My 1999 3.2-litre V6 Rodeo has been running nicely on LPG for three years but it is now using about half a tank of petrol per two tanks of gas.
I have pulled the petrol pump fuse but that makes no difference. I notice the injectors are running when it is on gas, but I don't know if this was previously the case. If I put a solenoid valve in the petrol line the injectors would be running dry, which might not be good for them. Nobody seems to know what to do about this. Where do you suggest I start looking at this problem?
Phill Higgins, email
The Rodeo has a known issue that can increase the petrol consumption while operating on LPG, as you describe. You need to take it to a reputable LPG mechanic, preferably one who knows the particular system fitted to your vehicle.
>> DOES NOT COMPUTE
MY VZ Commodore is really tough to restart if left sitting for between 15 minutes and an hour and the powertrain warning light comes on. If I turn it off and then on again it starts normally. It's done this for three years now and no one can tell me why.
Kim Buckby, email
Turning the car off and on again reboots the computer, so it sounds as if it could be a fault with the computer or one of the sensors feeding information to it. Have a mechanic check the system for faults.
>> RUN, DON'T LIMP
For many years now my 2007 Nissan Pathfinder has been going into limp-home mode. It has not yet covered 110,000km and the fault has occurred eight times in the last 10,000km. It's very dangerous, particularly when it happens while overtaking. Nissan has not issued a recall to fix it which leads me to wonder whether other manufacturers recall cars with dangerous computer systems.
Frank Horgan, email
Recalls are mostly to fix potentially dangerous problems and all car makers have them from time to time. I would say that your car has a particular problem with its computer system and I am amazed that you have put up with it for "many years". Take it immediately to a Nissan dealer or to an independent Nissan specialist to identify the problem and fix it.
>> CLUTCHING STRAWS
A friend told me he was having trouble changing gears in his current model Mini. Mechanics informed him that the clutch operating lever was cracked and bent. When he asked about having it replaced he was told it's a non-serviceable item and a new or second-hand gearbox was the only option. This seems a very expensive option and I'm wondering if you've ever heard of this situation before.
Jim Moody, email
No, it sounds like rubbish. Nothing is non-serviceable. Being a current model it should still be under warranty. I advise him to take it back to a Mini dealership and get it properly assessed. If the dealer again tries to sell him a new gearbox, I recommend taking it to an independent service agent for a second opinion.
>> CRANKY BATTERY
When it's hot, my 1998 Hyundai Elantra winds over but won't start. However, if I leave it for 10 minutes it will start and drive fine until I stop again. What's wrong with it?
Dave Mills
I'd say the battery could be tired and lacks enough grunt to crank the engine and power it when the engine is hot. Once the engine's cooled it doesn't require the same power to crank it, so there's enough grunt left to run and crank the engine.
>> RANDOM STOPS
After driving 200km-250km, the engine in my VS Commodore stops and the warning lights come on. If I put the car in neutral it starts straight away, only to stop again when I've travelled a similar distance. I've had the computer checked but no codes come up, I've changed the fuel injection and replaced the plugs. What do you think?
Allan Hills, email
If the engine stops without warning then I suspect it's electrical and would check the ECU and the sensors that send information to it. In particular, I'd check the crank angle sensor. If it were a fuel problem I'd expect to get a warning, such as the engine going off song as when starving for fuel before stopping.
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