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Showing 151 - 160 results (out of a total of 262) found for "Engines" in Ask Us Anything

How reliable would a 2010 Renault Grand Scenic be?

How reliable would a 2010 Renault Grand Scenic be with only 14,000 miles on the clock?

James Hackett (Dublin)

Jan 2014 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi James,

At that low mileage it should be fine. Electrical gremlins are what strike the Scenic, especially the electric windows, but also watch for problems with the cruise control, alarm, electric parking brake and even the indicators. The good news is that the engines are pretty robust and either the 1.5 or more powerful 1.9 dCi diesel engines are good choices. 

Oh, do watch for bits of the cabin coming off in your hand too...


Why an eight-valve diesel engine from Dacia?

Why does the Dacia diesel engine have eight valves when 16 is the norm nowdays?

Martin Killeen (Ennis)

Jan 2014 Filed under: diesel

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

You'd be surprised how many engines still make two with two valves per cylinder (i.e. eight valves in a four-cylinder engine) and actually, more valves are not always better. Generally speaking, an eight-valve engine has better low down torque, where as a 16-valve design allows freer flowing gas at higher engine speeds, releasing more power. However, the eight-valve engines are often more rugged and reliable and of course cheaper to produce.


How economical is the latest Toyota Corolla?

What mpg is the new Toyota Corolla doing?

William Fallon (Mayo)

Jan 2014 Filed under: fuel economy and emissions

Expert answer

Hi William,

There are three engines available in the latest Corolla, and though we assume you mean the 1.4-litre diesel, here are all the official figures for completion:

1.33-litre petrol model: 50.4mpg (5.6 litres/100km)

1.4-litre diesel model in Terra grade: 74.3mpg (3.8 litres/100km)

1.4-litre diesel model in Aura or Luna grade: 72.4mpg (3.9 litres/100km)

1.6-litre petrol with automatic gearbox: 50.4mpg (5.6 litres/100km)

Note that these figures are all official 'combined cycle' results and don't usually reflect what drivers achieve themselves. 


What do MPV and HDi mean?

What do MPV and HDi mean?

Eamonn Smyth (Nenagh)

Jan 2014 Filed under: miscellaneous

Expert answer

Hi Eamonn,

MPV means Multi Purpose Vehicle. Some refer to it as a people carrier too.

HDi is a PSA (Peugeot/Citroen) brand name for diesel engines. It stands for High pressure Direct Injection.


When should I change my Jetta's timing belt?

I have a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta with 102,000km on the clock. When should I change the timing belt?

Noel Ferry (Letterkenny)

Nov 2013 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Noel,

No matter which engine is fitted to your Jetta, the recommendation from Volkswagen is that the belt is changed after four years if not before that. The 1.6 and 1.9 TDI engines have different intervals otherwise - every 225,000- and 130,000km respectively.

It's always a good idea to be cautious so if your car has never had a change we'd urge you to get it sorted out now.


Will the 2014 Ford S-Max have smaller engines?

Will the Ford S-Max have a 1.6 engine in 2014? I now have a 2012 model,  but it's a 2.0-litre and find it a little hard to run.

Thanks

Amanda Cash (Portarlington)

Nov 2013 Filed under: future cars

Expert answer

Hi Amanda,

Yes it will - the new S-Max will have two down-sized engines compared to the current model. A development of the current 1.5 TDCi, as seen in the Fiesta and B-Max, probably developing around 115- to 120hp and a new three-cylinder petrol turbo 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine. Both of those should significantly bring down the running costs of the car, and we'd be very surprised if both don't sneak into Bands A1-A4 for tax.

Quite whether their day-to-day fuel economy will match up to their expected quoted figures is another thing; small engines in big cars tend not to do so well when it comes to real-world economy, but we look forward to finding out. The current S-Max is one of our favourite cars and the new one looks likely to pick up where the outgoing one is leaving off.


What should I be looking out for when buying a Ford Puma?

Hello, I am thinking of buying a Ford Puma 1.4. Is there anything to check for in this model?

Niall Mc Bride (Arklow)

Oct 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Niall,

Mechanically, there's not much to worry about here. Pumas were made before the explosion in complicated electronics so there is simply less to go wrong, and the 1.4- and 1.7-litre (later replaced by a 1.6-litre) engines were all designed by Yamaha, so they're very robust indeed. Likewise gearboxes. Just make sure there's a service book full of stamps and that the oil has been regularly changed and you should be fine. The Puma's weak point is its suspension, which is prone to being knocked out of true. Look for signs of uneven tyre wear and listen carefully for knocking or clonking noises. Make sure the brakes are in good nick too as they can wear out rather easily.


What's the SsangYong Rexton like for family transport?

Hi lads. What do you think of a 2007 SsangYong Rexton as a family mode of transport? Also how safe and reliable are they? Im looking at one with 50,000 miles on it.

Thanks

Justin McElwee (Galway)

Oct 2013 Filed under: family car

Expert answer

Hi Justin,

In reliability terms, there doesn't seem to be much to worry about. The Rexton is one of those rare cars that's never been recalled for a manufacturing fault and the ancient Mercedes-based turbodiesel engines are long-lived and simple, mechanically speaking. Likewise, even though the cabin looks and feels cheap, it seems to be well screwed together.

The problems though are two-fold. One, the Rexton really is very crude. In terms of engine noise, performance, handling, ride quality and just about everything, it feels at least a generation, sometimes more, behind the best of the European, Japanese and Korean rivals. And sadly, we can't give you too many pointers on safety. The Rexton has never been crash-tested by EuroNCAP so we have no objective data on it, crash-wise. You pays your money, you takes your chances...


Help me choose Peugeot 206 or 207.

Can you advise on the Peugeot 206 and 207? Are these reliable and trouble free? Which is the better car?

Helen Mitchell (Dublin)

Oct 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Helen,

Well, obviously, the 207 is a newer and more sophisticated car than the 206, and I reckon you'll find it to be a much more comfortable drive (better seats, especially) than the older 206. That said, the 207 is much, much heavier and the 206 always felt much more fleet of foot and more enjoyable to drive.

The 206 has something of a reputation for unreliability, but the upside is that most of its problems are of the minor, electrical variety. The engines and gearboxes are long-lived and robust,  although if you're buying a heaver diesel model, look for excessive wear and tear on the front suspension and brakes.

The 207 has a couple of recurrent niggles as well, the most important of which is the engine's anti-polution monitor, which can go haywire and cause the engine to switch into limp-home mode. Beware also of diesel models that don't quieten down when they're warmed through; check for suspension failure, especially at the front; and as ever beware of electrical gremlins. Make sure every button works properly.


Is the Alfa Romeo 156 a good car?

I'm thinking of buying a 2005 Alfa Romeo 156 Sportiva. Are they a good car?

Mark Haren (Dublin)

Oct 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

I'm afraid the news is not great. The Alfa 156 was a cracking car when new, but age has not been kind to them and they suffer significant issues with worn and broken suspension and axles, and the electronics and engines can play merry hell too. If the car has been exceptionally well cared for and looked after, then it might be worth a punt, but if you detect even the slightest signs of abuse or lack of care, walk away. A full service history is essential and if you hear any knocking or clonking noises from the suspension on a test drive, forget it. Likewise, if any warning lights on the dash stay on or any electrical components don't work properly (or at all), do not purchase.

Sorry!


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