January 2002
what would be the expected life before refurb/replacement of the diesel injectors in a typical engine. my haynes manual suggests 60k (vw 1.9 non turbo).
this seems a little low, making then a service replacement, like cambelts.
what sort of price are these things? Read more
I'm looking for a current list of cars that would qualify for "classic" insurance policies - does anyone know where I can get hold of this info ?
Chad.R Read more
Modesty forbids me to comment.
If anyone knows anything of this vehicle I have some history which may interest the current owner. Read more
It cant be a 1934 on account of they didnt exist before October 1936,DUB 804 was a very early one with some very rare features.
Has anyone else bought a new Ford Mondeo diesel 2.0DI (115bhp duratorq engine) and been disappointed with the fuel return when compared with the fuel returns quoted in various magazines and websites?
I've done about 4,000 miles in mine from new and and getting a return of 35.5mpg all the time whether I am driving in towns or on motorways. No matter what driving style I adopt I can never get anywhere near the 47-48mpg (combined) figure many sites quote and certainly not the 61.4mpg extra-urban figure in the dealers brochure.
I've been to a Ford dealer after doing a "fuel test" that they requested and their answer was that the car is "within spec", spec being 34.4 - 61.4mpg.
Does anyone think there could be a fault with the car and if so how can I take the matter further?
Could any owners of the above model let me know what mpg they are getting?
Thanks Read more
Yes, I was one of the original complainers as I consistently get no more than 38 mpg and I am not pushing my car hard nor fully laden. Ford have told me that I am 'within acceptable parameters'. I do not think so. My last Mondeo diesel purchased in 1997 did 47 mpg fully laden with ski kit,5 on board to the French Alps and back - 3 times.
I, too would like to hear from others.
A friend of mine has been caught for speeding. Caught on camera 14 December, notice arrived 2 January. My understanding of the law is that it should ahve arrived by 29 Dec at very latest.
Also, he's gone and paid the fine and taken the points. Is there any hope of avoiding the penalty in this case?
Rob Read more
Ian (Cape Town)
The 14 day rule re NIP is to bring to the notice of an offender the possibility of proceedings being taken against him and to 'refresh ' his memory.Generally those offences where offender is not stopped and reported at the time such as speeding or careless driving, where not reported at scene, but from statements taken later, a case can be made out.
Limitation on proceedings themselves, totally different - for summary offences generally is 6 months, or 6 months from the offence coming to notice and not more than 3 years.
As to Ram Beck. I would not brag. That plain looking car parked ahead just might have a Vascar working and bingo at that speed a certain court appearance and disqualification.
DVD
the 'Brake Dust' thread to French moves on asbestos in car components which was Brussels inspired. I recently found it difficult to get Visa pads from the usual places so went to an old established Citroen specialist of 30 years plus standing. They admitted they were running down parts for Visas but rummaged around and found me an OE set (with the asbestos warning). However, they said they would not be ordering any more when the present stock runs out because "Citroen will only accept orders of at least 10 sets at a time". If this approach is used by other car makers and if the pressure for asbestos-free parts increases, I see little chance of either OE continuing for older cars or it even being worth the while of non-OE suppliers tooling up for the alternatives--one of those I tried for the Visa pads (listed but all sold) was a frequently-recommended national specialist for Cits and certain German motors.
My point, at long last, for the bangernomics enthusiasts is to stock up now at autojumbles, or wherever, because I think many standard replacement parts for even early 90s cars could soon be disappearing from your local motorist shop and trade in OE bits might even be made illegal.
Now, if anyone has asbestos-ridden brake shoes for a Triumph Super Seven or a clutch to fit the Triumph-built Coventry Climax engines, I promise not to tell the authorities about your anti-social behaviour and will dispose of them humanely.
David
PS The OE asbestos pads were a doddle to fit, work extremely well and don't throw out much brake dust (well. they wouldn't from a Visa 10e). On my wife's Prelude with pattern pads from Halfords (make forgotten), the alloys are covered in brake dust at the front. Likewise, the 900 when I was running it. Read more
David
To sum up as far as a manufacturer is concerned its all down to demand from the remaining vehicle parc. Ford have a policy of only keeping parts available for their models for only 10 years after model run out. Sierra stocks will be run down next (last built 02/93).
However do not despair there are loads of specialists out there and availability for any cars built in volume with a few thousand left running around should not be too bad; its just a case of searching and asking around.
Charles
who are the best "authority" types to shop anyone dealing in dodgy dangerous motors and issueing dubious mot's
cheers
vexed Read more
same as anybody trying to peddle guns down the pub - chat nicely to plod!
The way things are going, grassing villains up could become a lucrative business!
To declare an interest - I am a fan of rallying and delighted that it is to be shown on Channel 4. However am I alone in thinking that a disaster involving spectators is inevitable?
Cars at the very limit of their control envelope are passing spectators by a couple of feet. The in-car shots are frightening with idiots standing on the track and jumping out of the way at the last second. I can?t think of any other sport that is so potentially dangerous(to spectators) or virtually un-stewarded.
I don?t have any suggestions to remedy this, but it will take one serious incident with multiple fatalities to bring an end to the sport as we know it. If the authorities don?t ban it, the bad publicity will make manufacturers withdraw. Read more
I propose we get a group of our finest MP's epescially those dealing with the railways witness this at first hand after allowing the Rally drivers to drink beer during stages.
Any thoughts on excessive production of this on a Ford Lynx (Mondeo). Car has less than 2000 miles on the clock and within a few miles of washing, front trims are covered in brake dust. Thought at first this was simply due to newness and might go away but appears to me very abnormal and beyond the usual deposits one experiences.
Local dealer gave a "they all do that sir" response, but I'm not convinced. Brakes work perfectly otherwise. If it goes on like this pads will surely wear down very quickly. Driving is mostly stop and start town, thought it might be this but at the weekend did a longish open road run. Started with clean wheels, same result. Read more
I had an idea that since the phasing out of asbestos, the wear during braking took place more on the discs than on the pads. So the 'dust' has a higher proportion of steel than before. Certainly disc thickness seems to reach the recommended minimum at a middle-aged mileage.
Has anyone any problem solving experience I could use on my '66 2.2 dTi, v high mileage, please ? Read more
John,
Buying a VW in the first place would help...
Seriously, I have found that silicone grease (used sparingly) can be used to let the offending panels 'slide' against each other, which can stop some squeaks. With rattles you need to check the fittings (screws, press studs, tapers, etc.). I have found that air ducts sometimes come loose, as well as electrical components! Try 'thumping' the dash gently to see if you can locate the source(s) of the rattles.
Martin.
Browse
Mike, it's probably a bit late now (I'm fairly new to this website) but....
One glow plug has recently burnt out in my 67000 mile Corsa 1.5TD (Isuzu eng., mechanically very similar to the 1.7) causing misfiring after a cold start. When I removed the faulty plug I noticed that its tip was quite eroded, which is a sure sign that injector spray pattern isn't what it should be. I've been using Millers Diesel Power Plus additive for the last couple of years. I have also noticed that fuel economy isn't quite as good as it used to be (700+ miles from a tankful used to be easy but nowadays more like 680) even taking into account the cold weather, and that brisk acceleration is producing slight exhaust smoke which it never used to. A telephone call to an extremely helpful and knowledgeable diesel injection specialist confirmed my suspicions that the injectors would benefit from refurbishing, cost £23+VAT per injector. He told me that most indirect injection diesel injectors usually start deteriorating due to wear after 50K - 60K and that ones in Japanese engines seem to wear quicker.
Hope this helps
David
PS. Replacement glow plugs from Vauxhall are - wait for it - £26 each!!! The ones in my car are made by NGK with a part number stamped on them so you can guess where I'll be buying them from...