April 2002
Does anybody know where I can buy some silicon grease to protect the door seals on my car from freezing up? None of the big car chains such as Halfords seem to stock it. Thanks. Read more
Seriously considering a purchase of the above in the next couple of weeks. Have read the HJ tips, very handy, but would appreciate input from the sages of the backroom (alfaowner forum is next, but has a lot less traffic)
Spending circa 12k, which will get me I think a late phase1 early phase2 without 6speed box
mileages I have seen at this are approx 40k on year 99 - now I know that this is a period when many manufacturers put a major service in - what should I be looking for or be aware of?
many thanks - tales of horror not required - I'm too far gone for that... Read more
This was one of the vehicles on my option list, to be considered for my next new car,(but not the 3litre), (THANKS again guys- still looking at the Nissan 200).
British Car Auctions have :-
Blackbushe on Wednesday T reg 10k
Birmingham on Thursday V reg 35k
Measham on Friday T reg 47k
You may save a couple of £££'s if you dare spend this sort of dosh at auction! :-)
DLxx
Regulars at the backroom will know that I?m always interested in postings about that intriguing, intangible matter of image.
A few years ago I wrote the following in an article:
?Some people consider all thoughts of image pure vanity, but when you are talking about a business tool, in my experience, if you?re traveling to visit customers, particularly new customers, the car you arrive in is as important as your dress code and the quality of your stationery. They all send messages about what sort of a business you are. The difficult bit is discerning what sort of image you really need. Who are those customers and target customers? I work mainly for individuals, the self employed, sole traders, the butcher, the baker, the aromatherapy candle maker, that sort of thing. If they were a bunch of Internet entrepreneurs running around in £30,000 status cars, attempting to convince venture capitalists how successful they are,
I am sure they would want me to drive something similar. But the majority of my customers are very ordinary people who respond to key words and phrases like ?friendly, personal service, prompt, efficient, professional, honest, committed and reasonable costs.? - Hence my present 1998 Peugeot 406.
Thing is, I?ve just agreed to spend 1 day a week for the rest of the year (with the possibility of increasing next year) working for a bunch of Internet entrepreneurs who run around in £30,000 status cars. They are prepared to be generous with motor expenses, so I need to decide if a change of vehicle is necessary and if so what would be appropriate particularly as I will be
spending 80% of my time servicing my traditional client base.
Any comments would be welcome. Read more
Best hairdresser cars are 1) new Beetle 2)new Mini.
Ford Mondeo 1998 condenser - £364
Merc E320 198 condenser - £157
Obviously Frod reaps the benefit of economies of scale!! Read more
Oops! Ought to have realised!
Mike
Although I live in Germany I come from Bradford(no jokes)where they have built a dedicated self steering bus lane at a cost that would save the NHS .It has caused accidents you cannot now cross the road safely even to get on the Bus, caused traffic jams and has had the effect of making the buses slower.
Who dreams these things up without working out the consquences at such enormous cost to the tax payer. Read more
Had them in Glasgow called trams.
I always run my car (R plate 98 Vectra 1.8 GLS) until it has completed its warm up cycle, however on Sunday events conspired against me and after moving the car forward about a meter or so after its first (very cold) start in the morning I had to switch off and attent to something else. I hoped it would not be a problem as I did not attempt to start the car for 5 - 6 hours after the aborted journey. However the car refused to start until it was churned for a painful amount of time, it did then start with clouds of smoke, popping banging etc then ran as per normal. At this point what was the correct thing to do, (a) take it for a short run (but long enough to bring it up to temp) (b) take it for a long run, (c) drive gently (d) drive hard.
Which combination of the above??
Also is there a correct procedure to start a car in this condition to minimise the damage caused by the unburnt fuel in the Cat? Read more
Very useful reply, which mirrors information I have seen elsewhere. However I have two further questions on the topic:
1 Why should valves end up not properly closed? Surely the pressure of the valve return springs should be more than adequate to restore the hydraulic tappets to their correct length.
2 Why does this seem to be a problem only with ECU-equipped cars? Hydraulic tappets have been around since well before ECUs emerged and I don't recall complaints about poor starting then.
3 What fuelling condition applies when this difficult starting condition occurs? My thinking is that the ECU, having detected a previous cold start with an incomplete warm-up, only commands fuel injection as if the engine were hot. Hence the resultant situation is of trying to start a cold engine with no choke available - which is obviously difficult. Reduced compression due to leaking valves only makes things much worse. Does any one agree or have definitive information?
My wife's 1998 Golf TDi was serviced last week at the local VAG dealer. I posted a thread here when I discovered the brake fluid had been filled to the brim of the master cylinder. They fixed that by soaking up the excess with a rag.
I took the car for its MOT yesterday. More bad news emerged. The tester checked the engine oil - it was over full. He would not do the emissions test without draining just over a litre (!) - I think they only take 4 litres in total.
He also noticed that the offside sill had been damaged - it was clear that it was a badly placed jack that had caused the damage - it is also obvious that it is recently caused - the damaged area is still clean.
I am stunned by this level of service and competence. I had given the car a good hard drive before the MOT to clear it out - only to discover it had too much oil in it - presumably creating excess crankcase pressure?
I paid £180 for the service and now have a car in worse condition than when it went in.
Any recommendations on what I should do? Read more
steve: look up
www.volkswagen.de/home_e/index_.htm
for the VW-Germany HQ's English version web site.
As petrol cars require a cat converter, came the same be said for diesel cars ? Read more
A single-bed oxidising cat, yes.
But they don't seem to last any longer......(My Audi A4 TDi.....grrrrrrrrrr!!!)
I was looking at roof boxes today and found that they cost (with bars) about £240 for my Passat, which is slightly ridiculous. Therefore i would like to get a trailer and tow bar, the tow bar can be fitted for about £180 locally, but what kind of trailer should i get? Need it for long motorway driving, carrying camping equipment, househole items etc.
any ideas greatly appreciated.
Also, is there anything i need to know about towing before taking to the road with 2m extra behind me? Read more
The "stand on end" facility is usually just a block of wood bolted onto each side at the back to protect the lights and can often be added as an "after-sales" modification.
They also protect the lights from accidental contact with walls etc. when wheeling it around the garden.
Thanks to KB, Cardew and Donkey Hoatey for your comments on the A3.
I have to admit I am very much of a badge snob!
This weekend I concidered buying a T Reg Golf 1.8T,
but am coming to terms with my condition (which I have passed
on to my wife!!) and thing seriously of a Léon. Read more
Then try that silicon grease recommended on another thread!
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But may attack the rubber, as it's oil-based.