October 2002
Ok, it's not catching burglars, but it is a step in the right direction for motorists!
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2280518.stm
--
These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads. Read more
I have been trying to change the oil filter on an L reg Mondeo. Both the filters are marked "EFL600". The old filter also has the number "1 119 421" on it and has five holes around the top. The new filter has the number "1 066 071" on it and has six holes around the top. The new filter also has an additional feature in that when fitted and the engine is started, oil gushes out round the seal. Refitting the old filter sorts the problem.
I am assured by my local Ford agent that the filters are the same but my experience and the oil stain on the drive tells a different story.
Are these filters the same? Read more
>>This has happened to me twice. Last year the Ford agent
replaced the filter with one from the same manufacturer and gave
me oil to replace spillage. This year I have been given
a filter from a different manufacturer (the right one - I
hope) and will find out next year if it works properly.
Any opinions on third party filters for Fords?
MH
>>
I've fitted Halfords filters to my 95 mondeo with no problems.
Hi I've just bought a 1998 Rover 220 SDi with 46000 miles on the clock. I noticed that the belt going round the alternator looks a little perished (small cracks in the middle) so I'll get it replaced. I was wondering with this in mind if its worth also changing the cam belt. I more concerned about this than I normally would be because my last car wrecked its engine when the belt went. Any info ? How much to change ? How difficult to do yourself ? When should it normally be done (been told the none intercooled version is 80000+ !!) ????
Cheers
Steve Read more
The L-series engine very rarely snaps cambelts before replacement age.
Ben
My paint has gone on the tailgate of the Xantia, it looks like the fibres are showing through, it appears common as I've seen a few Xantias with the same problem. Has anyone had theirs resprayed? Was the result worth it? How come the BX didn't go the same way? Read more
I had a 1995 metallic green Xantia which had the same problem. I put it down to the grease/sweat from my hands. The part of the tailgate that was affected was where my hand was placed for closing.
Derek
I've used a set of vac gauges to set my carbs up this weekend.
It runs worse now they are evenly balanced than before.
I think the gauges are accurate because I swapped them over and got the same reading from each cylinder using the same gauge.
A mate says he's found this too using my gauges and simply adjusts his carbs by ear after using the gauges to get close.
Can anyone shed any light on this odd situation...
--
These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads. Read more
On a bike there is more than one tweak to balance carbs.
The most common one is the three screws (for 4 cylinder) that adjust the relative opening of the butterfly valves.
The other one is the idle adjustment (air bleed, mixture or whatever it's called) This is sometimes a sealed adjustment - especially in the USA where you have to drill out a blanking plate. Myself, I've always found that setting them to the manufacturers recommended setting (2.5 turns out in my case) works well enough.
A final setting that may have an effect a float level - a pain to set up though.
Doing just the butterfly balance on mine has always been enough to make things run smoothly though.
Martin
Back on tonight 20:30. Channel 5. Read more
Not sure if I liked the programme tonight because it was good or because Driven is so abysmally bad these days.
Veering on the edge of falling off-topic, The Count really does haver the worst barnet on TV. Perhaps he's put his head out of the window at high speed once too often and it's all been pushed back. A visit to a trained barber is surely in order.
Only bit I'd swap was VBH running around the parking meter, a bit unnecessary methinks.
Overall, 7/10
Lee.
I have been looking at W-X reg lowish millage Puntos and find that all of them show signs of an oil leak underneath the car, around the gearbox area. I also notice that the rocker cover gaskets seep oil as well. Are there some known problems?
Read more
Yes. They're Fiats. Sorry..!
Just seen the new Vectra in the metal. The back-end gets my vote for the ugliest ever. Like a pregnant hippo dressed for a party. To make matters worse the vehicle in question was a rust coloured brown. Is this the new pensioner beige, completely unsaleable second hand I wonder? I do hope the Vauxhall/GM design studio has got out of ugly mode in time for the replacement Astra. Read more
You've not got time to stare out of a window.................
Why is the HJ time stamp on posting GMT and not BST at thsi time of year.
OK we are about to change soon , so not a prob' 'till Easter
The clock on my car radio {the necessary car link} sets to BST / GMT automatically - RDS?
Paul {Forest of Bowland} Read more
It is easier to cosistently stick to zulu time (GMT) than shift every time the clocks change.
I haven't looked to see if the "site rules" state that GMT is used, but as the point comes up every couple on months Martyn might like to think about making the time used obvious, maybe by just adding GMT after the time on the header.
Has anyone in the backroom had their car 'chipped'
Was it worth the money?
Does it use more fuel?
Why don't manufacturers offer chipped versions, or hane switchable versions, performance / economy mode, bit like auto boxes.
If you have chipped, have you told your insurance, if Yes, how much extra are they charging you?
If no, naughty naughty.
Anyone got, or know of, a chipped Volvo 3.0 24V {960 / V90 }204 BHP - what is the BHP after chipping?
Paul
Read more
my modded house: twin chimney, banging sound system with in-house dvd, twin turbo hoover and Dunlop rubber (soled shoes)
;)
Browse
.jpg)
He was telling me to get further onto the nearside more of the way round. He reckoned I was going in wide enough but then turning in way too soon.
I accept this but the more extreme examples were because of leaves.
I'm not slagging the guy off. Most of his advice was 100 per cent relevant and his choice of roads was excellent. He even realised that I was going much slower than normal and suggested I ride at my normal pace. [2] His analysis of my riding was far more considered than my own. In fact I wonder if anyone can truely assess themselves? Reminds me - I need to get hold of a copy of Roadcraft.
[1] Telling is way to strong - he politely offered some food for thought.
[2] Imagine my disapointment when the old git on a BMW tourer was able to keep up when I hotted up the pace...
--
These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads.