August 2014
Bit of advice needed, budget is a major issue unfortunately, that will govern my decision. I am weighing up the pros and cons between either a MK1 or MK2 Ford Focus, it would most likey be the Zetec as this seems to have plenty of spec for the year, and from what I have read I would probably opt for the 1.6..But should I be considering buying a car this age? Is it false economy if it needs constant repairs etc.,
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Hi
I have a 2004 Corsa 1.3 CDTI 75HP, 140000 miles, which has the following fault.
Engine management light came on, engine low on power and would not rev over 3250rpm.
Turned engine off and on again, engine management light went off and emission control light came on.
This happened a few times, sometimes power was not affected, sometimes it was, now emission conrtrol light on more or less permanently and engine will not go over 3250rpm.
Took it to garage who read off fault code (no they didn't tell me the number) and said it was a turbo fault, quoted £500 to change it.
They said that the vanes were probably sticking, however I have been under the car and looked at the turbo and it appears to have a waste gate not variable vanes (as you would expect with the 75hp engine). The waste gate actuator moves when levered with a screwdriver and the pressure pipe looks intact.
Am I right in thinking that the turbo boost pressure is measured by the MAP sensor?
My thinking was that if the turbo looks OK then the MAP sensor could be faulty, I took it off, cleaned it and replaced it and disconected the battery for half an hour to clear any faults. Reconnected battery and no faut, engine runs fine.
Next day fault is back, my thought is to replace the MAP sensor, any other suggestions?
Thanks. Read more
I would start by thoroughly checking the air intake system for leaks and security. Also check the EGR system, and if possible using a lamp look inside the inlet manifold downstream of the EGR valve and check for the build up of thick sludge which would restrict air flow. If everything is OK the next stage will be to get it hooked up to a suitable diagnostic tool and take some live data. Also the fault code should give you an idea of where to start looking. Don't do what everyone does and take the fault code as gospel. For example if the code says Mas Air Flow Sensor don't automatically assume that the sensor if at fault. The ECU cannot distinguish between a low mass air flow fault because of a faulty sensor, or a low mass air flow fault because of low mass air flow. Don't be fooled. Do the checks.
Was poking around the auxilary fuse box and noticed that I only have a relay for the engine fan in the IX (Dark Green) slot but there isnt one in slot VIII (Black) despite the sockets being in place for the relay pins. Does anyone know what the ratings are for this relay as I cant find out what I need. Read more
As the car has no ac,you don,t need the extra relay .this is for the high speed cooling fan which is not fitted to your car.
Hi , anybody now where i can get a workshop manual or a wiring diagram for the central locking system ??
Cheers all... Read more
Hello. Was wondering if anyone could help. I live in a 3 bed detached with 3 parking spaces at the front of my house. However me and my husband only ever use 2 of them. My neighbour next door parks her car literally on the Boundary line and then swings her door open and uses our drive as a walk way (gets pretty annoying).
I want to put up a small fence (around 3ft) and put a small garden back in (it was once a garden when the estate was originally built but the previous owners surfaced it for another parking space). However once I do this she will no longer be able to use my drive as a walkway to get out of her car or swing her door open.
I have checked my deeds and there is nothing in it to say it's needed for access to open doors etc. Other people on the estate have hedges defining boundaries.
Is there anywhere I can check eg my local council does anyone know of? As I'd hate to spend money if I'm not allowed....
Thanks in advance. Read more
Simple question - are you planning this because you want a strip of garden, or to alter your neighbour's behaviour? Either way, you have to discuss your ideas with her, just to forestall bad feelings.
The control indicator light for engine electronics and immobilizer remained on during a 80 mile journey hole last night and the acceleration was dipping now and then as if there was a blockage to the fuel line. I have arranged to pass this old but usually reliable and well maintained car on for £250 in the next couple of weeks and so don't want to be confronted with a large bill. Any advice on the cause of the problem and what a solution might be? Read more
Possibly a catalytic (exhaust) or an air flow issue, thus requiring a new air flow meter (or a second hand one ).
I would say for about £30-£40 to have your car go into a auto-electrician and have your codes read (if any) and it should identify exactly what the issue is....
I've been reading the 'First MOT' info as my car is coming up to it's first MOT next month. There are quite a few offers on at the moment, eg. half price at a national chain, but I am always a bit dubious that they will find some work that needs doing for the car to pass the test and you end up spending more anyway. I know if shouldn't happen, the test should be genuine, but what are others opinions? Read more
I've used a cheapo (currently £22.95) MoT place for the last 10 years. Had 3 fails on 3 cars. All were expected &/or justified. Even if you do get a fail, there's nothing to stop you taking the car to your usual garage/mechanic for the repairs.
I do my own pre MoT check beforehand.
Hi all
My wife has a 2010 Fiesta that we bought 2nd hand at 5 months old and 7k on the clock.
2 years ago the cooling fan(which runs all the time when the aircon is on) started squealing and the entire assembly was replaced by Ford under warranty.
In the last couple of weeks the squealing started again intermittently and yesterday morning as she left for work it started rattling very loudly and on switching off the engine it sounded like a washing machine slowing down in spin -it was that loud. (Engine juddering and loud decreasing humming on slowdown).
She also said to me she could hear two very quiet high pitched beeps coming from somewhere in the car.
So, this is the second fan unit that needs replacing - I am really surprised with this on a 4 yr old car with 35k miles on it.
Anyone got any ideas or is it a design flaw and we need to looking at fan replacement every 2 years? Car has been regularly serviced.
Thanks in advance folks. Read more
Garage confirmed, fan unit needs replacing again.
Twice in 4 years - very strange, so any feedback welcome....
I am in Italy on holiday with my family and booked into the factory tour at Sant Agata Bolognese. Due to a rubbish Sat Nav app, I took a wrong exit off the Autostrada near Modena so arrived late. However I and told them. Not only were they fine, they laid on a private tour for me and my two boys.
It was well done, with examples of cut away bodies in white and engines in small display areas, showing how the main elements are built up, and then we were shown around the two lines for the Aventador and Hurucan. The trim section was particularly interesting as was an understanding of where the cars are sold these days.... Read more
Right religion wrong reason! I support Manchester City and after years of being called Bitter Blues by the reds, we are now happy!
Espadrille wisely avoided the tour to entertain our ten year daughter for the morning whist her older brothers got to bond with their father and talk dirty about cylinder firing numbering plates on the front of the engines. Ah bliss. ....
Hello everyone.
I'm sorry if I've put this in the wrong section, please redirect if necessary.... Read more
Just be grateful you aren't in Russia. You could get pulled for driving an excessively dirty car (or at least you could 20 years ago).
Browse
Stick to a mark 1 petrol focus.The 1.6 is perfectly ok and loads around .Very durable and easy to fix.No garage ever got rich repairing these.The st 170 is a bit of an oddball,probably expensive to insure and parts not so easy to source as many are different to a standard model.