maghouse

Got the car back, Sercks were quite happy to 'finish it off so I could have the car for the weekend and take it back in Tuesday where they will put a new compressor & carry out another flush - all FOC so they are being very good about it ..... I still cant see how swarf could block the evaporator - correct me if I am wrong (not up on Aircon) is the evaporator like a radiator ? If one vane is blocked - why cant the coolant flow through the others or is it a single flow (if that makes sense !) ...

I bought a set from GSF autoparts for around

Had the Evaporator replaced about 3 years ago as the system was leaking - aircon ran fine until ... Few nights ago saw smoke coming from the bonnet and a burning rubber smell, checking under the bonnet could see the compressor pulley was not running and the smoke/smell coming from the drive belt so assumed the compressor had seized. Turned off the system to allow the pulley to 'free-run to get me home. Main dealer repair -

Spark plug leads !

Hi guys, finally got around to sorting out the trusty old motor. Tried Redex for a month or so - definate improvement but still not right - very lumpy & misfiring under load. Bought a new set of HT leads today - fitted & WOW ..... the proverbial off a shiny shovel !!!!! Drives an absolute treat - no hesitation, no lumps, no misfires and acceleration - did not realise it was so quick - clearly the old leads were never 100% from the day I got the car - but now ...... sweet as a nut and accelerates so smoothly and quick ! So guys - if yours is misfiring - gotta be worth changing the leads - BUT - a real bugger to do - need the correct tool and a bit of dismantling needed to get into the holes ... worth it though IMHO Leads (all 6) OEM silicon leads cost

Hi guys, many many thanks for the replies, Will try the Redex to start with, then replace HT leads and plugs ..... then (hopefully not) the coil pack. Will let you now how it goes :lol:

Hi guys, having a few problems with my trusty old motor. Never had this problem before in all the years of owning. As above a 1997 VR6 engine regulary serviced etc. What is happening - on power the engine splutters, like it is misfiring or not firing on all 6 cylinders. This is very apparent when the engine is under load, like driving up a hill in fith, starts to labour and misfire, pulling away in first gear and when the car is laden and driving up inclines - getting quite bad. BUT - it will cruise lovely at 70 - 80 no problems at all, general driving is also fine, the odd hiccup but generally fine - only when you 'load the engine does it not like it. Searching the forum, it seems the following could be at fault : 1. Spark plugs - recently checked on service and appear fine (probably 5 years & 50k miles old) 2. HT leads - never changed since acquiring the vehicle - garage did comment a few years back there was a bit of arching across the leads but never seen since 3. Coil pack - never changed to my knowledge - no noticable changes in the wet ie. cracked. 4. MAFF sensor (or is that MASS sensor - sorry - bit thick) Anyone had this similar problem and solved it ? Thanks for you help ...

Will do - have a good trip - luck bug*er :blink:

As ever oh great vr6galaxy man - you are spot on, that makes perfect sense, describes exactly what I have :blink: I feel so much happier now so will let you know how I get on ... just hope the valve is okay and does not need replacing as well ! Thanks again :lol:

Hi Guys, having finally got my act together - I have bought the offending pipe (

Thanks for the info "vr6galaxy" The info I now have seems to agree with that, the hose should just fit onto the air intake, you are no doubt right about the slight pressure & spraying of oil - all makes sense. Diposmaniac - will let you know how I get on - might be not for a week or so .. little bit concerned about your comments on the throttle housing ? hopefully I should not have to go there - the replacement hose should just fit onto the air intake hose and not have to touch the throttle housing (I hope !) Rob

Many thanks for that - that seems to be the right part now I have had agood look in daylight ! This appears to be a simple ( :lol: ) fit - screw hose clip on the rocker cover end - but how is the hose fitted to the intake manifold hose (from the air filter) ? One last question please ... the oil appears to have been spread onto the air filter hose manifold end - is this venting under pressure ? ie. would it "spray" oil out of the hose rather than just drip ? Thanks again Rob

Full engine view ...

But there again - wonders of the flash !!!

Yep will do - will post photo tomorrow - I have a feeling it is some sort of breather for the cylinder head but not sure why there are sensors ??? Thanks guys ... Rob

Guys - photo number 2 - close up of the concertina hose.

Hi guys, anyone come across an oil leak like this before - engine VR6 1997. I have an oil leak near the blukhead that appears to be coming from just under the air filter/intake tube just above the exhaust manifold. The oil is old and cajouled, not fresh - looks like it has accumulated over a period of time - now seems to be dripping onto thr exhaust manifold with the resultant smell & a little bit of smoke. Cant quite make out what the sensor is at one end of the concetina hose but this seems to be where it is originating from ? Any ideas ? Thanks Rob

Guys, Answering my own question here :unsure: If it helps anyone, the grills at the bottom of the bumper are best fitted by taking the bumper cover off and fitting off the vehicle. So much easier to clip in from the back without laying on the floor and working from underneath. The bumper cover is a doddle to remove, three screws each inside the wheel arch, 2 Torx scres behind the bumper and 3 on the sump guard. The Bumper then slides off away from the front of the vehicle. Refit in reverse making sure the sides fit in the guides on the wing edges. Hope that helps someone. Rob B)

Hi Guys, I was unfortunate enough to hit a deer the other night (unfortunate for him too - strong cars these !) A fair amount of damage caused, new indicator & spotlamp mainly. Also the bottom air grill was destroyed. New parts obtained (3 sections). Looking at the remnants of what is left of the grill - does this grill simply clip into place ? Any hints on fitting it & the spot lamp sections ? Knowing my luck I will do something wrong and break it ! Thanks ... :lol: Rob (Sorry should add 1997 model)

Airconman - thanks for the information - sure the other members appreciate your comments. I see you are in the Pompey area - if I may - I will keep your number but hopefully I will never need to use it (in the nicest possible way) :D I guess you carry out all Aircon work ? Rob (Pompey)

1. Flashing panel on dash - established it was an error and that the condensor had failed - leaked ... hence all coolant drained and running on empty system - system clever enough to know this - hence the shutdown & error flash etc. :D Main dealer -

I had this problem on mine - exactly as Seatkid says - faulty system, my problem was the evaporator (condenser ?) unit failed insomuch as it was leaking and could not pressurize and hence the climate control would not work and flashed to indicate a fault. Main dealer repair -

Thanks for that Seatkid, I had assumed that was the case but I cannot work out if it dims or not ? Ones of lifes little mysteries :lol: .... at least I can see the time now without having to turn on the interior light .... Off to buy some polarised sunglasses :o

I had no light in my clock for over a year - I thought it never had one then you think "of course it should have" ..... found the answer on this site ! Changed the light bulb and yessssss !! I love this site :lol: One question if anyone knows the answer or has come across the same problem - the bulb can go in either way it appears and lights up which ever way it goes in and is on all the time. I assumed it was on permanently for day time running and dimmed for night time when you switched on the headlamps etc - it certainly 'flicks over when you turn the lamps on but I cannot see any difference ? Is there a difference ? Does it matter ? Thanx Rob