June 2014
I purchased a 57 plate 1.4 Mini One two weeks ago and yesterday, driving on the M5 the oil warning light came on and the car cut out immediately with a smell of burning from the engine. When the AA turned up, the man indicated that the coolant level had gone below the coolant sensor which made the engine overheat with a possibility of engine damage. The dealer said that he had serviced the car before I picked it up and that everything was alright. However, I want to understand where I stand and my legal rights under warranty? Can I insist on a new engine for the car? Read more
Hello,
I have a zafira 2.0 dti 1999 model. When it is left facing uphill over night it doesn't seem to want to start in the morning too the point where the battery goes flat, I presume the fuel is draining back to the tank due to a air leak. I have changed the leak off pipes (but not the t-pieces as they where not brittle and seemed ok), changed the top injector seals, nipped the banjos on the diesel pump and injector pipes, changed the fuel filter and both housing seals and it is still the same.. I really cannot think of anything else now, the only other thing I can think of is the two pipes going too and from the filter housing seem to have a little play in them where the pipe clicks in, I know these are seeled by two O-rings in the housing but was told that these never leak? When I had bought the car there where two non return valves fitted, one on the fuel line going to the filter housing and the other between the filter housing and fuel pump is this to much for the pump to pull the fuel as there is no lift pump, they are pretty big valves and the fuel lines have been stretch on a little, could this be causing a issue?
Is it worth going to the scrap yard, trying a new filter housing (with tighter push in fuel lines) and buy some new fuel pipe and try without the none return valves?
I'm really at a lose with it now.. Any help would be gratefully appreciated!
Cheers Read more
Thanks for the reply! Ok that's worth a shot.. I'll swap the filter housing and pipes and if that fails will give it a go. Cheers buddy
All other suggestions greatly received :-)
After sitting in my Renault Espace with the air con on (for 20 mins) a warning light then came on saying "battery charge fault". I had the car checked and the battery is fine. However, while looking under the bonnet and turning the air con on, the fan belt seemed to slow and stop for a few seconds this continued until the air con was turned back off. Any ideas on what has happened? I wonder if the air con pully is seizing up. Read more
The time has come to check if the drive belt is fit for purpose and properly tensioned.
New to the forum. Have found a lot of useful advice here over the years so hoping one of you knowledgeable people can help me with something.
A fortnight ago, the tensioner pulley for my fan/aux belt seized, causing the belt to snap. As I pulled over, flappy bits of ex-fan belt took out a coolant hose. Engine overheated. Head gasket went (it was already on the way out if the oil consumption lately was anything to go by).
The RAC recommended a local garage, and they replaced fan belt, water pump, tensioner pulley, new head gasket kit, new timing chain, head sent away to be skimmed etc. Plus new oil, coolant, testing etc. Final bill was £1,170. Given how much they had to do, that sounds, unfortunately, reasonable to me, but I'd appreciate someone 'in the know' letting me know if that's a good price.
Within two days of leaving the garage however, I've had a number of fault codes come up (engine management light on and steady). I've done the 'pedal test' and it's come up
- Cam shaft sensor
- O2 sensor
- Exhaust recirculation sensor
- Knock sensor
Of course, all this has put the car into 'limp mode', but prior to this it was running quieter and better than it has in years.
My question is this: is there something about the repairs they've done that might need a bit of adjustment as things 'settle down', for want of a better phrase? Or is it a new set of problems resulting from something they should have done but haven't? Or something completely unrelated to the work I've just had done?
I appreciate major repairs cost money, but after spending a fortune on the repair and on a hire car (took them 8 days to get the repair done) I guess I'm a bit disappointed there are now further problems, and when I take it back to the garage I'd at least like to be able to give the impression I know what I'm talking about :)
Thanks Read more
Apparently on some browsers this post has only partially appeared. Let's bump it back up to the front and hope you can all see it now.
New to the forum. Have found a lot of useful advice here over the years so hoping one of you knowledgeable people can help me with something.
A fortnight ago, the tensioner pulley for my fan/aux belt seized, causing the belt to snap. As I pulled over, flappy bits of ex-fan belt took out a coolant hose. Engine overheated. Head gasket went (it was already on the way out if the oil consumpti Read more
Would it be possible for all radio code requests to go into one thread please, maybe a sticky semi permanent thread just for these and nothing else? Read more
can anyone help
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I have to admit, I am ignorant about cars and models. I just want something safe and comfortable and of good quality.
I am currently driving an MG ZS which as been really good, reliable etc. But it's getting old and I'd like to get something a bit newer, maybe 3 years old or so.
I recently drove a friend's Mercedes CLC and really liked it, so I'm thinking of buying a 3 year old one of them, but I'd like to look into other options too. Can anyone tell me what would be a similar level car that sells at a similar price? Just so I can test drive a few and see which fits me best. I don't often have passengers, so although I want a back seat, it doesn't have to be spacious. I'd prefer a 2 door over a 4 door, something a bit fun, not too utilitarian but still practical. I'm very short so I don't need a lot of head room or leg room.
I have about £15K to spend, which would buy me a low mileage 2011 CLC. Anyone got any suggestions about what else I might try? I don't have a lot of spare time, so I can't manage to test drive every car I see. I'd really like a short list of similar cars that will meet my needs.
Many thanks, Judith Read more
If its not terribly sexist to say so, the CLC does suit a lady well (not that a chap shouldn't have one if he wanted), chic quality sums it up for me, suggest not to buy a manual though, MB auto boxes are one of the very best but the parking brake whilst simple and trouble free for eons doesn't lend itself to manual gearbox comfort.
BMW 1 series coupe is a possible, but many of us here would advise getting a petrol version due to BMW's extended servcing schedule, which we won't bore everyone to tears re-iterating....
Does anyone have radio code for serial number M259101? Any help is appreciated. Thank you. Read more
The S/N M179631 should have the code
4785.
I am bringing in from France a CRV 2.2 dti and have been alarmed at the complexity of what should be a simple process as all recent vehicles are covered under the Europe wide Certificate of Conformity. A CRV from France is the same as a CRV from the UK infact they are both manufactured at Swindon!
In particular I object to having to pay a further £100 on top of the extra £55 to the DVLA for a Form of Acceptance despite the vehicle having passed the MOT.... Read more
My Cypriot Honda CRV was imported with a Kph speedo.
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I have been offered a new condition 16in alloy wheel and tyre. My concern is that it has been the spare kept in the boot for about 15 years. I am neurotic but could there have been any deterioration caused by age. Any risk and I'm not interested ( even though its free ! )
Thanks for advice Read more
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Browse
Might I suggest that you wait and find out just how much actual damage has been caused before you start borrowing trouble ?
I've known engines to run with little coolant for considerable distances without any long-term ill effects. In terms of repair, I'd imagine you're pretty well covered. A car (whether new or used) should be 'fit for purpose', so any reputable garage will ensure that you are not left facing a bill for this....