AD90

OK - Denial over. Just been for a drive and the hoses are rock solid and when I cracked the cap, it spat the coolant out. Here's hoping it's just the gasket and not the head I'll keep you posted. Andrew

Hi Guys, I've been battling with coolant issues on my Alhmabra too. It's a 51 Plate 115pd (Engine Code AUY) Here's the story: On our summer hols - drove from Aberdeen Scotland to Modena Itlay. Ambient temperatures were up around 38degC some days and when pushing hard on the motorways, it was using 500ml of coolant/day (500 miles) I couldn't find a leak, so continued to top it up - the car never overheated. Once home, I traced to the leak to a connection on the aux heater - fixed it, filled the system with 'anti-freeze' mix and all seemed well. Just before Christmas, the Mrs called me and said the coolant light had came on yellow. She was not far from home, so I told her to go home. I topped the coolant up with 'anti-freeze' mix. A few days later, same story. However, when I went to fill it (hot) when I opened the cap, it spat the coolant at me. My initial thoughts were head gasket, but the more I experimented and analysed the problem, the less inclined I was to believe it was the head gasket. I could not feel any circulation in the hose from the thermostat to the radiator - so I removed the stat and tested it - it seemed a bit sluggish so I changed it - things were no better. Must be the pump thought I - so I removed the pump and found no issue, but since it's done 90,000 miles I changed it anyway. My next thoughts were blockages - so I drained the system, put the garden hose on to several point and flushed the system till everything was flowing clear. I then filled the system with fresh water and rad-flush, drove it ~30 miles, drained and flushed again now filled with the CORRECT anti-freeze. Things are still acting strange :-( It always seems like there is an air lock - so I removed the stat and drilled a small by-pass hole in it (like old stats had) But still the problem persists - when I fill the system I put the heater temp controls on max and let the engine idle for 5 mins, I then hold the revs @ 2,500 to get some heat in. The returns to the expansion bottle generates a little bit of foam, no more than a covering on the surface. But when the temp guage reaches 90degC (stat opens) the expansion bottle level rises quickly and overflows. I am still loathed to believe it's the head gasket, but fear I may now be in denial. Previous head gasket failures have rapidly pressurised the cooling system (hoses hard) that does not happen on this car. I just can't understand the mechanism that is causing this phenomenon. Any final words of advice before I lift the head? Thanks Andrew

Wheel bearing changed, silence restored (and the car is quieter too :-)) It was a bit of a chew without a press, but to fit the new one, I put the bearing in the freezer and the hub carrier in the oven - job done. I am so glad that I decided to listen to you guys and not change the inner CV. Thanks AD90

Every now and again our Alhambra, is difficult to start, or more corect it's difficult to keep going. It will start instantly on the key and then immediately cut out. It can sometimes dit 6 times before it stays lit. Ay ideas? Thanks AD90

Still noisy when I do that, I'll try changing the bearing first. Thanks AD90

Well, I'm pretty sure it is the inboard CV on the Near-side (left) Does anyone know the part number for a 51 plate Alhambra, 1.9tdi, 6 speed, 115bhp? Thanks AD90

Sounds very much like a hose/pipe problem. Black smoke is because your 'mixture' is way off. AD90

Hi All, I was driving SWMBO Alhambra at the weekend and it's noisy, she has mentioned it before, but you know how it goes (in one ear and out the other) Anyway, It's got a rumble/growl that varies proportional to speed. It gets a little bit louder on a left hand bend and a lot noisier on a right hand bend. Normally, I would have been looking to change the NS wheel bearing, but after lying underneath while the wheel was spun, I could swear it sounds like it's coming from the inboard CV joint. Anyone any thoughts on this? (The boot is not split) Thanks AD90

Don't know how they will wear, but I am running Avon ZV5s and they are a LOT better, grip-wise than the 'plastic' tyres (Federa S595) that were on it when I bought it. I also run Avon ST Ice Touring on the front during the winter months, and they are impressive. The size is 215/55R16XL and I am paying

Changed the glow-plug in SWMBO car today, heater now working and did not have to plug in VAG.com Thanks for all the tips. AD90

I changed the timing belt on SWMBO Alhambra, I got a print out of the Autodata instructions but the picture for the setting of the tensioner was unclear as to where the 4mm drill should go. It seems to be OK with what I did, but would like some reassusrance. Can anyone help with a photo or sketch? Thanks AD90

Some of the posts suggest that gear change will get worse and you will notice the slop on the transmission. But my daily drive is an 18 year old Landrover, so I probably didn't notice anything :-) Until shooting across the lights at a busy intersection, with the kids in the car :-( I am seriously hacked off that neither Ford, VW or Seat have had the decency to own up and issue a recall. AD90

The problem can only occur at the Dirver Side (RHD) it where the intermediate shaft connects to the stub shaft sticking out of the Diff(Gearbox). The other side does not have an intermediate shaft. AD90

Hi All, No apologies for bumping this item. Just had a failure on our 51 plate, 61,000 mile Alhambra 115PD. The Part Numbers for a 51 plate 115PD: 02N409344E & 02N409345 and stung me

Got the tyres fitted, they are much better than the old Federals on cold damp roads, not had them on snow yet. Thanks also for the information on the rear window washer problems (found it in FAQ), job sorted. AD90

Most beautiful place on earth - definitly not talking about Peterhead. ;)

Thanks Mumof4, I'm not easily offended by anyone :-) Snow Chains are great if you are in really bad conditions, but they are a real faff to put on and take off again 20 yards down the road. All I am looking for is something that allows SWMBO to get the kids to nursery, go to the shops etc SAFELY. Yes I know we cold all stay at home, but.... as you are a Mum of Four...you know that you need to get out :-) In the last hour we have had an inch of snow fall, not much but real pain for our driveway. Looks like I ordered the tyres in the nick of time. AD90 PS. I am West of Aberdeen, so get it a little bit worse than Boddam (Fraserburgh Boy originally). We you at RAF Buchan or what brought you up that way?

Good link, thanks Insider. Although nothing to say don't fit winter tyres. I did a search on mytyres.com for all-season tyres of the size and rating and only found Nankang (Who?), Nokian (Don'y they make phones?) and Kumho (Kumho being the only name I recognised) I have ordered a pair of Avon Ice Touring ST (XL) for the front axle only - on the recommendation of my local independant tyre man. (swapping is not fainfull, he will do it for regulars at

Thanks Insider, We live at the top of a fairly steep road with a very steep (albeit short) drive up onto the road. Once down on the main road (bottom of the steep hill), it's not really an issue, WRT; is the journey necessary. Previously my Mrs drove a Freelander, it was very surefooted on snow and ice. Whilst I realise that the Alhambra will never be that good, I need to do something - It's terrible even on a wet road! (maybe thats the elcheapo Federal tyres fitted) The tyres need replacing and I thought why not some winter grips? Lots of people do up this way. The tyres will come off again - End of March-ish (2 years ago the worst snow was March). I may live to regret fitting winter tyres, last time I did was to a MKII Escort and it made a helluva difference. I will feedback to the forum with what I do and how it works out. Cheers AD90

Hi Guys, found you via a Seat forum, and cheekily I am asking hte same question here as I reckon there are more Galaxies on the road than Alhambras. With Snow on the way, and balding tyres on the Alhambra, I am looking at fitting some winter tyres to the SWMBO car. It's a 2001 115Pd fitted with (standard, I think) 215-55 16. Anyone got any experience on winter tyres for this fitment? Thanks AD90