January 2002
It may be me, but did I read or hear somewhere that in the not too distant future, new cars in the UK will have to be wired up so that the headlights are on all the time? (Like Volvo's etc.)
Assuming that this is correct, I presume it's a European ruling. And isn't is a shame?
If I am barking up the wrong tree and am getting confused, then sorry to cause a panic folks! Read more
I've just topped up the oil on my 1998 bmw 528i and their is a yellowy gunk apparent on the filler cap. It still has 3 service lights remaining and is always serviced by a bmw dealer at the right interval.
Does this gunk imply a problem?
thanks Read more
I checked with BMW GB in Bracknell, they were very helpful, I'd suggest you give them a call.
best of luck!
john
I know that there have been quite forceful opinions on the wisdom of running an imported Japanese MPV (Toyota Masterace). However, with due consideration to it's low purchase price and it's full complement of "extras" compared to the traditional types of MPV, and acceptance that these vehicles are not for the fainthearted owner in that it is essential that the cambelt, cooling systems, electrics etc have to be checked/maintained and fully understood to obtain satisfactory and satisfying performance, I have been more than pleased with my vehicle over the last nine months. One drawback is that, because, so I understand, Japanese roads are not "salted" in winter, there is no underseal on these vehicles. The underside of my Masterace is excellent and, I assume, the lack of corrosion is due to adequate anti-corrosion
(galvanizing ?) materials being used in the body construction. As I want to ensure that the underside remains in good condition, could anyone advise on the best way to underseal ? Have any classic car renovators a view on "Waxoyl" and it's use by the amateur ? Or, any other recommendation re an underseal for "home" application (I have a compresssor & spray equipment)or, the whereabouts, these days, of any commercial underseal Companies ? Any helpful comments would be much appreciated.
Thanks Read more
one other thing... before you apply underseal go over the area with a fine tooh comb looking for spots of rust in areas where the paint has been scraped... clean off every trace of it and paint it... let it dru and then underseal... otherwise you just end hiding places that might eat away at the metal unseen
Rust NEVER sleeps
~R
BTW www.boeshield.com/index.htm is the best line of products I have ever used to prevent rust on things like cables and polished metal I do not know the UK outlet But it looks form the web page that a Yamaha Bike dealer would have their branded version of it... I have used it at sea for many years and nothing else even comes close... those with frozen locks should also consider it...
~R
Can you please advice the difference between the following Morgan's:-
Four/Four, Plus Four, Plus Eight.
Thank you Read more
>>What, in those tiny seats? Get away.
Es verdad. Aunque usted debe tener cuidado de la rueda de manejo.
Hi.. does anyone know a good roof rack solution for a vauxhall tigra 1995. I want to carry a chunky mountain bike up top...
Any suggestions..
Jonnie Read more
What about putting the Tigra on the back of the bike. just a thought!
;-)
David
Happy new year to everyone, hope you all had a good festive season.
As I look outside to my doom blue Xantia, it is showing the signs of having toured the North of England in the past week in that it is now white with salt. Not just a little bit, but enough to flavour all the chips in Whitley Bay.
It's not attractive, and I'm heading out to wash it, but my question is this - what's all that salt doing to the expensive bits under the body? Should I drive with haste to a car wash that does the underside of the car?
Any advice much appreciated.
Lee. Read more
put the hose in a bucket of warm water.
every time i use the rear washer no water, however it activates the windscreen washer, any ideas. Many thanks. Read more
HJ, your prejudices are hanging out again ...
Is there a garage in england who converts cars to lpg gas ecnomically or would you know if there is goverment grant scheme for cars 4yrs old? Read more
YES THERE IS GOVERNMENT GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR CERTAIN CARS UP TO 5 YEARS OLD VISIT www.powershift.org.uk/ TO CHECK IF YOUR CAR QUALIFYS
BUT POWERSHIFT TELLS US WHAT WE HAVE TO CHARGE
SHOP AROUND YOU WILL FIND THAT MOST OF THE TIME ITS CHEAPER TO CONVERT YOUR CAR WITHOUT THE GRANT ALSO POWERSHIFT TELLS US WHAT EQUIPMENT HAS TO BE FITTED TO THE CAR NOT NECCISARILY THE BEST EQUIPMENT FOR THE JOB
GOOD LUCK DAVE
HJ says that a (S) reg daewoo nubira cdxi auto with 20000 miles went for £3900 (and i think that excludes commission), but you can buy cars cheaper than that up here, a place in durham called 'stoneacre' has a (V) reg daewoo nubira cdxi auto, with 14000 miles, for only £4195, and you also get a free washing machine or 21inch TV. Read more
"not many DCF agreements will go full term".
Do you mean the vehicles end up repossessed?. I can't see many being paid off. What value the Daewoo then? Vicious circle.
Negative equity???
With so many people having problems with diesels in cold weather, I thought I would pass on details of a successful 'bodge' I carried out 2 years ago on a Toyota Hilux, which has had no problems starting in the cold weather this week.
On most diesels, the heater plugs are controlled by an assortment of timers, relays, sensors etc. These are all expensive, and a pig to diagnose when they go wrong. So, having tested the heater plugs on the Toyota and narrowed the problem down to one of the two control boxes, I simply bolted an old Lucas starter solenoid under the bonnet, ran a thick cable from the battery to the relay, then another cable to the heater plugs. The solenoid is operated by a push switch on the dash. To start from cold, push the switch and hold in for 10 seconds. Then turn the ignition key while still pushing the switch. Release the switch when the engine fires.
This modification cost me £10 in parts and took about an hour to fit. Only recommended for old bangers though - it won't do the residual value of your X reg Audi A4 TDi much good. Read more
A lot of recent correspondence about difficult starting of diesels seems to relate to a particular Vauxhall diesel engine. I understand that, with these engines, the accelerator pedal should be fully depressed for starting at temperatures below 10 degrees C. This will give an enriched mixture by over-fuelling and may answer the cold-starting problem that has been aired in this forum several times.
Browse
I agree the older style sidelights were useless for being seen as are the parking lights now fitted, would never wish to see a return to sidelights like the old Jags, I've seen better lights on a bicycle, how they were ever legal I shall never know!
I use the intermediate dim-dip which were fitted until it was decided that adjustable headlights would replace them. My argument is that in most urban situations modern headlights are overkill, the dim-dip which lights the headlight area so you can be seen and gives sufficient illumination to light reflectors and road signs etc is quite adequate.
As for front fogs, they just scatter light everywhere and achieve very little, mostly for posing I think.