Magnet

Welcome Daniel, Multiple warning lights, and particularly with associated stop/start failure can be typical of a below par battery. How old is your battery? It would be worth having its efficiency check with a sophisticated testing facility. Don’t assume because it starts OK, that the battery is serviceable in all tested parameters. The likely-fitted Battery Condition Monitor will probably have a different view! Need a new battery? Invest wisely in a min. of 4 year warranty batteries. I’ve used Varta/Bosch to good avail, and I think Exide is also well respected. I always buy from on-line specialists at most favourable prices. Suppliers inc. Tayna, Battery Megastore, and others. It is almost certain that the new battery will require coding to the car. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Taz. How long have you owned it? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Ian, Glad it’s all sorted, and pleased that the forum was able to point you along the right road to get it fixed. Anyone in a similar situation in the future will now know that refurbishment at a specialist is the way to go. Many thanks and kind regards, Gareth.

Apologies for more wallet respecting comments James. EBay - OK/ great. Specialist on-line suppliers inc. Battery Megastore, Tayna etc. and delivery is generally free if bought through EBay. Bosch - fine, but there are different grades/ warranty periods. I tend to only buy batteries with a minimum of a 4 to 5 year warranty. Always worth the bit extra. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks James, Where are you getting your battery from at that (high?) price? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello John, Sorry to hear of your issue. I’ve deleted your e-mail contact, since this is an open forum. Anyone can contact you by PM. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello James, Electrically assisted power steering rather than hydraulic? If so, the culprit is likely to be a failing battery, aggravated by cold weather. Kind regards, Gareth.

You’ve confused me ( easily done!) and changed your forum name.

Hello Mike, I guess you are concerned about the uncomfortable ride with your Sline. I think it’s worth first getting back to basics and enquiring about the tyres you have. Wheel diametrically? Tyre profile? XL or not? Run flat or not? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Darren, Blue smoke indicates oil burning, and if it is, it would not be associated with injector issues. Could you carryout the following tests and come back to us:- Take the car for at least a 10 mile run to ensure the oil is up to operating temperature ( that will be quite a few miles after the coolant has reached temperature. Leave the car ticking over for a couple of minutes and then get someone to increase the revs to around 1500rpm and hold it steady at that, while you observe any smoke. Get someone to follow you in your car and ask them to observe any smoke that may occur when you accelerate - not daftly, just sedate acceleration. Perhaps you could let us know the results. Also confirm you are not confusing grey smoke with definite blue smoke. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Location:- King. Where is that?

Hello Airgas, Sorry to hear of your engine bay noise. Any engine noise will require vehicle-inspection assessment, since regrettably the forum can at best, only offer a ‘could be this, could be that’ guess. If it were mine I would be treating this inspection as an urgent requirement. Kind regards, Gareth.

Sounds good Gregg. Just goes to smell - and act a stagnant water. I think increasing the concentration and just adding small quantities at regular intervals is the best route to minimising the issue. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. I’m averse to the Ready to Use variant, on the basis that I don’t like paying a premium for water, and of course it just adds to the bank of recycling 5 ltr containers.

Regrettably, never worked on mine!

Common problem Gregg, particularly in the summer months. Winter months? Far less common. I seldom fill mine more than half full in the summer, since you will find it can actually coagulate as well, and block the jets. Make you are using, and ready-to-use or concentrated? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Keith, Try Woolies, Paul Beck and many other suppliers found on a Google search for ‘Classic car trimming suppliers’ or similar. You could also try searching ‘rubber extrusions’ or similar. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello? (Could you please fill in your profile with the appropriate data). If the fuse is blowing then there is a short circuit in the circuit to the gauge, or something else on the same circuit. You may be able to locate and sort it yourself if you are competent with car electrics ( complex these days). If not, you will need the services of an auto electrician. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Steve, I would have thought that most of the basic ‘inspection’ principles would be much the for most models - belts vs. chains excepted. Kind regards, Gareth.

You can’t do any harm in trying, but see my earlier comment. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Top mountings??

Hello Mohammed, Bit late now, but I used ATF ( automatic transmission fluid) fir spraying over squeaky joints not silicone spray. Probably too late to overspray it now, since the silicone will prevent absorption of the ATF. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Steve, This gives the recommended service intervals, but not the schedule. I’m pretty sure you posted a schedule of the work to be carried out ( inc. belts etc.) some weeks ago. I’m being lazy and not wearing my more elderly brain out! Kind regards, Gareth.

Worth bearing in mind Andrew, this certainly isn’t the job where cost is King. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Just as an aside - a family member had the belt assembly renewed on his non-Audi using a water-pump-included kit from a well respected aftermarket supplier, starting with D. Just had to have the water pump ( and belt, Incase) replaced after 6K miles due to a failing bearing. No, the belt wasn’t overtensioned. I always recommend using a main dealer pump for peace of mind even though dearer in the short term. I respect that opinions on this may vary on this.

Hello Martin, Did you do a search after? If so, and you can’t find it, PM SteveQ and he’ll find it far quicker than I will. Kind regards, Gareth.

Tried any independents Andrew?

Hello Alastair, Does the white smoke smell of excessive diesel? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mussa, If you intend to start the car and just leave it ticking over for a few minutes then you are likely to deplete the battery even more. Kind regards, Gareth.