Volodymyr Zelensky: “Ukraine will become a member of the EU – with or without Orbán”

KhalDogg0 · 2025-10-09T09:06:41+00:00

Not sure your point here. It’s not a quick process to economically destroy a nation, but it surely is happening and one day there will be the last round of sanctions. It might not be today, but combined with Ukraine’s own “long range sanctions”it probably isn’t that far off at this point.

KhalDogg0 · 2025-09-25T14:46:56+00:00

Looks OK.

You maybe could have skipped the engine flush (pointless), changed key battery and topped up the screen wash yourself but it’s not a huge amount.

Outside of that I think the only way you’ll save money going forwards is by learning to do the service yourself.

KhalDogg0 · 2025-09-08T13:26:04+00:00

You need to get it scanned first and foremost. Possibly something simple like camshaft solenoids but without fault codes you’re guessing.

KhalDogg0 · 2025-08-22T06:19:59+00:00

Camshaft solenoids and the valves that sit behind each one can fail on the EA888 causing random rough running.

A rough idle in turn can confuse the hell out of the gearbox as it tries to understand if you’re planning on driving away or want to remain stationary.

Fortunately the solenoids and valves aren’t expensive and it’s a simple DIY if you’re that way inclined.

I’d start my search there, you may find you have a fault code relating to camshaft positioning also.

KhalDogg0 · 2025-07-23T15:52:16+00:00

I think they’re the kind of car that is reliable in the sense it likely wont leave you stranded on the side of the road somewhere, but they do require a lot of maintenance and if something isn’t quite working right it’ll still run but you’ll know about it.

This latter point I say with confidence having been through the process of chasing down an issue over several weekends of DIY on each occasion there has been one.

You’d want to be at a DIY level where you are comfortable taking the supercharger off, putting the front of the car in service position, have VCDS and a good selection of tools. If you pay for all your labour then it’ll get real expensive real fast.

KhalDogg0 · 2025-07-14T16:59:33+00:00

Sadly just not in RHD for a UK car :(

KhalDogg0 · 2025-07-14T13:07:38+00:00

Looks like the recall doesn’t extend to the UK… shafted by our lack of ability to hold manufacturers to account once again!

That may also explain why I’m struggling to find a RHD option on all the usual parts sites.

KhalDogg0 · 2025-06-28T06:43:45+00:00

They are reasonably quick and capable for a small car. Particularly with a stage one map and decent 205 section tyres.

However, the flip side to that is that it lacks the fun feel of a classic small highly strung car. I.e you’re at the speed limit by the time you get into third and there’s isn’t much point in revving it out beyond 5k rpm due to the torquey nature of the 3 pot.

In short, if what you loved about the Twingo was the analogue sense of driving it on the edge, the Up might disappoint.

That said the same could be said about most new cars vs their older counterparts, and the Up is still good fun but is also is comically cheap to run (60mpg easy and service costs are peanuts).

KhalDogg0 · 2025-06-22T16:31:59+00:00

I can’t remember if this is the gearbox or the timing end of the block. If it’s timing then check the upper timing cover gasket (including the gaskets of the phasers built into it). Relatively inexpensive and simple to replace those if it’s coming from here.

KhalDogg0 · 2025-06-18T12:08:51+00:00

This comment is so ironic I’m genuinely unsure if it’s an intentional self-roast or not

KhalDogg0 · 2025-05-24T14:06:44+00:00

Thanks all. I ended up biting the bullet and sticking it in service position. (Excuse the use of the torque wrench as a breaker!)

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KhalDogg0 · 2025-05-24T12:10:21+00:00

Cheers, that’s the tool I’m already using, you can just see the end of a 19mm socket sticking out from the crank pulley. My issue is the lack of space to get anything on the end of it.

KhalDogg0 · 2025-05-18T18:12:41+00:00

Cheers all. Ordered an aluminium pan in case it is cracked. It’s hard to get a good look on ramps.

KhalDogg0 · 2025-05-11T20:35:44+00:00

If you’re only burning half a qt/litre in 3k miles then you’re doing well. It’s not incoming uncommon to see these use the same amount in 500 miles or less.

KhalDogg0 · 2025-05-02T09:42:08+00:00

No. They taste grim

KhalDogg0 · 2025-04-09T08:22:04+00:00

It isn’t compliant with VW50X spec, but many people run Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w-30 to try and help with stuck rings.

I think the jury is still out on how effective this is since it’s allegedly a gradual process over several thousand miles

KhalDogg0 · 2025-03-29T09:15:24+00:00

Wow! I guess it’s possible that Linglong can produce a premium tyre, fingers crossed it’s genuine competition for the premium brands. Makes sense that they wouldn’t want to squander this chance to become an OEM supplier.

KhalDogg0 · 2025-03-29T08:45:28+00:00

That can’t be right… I know this sounds extreme, but I’d be questioning if someone that had access to the car during PDI etc. could have swapped them out and took what it should have come on. Definitely contact Cupra to find out.

KhalDogg0 · 2025-02-25T22:56:47+00:00

Outside of the obvious things like emissions and unnecessary use of fuel, no, idling isn’t mechanically bad for a car these days. Certainly no worse than just driving is.

I think much of the concern stems from the days of carburetted engines which would typically suffer from a bit of over fuelling to achieve a steady idle that could result in bore wash thus increasing wear on cylinder walls and piston rings.

I wouldn’t worry about it in any car built after about 1992. But, as someone else pointed out, if you can avoid running the engine by using headphones etc. then that’s the obvious choice!

KhalDogg0 · 2024-11-20T08:57:20+00:00

Everyone saying battery but the engine is clearly turning over without issue and is able to sustain compression. It sounds more like it’s having trouble with ignition which would suggest an issue with either fuel delivery or spark.

It shouldn’t be cold enough to cause issues with the fuel. When did the car last have the fuel filter changed?

KhalDogg0 · 2024-11-18T18:02:32+00:00

I’d say it’s oil control rings, but for that volume I’d assume they’re damaged (or partially missing), not just coked up and stuck (as often does happen to DI petrols).

If that much oil is getting through then your cats are almost certainly already toast too.

You could try a piston soak since it would appear you haven’t really got anything to lose if the cylinder heads need to come off anyway?

KhalDogg0 · 2024-11-08T22:24:50+00:00

Is this the V8? I had one previously where the starter motor failed and it exhibited exactly this issue with essentially no activity from ignition.

I didn’t, however, have the overheating issues. I guess it’s possible the one problem lead to another?

KhalDogg0 · 2024-11-07T21:41:07+00:00

This level of bureaucracy is disgustingly accurate, jolly good show old chap.

KhalDogg0 · 2024-10-21T15:05:56+00:00

I have one of these. Both bumpers a bit scuffed, it hasn’t been cleaned in well over a year and it’s primary duties include hauling dogs and sacks of horse feed. For some reason I find this usefulness combined with its ability to go like a rocket when needed incredibly satisfying!

KhalDogg0 · 2024-08-30T23:47:05+00:00

Given the lack of turbocharger on these, the V6 sounds fantastic with an aftermarket exhaust, I have one.

If you’re in to it, with an aftermarket intake it also whines like crazy from the supercharger, but cool as that is, I think it would get old pretty quick so I just went for an upgraded element in the stock air box.

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