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• Skoda Superb (2008 - ) - VW TDI PD 105 1.9 Engine ~ Good or Bad? 11 Feb 2009 (Forum)
  Are there any known weak points? What mpg can I expect? How many miles can I expect to get out of one if I change the oil regularly? Are they a decent drive or as rough as some of the magazines suggest? Would I be better off spending the extra money and opting for the 140 BHP engine? Or must I spend even more money and go for the common rail engine?
• Peugeot 405 Diesel (1988 - 1996) - 97 1.9 Smell/taste of exhaust or fumes in cabin 1 Oct 2008 (Forum)
  Recently I have noticed that I can taste what must be fumes in the cabin. This seems to be getting stronger. I have changed the oil vapour hose as this was worn and leaking slightly. At the same time I was able to check the other hoses - all seem fine. I have replaced the air filter. There don't seem to be any strange smells from the engine under the bonnet.
• Mazda Mazda 6 (2002 - 2007) - 07 2.0d Over-revving 24 Sep 2008 (Forum)
  When pulling away from the Dartford tolls the other morning my TS2 (143) went haywire and enveloped the whole plaza in white smoke! As i'd just come off a night shift I thought I might have down changed in error, but the car ran rough for a few hundred yards but then picked up again before I had the chance to pull over. All seemed fine but it's since done it again but not as dramatically. The oil levels are fine, and the car was serviced at 12500 (now at 15000) There were no warning lights so I assume the ECU did not recognise a fault!
• Citroen C5 (2001 - 2008) - 02 2.0 hpi (petrol) noisy tappets. 12 Jun 2008 (Forum)
  I have a citroen c5 2.0 hpi petrol that sounds like a diesel when cold gets worse when warm, the noise sounds like really noisy tappets. so far i have engine flushed, new oil and filter,removed cams inspected hydraulic tappets can find no faults.i have replaced crankshaft pulley,also replaced exhaust cam dampening pulley,and timing belt,+ tensioner. the only thing i have not changed is the inlet cam pulley, to me this seems to be where the noise generates, but before i spend another £280 on this one,as citroen say they have no problems with them, is there anyone that has had a similar problem. forgot to mention noise gets better when the car is revved hard.
• Volkswagen Bora (1999 - 2006) - 00 1.8 8v running On 3 Cylinders??. 20 Jan 2008 (Forum)
  I have had the #2 spark plug out again and its really black with carbon with a slight petrol/oil on there. Am away in it on Saturday, So i need to fine out whats wrong ASAP. Thanks in advance!. Luke
• Volkswagen Polo (1981 - 1991) - 1990 CL Coupe - Gear problems 19 Jan 2008 (Forum)
  Could I need a gear oil topup? (if so, how as the Haynes manual does not mention it!) or is it more probable that a new gearchange mechanism is in order?
• Audi 80 Mk II (1991-1995) - Smoking VAG TDI engine 18 Oct 2007 (Forum)
  Oil consumption is negligible. but the fumes have a really acrid smell which is particularly noticible on a damp day. I am treating the fuel with Millers Diesel clean. Are there any othetr checks i can make to help reduce the fumes?
• Should Fernando pay for Lewis' service? 17 Aug 2007 (Forum)
  Lewis rarely uses his car outside work, and come MOT time, there are a number of maintenance costs; new tyres, new brake pads and an oil change, totalling £300. As Fernando is in the car during most of its use, Lewis thinks he should shoulder half of the cost, but Fernando thinks as it's Lewis?s car, it?s his cost. Billy {Car related, so kicks out of the IHAQ thread - DD}
• VW Golf mk2 1.3 6 May 2007 (Forum)
  i'm having trouble with leaks comming from the cylinder head, the coolant and the oil have mixed a little bit has gone to the bore's and i was only getting 1bar compression, i thaught this could be the head gasket, so i changed it and just incase i checked the cylinder head with a piece of metal and a feeler blade to chek for any signs of warping but the wasn't, so back on goes everything with a new head gasket, took her for a drive before the m.o.t, she drove like new!
• how to clean up a smokey 306 hdi diesel? 27 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  The day after i noticed it was still quite smokey in the rear veiw mirror with headlights on the exhaust and without the car particularly being tested. I was wondering what other things can be done as i have my mot comming in 2 months. The oil and all filters were changed 1000miles ago (3 weeks) any suggestions? ps can anyone tell me if the new millers power sport 4 diesel treatment is suitable for a 306 hdi?
• Pug 405 XUTD Starting Issues 31 Aug 2006 (Forum)
  Anyone got any idea? Injectors have been suggested to me. I changed them for a 2nd hand set (from a scrapyard) but to no avail.
• Vectra 2.2TDi 16v Auto MPG ??? 26 Mar 2006 (Forum)
  seems a bit heavy to me, have got it booked in for a FULL service as the previous service by Vauxhall at 33k only did the oil and filter and nothing else (before I bought it) and will have all filters changed etc. to see if this increases MPG at all. what sort of mileage to others get out of this same type of car / engine please ?
• Lexus GS300 - drinking too much fuel 21 Feb 2006 (Forum)
  I know from other owners of same car, that they can get around 25mpg in mixed driving, and up to 32mpg at a steady cruise. Car has been serviced regulary. Oil and filter last done 6 months ago. Platinum tipped plugs were replaced at 60k service. Changed air filter 2 months back, no mileage improvement. Have used fuel injector cleaner too. Was going to replace distributor cap and rotor arm, but was told these don't have them, being coil on plug.
• Audi Cabriolet V6 2.6e - Performance? 11 May 2005 (Forum)
  Are the stats in these engines easy to replace and could this be the cause of the performance issues? Finally the gearbox has begun to whine (just a little) in fifth gear - is it worth changing the gearbox oil now or it is curtains - the car's done 144k miles...? Any experience with these 'boxes? Any help much appreciated. Matt
• Ultra efficient batteries 1 May 2005 (Forum)
  Driving around in vehicles with mobile furnaces on board and spending endless time and hassle with all the greasy mechanical bits wearing out / needing changing etc. will seem laughable in 30 years time. Once somebody invents ultra efficient batteries, all cars (except recreational 'classics' such as Aston Martins etc.) will be electric. The reliance of the world on oil will be gone.
• suzuki jimny 4 Jul 2004 (Forum)
  However from day one the gearbox has,to say the least been troublesome.Engaging 1st gear from stationary is a hit or miss,and there seems to be a severe notch between 3rd and 4th.I have had it back to two Suzuki dealers,one of them changed the gearbox oil to a synthetic type to no avail,the other,where I purchased it,just doesnt want to know,and says its driving like every other Jimny.I had driven a "W" reg one of these before buying the one I have,and it was completely smooth.Does anyone know if newer ones have a different gearbox.I have already written to Suzuki,who said their dealer would look into it further....what a laugh,the're just not interested!.
• Honda Accord diesel 6 Feb 2004 (Forum)
  The car performed like one with a petrol engine, but without the revs. It was up to seventy in no time, and I couldn't believe it really was an oil burner. Despite my concern about the low profile tyres on 17" wheels, the ride was very smooth and the car handled impeccably. The gear change was slick and neat. There was almost an absence of sound inside the car, and it should make for a relaxing drive.
• XR2i CVH low idle and cutting out 11 Dec 2003 (Forum)
  The vehicle is a J Reg Fiesta XR2i with the 1596cc EFi CVH engine. The car is running on good quality oil and no expense has been spared with the maintenance. When it pulls up at junctions for example the revs drop to below 500rpm the car vibrates and then the revs sometimes go up to the correct idle speed.
• Main Dealer Servicing 4 Aug 2003 (Forum)
  I found that the securing bolts and filter canister were seized and had clearly never been removed; I then managed to get a good half cup of water drained out and the car then ran OK. So do main dealers really just kick the tyres and change the oil (and charge you £3.00 for filling up the washer bottle even though it was already full)? I certainly think so!!!
• Bargain GTX Magnatec - only £7 /litre 15 May 2003 (Forum)
  Following a recent debacle DIYing SWMBO's Passat, I was considering giving up spannering for good - but after this experience I think I've changed my mind! Can anyone better this for a rip-off oil price? It irks me in the same way that restaurants will charge £20 for a bottle of wine they've picked up from the cash & carry for a fiver - and all they have to do is pull the cork.