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Souris, ND Car Consumer Discussions

Re: coolant odor [dmontg01]

by oklahomadee on Tue Jan 23 21:17:42 PST 2007

I've only had my used 2006 Equinox(with 15,000 miles) for about a month now. I wish I had read all of this before I bought it. I can imagine how sick all of you are who have had them for a couple of years with problem after problem. I still haven't gotten a response from anyone about whether some of the problems were lined out before the 06 model came out. It seems to be mostly 05 owners who are sounding off. So far there are 3 things I have addressed. (1) The first thing I notice was the thump,thump noise in the rear occasionally when I start it. I had one person reply and explained what that was and he actually thinks it is a normal sound. We'll see. (2) Gas Mileage......the first time I filled it up, I had put 22 miles on it and was down to 3/4 of a tank. I had let it warm up one morning for 45 minutes, and couple of other mornings 10 to 15 minutes. (we were having a week of ice and snow, I don't normally do that) I only live 4 or 5 blocks from work so I actually let it warm up longer than I drove it that week. So, I'm going to give it one more chance on the gas mileage issue and see what I get on a normal tank of real driving but from what I read it sounds like the gas mileage is way below what it is suppose to be. (3) Then there is the stinky smell! The week of the snow all of a sudden I had a stinky, soury, sickening, dead smell in my vehicle. I really had no idea what it was and wasn't really concerned at the time because I was more worried about my 5 miles to the gallon of gas. So that night I got on the internet to see if I could find anything and I found this forum. I've found info about bad gas mileage, the thump,thump thump in rear end and many call their beautiful new vehicles "The Stinky Nox" Like I said most of these complaints seemed to be with the 2005 model. So as for my stinky problem I don't know if it is the "COOLANT/HOSE problem or if it is the other Potentially stinky problem.....the water in the spare tire well. When I read about that problem, I went to the garage and lifted up the hatch and opened the well and low and behold there was water in my well. It didn't stink horribly when I lift the lid but I could see where if it stood long or got in the carpet it could start smelling. So I don't know if that's my stink or if the hose/coolant is the problem. The description of the stink from the hose/coolant problem from other owners sounds like what I smelled. I think I have a long road ahead of me. I took it in to a dealer yesterday and talked to them about all these problems and I can tell they aren't going to listen much just like all of you out there have experienced. I told them I have 20,000 miles of warranty left so I am taking in tomorrow for the first go around and it will keep going in until it's resolved. Again, I would like to hear from more 2006 owners and what problems they've had,if any, on these issues. And from what I'm reading I may have even more issues before it's all over. Isn't it sad.....I think the Equinox is such a beautiful vehicle and I am..... or was..... so proud of it. Reply

Re: Chevrolet Equinox: Real World MPG [bdyment]

by oklahomadee on Sat Jan 20 08:57:52 PST 2007

Thanks for your reply. I'll be patient and after the unusual weather that we are having here clears up maybe I'll get a more accurate picture. Now can you help me with something else, please. The day I checked my gas mileage I also started smelling a nasty odor in my car. I've read all the postings about that problem. First thing I did was check my spare tire well because the soury, dead animal smell seemed to be coming from the back seat area. I couldn't believe it. Under my spare time is soaking wet. There is a foam pad under the tire (I guess that's factory)that is soaked and sour smelling. The other problem I read about was the smell from the coolant and the hoses. If I had to guess I say the water is what is causing my smelly problem but if I have a coolant and hose problem I need to address that problem also. My equinox is a 2006 model. Most of the posting about these problems seemed to be 2005 models. Have any of these problems been taken care of by GM on the 2006. Please help me out. I love my nox but it seems there have been a lot of problems that I wasn't aware of. Thanks for the forum as it helps you not feel like you are crazy and feel like you have some proof when others are sharing the experiences too. Please anyone reply!!!

Re: Glow Plug Light Flashing [pruzink]

by minjablue on Sun Jan 01 11:03:23 PST 2006

Thanks for the info, yes when I put my foot behind the pedal and pull back it seems to release. So yes I'll definitely be going back to the dealer on the brake switch. The timing belt was changed by the mechanic that services mostly all Volkswagens in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. It is possible though that that could be part of the problem though. Because this glow plug issue started a month and a half the belt was changed. I'll take your advise and have it checked again, one never knows until he does it. Someone on TDI club mentioned to also check the injector quality(timing) especially after a timing belt was changed. What is your thoughts on that if you don't mind me asking? The other thing was that the glow plugs have never been replaced. So that is always a possibility too, it has been starting good in the cold though I must say. I never plug it in and in the winter here it can get fairly cold, 28 degrees F is the average but can dip by times alot more to 0. Are the glow plugs easy to change by yourself or would you recommend the dealer, I work around my vehicles all the time so not scared to tackle things. I just like to know as much about things before I start. Thanks again it's great to be able to talk to people that go through the same type of things with their vehicles or have a better knowledge of the mechanics of them than most. Happy New Year

Glow Plug Light Flashing

by minjablue on Fri Dec 30 09:42:16 PST 2005

I own a 2001 TDI Jetta it has been a great car, recently I have experience a couple of things. First is the glow plug light comes on immediately after starting and flashes. The car does however from time to time take a minute to start which is different. Also while driving along at different speeds the car will almost quite for a split second. This doesn't happen all the time but it can be annoying. I have had the car to the dealer and they have replaced the brake switch saying that was the problem. But that has not fixed the problem,I guess I'm looking for some help before I get stuck for replacing to many parts at the dealer. Has anyone else experienced the same thing and got it fixed? Now the other thing since I have had the brake switch installed is that the brakes seem to be sticking on some what. I have to go back to the dealer next week to get that fixed because in the snow it is not a good feeling having your brakes stick believe me. My car has 250,000KM the time belt was changed at 238 this past summer. The Glow plug light flashing started about a month and a half later. Not sure but maybe this is all tied together. If you have any ideas please drop me a note, I await your responses Thank you. Happy New Year To everyone.

Re: 03 ZTW has been a dream car [rapidrick]

by bent1 on Tue Nov 15 06:12:54 PST 2005

Gotta agree with you about the value of the Focus Wagon, bought a 04 with all the bells and whistles for a work vehicle to replace a Astrovan that was stolen. First thing I did was replace the springs with shorter and stiffer ones from H&R which made the "Souris Gris" (grey mouse) handle like they do in Europe. Then I replaced the speakers with Boston Pros including the separate tweeters. replaced the airfilter with a K&N free flo one and reducted the cool air intake, synthetic oil, jumpered the lights so I can use the foglights on hi beam. Now I got tunes and handling. Not a problem that was not handled under warranty, seat heater drivers side and an O2 sensor R/R last week. Thats it, get in and go. Better than my Mini Cooper S and not as quiet as my BMW 7 series :)

Accessory Prices

by cccompson on Sun Apr 28 18:24:34 PDT 2002

Souri, the prices quoted are high indeed. You might try one of the websites mentioned in these pages for same items at a lower price. Good luck.