January 2003
My cousin owns a 2001X Seat Ibiza Cupra. The near-side rear tyre is wearing severely on the inside, so badly that the tyre is flat-spotting, and scrubbing at an alarming rate. The tyre is also splitting around its Circumference on the inside edge. The off-side is unaffected and is wearing normally.
The dealer says they'll do what they can to help cure it, but have no idea what the cause is. They've checked the suspension geometry and have found no faults. The shock absobers seem serviceable and have no visible leaks. The wheel bearing was suspected to be the cause, but was eliminated by the dealer. The wheels are new, and are correctly balanced.
Has anyone experienced this on an Ibiza or any other Seat ?
Any help will be gratefully recieved,
Ash.
Read more
For the sake of simplicity I will stick with Champion designation, can anyone offer a decode of what the letters actually mean?
More specifically what is the meaning of the prefix R when differentiating between N7Y and RN7Y.
The sufix C and CC variants also occur.
pmh (was peter) Read more
Thanks to all for info, the link from Shigg is an excellent source of NGK info.
For cross Brand information it is worth looking at
www.flashpoint-direct.co.uk/scrc.htm
pmh (was peter)
couldn't help but question Dominic Littlewood's claim (in Sat telegraph) that "clocking is almost an extinct word now" and that "Government bodies have weeded out most of the Arthur Daleys".
Thats wishful thinking. I cannot help but marvel at the quantities of "low mileage" specimens which are displayed on forecourts up and down the country. What, I ask myself, happens to all the other normal (ie high) mileage cars? I say "normal" because most of the people I know clock up annual mileages of 15-20K through domestic driving and commuting. What happens to these cars...?
In addition, is it not complacent to assume that clocking is a thing of the past and that most car traders are genuine? One thing I have learned from this site and its links is that there is a vast difference between prices being asked by car sellers up and down the country. I still think that buying a car is about the most risky thing I'll ever do and I'm forever alarmed by the lack of consumer protection when forking out thousands of pounds. There must be a better way of regulating this business - proper inspections of premises etc. There's Ofsted, Oftel, Ofjustaboutanythingelse, so why not Ofcardealers!?
Splodgeface Read more
There is a facility on VED application forms to record the
milage of the vehicle every time you renew. I can\'t understand
why this is not compulsory and recorded against the vehicle
details at the DVLA. It would be simplicity itself and would
be a surefire way of making clocking a thing of the past.
Anyone think of any loopholes?
I don\'t think the Government have got any intention of making mileage recording compulsory on any DVLA records. I am sure Manufacturers/fleet operators persuade them not to.
If they do, clocking will cease but residual values of cars in general will fall leading to a downturn in the motor trade which contributes a significant amount to the UK economy. A manufacturer tried to make their cars \'unclockable\' in the early 1990\'s but residual values fell through the floor until the manufacturer corrected their \'mistake\'.
People will refuse to buy cars with \'real mileages\' and hang on to what they have got as they can\'t buy the car they want at the mileage they want at the price they want. Also with falling residual values, used cars will suffer when used in part exchanges against new cars.
Result - New car and second hand car sales fall and people retain
their own cars for longer.
Overnight my 1999 Mondeo 2.5 V6 Ghia X central locking stopped working, both remotely and using the key in the door (tried the spare key too). The red alarm light is constantly on, but flickers occasionally. I have checked the central locking fuse, which is OK. The back doors are deadlocked and won't open manually.
Anybody got any ideas?
Read more
I have a 2001 Astra Club with remote central locking. Three weeks ago I was sitting in it in a car park, engine off, doors unlocked and two of them open, when the driver of a Merc in the next bay approached his car and unlocked it with a remote; my car locked. Last week my Astra was parked on the drive of someone's house, locked and with the key in my possession, when it was noticed that it had unlocked itself, accompanied by the usual flashing of the indicators. No other cars were near. I thought that such things were impossible, especially twice in three weeks; any ideas? Read more
DD, I know that, and it's a sad indication of how society's going.
However, I DID mean what I said in a motoring-related way, actually - if I wasn't unconscious, but could just about get to my phone, the last thing I'd be able to do would be to key in codes, a simple 999 would be much quicker and easier.
The fact that phones tend to dial 999 all by themselves, rather than any other number, is a mystery which I have yet to explain.
HF
My mum has decided to replace her very reliable Clio. The new car must have enough boot space for her golf bag and electric trolley without folding the seats down. She wants to be able to go to a supermarket etc after golf without having all the golf equipment on show. The current hotlist is:
Skoda Fabia Estate (1.4 16v Elegance)
Honda Civic (1.4SE)
Seat Leon (1.4/1.6S)
Definite no-nos are the Golf and Focus as the golf stuff won’t fit.
The Fabia and Civic specs can be had for around £11k after discounts. My mum is impressed with the low price (£10k before discount) of the well-specced Leon 1.4, but performance-wise the 1.6 seems a closer comparison (considering dad will also drive it).
She would prefer to buy new and the car will be kept for 6 years doing about 6k per year, as the Clio has.
The Backroom and the CBCB rate the Leon very highly. Are the smaller petrol engines OK and is the 1.6 worth having over the 1.4?
Which car would fellow Backroomers recommend?
Thanks,
James
PS While checking broker prices for these, I tried www.broker4cars.com forgetting that broker4cars has a .co.uk ending. Drivethedeal have registered the .com version to themselves – a bit sneaky!
Read more
My mum finally settled on the Civic.
She was impressed by the Leon, but it has a low boot floor relative to the boot opening. Lifting the golf things over could have irritated her back.
The Fabia had no problems with boot space but she found the 1.4 16v very noisy (after the Civic). The 8v 1.4 was quieter.
I pointed her to the Civic Imagine which seemed incredibly good value. She liked the huge amount of room inside and despite having the oddly placed gear lever she felt the gears were better than the Skoda.
The local dealer wouldn't come down far on price, despite her being armed with prices from another Honda dealer, DriveTheDeal and UKcarbroker. As I expected, the dealer queried the broker prices, thinking they must be imports or excluding tax, warranty or servicing.
While I would have just gone to one of the brokers, she went with the dealer, after they phoned saying they would reduce the price further. Still a few hundred more than the brokers but she prefers the reassurance of dealing direct with a local dealer in case things go wrong.
I think the Imagine, with 2 years free servicing, aircon, metallic paint, mats and flaps included in the price is a good deal.
Thanks for all the replies to this post.
James
PS I think cars 'know' they are about to be replaced. The Clio's clock died on the day the Civic order was placed this week (only thing to go wrong in six years). I'm also replacing my car next month so was conveniently rear-ended today (full rant in another post).
thought this may be of help to someone. just had to replace idle valve on escort mk5 1.3 endura e.
ford part no. 95bf9f715ac finis 1063996.
has been modified to stop common problems of stalling.
part no also fits 2.9v6 2.0dohc and various zetecs.
Read more
An elderly aunt of mine had a bit of a mishap yesterday with her Metro. She was blinded by low sun in a narrow street and in trying to avoid an oncoming car, she hit a parked car on her own side of the road and apparently came to rest on top of the parked car - almost toppling onto the driver's side!
Some workmen nearby ran with scaffolding poles and made the car stable while she managed to escape - fortunately with no physical injury. Needless to say, of course she was badly shaken. Someone sent for the ambulance and police. She was taken to Casualty, but allowed home.
The Metro was taken to a local garage and they've found the nearside steering is knackered.
Although my aunt has driven for 40 years+ with no accidents to speak of, she has been worrying us quite a lot lately - poorer judgement of distance etc.She says she was only doing about 10mph when it happened, but obviously that wouldn't account for landing on top of another car! My own suspicion is that she maybe panicked when she saw the oncoming car coming out of the sun and hit the throttle instead of the brake.
Of course, there is the off chance that a steering link or suchlike failed, but this is probably unlikely because the car was low mileage and fastidiously maintained by an excellent garage.
Now the question is this - will she face prosecution for careless driving?
The police say a 'report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal' (Scotland) Does this automatically mean she will be charged or does the Fiscal have discretion on this? Anybody hot on Scot's Law?
It's all a bit sad. Fortunately she is not hurt and no one else was involved. The other car owner was very understanding and insurance will see to everything. My worry is that she might be prosecuted - that would be very upsetting for her, I know.
I see lots of elderly folks having accidents of this kind. I often say to myself that they should get off the road before thet are a danger to themselves and others. Yet, when it happens to a close relative and you know that the car is vital for their independence, it makes you think.
What are the chances of prosecution here? The police haven't given any indication of it yet? Would she normally have been charged on the spot? Is 'sun in your eyes' an acceptable excuse? If it's found the car had a fault that caused the accident would that be a different kettle of fish?
Graeme Read more
It's a manual Metro. As I say, I just can't figure how a Metro can crawl up the side of a Pug 205 so as to land at 45 degrees alongside - barring any sort of Evil Knevil (sp?) tactics! If front ns tyre was on lock, caught back bumper corner of Pug then driver hit the accelerator that might just explain it - but something of a freak accident, I'd say!
Graeme
A few days ago I mentioned my son's 1994 Renault Clio 1.9d in answer to a query. He bought this car about three years ago with 100,000 miles on the clock and I said that it had now reached about 165,000 miles with very little trouble.
I should have kept quiet! Last night he called me out because the car had come to a sudden stop. I towed it to a garage mechanic friend's place who today told us the extent of the damage. The water pump had seized which had made the timing belt snap and broken the camshaft sprocket and the camshaft itself.
The belt had done 55,000 miles against a recommendation to change at 70,000 miles and we are almost certain that it was the pump seizing that caused the belt to break.
My son was planning to sell the car for around £300 as soon as his new Skoda Fabia arrived in March but has now decided to scrap it. Because he lives out in the fens I have lent him my BMW until he gets the Skoda -- the sacrifices we make for our children!
I would be interested to hear of the experiences of others concerning extensive damage caused by such a little thing as a seized water pump. Is this typical of cars with timing belts? Read more
Dizzy,
Sorry to hear about the Clio...still at least your son was already realistic about the value so not too much lost.
I'm well aware of the water pump problem when in the timing belt run but haven't actually had one cause failure yet.
When I do a belt with a pump involved I feel the pump when rotating and if it is anything other than smooth and free I advise changing it. At the second timing belt change that will take a vehicle from 100K to 150K I'm quite likely to advise doing the water pump as a routine item anyway. Obviously the same check is made on every rotating part the timing belt runs on.
Also I virtually insist on two yearly coolant flush/changes..I do think that helps avoid such problems.
And yes substantial damage to top end components is often a feature of belt breakage. Snapped camshafts and smashed tappet guides in the head are frequently seen.
MM
I was looking for a car for my youngest today and came across an M Reg Golf 1.4 3 door. One previous owner, regularly serviced (book stamped). Nice looking, no obvious abuse. No scratches or tears. Nice and clean under bonnet. Engine sounded good. Apparently genuine 39,000 miles. (Actually, it was in pretty stunning condition for a basic hatchback of that age).
Took it for a test drive and was pretty impressed. The only thing I noticed was a sort of 'hum' or 'drone' coming from nowhere in particular at all speeds. Didn't seem like tyre rumble. If anything, more like a humming back axle (which, of course it hasn't got).
Never having had a VW of any type before and not having driven a small car for some time I'm not familiar with any 'normal' inherent noise in these cars.
The car is being offered by a very local dealer who has no bad marks against him and is offering a 3 month warranty. Although it was a bit worrying that he said up to £250 (Which I doubt would be enforcable). However, I'd rather get anything wrong sorted before I hand over the cash than try arguing later.
Any ideas anyone? Do these solid tin boxes drone a bit?
Read more
Thanks, souds like a reasonable explanation.
Browse
.jpg)
No idea what the cause is, but there is a very active and useful forum at
www.seatcupra.net
If the problem is unique to this car, it is likely that someone there will know about it.