March 2001
We've all heard the 'anecdotal evidence' - "my car definitely feels zippier on Brand X" etc, but is there any REAL evidence that I should use Texaco, Shell, City Diesel....?
I tend to use BP (nearest garage) or Tesco's City D (next nearest + 'points'!), & occasionally Shell, all with Millers diesel additive. No noticeable difference. Could I do better? Read more
Does anyone know whether I can have Power steering retro- fitted to a 1993 VW Golf Mk 3 - 1400 CL
Not because I have weak wrists you understand, but because I want to change it for a newer car, and can't sell it due to the lack of PAS.
Also does anyone have any experience of the new VW Bora TDI PD 115 ? seems to me like an absolutely cracking car, Excellent performance and economy, but I have heard of trouble with this particular engine and VW ceased production of it for a while to overcome this.
Cheers
Marcus Read more
I reckon that a private sale would do the trick. Many buyers of older cars prefer one without the complication of power steering.
In HJ's car by car breakdown for the Peugeot 405, rust appears at the top of the list of what's bad.
HJ also said about the 405 a while ago:
Look for rust "in the seams and in the brake lines. Get the thing on a hoist and have a good look underneath. Build of this cars is very 'light' (much lighter than a Fiat Tipo, for example) so any searious corrosion will make them very weak."
I have 405 estate 1995/N reg. I can't find any rust in the seams at present,but if this is a known weakness, should I be treating the seams with something to prevent them rusting in future?
If so, what should I use, and where should I apply it? Waxoyl? Silicone sealant? Paint?
Thanks,
Mike Read more
I ran a 405 TD estate for many years.Superb car. Found it a bit thirsty on front wheel bearings and ball joints. The only annoying rust was around where the front door seals meet the doors on the door frames which needed touching up now and again. Also had a slight problem around bottom edge of the rear window but I think it had a new window fitted at some time and the paint had been disturbed behind the edge trim.
I own a 1998 Peugeot turbo diesel and my brother owns a 1994 Peugeot turbo diesel both are fitted with lucas fuel pumps. On a schematic diagram for the electrics mine shows advance correction solenoid and advance correction relay, however on my brothers it shows advance corrrector/fuel cut off solenoid and advance corretor relay. Despite this both our fuel pumps look similar. What is the purpose of the advance corrector, how does it work? Is it something to do with the fast idle on a cold start or perhaps is it connected to to the post heat time out circuit? Please could someone enlighten me. Read more
I believe it is used to alter the injection timing when cold starting.
I have a 1995 Peugeot 405 TD. The Haynes manual schematic shows an advance corrector relay and solenoid, but the Bosch fuel pump in fact only has a fuel cut off solenoid fitted. It starts and runs just fine when cold, so the advance corrector is obviously not necessary on this engine.
Mike.
I'm considering a kit car based on an 80's Pontiac Fiero. The company producing the kits reckon its a good base bue to the modular construction and fully treated space frame chassis.
Has anyone got any views about how they actually drive though? Be a shame to create something that looks spectacular if it drives like most other American cars! Any wisdom from owners or ex owners would be welcomed! Read more
My car is an early KVA Mk1 (Ken Atwell was the originator of GT40 replicas.)
I have owned it for some 10 years and it is currently undergoing a transaxle change. During the original building and the current upgrade the car has been "interesting" to work on! I have learned a hell of a lot of skills I never had before as I like to do things for myself.
Of the finished, running cars that I have seen the GTD40's are the best. The company seemed to source/develop things to take the painout of the home building of the vehicles. However, you will pay for them. Don't underestimate how much one of these cars will cost to COMPLETE. Not just build, but to finish to the appropriate standards. You might find a partially built one is a cheap entry route. Mind you, you will need to ask "why has the other guy given up"?
As for a 6 footer, yes it is possible, you can get doors with blobs "called Gurney domes" (after Dan Gurney who was also tall) molded in. In spite of how big the car looks outside, you will be surprised at how small it is inside.
Having said all that, they look one of the best cars ever produced. It does a 100 mph standing still!
How do u fill it without taking forever in the filling station?
I think I've seen something about this previously Read more
Twist the filler nozzle in the hole and don't squeeze the trigger hard until you get a proper flow with no splashback.
HJ
would anyone out there know if there is a internet discussion group similiar to this dealing with motor bikes?if so,could you give us the site address---many thanks in advance if someone can help,bill Read more
Try www.smartgroups.com and click on bikes. There are 22 categories of discussion, eg classic, off road, touring, etc., plus various makes.
I had to go on a business trip from Herts to Dorset today, so I took the opportunity to drive my Golf VR6 (normally used by 'er indoors) and pop into Micheldever Tyre Services to replace the fronts. I was expecting expertise, which indeed I got along with cheerful and efficient service, but the the best surprise was to find the prices to be nearly £40 per tyre less than my local Kwik Fit. I also had a comprehensive alignment check done for £18 and a camber correction done for a further £18. No wonder HJ keeps telling his readers about Micheldever.
P.S. If you want to avoid a queue, 9.45 a.m. is a good time. I was in and out within half an hour. Read more
Micheldever I guess
Hi all,
I have purchased a 'w' plate VW Polo 1.9 SDi, it has the new direct injection engine fitted. My current Polo is indirect injected and uses glow plugs to start. I know the fundamentals of indirect injection, but how does a direct injected car start like a petrol, i.e straight away without waiting for the fuel to be pre-heated ?
Does the direct injection use glow plugs, and if not is the fuel heated up by the action of the piston moving up the cylinder and compressing the mixture ?
I am collecting the car next week so i have not had a good look at the engine yet so any info would be appreciated.
Regards,
Ash. Read more
Perkins engine also was fitted to the LDV 200 panel van. Fixed heating time on every start whatever the outside temp.
I would appreciate advice on:
A)recommended products/methods to clean out old petrol from a Holley carb (car has been left standing for some time and old fuel will have evaporated by now leaving a non-combustible residue behind)
B) Any suggested Holley experts in the Surrey to get the carb set up? Jet sizes. etc. It was always a devil to start before and time won't have helped it! The engine is a mildly tuned Rover V8.
Someone out there seems to know the answer to everything asked! Read more
Andrew,
Thank you for the advice. The potential of setting the car up using a rollong road is very attractive.
All I've got to do now is get it fired up and running long enough to get to Wimbledon.
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Roger, I do suspect that even today most of the petrol comes from the same refinery. For instance when the fuel protests were in full swing the blocking of the BP refinery near Edinburgh stopped the supply of petrol to about 90% of all petrol stations in Scotland. Needless to say BP does not own 90% of all petrol stations in Scotland!