December 2001
Hi to everyone!
I have a '96 1.9TD, over the last couple of days the coolant temp has started fluctuating quite fast between 80 and 90 on the gauge upon acceleration/swifter driving at any speed. Returns to 80 at more constant speed/standstill within a minute or two.
Rad/pipes are hot so I assume the thermostat (~1yr old, opens at 83?) is opening, rad isn't blocked externally, both fans work at both speeds etc.
I'm not concerned about the temperature yet as this isn't going too high, but the speed it rises concerns me more. Prior to this it used to sit just below 80 once warmed up, not going up/down unless being pushed pretty hard! Do I have cause for any future concern??
To top this off, its timing belt/service time, the rear arm bearings are probably shot at 120K, the two difficult glow plugs need done and the front pads/discs need replaced soon :-(
Oh deary deary me ... ...
Ah well, it is a nice car :-)
Any thoughts appreciated folks.
Chris Read more
Hi All,
I am sure one of you technical people can point me in the right direction.
Car is a 1995M Cavalier V6. Yesterday the steering felt much less assisted than usual and generall pretty stiff and horrid. Something is defintely wrong. Until yesterday no problems.
I have checked the tyre pressures and these are correct and there is no liquid leaking from under the car. There don't seem to be any new and obvious noises either
Any ideas what the problem might be and what sort of horror might I be facing when I take it to Vauxhall in the new year.
Thanks in anticipation
from Jason
p.s: I really enjoy reading this forum. Good range of topics. Read more
After checking the above, check the colour of the fluid, should be bright red,. If dark or even black indicates rack or pump failure.
I was out walking the dogs early this morning and came across an old tyre dumped by the side of the road. Nothing unusual there, but the brand name amused me - 'Suburbanite'. Presumably original equipment on school-run Jeep Cherokees? Read more
Just read the following in todays' Straits Times, Singapore (20.12.01) (straitstimes.asia1.com.sg./home).
A warning that the smell of a new car actually contains high levels of toxic air emissions that can make a driver ill. Includes a cancer causing toxin acetone which irritaes the mucous membrane: ethylbenzene - a systemic toxic agent and xyleneisomers which affect foetal development. Apparently within minutes one can experience discomfort, drowsiness, fatigue and confusion, eye, ear, nose irritation and headaches.
The study was carried out by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organsisation.
Toxins remain for up to an beyond 6 months and to avoid it is recommended that plenty of fresh air gets into the vehicle while they are driven for the first 6 months.
Did not mention which cars tested apart from the fact that two were Australian.
Could this explain the increasing poor driving behaviour perhaps?
Anybody got a WWII gas mask for sale?
DVD Read more
>>>My Mk1 Laguna gave me violent headaches in warm weather
Mine used to do that. I just assumed that I went through a period in life where I got a lot of headaches. Funny to think it could of been the car all along.
Anyone got any old skateboards ? let me know if you wish to part with them. Read more
Yeah.
Stick an old margarine tub on top, and you've got yourself a lada!
All of our vehicles need them, yet the information to make rational judgement as to the right choice, largely is non existant. Walk into a tyre dealership and ask for literature on a specific tyre brand and there will ineviably be muffled laughter. The normal routine is for the punter to relate price to the "cool" tread pattern options the dealer has to offer and add whatever expertise of his own that he has mustered to make a decision.
Reflect a moment. The technical personality a manufacturer confers on a tyre is daunting. They can be assymetric, have a specific working temperature and speed range, Tread patterns specific for water dispersal or for noise reduction, Tyre compounds optimised for traction, wear resistance or fuel economy, Tyres that resist tramlining --- etc etc
I have looked at a number of web sites to expand my knowledge but found them generally unimpressive. Some sites give details of tyre tests undertaken by a number of magazines specific to a tyre manufacturer and then discuss in some detail the parameters above. This info' whilst helpful, is subjective and does not put any numerical values against these tests to aid comparison against another manufacturer.
The numerical and lettered values on the side of a tyre for treadwear, temperature and traction have their origins courtesy of the USA and are known there as UTQS - Uniform Tyre Quality Grade. This is a starting point, but the two discriptions of the tests that I have, one from Michelin and the other from www.geocities.com/chrislonghurst/tyre_bible, appear to contradict each other and give little understanding as to how the tests are undertaken.
What is needed in my view is a set of numerical values against the primary technical tyre parameters that we need to relate to, to ensure some of the guesswork is taken out of our expensive decision process.
What is your view regarding tyre selection and purchase? What technical tyre parameters would you wish to have comparative numerical values set against?
Hoping that a lively debate ensues,
Regards,
Julian Read more
ChrisR, I did not quite follow your comments on specific tyres for cars with traction & stability control.Did you mean that they should be steel braced & of a specific size (for instance) to match up with the software?
Could you enlighten me please?
regards
simon
I read the forum from a number of different computers. Therefore it is a pain in the wotsit to remember what I have read or not.
Is there something I can about this ? Like where is the history held and can I copy it from one machine to another ?
Of course, if this site was sorted by "last posted" it would be easier, but that is probably like the edit button and chicken teeth. Read more
Why on the navigation bar above this typing box thing do the first two hyperlinks say 'New Topic' then 'Go to top', but in the main forum the navigation bar is 'Go to top' then 'New topic'
Is there a reason, or am I nit-picking for nit-picking's sake?
Kev, feel pedantic
I really have no idea why this bumper sticker says what it says, but it still amused me.
On the back of a large pick-up, just beneath the gun rack, driving along Ipanema beach last night.......
"Someone who likes small cars is a female dentist".
(quem gosta de carros pequenos é um dentista)
If anybody has any idea why this would be so, I'd be interested.
M. Read more
On a car, in USA, being driven by a woman: " I have PMS and a handgun - any questions?"
On a car which SHOULD have belonged to my mother-in-law: "Galileo got it wrong; The Universe Revolves Around ME !!!"
From our local paper...
"A motorist who was arrested for being nearly six times over the legal alcohol limit was released on bail on Tuesday.
Nishane Maharaj, 25, of Phoenix, who has recorded the highest alcohol blood content in KwaZulu-Natal during the festive period, was arrested after he was caught reversing into oncoming traffic on Umdloti Beach Road.
The man's alcohol blood level was about six times higher than the legal limit of 0,05mg.
Police said they were patrolling along Umdloti Beach Road when they saw a car speeding towards them in reverse, causing dozens of cars to swerve out of the way to avoid colliding with the car.
Police spokesperson Captain Len John, who was in the patrol car, said when they opened the car door to get the man out he fell out on to the road, reeking of alcohol.
"He was placed under arrest and locked up for the night. When he appeared in court yesterday (Tuesday) the magistrate granted him R500 bail before releasing him," said John. Read more
The 'journalese'/ 'ad writer-ese' which amuses or annoys me , as the mood takes me, is "Consumption is Reduced By (up to) 200%"
Just for my own interest!!, For anyone taken in part x's, what is the general state of the cars you take in???, u must have some stories of real pigs people have part chopped.
No reason just for my own interest, anything interesting to tell the room!!! Read more
Quote "Made up example: Someone owns a V6 Mondeo which starts running rough"
Perhaps Mondeo owner was so anxious to trade it in, he never realised
the car he was buying was hiked up to to even the score somewhat.
Some buyers likes to feel they are getting one over on the dealer.
Browse
Hi,
Having had bad experience of franchised dealers, I too avoid them like the plague! Its not just the cost, but the 'replace possible parts with new to diagnose problem' attitude as well which costs a great deal before the problem is even found.
Chad - have you had the rear arm bearings done at 128K? My n/s one is noisy when driving in wet/damp conditions so I assume its on its way out :-(
From the lack of response, I'll assume the temp. is nothing to worry about and ignore it for now!
Chris