September 2015
Just received my Galaxy (2011) back from a routine service and the Start / Stop "OFF" light is permanently illumnated and will not turn off so the start/stop is disengaged; it was working fine before it went for service.
I have been through as many system menus as I can find, but before I go back to the servicing garage, is there anywhere else I should check to see if it is a menu option that has somehow been set, or is there another explanation?... Read more
Any advise/ thoughts welcome...
My golf loses all coolant on long motorway trips every approx 100 miles. This does not happen on short journeys around home and only on longer trips when the engine has fully warmed up to usual 90 degree temperature for an hour or so... I have been topping it up every time but a permanent solution would be good. ... Read more
Driving very slowly out of a shop parking place (very slowly to cross bit of pavement), Young Lady cyclist suddenly stops inches from my front o/s wing, she was riding on the footpath.
Wound the window down and looked at her and to my great surprise she smiled, apologised and said "me brakes are not working"... Read more
Not looking to the side as you crossed the foot way?
I was leaving between two buildings, (permitted access) going slowly (walking pace slow) and looking left and right.
Cycling, no brakes.. on or off the pavement?...
I'm in the market for a second car for myself as I hand over my current one to my wife for daily driving. Budget around 3000.- I found a good candidate in a 06 Ford Focus 2.0 tdci with 167,000 mi on the clock. I'm assured all motorway miles. Otherwise the car is in good condition, with all service done regularly at a Ford garage. My only concern is when I test drove it there was a good bit of white smoke during the first few minutes of driving and the motor was ever so slightly rough. Then it cleared up and was smooth as silk, good power, straight as an arrow. The seller said he'll guarantee the drive train for a year, but I'd still rather not break down on the motorway eight hours from home.
Any thoughts on the smoke? Is it just normal for an older engine to smoke a bit on a cold start?
Muchos gracias.
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I personally think 3 thou is a bit steep for the car you describe, at that money it really should have less than 100k, a FSH and certainly no smoke or slight roughness. Have you considered a mk.2 Focus 1.8 tdci?. This model has the bulletproof SOHC 8v engine, (maybe old fashioned), but reliable as hell, no DPF to go wrong and simplicity itself to service and maintain. I've had two of these cars (still run one now) and have covered well over 100k in seven years with no major issues whatsoever. Plus, the icing on the cake is, for your budget of £3k, if you scan the internet, you should be able to pick one of these up on a 58/09/59 plate with sensible mileage for well within your budget. Hopefully food for thought for you. Good luck.
Had clutch replaced on my Ford Mondeo Estate.OK for 6k miles but now when car in gear and driven a substantial whine is noticed. This disappears when clutch is depressed and car allowed to freewheel.
Noticed that the brake/clutch fluid is slowly going down.Had all brake pipes replaced and no obvious leaks around the system but this is still happening.... Read more
Gear box oil checked and OK so I am back to square one.
The power steering reservoir needs to be topped up every month. And taking a look underneath there does not appear to be anthing leaking from the rack or pump.
The fluid is leaking from the offside front which is a mystery as the resevoir is on the nearside.... Read more
If you follow the return line from the rack and it has a cooler, it will go to the front of the car. It's not like a radiator, just the metal line in the form of say a kettle element shape, and it returns from there to the reservoir. If you have a beemer, realoem is a great site for parts ID.
Although at approx 10,000 miles pa a diesel is not ideal and can present problems - however, it would widen my choice of cars.
There is a 2011 180 CDi available but unfortunately has only 23,000 miles on the clock (FSH). This concerns me.... Read more
Thanks Davey, that's reassuring. I'm not a speed merchant so will be quite relaxed now about 1.5 petrol engine.
Hi
I put a £700 deposit down on a car today with the dealership taking my car as part exchange. The cost of the car was £28,500, the dealer offered me £4,800 for mine (so including my deposit left 23,000 outstanding).
I signed a customer declaration stating my deposit amount as a part payment and that the outstanding balance was 23,000 which I had 7 days left to pay. Just as I was leaving the dealer asked me to bring my car spotless so he could inspect the paintwork (it has been raining around here). There is a small chip in the paint on the front bumper. I m now worried that the dealer will see it and reduce the amount he will pay for my car or make me pay the difference. Is he allowed to do this? I have paid the deposit and signed the customer declaration confirming the outstanding balance. Read more
Trade in prices are generally at a level to take into account the likely condition of the car, dealers know older cars have stone chips.
If the chip can easily be sorted during the pre sale preparation it won't affect the trade in price....
Hiya does anyone know the radio code for my ford ka 2000 serial number m333762? Read more
Thanks for your help :)
I just want to make as many peolpe aware as possible of a 2008 panel van/ mini bus, silver in rainham for sale as it is very faulty, the seller knows this, it has intermittant electrical fault which is very expensive to fix, if it is fixable. Unfortunately I know as we bought it from him & have spent the summer wrangling with him & his solicitor. After 6 weeks, got some sort of refund & two days later it is back for sale!!! He told lies about mileage, new engine, service history, etc. Arranged £900 repairs then never paid, we had to. & when we aked for refund we were accused of being traders by him & his solicitor & they said we were entitled to nothing back.
Please if you, your friend, anyone you know is interested, please look elsewhere as this thing will lose you alot of money & you really dont want to get into the position we found ourselves in. I am waiting on trading standards but worry they might be too slow to prevent someone else being tricked. Read more
Agree head gasket could be a cause.
Have you tried another bottle cap? An easy try.
Golfs can suffer from water pump failure, they can be fitted with a plastic impeller on the pump which can become disconnected from its drive. This usually results in a engine overheat rather than excessive coolant pressure.
Thermostat faulty, again I would expect overheat rather than over pressure.
I have seen some of these engines suffer from cylinder head corrosion around the water ways in the head (unfortunately can't be seen till the heads off). This would give you the symptoms you describe.
These engines are relatively expensive to remove/replace cylinder head. VW use stretch bolts in many locations on/around the head. They should be replaced if disturbed. So it's a additional cost.
Do you add antifreeze when you top up? Is the coolant a nice bright colour?
Chris.