pcshak

Hi I eventually got an offer of

Thanks for all the replies, I can assure you all that the car was taken from my drive overnight, the first I knew of it was when the missus called me at work and asked if I'd taken the car to work or if I had parked it round the corner. I was shocked, I couldn't believe it, why would someone want to take a car of this age, its crazy. From all your replies its going to be 50/50 if they'll pay, but I'll take it all the way if I don't get a settlement out of them cos I've done no wrong they have the 2 keys, they can investigate all they want I know the cr was stolen from my drive. Anyway I'll keep you updated about the outcome. Thanks for all the info. Happy Easter to All

Cheers thanks for the reply We had the car for 8 years, it was a Mk1 2000 model, we didn't have a remote just a couple of keys. We usually had the car reapired from a local garage but they're trust worthy as we know them. I just wanted to know if it was possible to drive the car by tampering with the ignition ?

Hi We had our Galaxy stolen about 2 months ago, it was recovered but had been trashed, now the insurance are trying to say that because the ignition lock had not been tampered with that thay suspect foul play. They are saying that it is impossible to drive the car without a key especially when there was no damage to the ignition lock. Has someone had a similiar experience and does anyone know or can confirm what the insurance company are saying, that if the car was stolen without the key they needed to have first brocken the iginition lock? The wires around the steering column had been pulled out so maybe they started that way. We know it was stolen, but its proving this to the insurance company now. Please any help would be appreciated. thanks Sam

Hi Sorry have been away for a few days, just to give you an update, the problems was the oil pressure switch, the wire was frayed not a good connection with the spade connector, replaced this abd hey presto, no audible alarm or light. Really appreciate your help sepulchrave saved me a lot of headache probably saved me a few bob as well as I'm sure if I'd taken it into Frauds thay would've had a feild day with me. Thanks And a Very Merry XMAS and A Happy Trouble free motoring New Year to All

Thanks for your suggestion, sorry I did forget to mention it's a TDi 110bhp Mk1 W reg done 110K Miles. Is the audible alarm normal, cos I've never heard it before? The oil I used was a part synthetic 10w/40W. I'll check the Oil pressure switch, is this the one on top of the oil filter housing? and let you know how I get on. Cheers

Hi Seasons Greetings to All, Its almost Xmas and yes the car problems start SODS Law. I did the routine oil change on the Old lady i.e. filter and oil, I also changed the the pulley on the Alternator cos it was causing the tensioner to rattle and the belt was jumping about. Anyway after doing this I went for a test drive and must've driven 100yds and the oil light came on along with a loud continuous alarm(Bleeeeepppppp). I immediatley switched off the car, checked the level of oil level after 5mins this was fine right at max. Started the car again it was fine, drove on for another 5-10mins then it happened again, oil light and alarm. Each time I switch it off and start the car it goes away then comes back again after a say 5mins. This morning I drove it for a couple of miles then it started to do the same again, this time it didn't want to restart as if the battery didn't have enough power to turn the starter over. Has anyone suffered the same problem or can someone suggest what the cause of this could be, I'd appreciate any advice. I want to try and get this sorted out before Xmas as we need the transport. Thanks Sam

Hi I was away for a while, now back, just wanted to update everyone about what happened about the starter motor & head gasket problem. with the help help of you guys I Worked out the problem with the starter motor was water getting into the cylinders & making it difficult to turn over. I removed the glow plugs & cranked the engine, starter turned the engine without effort. So was staringa big head job bill in the face. I called my Big Bro in Oz (Automotive Engineer :-) ) who suggested I try some Head Sealer Stuff before embarking on an expensive head job, as he had used it many times & worked a treat. So I decided to try this out first, spent about

Thanks for that Bleano, So if it is a Bore full with water then surely if I remove the glow plugs & try turning it over it should expel the water from the bore? I think I'll give that a go and see what occurs. Removing the glow plugs was one of the things I was contemplating on doing to see if the reduction in the compression will allow the engine to turn over, if it doesn't then I know for sure the crankshaft is seizing or seized. Does anyone know if a 2002 Mk2 TDi Engine will fit the Mk1 2000 Galaxy? I've been offereda 2002 Deisel Engine, the chappy said that it'd fit, all I had to do was transfer the ancilliaries. Can anyone please confirm or tell me otherwise. Thanks

Hi Insider I think its a 110BHP,but not sure. Big_kev I'm not sure how to work out the Engine code from the VIN, Insiders trying to do that for me, when I give him the correct code, that is. :-) Cheers

Hi Has anyone used the 'Steel Seal' Stuff or something simliar to fix a blown haed gasket? Was wondering, if the bottom end of the engine is seizing and head gasket blown, is it worth getting a replacement second hand engine, or getting a recon one? I think thats wot it'll come down to, a replacement engine. Don't really need this headache and expense running up to Xmas. SODS LAW :angry2:

Thanks for that Big_kev, I did read the other postings re: engine codes but couldn't find the info I needed, that is identifying the engine code either from the VIN or engine number quoted in the log book. I'm after a replacement engine thats why I need it. There may be a way of identifying the engine code from the VIN number so I've given that to someone to see if they can work it out for me. Cheers

Hi Thanks for that info. But the label on the timing cover has faded, whats left is not legible. Surely there must be an alternative way of finding out the engine code? Thanks

Hi Thanks for that but I've bypassed the oil cooler & still get water loss/mixing with oil. I'd already replaced 2 oil coolers,the problem of oil in the water was solved but then the new oil cooler failed,so I replaced it but bypassed it,didn't connect the water pipes to the cooler. So it seems like its the Head Gasket, can't think of any other route for the water to get into the oil. Thanks

Hi I need to get a replacement Diesel Engine for my Mk1 Galaxy its a 2000 W' reg. The engine number in log is XP60565. Can anyone decifer this for me. As the Breakers asked me to confirm the engine code & they said the engine number didn't mean anything to them. They were looking for a 3 letter code like AUY, I've tried looking around under the bonnet but couldn't see nothing that made any sense. Any help in this would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi The starter stops turning once the engine starts. There's no noise coming from the starter once the engine is running. Another development the wife just told me that she has been topping up the water daily over the past week,Each time the temp gauge rises to above normal & heating inside the car is cold. So i checked the expansion tank,it was empty, couldn't see any obvious signs of leakage under the car. Checked the (oil) rocker cover cap, and to my Horror, the water had mixed with the oil. Currently I've drained off the oil, to check to what extent the oil in the sump had been contaminated,but no signs of frothy oil just black oil. So seems like the lubrication around crankshaft has been compromised because of water mixing in with oil, therefore making it harder for the starter to turn the engine over ??? I'll probably try removing the Glow Plugs & then see if the starter will turn the engine over, hopefully it should. Next thing will be to sort out the head gasket. anyone any idea how much I should expect to pay for this? is it a straight forwad DIY job? So seems like the starters weren't the issue but an almost seized engine, the weird thing is it sounds fine once it gets a tow start,sounds normal, runs normal except for the temp problem.

Each time the starters he was fitting were burning out Are you sure that the starter motor relay is cutting out? I would have thought that the auto electrician would have checked this - that when you release the key, all power to the starter and solenoid is cut. The starter can only burn out if it draws too much current for too long. If the engine starts in a couple of seconds yet the starter overheats and burns out, there has to be a problem in the circuit that supplies power to the starter/solenoid

Hi The Batteries only 4months old, It wasn't a cheap one either, but I guess thats no guarantee that it cannot fail, but will get it checked out tomorrow when i go down to the auto electrician. Cheers

Hi OK had to get GreenFlag out to come and have a look,the guy hammered the starter, in case it was stuck,no luck. So towing starting was the last resort, he hooked it all up to the back of the truck, pulled it onto the highway, ignition on, kick started first time. He unhooked it all and sent me on my merry way. I drove off got about 1/2mile down the raod the damn thing stalled, just my luck. The starter was just making a loud tick noise,so Imagine thats the solenoid. I got my boy to come out and give me a tow start with his poor little Polo. Got the thing started & drove it straight to the auto electricians, the starter was knackered so they gave me back my original starter that had been recond by now. I changed that over car started perfectly. After a few days the starter is playing up again, doesn't turn over as quickly as before, so maybe another trip back tot the auto electrician. Maybe should just get a refund & by a new one. Anyone bought one off ebay? They seem to be doing them quite cheap,

Hi Just my bad luck the blighters decided to turn up late, and the rains been tipping down all evening, will get them up early tomorrow to give it the big heave ho. Failing that. I mean if they're not up to it, I'll get the breakdown guys out to come and have a look. Or may even give it a tow to see if that'll wake it up. As to putting the ugly ones at the back,well we have none they're all me boyz from 13 to 25, so wouldn't want any of them to go splat, nehhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well maybe sometimes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi I got a recon starter and fiited that this afternoon,luckily weather was kind to me today. But the damn car is still not playing ball. Same symptoms as before though no burning wire smell. It sound s like the solenoid is pushing out but the starter itself is not turning. Not sure wots happening, cos I did jack the car up and put the car in gear turned the car wheel, the engine turned over no problem, so that seized engine is out the window. The batteries only a few months old, so can't imagine thats the problem, I did jump lead it to no avail, so th elast thing is to maybe try a push start, I'll wait for the young fellows get home and get them out on the road. Thanks for the replies

Thanks for the bad news :D The engine does turn when I push the car in gear, so hopefully engine is not seized. I can't recall the engine showing any symptoms or problems, can they seize up just like that? Surely it should only seize cos lack of oil or overheating? I suppose the lead from battery to starter is a sign that the starter is trying to turn over the engine but can't. hmmmm!!!!!!!!!! I suppose the next logical step is to pull out the starter to see if thats working properly, and maybe turn the engine over by hand to see if it is tight or seized. All in all not what I was expecting, a new starter is ok but engine well thats real bad news. There goes the xmas budget down the drain.

Hi The Ladies Galaxy failed to start today, the starter won't turn over, there's enough power in the battery. I attempted to put the car in gear and push it a little to see if that would free up the starter, no luck. When I continue to turn the ignition key the cables to the starter start to get very very hot and I get a smell of burning cable/wires. So, is this just a dead starter or a buggered solenoid? Any ideas anyone? Thanks

Hi All the brake pad components were re-fitted as they were, yes the pins do have the wire clips on them. The thing is I don't get the squealing noise when I brake its only when I'm driving.As soon as the brakes are applied the noise goes away. Thanks

Hi Thanks for that I'll check out the previous threads re: accelerator issue, can this problem be a relay playing up? However the Rear wheel squeal - I've changed the brake pads & nosie was still there, they're not catching on anything. The squeling stops when I press on the brakes,but as soon as I come off the pedal it starts again, so how can a little copper grease help in this case? Thanks