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• An update and a question 24 Jun 2003 (Forum)
  I had the cambelt changed when I bought it, and apart from one CV boot, a headlight adjustment, an oil pressure switch (I think), a door knob (a relative broke it off when they came out here) spark plugs and fuel and air filters, it has only had oil and filter changes every 5000km as per the manual. Thanks to everyone who helped me with my questions when buying it. Also, I can report that it is fun driving a car with low levels of grip enthusiastically (but within the limits of the law) The question has come about due to the car.
• Astra ECU questions 23 May 2003 (Forum)
  This time it sounded like the car was not firing correctly, I pulled over, waited 2 minutes, started it up and as sweet as it usually is away I went. Any ideas on this, like why the oil had like vanished as there are no leaks and then like fuel not getting through correctly? Plus of course I realise that the settings of the ECU have probably defaulted so some suggestions there too. Thanks in advance Michael
• Toyota Timing belt 24 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  Nothing special, in fact it drives rather nastily, however she's just got away with snapping the timing belt. Firth thing the car started running rough, lots of misfire. Spark and fuel seemed OK so garage looked at it. Said the ignition timing was out so readjusted it. Car seemed OK but two weeks later it dies when going down the A303. Fortunately she managed to get it to the nearside and the AA kindly brought it home.
• W126, W140 or C-class W202 1 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  Hi, I am looking to buy a used MB but am wondering what to get. Does anyone know about the fuel consumption of W126 300SE? (Urban, 56mph & 75 mph) Low depreciation is my first priority, then low servicing and running cost. I do all the work on my Mondeo so I am technically proficient. Also, I need aircon but not sunroof.
• Avensis vs Legacy 14 Mar 2003 (Forum)
  Most of the subaru 2.5's are automatic does this go better with the 4 wheel drive system (less chance of the clutch being knackered) My heart says subaru but my head says the avensis will be way ahead on fuel consumption and general reliability. Is there much difference in space between the avensis hatch and estate (swmbo likes the roof rails!) as the estate is not that common. I've noticed that the subaru dealers seem to have them at high prices considering the trade rates them as big depreciators.
• and the winner is ... 8 Mar 2003 (Forum)
  As mentioned elsewhere, the trade-in was my Clio dci plus £1100 in exchange for the approved-used Passat with 90k miles, which came with a full tank, 12 month MOT, full service and a 12 month warranty which covers fuel pump/injectors, electrics, etc. Crucially, they replaced the CV joints as well, so that particular VAG problem shouldn't affect me. I had originally planned to hold out for a '98 Audi A6, especially if I could get a 2.5 litre TDi, but the big bill I recently had for the Clio meant that my overall budget had to come down and the only ones within reach were pre-1998, which I didn't want.
• BP Nectar and increased mpg 5 Mar 2003 (Forum)
  Curiously, my mpg has risen from 24 - 27 mpg to 28 - 33 mpg over the exact same period. (R Reg Omega 3.0 MV6, 48.5k) I don't believe the change in fuels has altered my driving style, and the journey type hasn't changed (mix of local journeys dropping kids off and longer business journeys). Also the local Shell garage is the cheapest for miles around @ 72.9 as opposed to 74.9 everywhere else.
• Estate car recommendations? 3 Mar 2003 (Forum)
  It needs to be very, very cheap (£300-£400 max!), be reliable and have plenty of load space. Image isn't important, and neither is fuel economy, since i won't be doing that much mileage - having said that, i'd prefer a deisel, but know nothing about buying a cheap deisel, so would be wary. My first thoughts have been an old Volvo estate (740, 940, 960, they all look the same to me?)
• VW Passat Lurching!!!!! 23 Feb 2003 (Forum)
  My car is running absolutely fine on idle, round town BUT after a few miles on the motorway develops what I can only describe as a lurch, a bit like when you are about to run out of fuel. Cut an even longer story short....have done full service, ignition system all fine, plugs and leads, filters all done. Then I discover the Airflow Meter. The way this thing operates makes a lot of sense in the problem I have, air being cut off or too much but only when the throttle is constantly open and after a while?
• Renault 19 1.7 - slow and jerky starting 19 Feb 2003 (Forum)
  ., most of the winter) the car has had new plugs, air filter, HT leads and distributor cap - which it needed - a new starter motor - again needed, regardless of this fault - and will soon be getting a new fuel filter. Nevertheless, when the car is cold, and irrespective of the manual choke setting, the car takes several goes to start. Changing the HT leads helped briefly, but now the problems are back.
• Astra Suspension prob/engine stuttering 13 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  Basically when the car has to pull hard it stutters. though it was a problem with all the cold weather we've been having in scotland but its stil doing it. Seems as though there may be a problem with the choke, or the fuel getting through? Maybe sparkplugs or points? When idleing the car runs sweet... Any light shed on these things is much appreciated. Cheers, Murray
• KYMCO Motorcycles 12 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  However (and here's the point of this thread), the Kymco Pulsar caught my eye, mainly as it was 1/2-2/3s of the price of it's competition, seemed very well specified (fuel gauge and gear indicator, don't ya know!), and had a comfortable seating position. It didn't seem as solid as the hondas around it, but still seemed relatively well screwed together. I hadn't really even heard of Kymco up until now, and wondered if any backroomers have had any experience of this bike that they'd like to share?
• Car history check - not guaranteed 23 Nov 2002 (Forum)
  Didn't buy the Merc, btw - looked like it had been repaired after an accident, although nothing was recorded in the data check so probably didn't go through insurance. Nail in the coffin was that it had had a new fuel pump after just 90000 miles - probably a thanks to lots of bleached red diesel, if so injectors will be next. Also, 3 new tyres seemed a bit odd - why not two, or four? Or is that reasonable in an 8-year old car?
• Two things... 9 Nov 2002 (Forum)
  While I'm at it, what car would anybody advise someone to buy if they had £800-£1100 to spend, were after a small or smallish car (mini-escort) which will have good fuel economy, low tax and insurance and is also likely to be as reliable as possible because they are a poor student who will be spending their every last penny on buying it in the first place (i.e. ME!)...?
• Dying Mercedes Engine 29 Jun 2002 (Forum)
  After another 15 minutes or so of this, the engine will run sufficiently well to get going again - from which point on everything is perfect! An "expert" on an American website suggested fuel filter, but this fault is completely repeatable - ten minutes into the journey, after starting perfectly, the engine will fail. The only thing I can think of is something to do with warm-up sequences in the engine management computer.
• Bin Lumbered - Persistant Polo Probs 13 Dec 2001 (Forum)
  I have had it in to be looked at numerous times and most of the main culprits have been ruled out. The carb has been reconditioned and seems ok. new carb gasket, fuel filter changed, plugs changed, leads checked, idle up, idle down, advanced, retarded. I am almost at a total loss and have used up too many favours with my local friendly mechanic. I checked the oil cap tonight atfer more complaints and found evidence of mayonaisse.
• LPG conversions 20 Nov 2001 (Forum)
  LPG conversion offers reduced fuel costs for petrol engined vehicles but the cost of having a conversion fitted seems quite high at around £1000. Considering that the Government will put the tax up as soon as they start to lose significant revenue it seems that the only way to gain from a conversion is to fit it to a thirsty vehicle and get the conversion done for as little as is compatible with safety.
• Cavalier 1.6L - no spark to HT lead 10 Nov 2001 (Forum)
  The engine behaved perfectly all the time even when the cooling fan was cutting in on high temperatures in traffic jams. I called out the RAC and the patrolman checked that fuel, spark plugs, distributor cap, ignition leads, igniton coil are all OK. He thinks it is the "amplifier module" which sits under the ignition coil that is likely to be faulty. He did not have a matching spare but said I should get one from a authorised dealer and it would be "very expensive".
• Cheap LPG? 16 Oct 2001 (Forum)
  Now, LPG is a great consideration, particularly when you can get fully integrated cars (eg Vauxhalls+Volvos) these days - I am aware LPG does not run as efficiently volume-wise but I could in theory save about a third of my fuel bill a year which is still very tempting. I can't help but think that this is going to go the same way as diesel in a few years time (particularly if more people do invest in an LPG vehicle) and the government will start piling the tax on the gas.
• diesel exhaust and carcinogenesis 24 Sep 2001 (Forum)
  Prudent policy dictates continued efforts to reduce emissions of soot from diesel engines and decrease occupational exposure as a matter of good health and safety practice. Improvements in engine design, soot filters, and fuel modification will provide the best approach to exposure control. Further research is also needed in the areas of carcinogenic mechanisms and development and validation of biomarkers of exposure before reliable estimates of risk of human health effects in the occupational setting can be made."