June 2014
Car running perfectly, parked up at shop, on return engine started but refused to run above 1250 revs. It staggered back to the house emitting some smoke. Message on screen "go to dealer" but that's not easy when there's not a (reliable/competent) one within a reasonable distance.
Someone suggests it may be an open EGR valve, dirty MAF, or cracked turbo hose. Please can someone give me more information - and what I can do about the problem.... Read more
Hi,
I have just bought a 55 Citroen Xsara Picasso 2.0 Petrol. The car has a a strange noise coming from around the pullies. It sounds like an air leak (obviosly not!) but more like shhh...shhh...shhh...shhh as the pullies go round. Really cant narrow it down, possibly from pulley at the bottom if anybody can help ?? Read more
Well after much heartache I think i finally nailed it . I took your advice and had the belts changed. Whilst the belts were being done I had the water pump replaced as a precaution .... Noise gone !! Possibly could have got away with just the belts being done but took the plunge anyway. glad I did, either way, noise gone ... many thanks !!
I posted a thread recently as I was originallylooking to buy a 3 year old E Class Mercedes and the commentary on them was generally positive.
Having looked at a couple I concluded that they were perhaps a bit big for me so I am looking at the C220 CDi. In doing so I have looked at other options for long term ownership (5 years plus) and have narrowed it down to either a 12 plate C220 CDi SE with about 12k on the clock for circa £17k, or a 13 plate Volvo V40 D3 with around 14k miles for just short of £19k,
I would be equally as comfortable with hatch or saloon and the relative differing sizes but rather am looking at their potential reliability over the term I am likely to own them (just to be clear I'm not asking for a prediction of it just rather generically speaking!)
All things considered do I pay 2k less for an 'older' Merc or splash the extra on the Volvo? They both drive very well despite differing dynamics, I just need to find a tie breaker to help me.
Any sage like advice? Read more
We'll assume the MB is an auto, a manual MB is a miserable wretch of a thing, and after suffering the hell of one you won't be able to give it away in due course.
We'll also assume the Volvo is a manual, i wouldn't risk a geartronic or whatever its called as a long termer....
Daughter away from home driving it, photographed the coolant reservoir which is about 1/2 inch below the minimum line, what she should top it up with? just water? the fluid in there is very pink, but I guess it is antifreeze giving it that colour.
Sorry if it is a numpty question in 30 years of driving I have never had to top up any of my cars apart from oil (obviously) and power steering fluid on one occasion in an old Jag I had.... Read more
Is this the first time it's ever needed topping up?
I would suspect that if it is, then it is high time for a coolant change. Most coolants have a corrosion package good for 5 years and some for 10. We can't be sure which your car has, so I would suggest a change and flush. At 10 years old it would be due anyway, whichever coolant is fitted. Have the system checked or leaks at the same time....
Well I picked up my CR-Z a few hours ago and I thought I'd do a first impression; I'll do another review when I have driven it more extensively too.
Looks good - it is chucking it down here but even covered in rain it is a decent looking car. It's white so I'm probably going to be really precious about muck on it! The DRLs (whichI am generally opposed to) are not obnoxiously bright and sit subtly below the headlamps. The alloys are in perfect nick and the tyres are new. It's a 12 plate but it has a private number on it, which came with it. I wouldn't have put one on myself.... Read more
Classic insurance if old enough, mega cheap, and can include commute for when the sun does its thing.
Right, here's the problem, 16v 1999 Astra with a misfire. This occurs under acceleration, the car seems to cruise alright. When idling the misfire is not regular, sometimes a little burp or two every five seconds, then maybe every 12 seconds and sometimes ok for a little longer. The car is a bit of an oiler, a tad over 1/2 litre every 1k but it's been like that since I've had it (November). I've had a new backbox to replace the knackered original with the collapsed internals and I've put new plugs in. Checked the plugs after 100 miles and they were dry and clean as a whistle, the old ones had no worrying colours though they were worn.
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Hi Folks... Read more
There is little point in listing the pros and cons, it's the weight you give each that counts.
Hi Folks... Read more
And whether it has received servicing at regular intervals, by a professional or the owner.
Hi Folks... Read more
"Most of the answers to your many questions can be found in the Beano..."
Unless you are absolutely sure the OP was a wind-up, this is a patronising comment (thank goodness, the only one so far).
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WARNING... Read more
The thing is, the OP has been defrauded. But by 'Speedway', or by someone pretending to be Speedway ?
The OP has no idea, because they didn't follow any of the basic, simple checks. Hell, if we can find out that the telephone number is one for Birmingham, but the business address is in Middlesex, and that the Co. is owned by a person who has had a load of other companies dissolved, and that the website is blank (and lets face it, absolutely anyone could have created that website, i'm pretty sure I could register 'www.speedwaylimited.com' - which doesn't exist, btw - and populate it with cars for sale and fake reviews), then the OP certainly could have done those checks too....
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I would go with the diesel specialist suggestion, they usually know what they are doing and so are likely to be cheaper - not to mention quicker.