Just completed my 2nd year of Townace ownership. No problems this year on 30,000 Kms. The MoT annual test just got remarks on the nice smell of my bio-diesel. In fact they were amazed at the smoke test, from the lack of black smoke in the test bay! Result was 01.98 l/m, of what I don't know nor what the pass/fail is, I have not had the pump serviced since the Ace was imported, nor have I made any adjustments for the use of bio-diesel. I had intended to give it a full pre MoT service, but as it is so cold, -3 in the MoT garage, I gave it a miss, just put it in and it passed anyway.
I do have a small oil leak that looks like it is from above the head gasket, I suspect it's the cam shaft oil seal, but without taking the pulley and timing belt off can't be sure. I'll find out when it warms up a bit as I have the all the belts and probably the water pump to change in the near future.
- (#8163) Clive (Bristol), 28 Jan 04 06:59

Hi Clive.
The fail rate is 3 or above. From the MPG that you have been getting, I suspected that your emissions would be low, well done. Can you make twice as much, and sell half to me?
- (#8163) dave Bright, 28 Jan 04 07:27

I'm not quuite ready to take on Exxon yet. still have to buy some and have to put about 25% of fossil diesel in to beat the cold, once I get that fuel heater fitted it will be goodbye to the fuel pumps for me. I'm also thinking of fitting a second fuel tank as any long trips means filling baggage space up with mucky fuel cans. I had to refill in South London at the weekend, popped into Sainsbury in Charlton - all the pumps were Global Diesel - I've just looked it up and it is one of 3 fillings stations selling this 5% bio-diesel. Thinking as I mis type, there must have been a fair amount left in the tank that I topped up with bio yesterday, maybe it had an affect on the smoke test? I know that the extra v v (no vroom) that I have got used to was missing on the way home!

- (#8163) Clive (Bristol), 28 Jan 04 07:50