Anders UK

I don't want to be too pedantic about this but the Z has whats known as 2 x single din slots. It doesn't have a true double din slot. MAC - nice setup

You will probably find Senna's upset was the way in which this thread was started and not whether we should go to war or not and I back him up on that. I personally think the start of the thread was distasteful. Many people are upset on the idea of war without having to read how someone is looking forward to the event and boasting how they are going to watch it on TV. Like others have stated in this thread, we don't have the "true" data to even begin to decide whether its the correct decision or not. Moderators > why is this thread still here?

If any Nissan Dealer charges you more than £30 for a consult test with test drive they are ripping you off. It takes 30 minutes max. Mine did it for free.

Jaz, For £1750 I hope they replaced the solenoids! You need to get a consult test bud with a proper test drive so the consult can detect the problems you are experiencing. A manual diag will only detect circuit errors whereas the consult makes various calculations to determine errors whilst on a test drive. It will also check the key sensors used by the box including the engine RPM, revolution sensor, TPS, kick down switch and speed sensor. Goto to your nearest dealer or hook up with a member who has access to one. You don't want to start dropping the tranny until you do this. A faulty kick down switch will cause one of the problems you are describing but not the over reving. I had a similar problem with my tranny. It was fully recon'd and upgraded because the "clutch bands" were shagged and slipping, over reving etc. After the rebuild it would still over rev but not slip. Also, it would jump out of O/D now and then. The problem was the LPS which came up on a consult test. The garage found it hard to believe because the solenoids tested out ok! This is not a guarantee that they are functioning correctly! The LPS is operated both mechanically and electronically and the mechanical part degrades over time. There is a chance that the garage tested them thinking they were ok and just said they replaced them. Andy

Extrem late changes (providing there's no slipping) = LINE PRESSURE SOLENOID fault. If its suddenly reving to 6k then its jumping out of gear or O/D. A faulty LPS will cause this as the box needs sufficient pressure to hit O/D and to lock up. Faulty lockup or O/D solenoid can also cause the revs to jump. It continues to amaze me why these companies don't replace the solenoids when re-con'n the box as they are usually the underlying fault. Poor line pressure puts strain on the box and the moving parts. No oil cooler upgrade speaks for itself. Get a full consult test drive done. I am confident it will highlight the problem/s. These problems seldom appear on a manual diagnostics. Good luck. Andy PS - I dont remember providing you with an auto ECU?

Umm, interesting. So who is Chris Longhurst? I checked out his profile. You might want to also, He's a graphic designer and he quotes "I am no qualified mechanic". Well, nor am I so I can only comment on discovered information and my own experences. Maybe he's had a bad experience or knows of bad experience/s? I already knew that the manuafacturers of Slick 50 were being sued - common knowledge. Did you also know that the company that manufactures this stuff is owned by the Shell Oils Group. Having looked at the consumers feedback on his site. The number of praises far outweigh the number of complaints/problems. Also, he is wrong in one of his statements in that ALL companies that produce additives have been sued. Complete BS. I checked out his link and could not find a single mention about BG products. In fact, I did a search on google using the company name using words like law suit, problem etc. NOTHING. So why aren't dealerships using BG additives? I did a search on BG MOA and guess what I found. From the first few pages I looked at, 90% of the links were US dealerships, you name it, Nissan, Toyota, Sabb, GM, Chevrolet, Pontiac etc etc, dozens of them rating BG MOA and BG 44K. Its part of their service schedule. The answer is they are! Additives have a bad reputation especially in the UK. BG products are renouned in the US for being the best. Period. You just havn't heard of them in the UK yet. On a whole, are additives sh*te? I think so but there are exceptions and I think BG have proven this. Like anything, if a particular field has been given a bad name its going to be much harder for any company to prove their worth. Andy

WTF?

http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/warped_rotors_myth.htm

Your missing the point. I am no longer interested in backing up their claims. I have used enough of their products with success, spoken to enough of their representatives with success and read enough positive reports and tests to satisfy my requirements. As a result I have made up my own mind. I do not go to every dentist and ask them to prove they are qualified or ask every mechanic to prove his experience or prove the science behind every piece of work he does on my car unless I don't trust him. When the trust has been built up I no longer need to ask those type of questions. Going into the science on what is the most recognised oil testing body, results of such tests and so on would make me bored out of my mind. Its like asking how Bridgstone came up with the S03 and how can they prove it is a good tyre. No, its the consumer who tries the tyre, rates it and shares his successes with others. This is the same with oil itself, Its Mobile 1, no its Castrol 10w60. no its Shell Helix and I work for them etc etc. People have picked a favorite from their own and probably others positive experiences. This is from the about us page from the BG website. Like I said, they are huge, very well established and I have yet to hear any problems about their products including the effects of long term usage. Until I do........ Since the founding of BG Products, Inc. in 1971, our commitment has been to product excellence. Never content to be common, BG has been innovative and responsive in producing extraordinary petro-chemical products for an ever-changing automotive industry. Through the years, BG Products, Inc. has kept pace with the many changes in engine design and the problems that have arisen because of continuous, stringent environmental regulations. In 1985, BG was first in developing and marketing a convenient, inexpensive method of cleaning fuel injectors without removing them from the engine. Intervening years have seen BG Products ahead of the industry in providing products to prevent and correct drivability problems caused by intake valve and combustion chamber deposits. Known for high-quality standards, BG products are used extensively in automotive, industrial, heavy equipment, trucking and fleet applications. BG Products, Inc. manufactures and distributes a broad line of specialty lubricants, greases and chemicals throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Far East. BG products are distributed through a network of independent distributors. Each distributor is assigned an exclusive marketing area and is responsible for the hiring and training of a specialty sales organization. BG Products, Inc. and it's distributors are a close-knit family with a common commitment to excellence in product development and service. Cheers, Andy

Thats incorrect. No 2+2 TT was ever imported into the US. From Twinturbo.net In the US, - ALL the 2+2 ARE NA, there was no 2+2 TT imported. - The 2+0 can either be a NA or a TT - Convertibles are based on the 2+0 model http://www.twinturbo.net/ttnetfaq/appendixz.aspx#2+2%20/

Will an ALC help the problem? Been there, done that and the answer is no. The ALC increases the pressure only slightly and bear in mind that it uses the LPS to increase the pressure anyway. If the LPS is faultly which is what is sounds like (sticking) then the overall line pressure will be low - similar to if the box was low on oil. This results in late gear changes and a generally sloppy box. Providing the gears ARE NOT slipping but just over reving then thats likely to be the problem. A word of warning. I had my auto box fully recon'd and upgraded and still had the same problems as you. All soleniods where checked and tested OK so its not an easy fault to prove. If a garage tells you that it tested ok replace it anyway. Secondly, I didn't get an error code from the manual diagnostics check. However, It came up on a test drive with a consult plugged in. Why? According the the mechanic, the consult makes a number of calculations from all the other sensors used by the box and is able to conclude that the line pressure was too low etc etc. So I would suggest getting a consult test done first with a thorough test drive replicating the problem so the consult picks it up. The LPS is relatively easy to replace as there is no need to drop the whole tranny. You need to drain the oil and remove the oil pan on the box to get to the solenoids. The speed and revolution sensor could also cause that type of problem but a consult test will check those for you. Good luck! Andy

I agree with you wholeheartedly about the "monkey in a suit". I have been stung a number of times especially with fuel injector cleaners (Wynns, STP blah blah) and found they never worked, no difference at all. Well, there goes another 2 pints down the drain. I just started of using the BG44K formula to clean out the fuel system and remove the carbon deposits, but this time it actually worked and did exactly what it says on the tin. I found that quite refreshing. It made a very noticable difference and I checked the piston crowns to make sure - yup, no more carbon. I gained some trust in the company and it went from there just like any company you would deal with. Pint - yes indeedy...only quality lager though I hope? LOL

Gavo, I test drove both before making a purchase and there was no comparision. The TT pulled a lot stronger than the NA. There is no way his car was running correctly if he couldn't pull away from you even if it was a lwb compared to your swb. I have found that the manual TT can pull of the mark quicker than the auto (usual really), but the auto has such a strong 2nd and 3rd gear than its able to pull some ground back. Thats what I felt when comparing them. Steve E started a thread similar to this a long time ago because he noticed that the US guys were pulling better quarter mile times with similar power outputs. There was talk about them having better, grippier strips but in the end it was attributed to the fact that ALL US TT's are SWB - The LWB TT was never available in the US, so the SWB obviously has the edge in the weight department. The best thing for you to do is meet up with someone and test drive a TT and compare them yourself. Andy

Matty, If it comes with a licenced O/S, I'll take it for £300 Cheers, Andy

Yep, thats a good site Tony, very useful info. As far as I know BG develop and manufacture only for the general automotive industry. The big giants like Shell, Mobil and Castrol sponsor and provide oil to the F1 teams but i'm sure its not the oil we buy off the shelf LOL. Again the oil companies probably spend insane money perfecting a blend for an F1 application. I wouldn't be surprised if the formula is kept secret too.

Alright Gio, calm down.... "quasi-engineering bollocks" I referred to it because there are those who wanted to take it a higher level. Before you start reacting irrationally about it try using your intiative and do a search on Google. API is an APPROVED standard by an APPROVED INDEPENDENT body with the API Sequence IIIF Engine Test being one of the tests. Quite frankly I don't give A F*&$ about BG's claimes but to some its important. I am solely interested in the fact that word of their products are spreading and for the GOOD reasons. I've yet to read a report contray to that. In adition to that their products have worked for me and others. Small company - I say again, check out the website, then come back to me and tell me they are small. They have huge finanical backing. Sorry, but thats just my £0.02 PS. No offence is intended

On a more serious note. "don't trust the stuff until its proven" This is what BG have to say about MOA tested in a REAL engine... "BG Advanced Formula MOA prevents oxidation and thickening of engine oil under even the most severe stop-and-go, high temperature driving conditions. It fortifies high quality engine oil to provide superior long-lasting engine protection and help maintain optimum engine performance. BG Advanced Formula MOA keeps ring lands, hydraulic lifters and other engine components clean to help extend engine life and reduce costs of operation. The Thin Film Oxidation Uptake Test (TFOUT), ASTM Test Method D4742, proved BG Advanced Formula MOA's remarkable resistance to oxidation by more than 200% longer than six major brands of SJ quality oil. At the conclusion of the API Sequence IIIF Engine Test a major brand, high-quality reference oil barely passed the 80-hour test with a viscosity increase of 255 percent. At 80 hours, another brand of oil fortified with BG Advanced Formula MOA had a viscosity increase of only 57 percent. At the conclusion of the double-length, 160-hour test, it was still well within the viscosity limits with an increase of only 123 percent. This product is a part of the BG TDC® program." BG also manufacture and supply FS oil, their MOA additive is already incorporated into the oil. Andy

FFS Andy, everyone knows olive oil is healthier....Your engine though....

LINE PRESSURE SOLENOID!

"Noise isn't the only way of wasting energy - there is also HEAT" you know what I mean't LOL. I can change fuses! "Also, I can't see how a bar against a bearing represents the internals of an engine???" Sure, but it demonstrates the lubrication and protection ability of the product, using metal against metal surfaces as an example. Surely, this reduces friction? Thats an interesting site. Revetec.com Is it me or is everyone on this thread called Andy? LOL

I agree with you to a point but... I disagree that Shell or the engine oil industry have reached a peak on quality. I doubt the best oil that can ever be produced is being produced. I wouldn't be surprised if an oil company could come up with an "ultimate" engine oil, but it could cost so much to research and manufacture that it would be priced too high, like £100's per gallon to make any profit. As it stands there is no market for that quality. Its not just the viscosity of the oil - I have tried may viscosities and brands and there's been no noticable difference in noise or drivability. From the BG Website "BG Advanced Formula MOA prevents oxidation and thickening of engine oil under even the most severe stop-and-go, high temperature driving conditions. It fortifies high quality engine oil to provide superior long-lasting engine protection and help maintain optimum engine performance. BG Advanced Formula MOA keeps ring lands, hydraulic lifters and other engine components clean to help extend engine life and reduce costs of operation. The Thin Film Oxidation Uptake Test (TFOUT), ASTM Test Method D4742, proved BG Advanced Formula MOA's remarkable resistance to oxidation by more than 200% longer than six major brands of SJ quality oil. At the conclusion of the API Sequence IIIF Engine Test a major brand, high-quality reference oil barely passed the 80-hour test with a viscosity increase of 255 percent. At 80 hours, another brand of oil fortified with BG Advanced Formula MOA had a viscosity increase of only 57 percent. At the conclusion of the double-length, 160-hour test, it was still well within the viscosity limits with an increase of only 123 percent." Andy

Another point... I'm not classing it as a "big conspiracy". Its standard business economics. Of course companies are continuing to improve their products but they are not going to use gold if silver is sufficient.

Thats a very good point. I totally agree that oils are produced to suit the market as oposed to provide the "best" protection hence the continued use of semi-sythetics, but there is a cost issue too. Mineral and Semi synthetic oils are cheaper to produce. I'm not claiming to be an expert on this. But what I do know is that many people are using BG products with great success and with no adverse side effects that I can find. That speaks for itself I guess. Plus...I have used MOA in my engine and it IS noticably smoother with less top end noice. Im no physics or chemistry guru but I know that energy is wasted on noise and if there is noise there is surely going to be a degree of wear, no matter how small. I stand to be corrected. You need to check the BG website. I recently pulled off my valve cover and sump to find it absolutely spotless so there were no signs of deposits etc. That could of been as a result of the engine flush though. Andy

Good point Andy. 1. Most manufacturers don't even use fully synthetic oils, let alone any additives in a new engine because of the "bedding" in period. An engine with this type of additive in it would not allow the engine to break in properly and the rings to seat properly etc. (hence why synthetic is only added after a few thousand miles). 2. They would have to spend thousands, if not millions in testing the product! 3. They are content with the quality of oil they are using anyway + they have probably set up a special deal with the oil company. 4. Make a very little difference to the cost to who??? The manufacturers will lose out due to lack of rebuild parts!....Oh, by the way customer you need for fork out another £xx every oild change blah blah blah. There is an old saying about corporate policy. Cost is foremost - do the mostest for the leastest. Why go over board when what you have already does the job. If they didn't they would go broke through competition. Thats why there are thousands of companies providing uprated components for about every field imaginable including performance car parts, not excluding oil related "upgrades". Also, increased the power output of your car = more protection?

OK, I’ve noticed some talk about engine additives and this subject does tend to crop its little head up now and then. Therefore, I am going to share my experiences with you. Firstly, Slick 50. I don’t want to say much about this but last time I heard they were being sued for a number of engine failures and/or false claims about their product? This could be wrong. Does anyone have any further information on this? Secondly, After a great deal of research on engine additives I have found a US based company who specialise in additive/cleaning and servicing products to the automotive industry – BG Products. I have in fact tried and tested some of their products with great results. BG44K – This removes all deposits including carbon deposits from the fuel system, pistons, combustion chambers, etc. Does it work? Put it this way, before I stuck a can of it in my tank I pulled out my spark plugs and shone a torch down the hole to confirm that the top of the pistons were caked in carbon. After a tank full of gas with this stuff I pulled the plugs again and rechecked. I could see the pistons again, silver and very clean! The engine was noticeably smoother, quieter and picked up cleaner. I’m almost sure I have better MPG too. Also, from what I have read there is only one other product on the market that comes close to BG44K and that’s Chevron’s techron. The interesting fact is that Chevron purchase the active ingredient from BG and dilute it down to 4%! BG “own” the rights to the active ingredient used in BG44K and that it is almost 100% active ingredient that you get in a tin of BG44K hence why its so effective The M3 guys also conducted an independent review of this product and the effects of the prolonged use of Optimax fuel. Check the results http://www.m3supercar.com/enginecare.html BG’s Oil flush – I tried that too. Even though my oil was still half-clean I used this stuff as instructed and the oil came out jet black. It must have done something. MOA – Oil additives. Yep, oil additives – this is where most of the controversy lies. Andy Cotton from Powerflow UK (UK BG distributors) readily tours the country promoting BG products. They have a particular test to demonstrate the power of MOA. It goes something like this. Imagine a device with a large bearing being rotated mechanically and a huge steel lever pulling down onto the bearing. The aim is to halt the rotation of the bearing by forcing down on it with the lever. Without any oil and with some force the lever does stop the bearing from rotating ……screeeeeeeech… and a nice score mark as a souvenir. Using synthetic engine oil (he has used Mobil 1, Magnetec and Shell Helix) it takes some force, but the bearing does eventually stop rotating, still leaving some damage to the bearing. Then they try the same synthetic engine oil with MOA added. No matter how hard he tries he is unable to stop the bearing from rotating and there are no signs of damage to the bearing. Period. More importantly, even when removing the oil from the bearing that has been “treated” with MOA-added oil, he is still unable to stop the rotation of the bearing. This is where MOA plays such an important role in cold start protection. Andy Cotton recently did this demonstration in front of a Green Flag audience using Shell Helix FS. The audience is asked to come up with what they think is the best oil available! The big Q: Why aren’t engine oil manufacturers using this kind of technology then? Answer: Because it’s too bloody expensive and they are primarily interested in profit. Besides, their oil already far exceeds the various standards and quality requirements so why would they want to improve it. Its already very good, just not exceptional like it can be. Also, companies that produce engine additives own the patent to their formulas. Therefore, companies like Mobil, Shell etc have to improve on what they already have or come up with a new formula – very very expensive to do. Powerflow can easily demonstrate that adding MOA will improve the quality of any engine oil on the market today. So why aren’t garages using these types of products? Answer: They are! More so in the US but BG is not as well known in the UK yet. BG website: http://www.bgprod.com If you want further info then Contact Andy Cotton at Powerflow on 07711 824993 and mention that Any Archer passed you on. You can also order directly from him. USUAL: (before I get slammed). I am not affiliated to BG or Powerflow in any way. What you do to your car is up to you and at your own risk. What I have told you is from my observations only. Cheers, Andy