home or mobile. Read more
Fair enough. I will give it a try.
For the past 3weeks i have noticed my car is consumptiong more petrol than usual.There is no management light,car running smoothly, a little bit sluggish. Read more
Yes l have serviced the car l will follow your advice to see the out come.
I'm thinking of buying a 3 year old Golf 2.0TDi with 30k from a dealer. Full VW service history. What should I look out for please?
Cheers Read more
Sounds good - just the right mileage. Go for it unless it's overpriced, and you'll have plenty of time to find out about the cambelt. With luck it should make it clear in the car's service schedule.
Trying to part ex a 2011 Mondeo which is a German import (but Uk Spec) and dealers are telling me that I should sell privately because they cannot value it the same as a UK car. Why on earth not? Whats different about it in the era of pan european warranties and the single market? Read more
Was the car delivered in the UK then exported under the arrangements servicemen normally used for private exports, i.e. no VAT and no road tax? You could then argue that it is a UK car which has simply been out of the UK for a couple of years.
Dear All
so far all your comment made me very happy as it helped me to locate and fix the problems i had.... Read more
Yep, tempeature sender unit. Common fail part.
It's usually located on the side of the engine block, near to the battery....
Browse
Not had many problems with the VAG DSG 'box's. They seem pretty reliable and shift better than most robotised units in other makes.
Do make sure that the oil and filter has been changed at the required 40k miles if you are buying an older model or one with some miles on it as failiue to do so WILL cause problems. Check the service history and if in doubt, ring the dealer / garage who has looked after it for confirmation....