098Joe

Can anyone recommend a good garage in Northampton for cambelt/waterpump replacement and auto gearbox fluid change. As far as I know Yodaskoda has done 106000 miles on original belts and pulleys and transmisiion fluid, so maybe time to change! I presume good idea to chuck a nerw water pump on. Thanks Joe

Using spacers will increase loads on the wheel bearings and also interfere with some of the carefully calculated suspension settings/angles

How does the mechanic know dmf flywheel will need replacing? I had a Honda Accord that did about 160000 miles on original clutch before it started to slip. I had the flywheel (as a precaution) and clutch replaced together (as it a very labour intensive job on that model). The old flywheel was well within tolerance (less than half worn) when the mechanic inspected it.

Not sure if water still getting in, I had the pollen filter out so could see inside to the fan, and there was no visible sign of water entering whilst I hosed around it. The drivers side I have removed the trim on right side and lifted the carpet up and run around with the heater on full, and kept putting dry towels under there and it seems to be dry and staying dry, although I think the driver's door may be letting a trickle in. I have not fully checked the passenger side but the carpet did feel wet on top but is dry now, although I appreciate it could be soaking wet underneath. There was quite a bit of water sloshing around in the plenum but looks like it was never higher than the battery tray.

Hi can anybody tell me if the blocked drains under battery and servo would cause both footwells to get wet or just drivers side? I think my pollen filter housing is ok because I gave the hinge areas a good flush to clear debris with a hose and no water got past the seal. Thanks Joe

I think the single fog light is a German idea so that people are less likely to mistake twin fog lights for brake lights (this was before third high level central brake lights were invented)

Thanks I was pretty sure there should be one. Yes had an oil change in August so guess it took a while to work it's way out of the undertray. National Tyres will be getting some grief tomorrow. But I am relieved that it is not a big problem. Sometimes I park facing up a slope so maybe it ran out of the vee quicker than if always on the level.

Just realised my car is dripping oil on my block paving. So had a quick look under bonnet, and oil is seeping out from where the plastic filter housing screws in. I unscrewed it and to my surprise no O ring, can somebody confirm whether or not there should be one? Thanks Joe

I read an interesting article written by an oil industry chemist, and he was saying oil change intervals are entirely based on worse case scenarios, and that for my type of driving (35 miles each way commute on fast a road) modern fully synthetic oils can easily cope with 20 000 mile intervals. I applied that to my previous car (Honda Accord) and it was still going strong at 176000 miles.

Remember you hooked it up for me about January when I was a newbie. I think you said it was slightly retarded. Warm starts seem to need a bit of churning. Got the oil done at National Tyres in the end Edge 5 30 and a mann hummel filter for £47. Hoagy is our mutual friend.

Hi All The switch on the drivers side b pillar does not work on my car, the bit you push has fallen out and won't stay in. It has been like it since I got the car. I am not bothered about that, unless it is a cheap fix, but can anyone tell me how to permanently disarm the movement sensors so that I can lock our our dog in the car. We just had our first camping holiday in the car and we had to leave her in it whilst dining out. She is a quite scary looking English Bull Terrier but I l don't like leaving her in the unlocked car. Also noticed that manually changing gear with the tiptronic whilst towing made a big difference to mpg. Cheers Joe

Oh okay so where do I get the vac pump device from please? I didn't think it would get more out than the old way. Also (oh-superb) 5w30 is the recommended fully synthetic for bdg engine (according to Halfords) and are you still up for helping me with my timing?

Quick question, can the oil change be done traditional way? Eurocarparts have a good offer on oil and free filter at the mo but I don't fancy those dipstick vacuum devices. Thanks Joe

same fuse did boot release on mine! so had to go in through back seats to check the boot light (I blew the fuse trying to refit boot light)