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• Diesel vs Petrol school runs in Midi MPV? 12 May 2008 (Forum)
  I've also heard a number of horror stories of particulate filters clogging and severe fuel dilution of oil after only 3k when a car has been subjected to such short journey abuse. Should I be concerned? Is a modern Diesel still a sensible(ish) choice for a school run car? TIA - Rufus.
• Volkswagen - VW LT35 1982 2L Petrol - Ignition Timing 4 May 2008 (Forum)
  Haynes don't list a manual so I wondered if any of the back roomers had any info on restoring the ignition timming on this engine. Also does anyone know if this engine can run on unleaded without modification, he has been running LRP in it so far. Thanks.
• Toyota Landcruiser 80 Amazon (1990 to 1998) - Modern diesels - what's the point? 28 Apr 2008 (Forum)
  I've been running my 3 litre CR auto D-Max for nearly 3K miles now, and I get about 29mpg running around, dropping to 25 when I tow 3 tons. My old '93 Landcruiser 4.2TD auto does around 25mpg, dropping to 22 towing 3 tons.
• Vauxhall Astra G Petrol (1998 - 2004) - yr?? 1.6 8v kangarooing & stalling. 28 Mar 2008 (Forum)
  After restarting the engine (sometimes with a bit of difficulty) the car then seems to kangaroo for a while then it clears up and continues as normal. If you then take the car onto the motorway and run it up to the speed limit, it runs well with no apparent problems. As soon as you get back onto the slower "A" roads and you have to brake the kangrooing returns and the engine again wants to stall.The engine always starts first time in the morning, it idles smoothly at 800 / 850 rpm.
• Mercedes Benz SL (2002 - 2008) - SL500 - Cost to change please and general info! 26 Mar 2008 (Forum)
  The SL500 is stickered at £43K and comes with 1yr Mercedes warranty under the Mercedes Assured programme. Any accurate valuations gratefully received! Secondly - if anyone has any experience of running one of these, or knows sensible questions to ask such as whether recalls have been done, when cambelt should be changed (does it have one?) etc that would be fantastic. BTW - She is happy with increased running costs of one of these, but I can't let her be robbed blind at point of sale if I can help it!
• FIAT Cinquecento (1993 - 1998) - 1995, 899cc, Bucking Cinquecento 4 Mar 2008 (Forum)
  Idles fine though. And runs fine once got going. It's just when increasing revs after having been idling for 20-30 seconds. Just suddenly started doing this 2 days ago. Any ideas?
• Citroen ZX (1992 - 1998) - 1997 1.4 running hot 24 Feb 2008 (Forum)
  s imperative you vacuum fill the system on these to prevent air pockets as the Haynes manual describes using an empty bottle with an ?O? Ring to vacuum fill the radiator while the engine is running? Thanks!
• Ford S-MAX (2006 - ) - 2.0 tdci the definitive treatment 25 Oct 2007 (Forum)
  (Three boys 15,13,10) With the anticipation of receiving the car we started looking at the forum to get advise as to the running in etc. We were quite concerned to see all the problems with Mondeo III 2.0 tdci we understand it is the same engine. There is advise on running in a diesel in the FAQ section, but we wondered whether somebody could give us the definitive on engine care. i.e.
• Vauxhall Astra G Petrol (1998 - 2004) - 2002 1.6 running temperature 24 Oct 2007 (Forum)
  I suspect the thermostat is slightly open or else open fully and needs replacing - however I understand these engines are prone to cool running and creating 'mayo' under the oil filler cap. It does warm up eventually and maintain it's heat, I thought if the stat was open all the time it would never warm up. The heater does produce warm air after about 3 miles and seems fine even though the gauge isn't near 80.
• Rover 420iS mystery 26 Oct 2006 (Forum)
  My mechanic is at a loss & I wonder if you have any suggestions,please? So far for this problem we have:- > > Replaced leads & plugs > Run a compression test-all OK > Run a scan on the firing-all OK > Replaced manifold inlet gasket-due to air leak > Replaced injector seals (8)-1 damaged causing air leak > Gas treatment > Ran a test on swapping injector 1 with 2 (possible spray > deficiency)-all OK > > Still no resolution!
• best cheap to run & resell Van? 15 Jul 2006 (Forum)
  I do have 5 big dogs which we show-maybe it could become the new show wagon? So, what should I be looking at? Low running costs, low insurance & easy resale value. Or maybe a real cheapy on it's last legs? Dunno. Or maybe I don't really need something colossal-suppose I could stuff sofa's into storage (next door neighbours have a huge Luton thing-get all the sofas etc in there & I know they'd help out) & perhaps one of those people carriers that all the seats come out of?
• Cheap runaround 19 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  Instead we would use the family car all the time and on the ocassions when two were required, use a cab. Slightly less convenient and I might feel a bit nervous about doing the tip-run in a posh car! I'd be interested in others opinions and experiences of going through the same thought process......
• VW 1.9 TDI intermittent cough 18 May 2005 (Forum)
  Occasionally the engine will cut to default mode while running, when there is no noticeable boost from the turbo. Any TDI experts out there who can throw any light on this longstanding problem? It's getting worse now - I could live with the occasional jolt while driving but now it's getting worse.
• Running in a Diesel - advice please! 17 Mar 2005 (Forum)
  I have always understood that, whilst production of engines is far more accurate than it was in the old days, a car still needs to be 'run in' for a while to let things bed in. Can anyone give me the benefit of their advice so I can give the car the TLC it no doubt deserves? Also am I best to give it 'Top Of The Range' diesel for the first few tanks or give it the normal stuff from day one?
• Oil Leak - Rover 220 Turbo (T-Series) 24 Feb 2004 (Forum)
  Hi, My Rover 220 turbo (petrol, 1995, 60k miles) has developed quite a nasty oil leak. It's come on very quicky and oil is basically pouring out when it's running. It runs down to and drips off the bottom of the gearbox (the flat part with the mount at the front). Degreased engine/box as best I could on the weekend - got the bottom pretty clean but access to the top is terrible (rigid air con pipes in the way).
• Cold engine, rapid bore wear? 30 Sep 2003 (Forum)
  By now we all know that an engine lasts much longer if used on long trips rather than short runs, but what exactly is the reason? Take an extreme example: Car A does a 4-mile round trip to the shops every day. Car B does a 40-mile commute everyday on fast roads, and passes the shops on each journey.
• Lumpy Skoda 30 Aug 2003 (Forum)
  Also a strong smell of petrol could be smelt, but stronger towards the back of the car. I had a look at it today. When it started it was running very erratically, and almost died, but my grandfather kept his foot on the throttle to keep it alive. I noticed lots of air in the fuel filter, but by the time the engine warmed up, it was almost gone and was running near enough, normally.
• Mondeo Pinking 4 Aug 2003 (Forum)
  The MAF and Lambda sensors are the originals but passed last MOT at lambda=1.01 so I assume they are in good condition. Ive also run some Redex injector cleaner through but no improvement. If I remove the Octane Adjust Plug the engine runs fine and doest not pink at all however I dont think this is a good solution. Any ideas about what could cause this pinking ????
• 1999 Laguna Starting Problems 15 Dec 2002 (Forum)
  I have a 1.8 RXE Laguna which has the following problem that occours only in Autum winter and spring! (It runs fine in the summer) Sometimes the car starts without any problem at all, other times it wants to start but just does not get there. If i leave it to run and warm up once started this prevents it cutting out on me after travelling a short distance.
• Dying Mercedes Engine 29 Jun 2002 (Forum)
  I have a Mercedes 300CE 1992 (W124) which has done some 160,000 miles and runs very sweetly. However, over a period of a couple of years, the following problem has become more acute, to the point where it is completely repeatable, yet Mercedes dealers here (in Spain) have been unable to fathom it.