April 2005
My 1994 XTdt (70K) has been making a quite loud metallic rattle/clanging sound of late. On a smooth surface there is no problem, but on a rough or potholed surface the noise is heard intermittently. It's actually as if a certain frequency of vibration can set it off, as sometimes a deep pothole won't cause it, yet a roughish surface, at quite low speed (20mph) will. That said, a good hard knock from the road more typically
prompts the noise.
For what it's worth, when sitting in the passenger seat the noise appears to come from an area ranging from the top of the left suspension strut to behind the glove compartment.
I've had the drop-links and roll-bar bushes changed recently, (both sides) which has made not a jot of difference. I've also wrapped the heater pipes bracket, at the back of the engine in foam, as it broke away from the bulkhead and was knocking against it. So it's not that either. Needless to say I've thumped everything in the engine compartment to find something loose but have drawn a blank.
Apart from that, it's still a lovely car, but this is really getting to me.
Regards
Read more
- No real surprise that Ford are going to temporarily slow the production of the Jag X-type at Halewood. Wonder when they'll kill the car altogether?! Mind you they'll probably close the entire factory then :-(
More interesting (perhaps) is that on French tv news the other day Renault said that sales of the new Modus have fallen sharply and are not living up to post-launch expectations. The factory in Portugal is going to slow production.
Over-priced models? Overly-niche? Or simply further proof of over-production of cars in the world? Read more
the only thing i take into consideration is 'does the car do it for me?'
The Modus is a yes to that question.
I haven't driven a Modus, or even sat in one, but I have been very impressed with the ones I have looked over in carparks. Looks great, plus good diesel engines, very clever design inside and out, and a few clever touches like the speed-limiter, boot-chute and sliding rear seat. If I was buying, the Modus would be very high on my test list.
But it seems to me that the Modus's big problem is the Honda Jazz (which would be top of my test list).
The Jazz has similar overall design, but with very economical petrol engines and a brilliant CVT option, and it has Honda's reputation for spectacular reliability to set against Renault's plummeting reputation in that department. (Maybe that reputation is unfair, but there you are). And for me, the Modus gets a big black mark for its very poor score in the NCAP pedestrian test.
My 52 plate 1.2 16v Corsa has had a really loose sounding rattle coming from underneath the car recently. It sounds like something hollow knocking into each other. It didnt happen when going over large bumps (ie speed bumps) but was very bad when driving over lots of small bumps, for example a road in bad condition. As its still under warranty I took it into the local dealership who had a mechanic come out with me, he said there was definately a rattle and to get it booked in ASAP, he even got me booked in ahead of the waiting list. Now, this may sound extremely paranoid and cynical, but, when I picked it up they said there was no rattle and the same mechanic couldnt find anything wrong what so ever.....but miraculously the rattle has been none existent since i collected my car. I'm now slightly woried that they may have done a bodge job on it knowing that my warranty runs out in 4 or 5 months and that there was something majorly wrong with it.....or am I just being stupidly paranoid. The problem is, I dont know anything about cars and dont know any mechanics myself!! Read more
If it helps your sanity our 3-door 2002 Corsa also occasionally has a knock from what seems like under the rear suspension. Usually when I reverse up the drive and over the pavement onto the road. Yes the pavement has been dropped, so the drop is only a couple of inches! It happens so little and seems to depend on the outside temperature I've never worried about it. It's been serviced by the local Vauxhall dealer and they've never found anything amiss. It also happens very occasionally over rough roads. Sometimes I think it sounds like a rattle from inside the rear side trims. I wouldn't lose sleep over it.
Hello
I have a peugeot 306 xtdt (1997) which thus far has given very reliable service. However as i was driving home last night with the window open i could hear a sort of whistling noise as i accelerated from around 1500 rpm to 2000. It is a very high pitched noise and rises in tone with the engine note as i am accelerating.
I think it has got worse over the last couple of journeys because i could hear it on the way to work this morning with the windows closed!
My guess is one of the turbo pipes has cracked somewhere. I have had a look under the bonnet, but nothing seems amiss. I haven't revved the engine while i was looking - will do that tonight. Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing? where to look etc.
the noise can be heard at idle and in neutral.
Thanks for any replies. Read more
Well, thanks to all who replied. It was the exhaust in the end. It had started blowing just before the cat very near to where it actually bolts on to the engine.
Once i had got underneath (ish) the car and revved the engine it was obvious what the trouble was. Whole exhaust pretty bad condition along its whole length, but in very poor nick by the cat.
I was fearing the worst when i took it in, and was quoted 179.99 for the cat alone, but the guys at brittania tyres in Derby managed to find me a straight piece of pipe with no cat and cobbled the whole thing together for 100 quid.
Seems to drive a fraction better now, but sounds "boomier" and a bit clatterier, but that doesn't bother me. Little bit more pull in higher gear too.
Thanks again.
Does anybody know the weight of this engine please. Mine has become a disscusion topic in the pub but I don't know its weight. Thank you. Read more
Thank you for your replies.
Ford Motor company's first quarter profits make interesting reading. It earned 302 million from automotive sales, and 370 million from selling finance packages to it's customers.
Maybe Rover should have become a bank. Read more
Only the Japanese particularly Toyota ($16 billion profits last year) are
going against the global trend.
>>
Profits are good at Toyota but sales are falling a little bit in Europe at the moment.
Hyundai, Kia - fastest growing car companies, opening new plants in India and Eastern Europe. They make a profit and now worth more than GM. Ford, GM, VW, Renault and PSA will need to close factories in Western Europe to compete with the Eastern produced cars.
BMW have got great sales so theres at least one European car company going against the trend.
Looking on Autotrader and Renault's and clicked on Reliant by mistake.
Saw some late 1990s 3 wheeled plastic pigs going for almost £7,000.
Who buys these things??????????????????????
I assumed that thay would be totally worthless now !!!!!!!!!
Hope for MG Rover used prices yet then?
Paul {Forest of Bowland} Read more
Reliants are classed as tricycles, not sure what Ken feels about them.
The following are my details used for insurance purposes.
31 year old male
Accident free (ahem) no accidents reported....
full no claims discount
Annual mileage 30,000 (18,000 Leon, 12,000 Scooby)
Not married
Home owner
2001 Impreza turbo 2000 - Value £9,000
Fully comp - £679
2001 Seat Leon 1.9Tdi (90) - Value £6,000
Fully comp - £371
Thats a £200 drop since last year on the Leon and half what i paid for my old scooby.
Am i just lucky with these quotes or has anyone else noticed a drop in their premium?
Leon
Read more
Definately in my case. When I called my insurer back in January to see how much my new A3 would be to insure I was quoted just short of £600. The car is now ready for collection so I called yesterday for a requote and it came in at £470 - no changes in circumstances at all.
Having flooded my CBR1000F again this morning and attempting to start it this evening i know find i'm in need of a battery charger. Before i go to Halfords , anybody got a recommedation for buying on the WWW. Basicly 12V and around a 4AH charging rate will surfice. I,ve seen a Draper charger for about £14 delivery any recommends. Read more
Alternately you can get a Draper one for £17.99
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=24464
I synchronise my fob in the ignition and press one of the buttons on the fob with ignition key at position II. Doors lock and unlock and the fob is reponsive for a few days and then has to be resynchronised. I have replaced the batteries but makes non difference. Any advice please? Read more
I have two keys for my 1998 Vectra and one of them does exactly the same as yours.
Resetting it and it works again. Not resetting it and it begins to work again a day or so afterwards.
I have also changed the battery but am beginning to wonder if it is a battery fault even though they are new. maybe some of them are old stock?..
Anyway if you find the answer please let us know.
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Is anything loose sitting in the cup below the main strut spring? I got a strange noise on a Punto when a piece of gravel had been thrown up and lodged there.