April 2023
I'm very grateful to one of the site contributers at Ask John for suggesting my brother goes for a VW Golf mk 7 to replace his beloved Lexus CT200h Advance (2014 plate). While he's loving the tech spec of the Golf and is warming to the fuel efficiency despite the cost of diesel, he's balking at the cockpit design. To explain the following, he is neurodivergent (think Forest Gump but not as severe) and, whilst an excellent driver, he can be a stickler for things that someone us may not find important. His criteria so far:
Budget: £12k. 60+mpg, lowish insurance group, reliable. Must be automatic (disability issue). Reliable and low(ish) maintenance costs. Would like bells & whistles that you see in the Golf. Refuses to have another hybrid (dont ask, but it was a nightmare getting repairs and downright expensive). ... Read more
Following ongoing issues with the DPF on my volvo. Almost ever since I bought it it’s has some sort of issue/regen/replace. Been advised it’s all sorts of issues from injectors to sensors to the DPF itself I have been given what I think is some plain sound advice from my local garage.
I had an engine system warning light come on and then the car died while out driving. I towed it to the local garage where they investigated and showed me what they believe to be the issue. The diesel they removed from the car was a deep yellow/orange, so they think that the Pat fluid is not mixing into the diesel correctly, made worse by a small amount of fuel in the tank.
They believe that I probably need a new Pat fluid sensor and need it calibrated so that the correct amount is put into the fuel.
Anyone have any experience with this?
The local garage say they can replace the tank and sensor, but Volvo would have to recalibrate so it would be better to get it fixed (at HUGE expense) by Volvo.
Any advice/experience would be hugely appreciated!! Read more
The DV6 is a PSA unit which, of course, is also used in Peugeot, Citroen etc models including our Berlingo.
AIUI the EOLYS fluid is held in a container at the rear of the vehicle with a tiny quantity being injected into the fuel tank when the car is refuelled. Its purpose is to allow the DPF to keep form becoming blocked with soot which is, instead, burned off. ...
'Charging anxiety' dents demand for electric cars (msn.com)
With a busy weekend at Easter should be interesting if the queuing for chargers happens again. I read the other day that a few councils are fining charger users for overstaying at the charger, others will follow, something else to think about if you are taking the plunge. The demand for second hand EVs is no better but this is working in favour of prices with high depreciation on these. New EVs will do likewise if showrooms want to sell them.... Read more
I’m in the ‘I’d rather have an accident in a modern small car than a 1970’s large one’ camp. Design has progressed so much in that 50 years. In addition, with the widespread adoption of all manner of stability controls and autonomous emergency braking, we’re much less likely to be having an accident in the first place. www.euroncap.com/en/results/toyota/aygo+x/46259
Most small cars in the 1970s did not have power steering. Try driving a modern small car with wider wheels and better lock without power steering.
I started driving in the 1960s.. with cars made in he 1930s. Modern cars of the current era beat ALL prior cars for ease of driving , fuel economy and safety....
Hi,
On my 2011 golf 2.0 TDi I purchased recently I am getting an intermittent issue with it starting, particularly after it has been drove for a while. It will start 9 times out of 10 straight away, but sometimes it will take a few attempts as it will die out with the coil light flashing saying emissions fault on the MFD. ... Read more
This is why it's essential when replacing the cambelt that it's fitted correctly using the right locking tools, and the belt tension is correct. On any diesel engine where the compression ratio is around 18 or 20:1 even the smallest adjustment to the timing could make a big difference. So many people fit cambelts by paint marking the old one. This is NOT the correct way to do it. I would start by replacing the cambelt again, and get someone who knows the right way to do it.
Some here may remember my saga of the irremovable Peugeot wheel locking bolt, renowned (and perhaps welcomed) in the trade as sometimes needing welding expertise to extract. (Memo to Peugeot - learn from Ford).
After its recent oil change, I noticed a small circle of oil on the ground under the sump - so I tightened the plug a bit more. No luck, so I drained the oil into a clean container for reuse and inspected the offending plug. Lo and behold, after a mere four tightenings (once at the factory, once (possibly) at the first 1yr garage service, and two by me (10k and 20k miles), the presumably single use squashable copper curtain ring had been reduced to a nanometric sliver of uselessness.... Read more
The counterpoint to this, and John's point in the first place, is what kind of manufacturer sells cars where the locking wheel bolts need to be removed because they're inadequate or uses single use washers when reusable alternatives are available?
Most issues with locking wheelnuts are caused by the user or a garage overtightening them. The manufacturer cannot control either of these....
I understand ad blue has a ‘use by’ date on the containers. But what about ad blue that’s been in the car for a while? I ask because I don’t do many miles, although they are long trips, as a result I hardly use any ad blue. As the tank is quite large, the stuff has been in there for quite some time. I last topped it up a good couple of years ago.
Is there anything I should do about it? Read more
Sometimes if clumsy blighters spill adblu over the bulk pump handle, it crystalises enough to stop the pump handle operating, a kettle of hot water over it shifts it all in no time.
I was driving on the motorway when all of a sudden noticed the temperature gauge on my car going up and down, pulled over at the next services by which point there was a metallic crackling/grinding sound. As I came to a stop, the engine cut out, long story short, the entire engine needs replacing and the cylinder head gasket has gone on top of all the labour the warranty company forced by asking for the engine to be stripped.
I purchased the car just under 5 months previous to this happening from a dealer, predictably, the warranty company has rejected the repairs so I'm wondering my rights under the Consumers Rights Act 2015. Read more
Don’t waste your time and money getting the head gasket fixed . If the engine has severely overheated , it’s basically toast . Modern engines can’t cope with excessive temperatures and recover. I would source a s/hand engine and get that fitted.
Hope someone can help ?? gearbox gets stuck in gear say third , and will rev up to redline and it won't change gear. I try paddle shift the screen displays M7 but I am in 3 gear in reality and it is happening now and then. Would anyone have an idea Read more
Get it fixed for the lowest cost possible and move it on. This was the advice to a friend’s brother when his DSG failed. Had a cheap fix, but foolishly kept the car. A few weeks later it had a very expensive failure.
Just in case anyone fancies it.
Private sale, good condition drives ok (for a 1978 car ! )... Read more
Started work this morning and had a double take at the Chevette parked at the other side of the road!
Not a 2300HS, but a remarkable nice looking X reg example in metallic blue sitting on minilite style allows. I hope the owner does have a garage because the Peterhead climate won't do it any good!
Yesterday my wife and I had a tour round looking at changing the CRV we have had for 10+ years. Slightly smaller car to gain better access
The cars looked at were all Japanese and from 3 different franchises - List prices £32K - £38K... Read more
I had been interested in a new Civic Hybrid when the price of the base model was around £31000. Then they canned the base model and the Sport became the base model at over £34000. Then the price of the Sport went up twice to nearer £36000 and the top spec model to near £40000. Pretty much lost interest now.
Went to look at one at a dealership and when I asked why the prices had rocketed, he virtually said it was because of all the good reviews the car had received in the motoring press. Whether this is true or not I don't know but a car is reviewed taking into account its list price at the time. Would it have reviewed as well at an inflated price....
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