November 2001
Just got hold of some new alloy wheels for my astra, they need cleaning up however, cos the guy that owned them previously has painted sections of them with black paint (just on top of the laquer). I think its just bog standard black paint thats been put on with a brush.
Any ideas how to get this off without going down the whole sandblasting route? Or if i need to strip off the laquer etc can i do this myself? can I just sand them down and spray paint them or something? I dont want to do a cheap and tacky job on them, but i'd like to take the cheaper but more hard graft option if possible.
Mark
p.s. No moans and groans about alloy wheels, i'm only 20 and got to get all this stuff out of my system. The wheels are actual vauxhall wheels that are OE on mk3 astra GSi's.
p.p.s There not huge massive rude-boy wheels either
p.p.p.s And I'm not fitting them to a nova, so i'd never be a true rude boy even if i wanted
:-) Read more
dans ticking noise got me thinking about another noise my car makes, but it only seems to do it when cold.
On idle (i think its still there at low revs), the car makes like a wishywishywishy kind of wheezing noise from the engine (great terminology there). It seems to stop once the engine has been on a for a while (10 mins?).
Any ideas what this is? is it a problem?
If you need any further explaination I can have a go. Read more
Not if you only use a little dollop of jollop.
There is a constant debate over what oil to use on this Forum. The information below should help everyone assess what quality/spec an oil is irrespective of brand. You can pay a lot for a branded make of oil and still not be filling your vehicle with the best oil for your hard earned cash.
The CCMC specs have been replaced by the ACEA specs which are harder for oil companies to achieve.
As engine oils are being developed and improved all the time it is important to check what the latest recommendation is for your vehicle as the details in the handbook may be out of date.
One last point I DO NOTwork for an oil company!
API (American Petroleum Institute) Classifications:
Gasoline Performance
SA Obsolete
SB Obsolete ?64
SC Obsolete ?68
SD Obsolete ?72
SE Obsolete ?80
SF Obsolete ?89
SG Obsolete ?94
SH Obsolete Jan ?98
SJ Effective Oct ?96
SL Effective 2001/02
Diesel Performance
CA Obsolete
CB Obsolete
CC Obsolete
CD Obsolete
CDII Obsolete
CE Obsolete
CF
CF II
CF4
CG4
CH4
Comite des Constructeurs d?Automobiles du Marche Commun (CCMC)
Gasoline Performance
G1*
G2*
G3*
G4**
G5**
Diesel Performance
PD1*
PD2**
Association des Constructeurs Europeens de l?Automobiles (ACEA)
Gasoline Performance
ACEA:A1-98
Fuel economy version of A2-98
ACEA:A2-98
Basic Performance sequence
ACEA:A3-98
Higher performance sequence
Diesel Performance
ACEA:B1-98
Fuel economy version of A2-98
ACEA:B2-98
Basic Performance sequence
ACEA:B3-98
Higher performance sequence
Hope this helps Read more
VW505 00 is the VW oil specification. Most cans of oil will state which manufacturers spec the oil reaches. Otherwise use the manufacturer packaged oil (VW=Quantum MGRover=Unipart etc)
David
I had to fit a new battery to my car yesterday and the radio, a Blaupunkt Verona, needs its code re-entering. I thought I could remember how to do it, but obviously couldn't, and now (after three attempts) it won't give me the "Code" message when I switch it on. I found the scrap of paper that came with it (secondhand),so now know how to enter the code correctly, if only it would let me! Can anyone tell me whether I just need to leave it alone for a while, either in or out of the car, or whether I'll have to have it "re-coded"?
Thanks
Martin Read more
As there is another Martin, I'll start calling myself AudiMartin...
.....I have to rant about the following:
People who have already put up their Xmas decorations! - WHY?, do you have nothing else to look forward to in life?, some people up my way must of had them up as soon they had finished setting off the last of their fireworks on bonfire night!
If I had my way any decorations, adverts on television or anything else which mentioned Christmas should be banned until the 1st December!
P.S. My middle name is Ebeneezer! Read more
Eb
Couple of points!
I was obliged to work in North Africa for several months in the mid 1980's out in the sticks where sanitation was somewhat limited and hot water just a memory. Muslim nations do'nt celebrate Christmas so the combination of this and an air controllers strike accross Europe on Christmas eve brassed me off a little after 3 months of graft away from home. I got home by the skin of my teeth and avoided being sent to the garden shed by the wife and kids who were then very young.
The 2nd point is that my 19 year old daughter seems determined to start celebrating Christmas asap. Delightful child full of zest and enthusiasm for life together with lightening sharp replies for those who would prefer Christmas at a warmer time of the year and might try to reduce her enjoyment. Me, I just go along with it!
Regards,
Julian
today i parked my mothers citroen BX in a clamping zone, but i put the car in its lowest suspension height setting, so the clamper couldnt put a clamp on the car, it was brilliant seeing him trying to fit a clamp on it :-)
p.s. he wasnt around when i started the car up, but as soon as the engine was running he ran out of his office carrying a clamp, i was in a panic waiting for the car to go to its proper height, and then i had to quickly drive away. Read more
... OE? I meant IO (Duh!)
I've put my old car into a local auction (a large operation) and accepted the bid reached. That was 2 weeks ago. On contacting the auction they tell me that the buyer hasn't provided a cheque and the car still graces the auction yard. I called in today and when I enquired if the buyer had been asked for a deposit they told me that he was known to them and that no deposit had been paid. They have made several attempts to reach his mobile and said that if he hadn't shown up by the next auction, tomorrow they would wash the car and put it up for sale again. Obviously the car is out of tax and insurance and one is concerned about vandalism. If this person doesn't show up and the car can't be sold for his bid or if it is damaged can I regard title to the car as having passed with the accepted bid and simply sue for the amount of the bid. Talk about time-wasters! Read more
I think the attitude of the auction people was poor. The bidder was obviously a regular trader as no deposit was required. If they had delayed payment, they should have rung you up and apologised. Once they have accepted a bid they are morally responsible for getting payment. If they did this to me I would ensure they got the publicity they deserved. What auction was it?
Hi,
I'm trying to get to the bottom of a problem with my 61,000 mile Omega. I can't get to the bottom of a vibration through the steering @ motorway speed. he car has factory fitted 17" wheels and 235/45 tyres.
Since getting the car I've:
Had the balancing checked more times than I care to remember
Swapped wheels front to back
Run on a replacement set of wheels/tyres for a few days
Had the front & rear suspension bushes checked for wear
So far all ok - no fault found. It was suggested to have a full four wheel alignment - I had this done with only minor corrections made - however they did comment that there was a "some" play in both front wheel bearings. On asking what "some" was - the answer was "not enough to worry about".
What does that mean exactly? How much is acceptable? Shouldn't it be zero? What symptoms would "some" play/wear cause? Arghhhhhhhhh!!
The symptoms are that sometimes on an open clear motorway I get vibration through the steering - other times not, sometimes worse than others. Today was a classic example of two 20 mile runs on the same road, this mornings journey was ok - this evenings wasn't.
If I go to the time hassle & expense of changing the bearings (£100 in parts plus say 3 hours labour) will I notice any difference?
Comments very welcome.
In frustration .......
Robert Read more
I'm not now.
Occasionally I have to wander from the warmth and security of my office and mooch around Brazil doing stuff.
That "lost in Brazil" computer happens to be in Manaus in the Amazon forest. It involves dialing in using a pulse-dial phone and connecting around 2400 whilst sitting on the front deck of a small wooden hut getting bitten to bits by mosquitos.
Getting there involves a flight to Manaus, a 2 hour charter flight and then 1 hour in a boat.
"Lost" is very, very accurate.
M.
The version that covers older vehicles. How can a vehicle that looks smart, goes OK, with MOT be valued at maximum £130(1983 Metro 1.3 auto). The road tax, recently reduced to £105 is almost worth as much!
Regretfully Parker does not go before 1992 for old vans. But looks like my 1990 ex-PO 2l diesel red van is worth less than £150(fair condition) as sign-written with a few small dents. But it does an indicated 9 miles/litre or 40mpg. Read more
no PAS doesnt matter, as i have driven a volvo 240 estate which doesnt have PAS (that car was murder to drive, and even worse to park)
I have just lost my Focus key, and my Ford garage say it's only £100 for a replacement - aaaarrrgh! Fortunately I have a (non-plip) spare, or it would have been MUCH more.
Can anyone suggest a (serious!) alternative?
I am, of course, delaying finding it until JUST after getting a replacement ;-)
(Replacing my 2 house locks & keys cost a mere £113, AND my insurance will pay, with no excess!) Read more
TOO LATE, HJ!!
Thanks, but I'd JUST ordered my new key, from my Ford garage :-(
There probably isn't anything so sophisticated in MK, anyway :-)
Browse
Nitromors is good stuff, but a word of caution. It irritates the skin like hell, so please wear protective gloves and goggles. It also makes a mess when you come to brush off the half dried paint/lacquer - so don't do it on mum's kitchen table!
Ian