September 2014
I had a very strange occurance today. I was climbing a hill on the M25 when my Berlingo started getting slower and slower. I was down to 40mph and had to pull over and let it cool off. (I've mentioned before it gets hot really easily).
There was also a strange sound/sensation. A low frequency, not a rumble as such but something noticeable.... Read more
In June my dad bought a new Fabia with the 1.2 12V petrol engine. He's done about 2,000 miles in it from new.
Couple of weeks ago, he was driving during a very heavy downpour (lots of standing water on the road, spray etc) for a few miles. He completed the journey, but after leaving the car for an hour or so, it took a long time to fire up when he returned to the car. It eventually started, and he drove home. He reported it drove fine without snatching / hesitation.... Read more
An update - dealer reports that the car needs a new ECU, which it's ordered from the factory.
They didn't say why a new ECU was needed (so it's not certain if it's just a failed chip / dodgy internal connection / water ingress or something else)....
My engine mangement light came on back in June, I took it into a Toyota dealer and they said it was the DPF and even may need a new engine. I didn't, but they did force a regeneration. At the time they also did my annual service. A few weeks later my service light started flashing. I looked this up the internet, information was too much oil, so not too worried. I've got fed up of the light (sometimes it goes off for a few days, then back on) and taken it back to the garage. They've come back and said its not the oil but could be the DPF. I have driven an hour on the motorway recently, but I also drive over 40 miles everyday on A roads. (to + from work). It feels like they are trying to blame my driving, or the journey is not on the motorway - could this be it? I have lost trust in this car and am looking for some advice. thanks Read more
The trouble lies with Toyota Technical in France, who make it difficult for your dealer to reapir your car without a detailed cost for the job before they start. If they misdiagnose the fault or Toyota France does not agree with them when inspecting the retuned bits, Toyota refuse to pay them for the job.
Toyota should deal with these people before they loose their good name
I have recently purchased a ford kuga. I didn't ask for a sat nav to be fitted, but when I thought about it I changed my mind. I now want one. I phoned ford garage to tell them they said I can't have one fitted now as the car is already made and if I did have one fitted I would have to wait another 2 months for the car. Can I get a sat nav fitted after I receive the car and approx how much it will cost Read more
Plus you can buy Garin/Tomtom with lifetime free map upgrades, as opposed to paying for annual Ford updates - currently on special offer at £75 (normally £190!!)
My Honda Civic diesel often cranks but doesn't turn over - this happens mostly when hot. It has also developed a problem where it loses power while driving causing me to pull over. After a while the car restarts - but this is very dangerous. The glowplug warning light comes on intermittnently.
My mechanic has changed the crankshaft sensor and fuel injectors but this has not corrected the problem. He suggests it might be a problem with the fuel pump but more likely the ECU. ... Read more
If the car is the 2.2 diesel Civic the symptoms suggest a failing fuel rail overpressure valve.
This is becoming somewhat common on the early 2.2 cdti motor....
I how can the fuel tank be drained of wrong fuel ? Read more
Hi All,
My Focus got an oil leak and my father-in-law located the problem as the crankshaft pulley. He changed the seal twice to no avail, then replaced the pulley and then another seal in the new pulley. Each time he has replaced the seal or pulley the oil leak has returned...... Read more
If the new seal has been installed correctly I can only suggest that the shaft has some damage on it which is destroying the seal.
Hi
I'm about to buy a used car and am trying to decide between a Honda Civic ES 1.6 desiel or a VW Golf SE 1.6 desiel. Both cars are 63 regs and both have about 11500 miles on the clock. The Golf will be about £1000 cheaper taking into account the better trade in VW will give me on my existing car.
My pocket tells to get the Golf, but I keep hearing that Honda is a lot more reliable than VW and has better real world fuel economy and the Honda also has slightly more bells and whistles than the Golf.
Does anyone have experience of both cars and is able to give me some feedback on them.
Thanks for your help Read more
Doesn't the Golf you're considering also have an electronic parking brake? A colleague of mine has spent a fortune on his '56 plate Passat trying to solve endless issues with the EPB. He's managed to completely wreck one set of rear pads and discs with the brakes sticking on and currently has to leave the car in gear when parked as the handbrake is out of action again!
My volvo s40 2.0 d sport' has no troubles starting in good weather but as soon as it gets cold i find it very hard to start:( ive had the glow plugs changed' sometimes it can take up to a half hour:( i got it put into volvo who charged me £1000 for a new starter ang ignition switch and they told me that for a further £700 something to do with the column' but it still might not be fixed im at my wits end:( i dont know whether trying a relay but theres no fault code for this but im hoping someone out there could please help i would be very gratefull regards Read more
The Doc is correct. Common rails are direct injection. The primary purpose of the glow plugs is to improve running and emissions during warm up. They do not switch on for preheating unless the ambient air temperature is typically below 2 degrees. Indirect injection engines do need glow plugs for cold starting.
Last night on the A1, a car overtook me at a slow differential speed, so I am confident about what I saw, because I had plenty of time to observe while I wound my jaw back up from my lap..
They'd stuck a large satnav display on the windscreen. It was at least a 7" screen, possibly bigger. It may have been a tablet PC.... Read more
I can beat the satnav story, although I've probably posted this one before....
Some years ago, on the southern part of the M25, an old Lada drew alongside and maintained the same speed as me, probably 50-60 mph. The driver was slouched across onto the passenger seat somehow (I don't remember the car being left-hand drive, but it could have been) and as he passed me, he tried to sell me a copy of 'Loot' magazine through the window! For some distance he was beside me, looking directly at me, holding up a bundle of magazines and not watching the road ahead at all....
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Final update, I hope:
The van has now had 2 new front calipers & hoses, a new master cylinder, and a rear wheel cylinder as the bleed nipple snapped off. (They only charged for the part to replace that which is fair enough)...