October 2002
Bought another car at the weekend, but its taxation class is currently shown as disabled, and it is untaxed. I guess I need to change this to PLG when I tax it (hopefully on Friday). Anybody know the drill?
Thanks
Richard Read more
Hello All,
I've just brought a september '99 Synergie (1.9TD), and need to drain and refill the cooling system. There appear to be no bleed screws where I might expect to find them on this engine, however there are small pipes from these points (eg top of thermostat housing etc) leading up to eventually join the header tank. Am I right in assuming that as I refill it these will allow the air to escape up through the header and in effect automatically bleed it as it fills? Any other refilling without airlocks hints?
Sorry if this is painfully obvious, I otherwise drive a 1957 Landrover S1 so the Synergie seems incredibly complex by comparison! Also more complex than our previous old 405.
Many Thanks,
Graham W Read more
Yes you are correct. the system look after the air.
Regards
Peter
I have an Astra diesel estate with an Isuzu 1.7td engine.When it is running the engine is fine.The alternator and battery are new but I still have a slow cranking problem. Yesterday morning I ran it for approx 1 hour and left it for 2 hrs and it fired straight away. Yesterday afternoon I was moving some kitchen gear between houses and usually the period between stopping and restarting the engine was from 5 to 30 mins but each time it just cranked quite slowly before firing. Whilst I know diesel engines sometimes take time to fire I never had this problem until approx 6 weeks ago. Until then the starter had turned quickly.Even with jump leads the starter seems quite sluggish. All this leads me to believe that the problem is with the starter but I would be grateful for any advice from you guys. Could there be another reason? Is there a way of testing the starter?
Thanks
Allan Read more
I had the same problem with my astra after replacing the battery ( it's the Isuzu engine too) check the new battery's cranking amp's with the old one's, they may have mixed the engines up.Mine turned over quickly when 'jumped' with a 650amp battery ( ohh er!!)
My 306 needed new discs at 72000 mile service and at about 80000 miles I started to get severe break judder. Dealer changed discs under warranty but now 6 months and 6000 miles later judder is coming back.Could it be a bad batch of discs or is there another reason? Anyone else had similar problems?
Read more
No. The harder you press the worse it is.
Hi,
I am after a small car to start learning to drive in. Im 17 and have a maximum budget of £10,000 for the car. As I see it I have the following options:
BMW MINI One 1.6 - Import or Car supermarket £
£10,000 with the kit, 6 month wait
Toyota Yaris T Sport - Car supermarket - £9,500
Peugeot 206 XSI 1.6 - £9,500, Car supermarket
Vauxhall Corsa XSI 1.2 - £8500 with extras, supermarket
VW Lupo/arosa 1.4 sport - £9000ish, supermarket
I went to the motorshow preview day and generally liked all of these cars but I just dunno what to do.
I am inclined to go for the Mini as its very stylish and nice inside but the 6 month delivery is an off putting prospect.
The t sport is stylish and very quick with 0-60mph in 9 seconds but insurance group is highest at 7 and interior a bit plasticy, but £2500 off rrp is excellent.
206 xsi a very nice car, is insurable and available now. but perhaps slightly big? although good money.
Lupo and Arosa were ok...but cheap i thought inside and lupo has girly lights and is a bit expensive.
Corsa impressive but aint so keen as its a bit 'granny' and has high sides.
Basically, i really need help deciding as I want to place an order for one within the next week or so. I would REALLY appreciate your advice and expert knowledge.
Thanks,
(P.S. You may recognise this screen name - my dad looked on it when buying his current car) Read more
hi
sorry i havent replied at the moment but a lot of things have been going on. I found myself travelling up with my mum to newcastle on thursday to discover a close family member was admitted to hospital. Unfortunately she passed away the following day and it was discovered yesterday she had cancer. As you can imagine its been a hell of a few days so cars have gone out of the window.
However, the day before (wednesday) i did put a £300 deposit down to hold a zetec fiesta and that can be transfered to any other car that motorpoint sell if i decide its not what i want.
My cars do 3 miles to town,5 miles to the supermarket, 1 mile to the pub (when it is raining) or 1400 miles to the south of Spain.
The long journeys call for excellent autoroute cruising--10 hour days behind the wheel,need good seats ,economy ,reasonable speed, reliability.
The local runs call for little more than a gutsy battery.
How small can I go ,car wise , before I`m in silly territory.
A Smart would be silly So would a Yaris I suspect. Any views on a C3 ? A Ka ? Fiesta ? A 206 ? A polo ?
Any help from personal experience would be much appreciated. Read more
Although I've had paint & gearbox problems with my car, the Merc A160 is a corker to drive... quick off the mark and has done indicated 115mph with 4 adults on board no stress. V comfy for very long distances. Overall consumption in the 2,500 miles I've owned it is 36mpg - 60% town, 40% mway & autobahn. Quite a bargain as well - my nearly new was 5.5k off the new list price
So, Ask Ripley is no more. It's a pity. I liked his column and learnt a lot from it.
Can anyone dish the dirt on his ousting? He was a bit sharp towards letter writers at times. Maybe this is wot did for 'im?
NB: For those who do not read the Sat. Telegraph, Ask Ripley was a sort of advanced motoring column by an advanced driving instructor. One of the paper's best bits, beside HJ's column of course. Errm,is that enough flattery?) Read more
A good idea but I guess he'd need recompense and who'd pay ? Not sure HJ's pockets are that deep ;-)
Evening folks,
Anyone recommend a car alarm for under £200?
Thanks Read more
What car do you have?
Does it have central locking? Is it IR or radio?
Is there an immobiliser fitted?
Is it a CAT 2 immobiliser?
If yes to the above, then get a Cat2:1 alarm or similar. I have a Toad alarm (now discontinued) and it works great. The alarm has optional glass-break sensors and dual sensitivity knock sensors. It uses the original remote control.
Total cost was about £200 if i remember.
Ben
Something I only discovered last week when my 5 year old Vectra went for it's test.The tester noticed that the panel which the rear door catches are attached to,started showing signs of corrosion around the spot weld.It's not an MOT issue,but I decided to look into it further.
It seems that Vauxhall know about this problem,(surprise surprise)and you can have it sorted under the 6 year anti-corrosion warranty.I have already had my local dealer take a look at mine,and he has confirmed that Vauxhall do,indeed,know of this problem.Mine will be sorted within 7-10 days.
What happens is,the backing plate,which I presume is in the rear wheel arches,become detatched,meaning you can move the catches by hand with not a lot of force.Water gets in,and rust starts.
A friend of mine has a 2 year old Vectra which has started to go.Needless to say,I've told him what to do.
One final thing.Some dealers will insist on seeing your service history.Why,I don't know,because thats got nothing to do with body corrosion.
Your comments please,Ladies and Gentlemen. Read more
Update......
2 years and 4 months after having the work done,my 97 2.0 diesel is now showing just over 114.000 miles,and the doors are still rust free.
I must say my local dealer,(or their bodywork sub contractor) seems to have done their stuff on my car.Hopefully soon,I will be getting a company car due to a possible promotion at work,and my wife will be getting rid of her Nissan Micra 1.3SR,and taking posession of my Vectra,and I have no doubt that she will have hassle free motoring,in much the same way I have.
This is my 2nd Vauxhall,and while I don't exactly love the car,I can't fault it's reliability in the 3 years I've had it,the only problem being seals on the injector pump going about 18 months ago.
Talking of inconsiderate drivers, one of the things that bugs me, especially at night, are those drivers who when stopped at traffic lights etc, put their foot on the brake pedal and leave it there.
With 3 bright brake lights shining in your face, Im inclined (but don't) to slap the main beam and front fogs on.
And people whinge about others driving in daylight with front fogs on. Honestly. Read more
Absolutely Dave. Plenty of people forget to switch off rear fog lights when you come up behind them. Most of the time, a few flashes of the headlights (not meant aggresivly but who knows how it's interpreted) reminds them to stop dazzling me. But what never fails to amaze me are the ones who don't switch on the rear fog light UNTIL you come up behind them. Can't fathom that one at all.
GJD
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