Showing results in  Forum [Show all channels]

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• Corsa Diesel - Glow Plug Problem 10 Jul 2004 (Forum)
  Even when we had the latest plugs fitted it didn't exactly "leap" into life upon cold start. When it has been for a run then the car starts ok. I have noticed that the Glow Plug Indicator is only on for about 2.5 seconds. I have a Citroen ZX Diesel and the indicator is on for twice as long. Could it be that the time is too short and the plugs are not reaching the optimum temperature and, if so, how do you get a more realistic warming up time?
• Should I buy a Vectra? 22 Jun 2004 (Forum)
  I've just changed jobs recently and now need something big, diesel and cheap to run up and down to work. As I have said in my thread in Technical Matters I have the possibility of buying a 1999 V plate Vectra 2.0 DTi LS with A/C for about £2,500. It has covered 70K and had only one owner.
• Cam belt - A4 tdi 110 25 May 2004 (Forum)
  Can I get some advice please? I recently bought an A4 and questioned the dealer about the cam belt. He gave me a bit of the run around and I am in the process of talking to their customer service dept after having filled out one of their customer satisfaction questionnaires rather negatively. Anyway in the service book, the prvious owner had had the car serviced at 60K and an independent servicer ticked the following boxes: air cleaner element renewed spark plugs renewed ribbed v-belt renewed toother belt renewed Now I know that a diesel car does not have spark plugs (or I could be very wrong!!!)
• Ineffective Aircon - Rover 220 17 May 2004 (Forum)
  On its coldest setting it was uncomfortably cold, even with four people in the car, on a really hot day. A garage had a look and said it was running OK but may as well regas it. They did that (and broke it in so doing, but that's a different story) and there's no change at all. They said it tested OK - down to 2degrees, whatever that means.
• New Audi A8 W12 22 Apr 2004 (Forum)
  In the dry, the way it serenely picked up its skirts and flew, totally drama free, was just as impressive. The built-in phone system is the best I have used of any car (though a colleague\'s Merc runs it close), and the list of gadgets would fill an encyclopedia. Remote controlled air conditioning and heating to prepare the interior environment before you arrive to get back in, anyone?
• Volvo 340 cuts out turning right 16 Jan 2004 (Forum)
  I have had the carb off recently and found nothing amiss. Certainly made no difference after I had cleaned and checked everything. I've run out of ideas for now, so any suggestions welcome. Paul
• What car for 6 grand? 5 Jan 2004 (Forum)
  Bought for 3 grand, cost almost that much to keep it on the road in the first 12 months Jeep Grand Cherokee. 4.0 version expensive to run, possibly in my price range for monthly costings, was surprised to see so many sub £6000 in Autotrader So any thoughts/suggestions? Would love something fast and/or luxurious with leather/air con etc like the Jeep or a BMW/Audi to soften the blow of selling my beloved chipped S3 thanks!
• Greetings from the South ... 4 Jan 2004 (Forum)
  Been on a touch of leave, getiing roasted red-indian like by the sun, etc. Unfortunately, the local road-mayhem has continued as in previous years, with the annual lemming-run for the coast causing some hideous pile-ups. The boys-in-blue have really earned their Xmas bonusses this year, as we have seen a proliferation of S**** C*****s on national roads, catching blokes doing 130 in a 120 zone... as unroadworthy and overloaded taxis, busses, trucks trundle by.
• Keep your distance 2 11 Nov 2003 (Forum)
  I did a quick deceleration to avoid having ducks through the windscreen. Fortunately they started running and I just missed them. I accelerated again to avoid being shunted. Looking back I saw the two following cars had stopped at an angle to the road. Comments please, would you have gone back and lectured them, or do what I did?
• Difficulty cancelling motoring mag subs. 9 Nov 2003 (Forum)
  I\'m not going to name the magazine, so as not to land the site in any hot water, -- Sorry, nothing that may identify the publication -- ND They have given me the run-around for the last few months, and have now settled on the argument that they changed publishers, and along with it, their refund policy (i.e. now subscriptions are non-refundable). My view it that is wrong to try and apply this new policy to existing subscribers.
• Golf TDi No power high revs black smoke 21 Sep 2003 (Forum)
  First bit of advice I've had is that the turbo's gone, but I an air flow meter was fitted 1.5 years ago. At the time that this went the car lost power but it would still run at about 35mph. Anyway, I'm looking at a bill of about £600 to replace the turbo so if anyone can help it would be much appreciated. Thanks Wayne
• Omega!! ! 12 Sep 2003 (Forum)
  Its now reaching 97,000 on the clock and I am still wondering whether I should have the auto box oil replaced or not (whether I am better to leave it alone). Its running on Mobil 1 now, but other than a new air filter I havent done anything to the car. Also, slightly off the topic but perhaps some of the more advanced and experienced members here can advise me.. given the current rather nasty icy conditions and the rather uncertain road conditions in my area, what is the best advise when driving on possibly icy roads.
• A car for mum-in-law 26 May 2003 (Forum)
  Mum-in-law runs a petrol auto Peugeot 306, the second she's had in the past four years. It leads a life of predominantly short journeys and economy is, frankly, appalling. Her last 306 auto ate its cat because it was spending so much time having a rich mixture fired at it.
• Forester sturbo vs xtrail tdi 23 May 2003 (Forum)
  SWMBO would like to go 4wd on the school run and the BMW compact is struggling with the 3 wheel baby buggy! joking apart it is needed to be a big estate and general family workhorse all in one. Would like some opinions on the economics of buying a 99/00 sturbo for £10-11k or a newer £14-15k for an early tdi sport xtrail as plugged by HJ!
• Speed gun calibration 18 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  Now before you all start on about there being no excuse for this the road is very wide, large 8ft wall runs the whole length down one side and is nowhere near any residential areas. The policeman jumped out from behind a tree like a salmon and zapped me. Now when I looked at my speedo it was reading 35mph or possibly just under so I braked and thought that there was no way he was going to pull me over for that speed.
• Obtaining keycodes for imports 2 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  Unfortunately they don't seem to keep the codes, as they issue a card with this information with the driver's pack (not issued in the UK at the request of the ABI). Typically, this card isn't in the drivers pack. I should add that all the running around has been done by the supplying dealer (Alfa specialist but not franchised). They are tearing their hair out trying to get the codes but just keep hitting a brick wall. Can anybody offer any advice or contacts where the codes could be obtained (on production of suitable proof of ownership)?
• Selfish (and dangerous) parking 11 Mar 2003 (Forum)
  I've just got back from collecting my daughter from her primary school (I've been on the school run since January) and have had just about enough of the stupid, selfish parking that abounds around the school. The school itself is situated in a cul-de-sac, but a few yards away, there is a T-junction with double yellows on it.
• Yaris starting problem 17 Dec 2002 (Forum)
  Attempting to restart it and the starter seemed to be turning fine but it only sounded like it was attempting to fire occasionally. I finally got it started by pumping the throttle and it has run and started fine since. My only thought is that last night I pulled it forward about 6' to allow a friend to get parked behind me. As the car hadn't been out all day and was only turned on for about 10 seconds, might this have been the cause?
• 5 year old Lexus vs 1 yr old Mondeo. 4 Nov 2002 (Forum)
  With a hatchback it is undoubtedly the more practical, insurance is around £200 cheaper and day to day running costs should prove lower. However, a used Lexus will be prepared to `as new` standards and will have an excellent warranty and dealer back up. Numerous satisfaction surveys suggest I will enjoy Lexus ownership far more than Ford.
• Omega pollen filter.. 20 Sep 2002 (Forum)
  Also had the "Kwik Fit" Mobil 1 oil & filter change, absolute bargain considering that 5 Litres of Mobil 1 in Tesco's is £30! Car is running much smoother and quieter with it (surprisingly) though I recommend watching kwik fitters whilst they do the job, it took 3 men to change the oil on my omega and even then, they didn't mop up the old oil spilled in the plastic cowling underneath the oil filter (which left a bit of a mess for me to clean up).