sepulchrave

AFAIK, 205/60x15 were fitted to some early 2.8 V6s with 15" wheels. Reinforced or Extra-Load is a must in this size, as stated earlier. Are you suggesting that a different speedo drive was used on these cars Paul? Mine IS an early one (96N), and the handbook lists only three different tyre sizes (check inside the fuel flap, they're listed there as well) and 205 ain't one of 'em!

Seconded, I use the GSF Pagids and they're good. They don't last as long as the Mintex, but since I've used them I haven't been warping discs any more. Mind you that could be down to the excellent Brembo replacement discs also supplied by GSF I fitted last time they warped.

As a cautionary note, I have just had to replace the n/s front wishbone rear bush as it had torn right through. However it's a very easy thing to visually inspect with the steering on full lock. The o/s is damaged too, but it can wait until the weather improves.

It is behind the glovebox, once you get it out you should see it screwed to the side of the blower box, mine is bright red making it fairly hard to miss!

Yours is the later car with the 16" wheels Joey, hence the slightly lower profile which confirms that eupho currently has the wrong size tyres fitted. This is not a good idea at all, I'd definitely buy new ones the right size.

Don't know about Mark 2's but my Mark 1 V6 has 215/60 HR15 Tyres fitted as standard. You do need the H rating since the car is capable of 135 mph, also easier to get the right load index in that size since many large heavy luxury cars use the same tyres.

MAF, check VFAQ.

Passat does I think.

Sounds like a coil pack might have failed (not uncommon), noisier engine may be a dead cylinder, it would feel sluggish and likely to stall. Failing coil pack may have caused electrical spike confusing the instrument cluster. Nothing to do with cheap supermarket petrol on this occasion :(

1. No. Complete airlocks are almost impossible with this engine, what you describe is normal. 2. The pump impellor is not a reported issue on VR6 engines, however anything is possible. 3. Yes, the radiator is almost certainly clear. Was the engine coolant sufficiently dilute for ice to be a possiblilty? How did you determine that the thermostat was not faulty (I would have replaced it anyway having done all that dismanting)? By all means replace the seal on the expansion tank cap as these are a common failure and very cheap and easy to do. If you overheated the engine significantly then the cylinder head is now the most likely culprit, although I would expect some cross-contamination between oil and water. Inspecting the spark plugs may reveal if a cylinder has been burning coolant.

eupho, is there any reason why you would suspect frozen coolant Like does it have tap water in it's veins? If not, then I really do suggest that a dodgy thermostat is the most likely culprit.

Did you carefully fill and prime the tappets before fitting?

...or it might be for helping slide the boot onto the driveshaft if it's tapered.

1. You can slip a watchmakers screwdriver into the lug and persuade it to come out that way. 2. You can easily make a comparative test and the coil which is significantly different from the others is at fault. 3. The sparkplugs are very small and are a motorcycle type size, are you using the right size socket?

Depends on the parts used. Cheap pattern leads are probably knackered by now.

Bloody hell! I couldn't get my arm down the gap, assumed it wasn't humanly possible. I suppose I am quite large..........

Good luck replacing the switch, it's a horrific job. Don't be tempted to try and remove the 'battery tray' it's part of the monocoque, oh, and those four large bolts under the battery are all thats holding the gearbox to the car! I've done it, but it has to be done blind from beneath the car, the switch is on top of the gearbox between the selector mechanism and the bellhousing. I know that doesn't help much, but when you finally do it you can console yourself by imagining how much the stealers would have charged for the job.

Ouch, the only fault which could create that issue is head gasket failure I'm afraid.

Now, breathe...........

Cheers.

Sounds like outrageous obfuscation to me, if I still remember how to speak 'dealerese' correctly then I translate this to mean: "We don't have a clue what was wrong but it seems OK now, but to cover our arses we recommend replacing everything which could have conceivably caused a problem, which is what we normally do since you're paying for it, not us." Does that cheer you up any? :wacko: Edit: This kind of thing used to make me laugh, but at todays dealer prices it's getting rather serious.

Hi, please will some enlightened soul reveal the location of the diagnostic socket on post 2000 Galaxies (Obviously I know where mine is), I promised to diagnose a colleagues car and it'd be nice if I could just go straight to it. Ta.

Fan motor failure is common on older Gals, can result in damaged wiring or connectors. Do a search, I believe this has been covered before.

All well and good but: If you can't afford to run a petrol gal then buy the diesel. If you can't afford to run the diesel gal then buy a smaller car. If you can't get a smaller car because your family is too big, then get a better job. If you can't get a better job then WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU HAD ALL THOSE KIDS! :( If you have a large family and you want cheap, buy a small minibus. SWB VW T4 1.9 TDi for example, take out the seats you don't need; voila, huge boot, great MPG, insanely reliable and really cheap and easy to fix. :( Otherwise cease grizzling and pay the price for the luxury the Galaxy affords you and your oversized family. (BTW my mate has a 2.3 and in reality it is no more economical than my VR6)

Well...... If your gal is in otherwise decent condition and only needs an engine then it is worth doing, if on the other hand you're gonna need tyres, brakes, MOT etc. soon then I'd break it. The advice about dodgy recon units is VERY valid, especially Ford engines since so many cowboys do them. Far better to buy a complete front end from a crashed low mileage gal and swap the lot, thereby neatly dumping your 200k gearbox and maybe getting a load of newer ancillarys as well. Half a day spent on the phone may well buy you a whole written-off car for a few hundred quid and as long as you have a decent mechanic available you'll be laughing. Alternatively you are loaded and just buy a new one, selling the old one for spares or repair to someone on this very forum less well off than yourself. :lol: