March 2016
After driving my astra at high engine speeds (4-6k). When starting the engine (particularly when hot) I hear what sounds like a rattle from the exhaust or something in the engine bay. This goes away as soon as the engine has started. The sound only happens again when moving off in 1st. It also happens again when I labour the engine (below 1500rpm). I'm running the car on v-power so I don't think it's engine knock. Read more
This may sound stupid but I need to replace the drivers door on my mk 3 mondeo st tdci and was wondering if any mk 3 mondeo door would fit? Or do the st panels differ in any way Read more
It has to be a car built at the same time.
Neighbour bought 2nd hand door - the profile of the window frame was different. A bit of cutting & welding was needed. Ford apparently had 3 monthly variations in some parts.
I own a 2009 MkVi VW Golf 1.4 TSI with a DSG gearbox. It had a major service 2 weeks ago at the local VW dealer. Since then acceleration has felt stodgy and fuel consumption has got worse by about 8%. It feels like they've disturbed the timing, but they say they won't have done anything that would impact the timing. They say they'll carry out a diagnostic check to find the cause, but want to charge me £110.00 to do it. Is it true a major service (65000 miles) would not upset the timing? As this is VW, is it possible they've reset the engine in order to meet emissions requirements and have impacted performance and economy as a result? (this is a petrol engine though). Thanks. Read more
Any advice would be appreciated
on how to remove the back seats (seat & back), which sockets to use, any video clips online. Can't find a video online for 2010 Focus Estate.... Read more
I got the tork bolts out (fianlly!). But the back rest part won't come out. It's attached a the hinge pivot at either side . Is there a way to unmount the back rests from the hinge?
I have a 'spare' set of 16" alloy wheels (the originals) for my car. I'm currently running it on 17" Jag wheels I bought from a friend for £100, incl. P Zeros (225/45/17). When the tyres need changing (I reckon about 6 months) I'd like to go back to 205/55/16 for economy and ride comfort.
The 16s are in fairly good nick on the 'facing' side, but there's corrosion on the 'back' sides. There are no major dents or dings.... Read more
An update.
I was overly optimistic about having 6 months left on my existing tyres - or rather I was a bit misled by my indy who was aked to do rebalancing, tracking, moved tyres front to back etc. (More on this on a thread I started in the 'general section' about trust). And did the MoT....
Hello! I'm doing some research for Volkswagen on a possible new project and need help! I'm looking to collect driver's fondest (or funniest) Golf (or Scirocco) related stories from the 70s, 80s or 90s; and if you have pictures, even better! Please do share. Thanks in advance, Tim. Read more
Traded a Golf in for a 1986 Polo. In less than 12 months it almost conked out on top of the M62 in the snow, VW couldn't find a problem, but kept fiddling until it ran again. Then the body was going rusty, the bracket that holds the anti roll bar on was only welded on at one end. When they fixed that, it came back with the fan disconnected and no headlights working. Then the engine started acting up again so we traded it in for a Peugeot. Wife being an honest soul told the dealer that there was a problem with the fuel system. "Don't worry" they said "our mechanics will soon fix that. A few weeks later the phone rings "what did VW say was the problem with your old Polo?" A few weeks later we see our old polo on the forecourt of a Mazda garage with the owner in deep discussion with a salesman.
If only everything in life was as reliable as a Volkswagen
The drive shaft seal and clutch plates were replaced on the last day of the 5 year warantee.
In less than 18 months the seal is leaking again. The original warantee has expired and the garage is quoting in the region of £600 to replace the seals and the clutch plates if contaminated. Hyundai are saying the components that were replaced cease to be covered after the 5 year warantee!... Read more
If the original repair only lasted eighteen months, I wouldn't trust it to the same place again. I suggest you find a good indy who can look carefully at the seal and see if it was damaged when fitted, not replaced or some other problem causing it to still leak (if that is the problem).
HI, I GET A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAK FROM UNDER THE FRONT WHEN ACCELERATING GENTLY & WHEN COASTING AFTER IT HAS STARTED. IT WILL NOT OCCUR WHILST STATIONARY & IS NOT CONTINUOUS BUT MOST OF THE TIME & AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IT DOESN'T APPEAR AT START FROM COLD OR IMMEDIATELY FROM RE START. FAN BELT APPEARS FINE AS DOES TENSIONER. SOUNDS METALIC. ANYBODY ANY IDEAS ON WHERE TO START LOOKING ?
WEST VIEW PETE Read more
Broken road spring?
Hello
My car has just failed the MOT because you cannot open the boot from the outside. You have to manually lift the catch from climbing over the back seats from the inside.... Read more
Could be the motor itself in the lock mechanism. Or it could be a wiring fault.
However, I'm pretty certain that it is NOT an MOT failure on a passenger car. ...
I have an unused Tempa 17" 125 80 spare wheel kit from my previous Volvo V60. The steel wheel appears to be identical to the extremely expensive (almost £400) Mazda spare wheel kit (125 70 R17), However, the 125 80 R17 is far closer in diameter to the 19" wheels on the Mazda. The Mazda dealer has declined to comment whether the Tempa wheel will fit the Mazda. I am aware that the stud size could be different, but they LOOK the same. Has anyone any knowledge on this, please?
GeoffR Read more
Many thanks for the technology link. Extremely useful.
The 17" steel wheels for Mazda and Volvo appear to be physically identical. I now have to ensure that the specifications are the same. ...
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Loose heat shield ?
Loose / broken exhaust ?...