August 2002
In the short time I've been using and contributing to this great site I've been amazed at the tremendous expertise which is offered by all you technical buffs in response to virtually any motoring/car related problem. Not so long ago there was a very good TV series called Trade Secrets in which professionals in various fields gave their Top Tips for making life easier and doing things better/quicker/cheaper etc. If it hasn't been done already and I've just missed it, couldn't all you technical buffs and enthusiasts do the same on this site so that we can build a Top Tips section for people to refer to on all aspects of car repairs, maintenance etc. The tips could be categorised in various ways and would I feel be a very valuable resource which all back-roomers could access. What do you think lads ? What about it HJ, Mark ?. Read more
Can somebody point me in the right direction here?
I just bought a car with all the mobile phone fittings except the 'black box'. It's for a different phone than mine (7110 I think), but I can get an old phone and switch SIMs to use it. I think I have found the connector, but I need to be sure I have the right thing before hunting out the right box. Anyone done this on the cheap? Read more
Ben,
Thanks very much for the link to radiophone-services. Very useful indeed!
El Dingo (Martin).
Hi everyone
Just a quick reminder for UK readers that if anyone wants to gain the proper restoration skills for their beloved car then your local Further Education College might be running a Car Restoration Course.
New courses are starting within the next few weeks ( End
Aug/September/October) and skills covered usually include welding/metal fabrication/body repairs/painting and lots more.
There is a comprehensive list on my non-commercial website at
www.restoredclassic.xrs.net
An example of a restoration project on one of these courses can be found here
www.wannop.karoo.net/mini/index.htm
I hope you find this information useful.
Chas
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Colchester college in Essex are proud of their car courses. Also each year the dept head organises a classic vehicle show in the grounds.
Hi,
Just wondering is anyone knows if the '99 Vectra 2.0 Di (X20DTL)has a timing belt or chain? I've just bought an estate with 91k on the clock... just wondering if I'll need to worry about the belt.
Kind regards,
Cyrill666
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Hi,
Sadly my Grandfather passed away last week, and we are selling his car privately on behalf of my Grandmother. There are two things I would appreciate some advice on from this excellent forum:
1) What is it worth? It is a metallic green 1992 (K) Volvo 460 1.8 Xi. It has covered a mere 31000 miles (none of which have been very short runs), has a full Volvo service history, has had a very recent new Volvo silencer and 2 new tyres and is in immaculate condition inside and out. Parkers online valuation quoted £610 for A1 condition. However, looking on Autotrader suggests that £995 ONO is more realistic. What do you think?
2) Yesterday my Uncle drove it to Birmingham to the airport to drop off my cousin (as a means of giving the car a run). Just before he got home the temp gauge rose alarmingly, steam poured out of the bonnet, and it transpires that the radiator has sprung a major leak. Volvo quoted a ridiculous price for a new rad. Would you advise trying to get hold of a pattern part?
Many thanks
Regards,
Rob E
==========
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Look in your Yellow Pages under "Radiators - Motor" to find yourself a local supplier. There are plenty of places that recondition radiators - they may rebuild yours or exchange.
When you fit the new rad run it for a couple of days with a double dose of Radflush in water (try your local factor or Halfords), then flush thoroughly with clean water before replacing with fresh coolant (check your manual for concentration recommendations - if none, use 33%).
Bearing in mind the condition, age, mileage & service history you claim - how come it needed a new rad? You sure it had it's regular 2 yearly flush and coolant refresh? Be prepared to hear this from a potential purchaser.
If it's really as good as you say advertise it for a grand. Take it out for an "Italian tune" too.
All my efforts to obtain a wiring diagram for the above having failed, can anyone please advise if the wiring of the central locking is similar to any other Suzuki model, for which a diagram might be readily available ?
Thank you, petel@clara.co.uk
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How about it please folks ??
I own a factory produced bi fuel ford focus. It runs rough at low revs and after gear changes. Is this the engine management computer fighting over the petrol/lpg systems?
Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks
23/8/02 Read more
Anyone a clue to what the trim pots do, at the rear and side of the radio. I've fitted a new aerial and should the radio be trimmed/tuned to it. Read more
My 2.5 diesal omega has done 143k, i've got the service history on it. On my next service i'am contamplating using an engine flush, but have been told this could do more harm than good. Any views please !! Read more
Some say this can dislodge deposits which can then block oilways. Removing the deposits is the aim though. The most important action to prevent deposit buildup is regular oil changes. Nevertheless I believe in using a flush occasionally (say every 3rd or 4th change).
Is any one else having problems with their omega computer display losing the figures? My 1995 model is getting hard to read. can they be repaired? or is it a new unit? Read more
Yes you'll need a new display - all the warnings, radio codes and engine fault codes etc come up on it so I bet it would be difficult to live without it for long.
I've just bought a '96 omega that has just had it replaced, the garage told me it cost £200 so it may be worthwhile shopping around. Another 96 omega I drove recently had the same problem as you describe so getting one second hand may be a problem as it does seem like a common fault.
Browse
>When the rear seats are unoccupied, fasten both seatbelts where fitted. It prevents them from getting tangled in the doors!
Also, if you carry anything heavy in the boot (calor gas cylinders, large toolboxes etc) fastening the rear seatbelts might just stop the load from flattening the rear seats in a crash and maybe carrying on until it reaches YOU! Cross the seatbelts over as well, left belt into right buckle, right into left. Remember the Maestro rear seats that used to collapse in a crash under the weight of a week's shopping...?