November 2001
I have got a Mazda MX6 with 4ws and power steering.The problem i have is that the steering will not self center.Any suggestions? Read more
As a relative newcomer to this site, I still consider myself a 'guest' and try to take care with any offerings I may make. However in view of the comings and goings regarding Phillipe's request for info. (see UK SPECS - 23.11.), in which I was mentioned, and also the caustic comments that LAC and one or two other contributors seem to spark off, perhaps it is a good idea to have some sort of registration, in order that the moderator or HJ knows where all their messages are coming from. Please see my posting regarding this in UK SPECS in addition to this one. I might be wrong - I usually am, but that's my four pennyworth for today. Off now to don crash helmet in case of flak - be gentle with me Mildred. Read more
So you've actually managed to hone done your analysis and considered, sensible, rational response to:
"p.s." *ff then :-(
There have been a few threads about lights recently, but nothing about checking the little s*ds to see if they work, and foglight boys, it's no use switching them on to create an impression if only one works.
These few tips may be well known, but if they are not, here goes. I'm personally embarassed if I find a light not working, and maybe
there might be another few like-minded souls around. With a few exceptions (thank you VW) they are easy enough to change, and a
working light may save someone less alert than you from hitting your lovely car because they either didn't see it or were unaware of your
intentions. It also may save a nuisance call from our overworked police. Now is the wrong time of year to be less than fully legally
illuminated.
Leave/put the side lights on when filling up. walk round the front on the way to pay and the back on returning and check they work.
On many cars the indicator repeaters are visible flashing on the underside of the door mirrors.
Do cats eyes look red in the mirrors? You might have left the rear fogs on and the warning lamp failed, or the brake lights are stuck on.
In a queue, does the car behind light up red if you dab the brakes? Is the car in front lit up evenly across the back or is a headlight out
disguising you as a bike?
If you actually use your garage to put your car in rather than store miscellaneous bikes, garden equipment and furniture, you can check the reflections from the wall.
If your alarm flashes the indicators, look at the car when you press the plip.
Many shops, filling stations, main dealers etc, have handy floor to ceiling glass fronts in which to check lights as you drive past or park.
Sorry if it's kindergarten stuff. Read more
I once had to try to pull over a lady whose 2CV was on fire - flames pouring out the underside. I was in my mini van, me with long hair and leather jacket (it was 1977 after all - I'm more respectable now) and she was clearly worried about what I wanted.
She stopped and sure enough the fire went out.
No worries, she said, and drove off again!
After stage 4
1 M Gronholm (Fin) Peugeot 28mins 38.9secs
2 D Auriol (Fra) Peugeot at 11.9secs
3 R Burns (GB) Subaru at 19.4secs
4 H Rovanpera (Fin) Peugeot at 32.5secs
5 A McRae (GB) Hyundai at 40.8secs
6 M Higgins (GB) Ford at 54.0secs
7 A Schwarz (Ger) Skoda at 56.7secs
8 K Eriksson (Swe) Hyundai at 1min 2.9secs
9 F Loix (Bel) Mitsubishi at 1:07.9
10 B Thiry (Bel) Skoda at 1:11.5
McRae & Makinen out, Read more
Guy Lacey wrote:
>
> Dave - is Stuart B talking about us?
>
> Ha Ha!
>
Well must admit the occasional Lacey family spat does liven up a cold winters evening
Makes a change from discussing E European automobilia and the endless petrol/diesel/lpg debate.
BTW Guy are there any LPG competition cars?
Just seen this in the local paper - Traffic offences and fine's we can expect!
Some, which I've highlighted, have been discussed often here in the backroom.
(Bear in mind that the average monthly income here is about R4 000 - and that there is no points on the license system).
Speeding(120km/h zone):
131-135km/h - R400
146-150km/h - R600
161-165km/h - R900
176-180km/h - R1500
Over 180km/h - NAG - No Admission of Guilt(no fine option)
Not carrying Licence
R100
Not wearing Seatbelt
R100
Jumping Red Lights
R500
****Following Distance
R300
Pedestrian on Freeway
R100
****Jaywalking
R100
****Inappropriate fog light use
R100
****Cell phone - No hands free kit
R500
****Failing to keep left on Freeway
R200
Not using turning signals
R200
Unroadworthy vehicle
R300
Expired Vehicle Licence
R200
Reckless Driving
NAG
Drunken Driving
NAG
One of the most popular myths is that you can smooth-talk an officer into a lower fine, but this is not so as fines are fixed!
Another belief is that speed traps won't nab you unless you're travelling at 10km/h over the speed limit. This much is true!
But, for reckless driving, drunken driving or driving 60km/h over the
limit, you'll be hauled in front of a magistrate who can slap you with a fine of up to R24,000 and/or a spell in jail (NAG). Read more
Nowt wrong with dodgy currencies. Except when l tried to buy something in an airport bar on the way out of england. Ran out of stirling, was told that they take anything so l pulled out a wad of Rand and got, "Except that....and rupees."
BTW Ian, l'm back in Cape Town april 2002 for a hockey tournament, perhaps l'll see you in the Fez or summink...
Please also see: Oh you're from London/Vaguely human you must know...
dan
Could it happen here? Apparently, more than 20m French cars built before January 1997 could be effectively taken off the road unless they are shown to meet regulations on asbestos-free brake, clutch and exhaust components. The regulations come into force in the New Year and could mean an inspection of all such components before a pre-97 vehicle can be sold by existing owners or even dealers. While few cars built in the 90s used components with asbestos, and most will have had asbestos-free replacements anyway, it is going to create havoc for anyone with a car where the manufacturer is not prepared to certify it was asbestos-free at build. Their only option with low value cars is to keep on driving them until they break.
Classic car owners, in particular, are trying to get exemption or some old cars using original parts stock through necessity will never be able to sell their vehicle. A strict interpretation of the rules means that even cars sold for breaking have to be inspected and certified before they can be sold on.
Not surprisingly the car manufacturers in France seem to think it is a wonderful idea, and no doubt garages are already contemplating the extra business from compulsory inspections.
Now asbestos is nasty stuff and while I would be happy to see it eliminated, a heavy-handed, blanket approach is worrying. From what I can gather, it is purely a French regulation, apparently generally overlooked by the motoring public until this week, but I can see it would be very easy for the EU and its most loyal interpreter of EU rules, the UK government, to take a similar route on this or some other 'unpleasant' material. Think on the old air conditioning systems previously mentioned here.
With the current Millar fleet showing ages of 1932, 1954, 1986 x 2, 1988 and 1993, I am rather glad I don't live in France. But, as they say, 'Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.' Read more
In the Philippines, freon is the gas of choice for all a/c servicing. Nothing to get het up about, breathing Manila air is supposed to be the equivalent of 30 gaspers a day by itself.
As for the asbestos component of cars, what wonderful armchair legislator thought of that one. Presumably the hospitals are choked with people who changed their A30's brake shoes one Sunday back in 1963, not knowing the hazard the evil car manufacturers had put in our midst.
NOt to undermine the well-known hazards of asbestos, but isn't the world facing a few rather greater challenges? LIke the Euromonster itself for one.
Can anybody assist?
I have a 1995 Astra (badged as Opel, not Vauxhall).
My indicator relay packed in recently, and I replaced it with one the bloke in the spares shop said was a "universal". It wasn't, didn't work, and so I replaced it with the "proper" one, and the indicators worked again! Hooray!
However, since the incident, the factory-fitted alarm doesn't set with the plipper, which used to flash the lights, parp the horn, and lock the doors.
The doors still lock, but no flash/parp.
The fuse for the alarm is logically hard to get to - on the rear of the fusebox.
So here's the questions ...
(a) How difficult is it to remove the fusebox without b*ggering something up? Would I be better off going to an auto-electrician and spending silly amounts of cash?
and
(b) It seems like it's just the fuse gone, but what else could it be if it ISN't the fuse?
Any advise greatly appreciated. Read more
unfortunately not - I think they keep that info secret to deter car thiefs!
Is it just my fevered imagination, or is it just possible that something strange is going on in this site, such that we are receiving subliminal messages in our beloved backroom? Read the following excerpts, open your mind to the cosmos, and you may receive a hidden message.
I quote:
"...and broker4cars often have great deals..."
"...got one from broker4cars..."
"...I bought a UK supplied Scenic from them at great discount and got three yrs manufacturers warranty..."
"...perhaps you'd be better off at broker4cars..."
Did you hear it? Try rereading those messages again and again, and after a while it'll get through to you.
Funny, I'd never heard of them until a week or so ago; now I feel I've known them all my life.
To quote bogbrush, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... Read more
Vin,
I would say...I agree with yers.
This site is beseiged by a variety of characters. From pluggers and multiple personality dullbulbs to soapbox loonies who seem no less intense for having 100's of miles of cable seperating you. (I can't help reading those sort of posts at an uncomfortably fast rate as if l'm caught up in some sort of anxiety attack...or is that just me?)
dan
We have an Audi 80 16v (I've asked questions about this one before!), and recently the power steering pump has got noisy. It's only noisy, a gentle screeching sound, when the engine is cold at tickover. The noise goes away after the pump has warmed up.
Can I get a repair kit for this? Audi say no, and so does my local 'specialist' parts supplier (well known chaps in Slough). If I can get a kit, I'll strip it down and take a look.
Any advice gratefully received.
Martin. Read more
David,
Yes, it really is OK. The noise definitely eminates from the pump body - it's not a belt kind of noise (if you know what I mean). It's a metallic screech/whine.
Thanks for the input - and as a general note to others who have suggested things - thanks very much.
Martin.
I have been comparing the price of diesel v petrol in the Republic of Ireland. Currently diesel is about 42p* a litre with petrol around 11p more expensive.
There are two reasons for this anomaly;
[1] The Irish road haulage lobby gained a 6p reduction in diesel last year from their government.
[2] Petrol and Diesel is dispensed from the usual filling stations. But importantly diesel not petrol can be purchased also at lorry depots, coal and home heating distribution yards. [allowable due to less stringent safety rules i.e. ?overground? diesel storage tanks]
As a result diesel is sold in a really cut price environment thus benefiting the diesel motorist with much cheaper fuel.
Could this ever happen in the UK?
*UK price equivalent Read more
Tony wrote:
>in Ireland we just get on and do the job
I wish someone would tell my Irish builder that's how it works. I agree we Brits always look for a hundred reasons why we can't do something. But in my experience the Irish can always find a hundred things they'd rather be doing. One is a lot more fun than the other, but the effect is the same.
Chris
Browse
Does it return to any consistent point even if that is not the centre, or does it just stay wherever it is ?
I am assuming you have checked out gross misallignment or steering/suspension damage from such as a hard hit kerb ?