My aunt has an auto polo 1.4. It has 26000m on the clock and since she has retired she makes lots of short runs in the car which (you've guessed) won't restart due to it's 'computer' becoming 'confused'!!!!!!!!! - AA man told us. Anyway she's now had a bump in it and wants rid of it. Is there a car out there that can make short runs and restart everytime!! Needs to be an auto and about the same size as the polo. Money not a real problem or any engine type.
Thanks
Burt
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It's not the car that's the problem, it the driving style. I suspect the poor cat is getting drowned with fuel and the computer is telling the engine to shut down to prevent further damage.
Possibly an electric car or a small diesel might put up with this mechanically unsympathetic usage.
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Burt
A very common fault on the 1.4 Polo.
Change the coolant temperature sensor. It contains two thermistors; one for the gauge and one for the engine management.
When the sensors age, they overfuel when cold and soot/soak the plugs.
A little diesel seems a good plan as a replacement.
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Get a simple diesel with LP inj.
Maybe an SDi model from VAG (Skoda, VW, etc)?
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Have read that diesels can suffer the same? Will they definitely be better?
Car can be fine for a week and then it play's up. She can do numerous short runs with no problems and then it just 'does it'. Never had a problem when i have had it for a week or so (work 17m each way). and yes she is a bit lead footed.
How much is the sensor as i could change it myself.
Thanks
Burt
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Burt
Around £20 with new seal and clip. Five minutes to fit.
Diesels can't flood. Won't do them any favours - but at least they'll be reliable.
Just how short [in time] are these short runs.
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Thanks.
Sunday is worst day. 5mins to church (1.5m), 3mins back to drop off friend (1m) then we have the problem. She does run it about 20mins (8m) after church (no friend to drop off) as a norm because she has no confidence in it any more but it always catches her out at some point in the week (shopping). She needs reliable transport as she has bad days with arthritis.
Will try the sensor when the cars out of the repair shop (NB. accident not her fault).
ta
Burt
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OK, please.
The VW polo has been written off. Have £10k (including write off) to purchase a new car.
Thoughts are
1 Renault Clio 1.5 diesel auto (dealer 1m away)
2 Toyota Yaris 1.4 DD-T (?ish) MMT (?ish auto)
3 Suzuki Swift 1.5 petrol auto
Are diesels the real answer to short runs in a car? Whats the Citroen C3 'stop start' all about and if it cuts out everytime it stops it must be able to cope with the dreaded 'computer blindness' of modern cars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks in advance
burt (i have 2 weeks to select a car for aunty)
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Hello again,
The Citroen C3 Stop-start means that the engine cuts out whenever you are not moving (to cut emissions and reduce fuel consumption) and starts again once you touch the pedal. It would not be a good choice for your Aunt, as it's designed for people who spend their time in lots of city traffic. The engine doesn't have to restart each time, it's 'held' by the alternator I think. A colleague had one, and it was problematic, she swapped it for a Honda Jazz automatic and loves it.
My money would go on either a Daihatsu Sirion 1.3 SE automatic, or Honda Jazz auto CVT-7. The Jazz would be £11967 brand new. Might be able to pick a one or two year old one from a dealer, if you're lucky. Alternatively the Sirion would set you back £9505 brand new, and Daihatsu are doing 500 quid off if you get in before the end of sept, but would probably extend this, so it's only 9 grand. Daihatsu are owned by Toyota and are mechanically very robust (I can testify to that after 2 years and 20,000 trouble free miles). Happy choosing!
Regards,
Rob E
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I second the Daihatsu.
My mother-in-law has had a little Cuore automatic from new and also only ever potters down to the shops in it. It's been doing that for over a decade now without a hint of a problem. The little Japanese "K" cars are designed for this sort of use.
Surely a new diesel would have to have a DPF and be no end of trouble with this type of use?
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Looks like this could be my answer to my problems, I love this site Thanks Honest John!!!
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Hi Burt,
Though short runs don't do a petrol any good, some cars seem to deal with them absolutely fine, and the ECU doesn't prevent them from regularly restarting from cold after a short run. Given that she does a low mileage, the extra cost of a diesel can't really be justified. My Mum had a Peugeot 106 (1996 N) 1.1, which spent 4 years doing extremely short runs and never refused to start.
Personally I would go with a Japanese automatic, something in the vein of a Toyota Yaris or Suzuki Swift (as already mentioned). Alternatively consider the much overlooked Daihatsu Sirion (excellent value), or the more mainstream Honda Jazz CVT. I'm convinced these cars would not fall foul of the starting problems of the VW 1.4. I drive a 04 Daihatsu Charade, and though I don't do many short runs in it, when I do (stop start a few times within 10 mins), it always starts.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Rob E
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For this type of driving a fully electric car would be the way ahead. Something like the G-Wiz which is approximately £7,700.
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She's already had at least one "bump".GWHIZ is not a vehicle to be involved in an accident in(see ratings).
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Also it is unlikely to be catalyst/ECU stopping vehicle from starting-more likely fouled plugs.
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