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• 2001 Ford Mondeo Duratec 2.0 Di EGR? 6 Apr 2007 (Forum)
  Had a problem about 5 months ago were the car was running fine at start up and after a few miles it would start spluttering if it was rev'd hard it would chuck white/blue smoke out of the back. Took to my mechanic who thought it was the fuel sender pump he took it off cleaned the contacts and whacked it with a hammer (thats one way i suppose.) Car has driven fine unit now (doesnt lose noticble oil) The same fault is back, no engine management light and i add if you let the car sit after the fault it will start again but within a few miles it will do the same again lots of jerking and spluttering before grinding to a hault went through a period of rough idle at start up with lots of smoke havnt noticed this so much recently.
• Automatic car for newly disabled wife 4 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  I will take her car and she will get something else but because we haven't planned a swap we only have a budget upto 12K. Don't care if it is new or second hand but must be reasonably roomy. Fuel & insurance costs aren't a problem. I know this is an open topic but I need to move fairly fast as she is going demented with boredom as she literally can't walk more than 50 metres I suspect a second hand car will be more sensible as you seem to have to make new automatics a special order.
• Hugely over inflated tyres 7 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  I haven't drive the car since Friday afternoon and won't until Monday morning. Tyres look OK. Apart from feeling the road properly, and possibly worse fuel consumption (unlikely to make much difference!), I wonder what I should worry about??? I assume that the garage I bought the car from in November (I know I shouldn't have left it too long) did not check the tyres properly or the technician simply got it wrong big time.
• What car for 10-12k? 2 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  Hi Everyone, Apologies if this is an oft aired subject here, but I need a new car, have a budget of 10-12k, and have no idea what to get My requirements would be; - fuel consumption not an issue, don't drive far, had a V6 2.5 auto last time, so something similar would be great - favourite car I've owned would be my 2001 Audi S3, they do fall into the budget this time round, so a consideration - I like the look of the Alfa 147, but worried about depreciation - ideally would like something FAST, with leather, air con, CD etc, maybe auto - like the look of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the 2.7 diesel sounds like an ideal choice, this is in budget - other end of the scale, Lotus Elises seem to be going for around this price, as do some Honda S2000's - also seems like some BMWs - 330, 325 - fall into budget, shape before the current one, older M3's look nice Any advice greatfully received, as you can see I'm all over the shop really Thanks Dirk
• Real mid-life crisis +open top car 14 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  With a C4 VTR+ diesel hatch (2005 on a 55 plate with 7.5k miles) to p/x, what do you think I would be happy with if the p/x +cash took me to £20K. I like comfort, not too bothered by fuel economy as long as I can get 25mpg round town. Don't want back seat room that even Douglas Bader would complain about. Look forward to suggestions.
• Fiat punto running roughly. 6 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  The oil was below minimum on the stick. Could the camshaft have partially seized and caused the belt to jump? If it is a fueling problem, could ther Lambda sensor cause symptoms like this? I suppose the only other thing to check isthe crankshaft pulley sensor. Would you just clean this. The only other strange thing was that there was a "metallic sound" when it was at higher revs.
• 306 SR Sedan rear springs 14 Sep 2006 (Forum)
  The car drives beautifully, handling with pin sharp alacrity and riding as you'd more likely expect of one of Jaguar's best efforts, but the static rear ride height "looks" a little reduced (aesthetically comparing wheel arch with wheel) even when parked on level ground with hand brake off and half a tank of fuel. The ride height, front and back, is identical to within a couple of millimetres (ie experimental error) on both sides of the car. I can't see any evidence of broken springs or mounts and there is no corrosion, so wonder if the relatively soft and compliant nature of the springs fitted to this model of 306 are more disposed to sag over time?
• any suggestions please 10 Aug 2006 (Forum)
  can anyone being really honest, say what car should i try next to use as a eliable taxi, ive had a vauxhall carlton in 1990 it got worn out, changed to the vauxhall omega - gave up with that as it had nearly all sensors replaced, two rebuilt engines, changed to a 1998 2.0 td mondeo, had never ever problems with that too, ie, fuel injectors, glow plugs, and bad shaking through the steering wheel, changed to a 2001 2.0 mondeo tddi , and have experienced more problems than ever, two diesel pumps costing 650.00 each. drop links replaced twice, drivers seat replaced, clutch that took 2 days to fit as the whole subframe had to come out, ongoing air con problems (which are still happening ) bad tyre wear even after paying out for the ford 4 wheel alignment, i could go on but dont want to bore you, i need a good, heavy working diesel, that doesnt need things replacing so frequently, many thanks claire
• Used Merc, Jag or BMW for £25k? 10 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  However, my mileage should drop to a more sensible 10k pa now. I'm happy to buy something 2-3 years old, and my budget is £25k. I quite fancy a Jag XJ but fuel economy seems poor. I might even step up to a Merc S class, for the luxury! I've never quite gone for the new shape BMW 5, a Range Rover is likely to be out of reach and too expensive to run. I may even end up with another E class of a similar age to the one I currently run.
• Alfa 156 JTD 16V Performance Problem 30 Mar 2006 (Forum)
  I have cleaned out the air intake as much as possible (it was filthy), changed the oil&filter, air filter and fuel filter (twice). I've been told the Air flow meter is fine and what it needs is and ECU upgrade. Anyone got any idea's? It's driving me crasy at this stage
• ECU problem - Hyundai Accent 1.3i 5 Mar 2006 (Forum)
  My Hyundai Accent 1.3i (2002) with 41,500 miles on the clock has suddenly started to have a problem whereby it will, whilst driving, cut out (with the engine warning light coming on) and then re-start almost instantly. I also think that the fuel consumption has worsened. I took the car to my local mechanic who after three hours (£140) of testing told me that he could not isolate the problem,saying it was a very strange problems and not one he had come across before but then thought there was 85-90% chance it was ECU failure.
• Super mini's i've driven 4 Jan 2006 (Forum)
  As for the modus i could not decide what i was driving nothing special at all The biggest shock was the Picanto the small engine had plenty of urge it has cheeky looks but a very small boot and the interior is not quite there. Otherwise good One interesting point is on the 90 mile run they all use about the same amount of fuel around 7 quid even the diesel Renault was the same
• Rip-off Mercedes servicing 25 Nov 2005 (Forum)
  However, today when I called the local dealer they've now introduced a new scam of charging £28.50 for the use of a loan car. Of course, I also have to provide insurance and fuel. Is this unusal, or are all the dealers doing thing? I could fill a book with rants about Merc dealers (but won't, you've heard them all before), but this latest trick seems outragious considering the price I already pay for the service (2 hrs labour plus, say £80 in materials, so that's £150 an hour...)
• Focus intermittent instrument failure 11 Nov 2005 (Forum)
  Please can anyone help regarding a problem I have with the dashboard instruments on my Ford Focus TDDI estate (02 reg, facelifted model)? Several times in the last week, when I've turned the ignition on, the speedo, rev counter, fuel & temperature gauges, odometer and several (but not all) warnings lights have failed to operate. Each time the problem has gone away when I've used the car later and the instruments have returned to normal.
• SWMBOs next car - advise please? 4 Sep 2005 (Forum)
  She will be due for a replacement early next year and we have to start "shopping" now as some cars will have long delivery times. Her mileage means a diesel makes sense (unless fuel prices go really crazy!), and she would like something a little larger and with five doors for convenience (and possibly a future child?). She enjoys driving my Toledo TDI 110 SE. Having discussed things, we have under consideration a Leon 2.0TDi Sport (would be prefer stylance spec but not available with this engine), Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance, Golf 2.0TDi GT and Alfa 147 1.9 Multijet 150.
• Smokey Mondeo TDCi - feedback 24 Aug 2005 (Forum)
  In the spirit of giving feedback to those who have provided advice - The orginal post was lost to the great deletion bug a few weeks back so I'll summarise the problem and advice. 53 reg 2.0 Mondy TDCi, 15k miles, smoking like mad especially on low revs and heavy load. Also noticed poor fuel consumption (down to 35mpg) and poor pulling at low revs. Advice 1. Italian tune up - no improvement Advice 2 BP ultimate plus Italian tune up - even worse smoke and consumption. Advice 3 EGR valve stuck, take back under warranty and visit mondeo.org for technical info and back up - bang on the nail.
• Why boycott BP & Esso? 22 Aug 2005 (Forum)
  Futhermore there is a fatal flaw in the whole argument, if I ran a BP or Esso station and sales dried up for a few days, yet alone months, I would be on the phone to Shell, Texaco, etc to see who could offer me a favourable contract. The result being damage to BP and Esso as businesses with little effect on the street price of fuel. Could be worth buying a few shares in Shell. Regards.
• Calibra turbo strange behaviour 8 Aug 2005 (Forum)
  The code isn't remembered so it is very difficult to tell what is up with it. Anybody got any ideas? I'm totally stumped. If it were the fuel pressure regulator or injectors then it would be doing it all the time. Those are both things vauxhall have suggested could be wrong with it. I am also pretty certain the lambda sensor was also changed in case that was it but same behaviour is exhibited.
• 306 D Turbo Doesnt Start 6 Jul 2005 (Forum)
  Completely gutted and feel helpless, can anyone tell me why: 1) it didnt start when it was warm 2) it now doesnt start at all I have heard possible reasons could be glow plugs, fuel pumps etc. If anyone can shed any light on this, I will love you forever more. Kind regards, Damien
• Used car for £5000 - suggestions? 25 Apr 2005 (Forum)
  I want to have some cash left over so have a set a budget of £5000 to buy a used car. Main considerations are fuel economy and general costs to run, though safety is important also. Obvious options seem to be Yaris or Micra (but dare I say it these seem girly cars?), Corsa(long in the tooth?), Fabia (good cars), Panda (strangely appealling) or Punto (too old again?)