September 2002
If any of you backroomers have a few quid spare, I can recommend a pre 1963 reg plate as a far better investment than The Stock Exchange at the moment(it would have a job to be worse). I bought one exactly a year ago (pre 1963) and as a result of a recent valuation, am pleased to be informed, that it has now increased by 50% in the year. - Not bad particularly as I think the new format plates are diabolical!! Read more
I need to do some crude bodywork and cill cutting to liberate an old chassis so no reuse of metal involved. Are the electric power hacksaws of the £50-80 variety fairly robust? ie Argos do a JCB-branded one. Or is it best to get something bigger from a hire shop? Bear in mind I only have single phase electricity and no compressor.
Thanks in advance Read more
David
I'd think carefully before buying a 9 inch angle grinder, unless you've a lot of heavy work planned. In practice you'll probably find the 4 1/2 inch models are more useful. The larger machines are just too big and heavy for many jobs.
Yes, it may make this one job easier, but frankly I'd buy the smaller machine and either take longer over this or use a hammer and bolster chisel. I was amazed how quickly this did the job for me.
I'd confirm the suggestion to buy a known brand - very often the cheaper items are slower and lower powered, and if you look around for the deals the extra cost is relatively small.
Regards
John S
My mothers 1983 metro windscreen has now started to delaminate around the edges. At the moment it has separated in about 1 inch in places. First signs was a misting at the edges but now in places the plastic layer is evident. Car mostly resides in the garage. Windscreen is original and never removed.
Never seen this before. Is it common in cars of this age? Is the windscreen liable to selfdestruct on the motorway? Read more
Thanks for all suggestions. Will investigate local scrap yard. If EU gets its way this source of spares will disappear due to over the top regulations.
I have a ford galaxy zetec, bought from new in May 2001. The air blowers now only blow hot and we are being cooked on all but the shortest of journeys, and its made worse by all the glass in these cars. Ford say its a software problem that they don't have a fix for. Easy for them to say they're not stuck with the car. Anyone else out there suffering with this problem or know anything about it. Ford customer assistance have been very polite but about as much use as a chocolate teapot (which wouldn't last long in my car!) Thought if we all got together we might just get Fotd to listen to their customers. Thanks. Read more
On my Ka to get the heater to work,I must go to full-hot and then turn it back-sticky water valve.Older Fords-Escort etc-had air blend heaters which could not stick.
Went down to Harwich docks yesterday to pick up my imported BMW 320d.
When I got to the collection pound, the place was mainly filled with Golf's Rav 4's a few Merc Sports Coupes and BMW's! As I pulled up, two transporter loads of Rav 4's and BMW's were leaving. Another transport company collected a Boxter convertible and one couple came to collect their Golf and someone else to collect a Merc!
The guys who monitor the pound said the place nearly empty although I estimated there were 40 cars awaiting collection. As I was inspecting my BM, they were unloading about 6 Volvo coupes and more Golf, BMW and Mercs off the latest ferry from Cuxhaven!
After a good hour inspecting everything was ok and as ordered on the car I set off to drive all the way 'oop north' without registration plates. I didn't get stopped and resisted the temptation to drive through the scameras on the A14 and M6 roadworks although it was very tempting.
The BM which is really a 320 d SE Sport is fantastic, complete with all M Sports pack and some nice extras I wanted on it. Just got to get it registered and away we go! Lovely jubbley! Read more
My 1994L Volvo 960 (3.0 24v FS Estate) has suffered with air con problems since new. I've had all the major components replaced during the 3 year warranty period - and the system has been re-gassed regularly. Now it's failed yet again - with a 121 code flashing on the a/c button. This, I think, indicates a sensor failure on the blower motor - but where the hell is it located ?
Anyone have access to a circuit diagram that shows where all the sensors are located ?
Any information would be appreciated.
It's been a splendid car, and still is, save the air con problems - which must be fixable, surely ?
Thanks,
Old Nick Read more
Why do traffic light controls on motorway slip roads have one set of lights pointing the wrong way - ie) against the entrance flow ? Is this a subtle way of introducing driving on the right by the EU ?
Just curious
Old Nick Read more
The middle aged lady in a small Oriental hatchback, who I
saw a couple of weeks ago driving the wrong way round
the busiest roundabout in Ipswich during the evening rush hour, needs
more than just signs....
ALthough since speed kills driving round a one way backwards must be one of the safest things you can do.
Minus 30mph. Would be impossible to crash...
--
Parp, Parp!
Note: All Toad posts come with an implied smiley.
Appeared as a witness in a court case recently (was not called). It concerned a collision. It emerged that the middle-aged defendant had never had a driver's licence, yet he had insurance cover and the insurer paid up. Something wrong, surely?
Read more
Not half.
Presuming Defendant was appearing in connection with a driving offence? then:
Proviso on any Certificate of Insurance are the words that cover is only effected if "the driver holds a licence to drive the vehicle or has held one and not presently disqualified from obtaining a licence"
Possible false declaration to obtain Insurance through non disclosing no Licence.
Pulling the wool over Plod's peepers as Licence would be required to prove entitlement to drive and later production at Court to be endorsed etc.
DVD
There seems to be a flood of adverts on TV for new cars at the moment. I really liked the ones for the Punto "Don't you want me baby?" but would rather put pins in my eyes than drive something promoted using Timmy Mallet's Wackaday. I think Fiat have got it badly wrong somewhere.
I love the new one for the Vauxhall Corsa where the cars are playing hide & seek just like children. Fantastically well executed, it makes the Corsa seem a lot more fun and tempting. Better than the annoying one for the same car where the girl starts rabbiting on about traction control and accelerating out of a roundabout.
Anyone else have any favourites / hates.
Lee.
PS - Timmy Mallett & Right Said Fred were the final nails in the coffin of me not getting a Punto. How sad is that?! Read more
Funny, the last time the "Don't you want me, baby" advertisement featured in this forum, there was an outcry from those who had failed to spot its very clever play on 60s and 70s pop music words and characters.
This time around there have been no "Don't geddit" postings so I assume that everyone is now tuned in! The advert still tells us nothing useful about the car though, a bit like Clarkson really.
Can anyone recommend a product to repair a small puncture hole in plastic of the type used for petrol filler pipes (Peugeot 405 in this case)? The rest of the pipe is undamaged and the replacement part is quite expensive, so I wish to try repairing it first. Read more
I have stopped the leak with a product called Auto Weld (by JB Weld, see WWW.jbweld.co.uk). It is supplied in two tubes which you mix together in equal quantities. Claimed to be suitable for repairs to petrol tanks and many other uses. Passed the MOT afterwards so it must have satisfied the tester too!
.jpg)
E type Jags were going for £100,000+ not long ago - now £25,000 will get you a really good one.
As the 'health warnings' say investments can go up or down.
I don't know if you are recommending 'personalised' number plates - J ACK 1 etc, I am frankly amazed at the money people apparently pay for them. I just can't see the point - but each to their own as they say.