January 2003
I'm intending to change the head gasket on my 1989 Fiesta 1.1 (OHV) this weekend - the most complicated job i've done so far, so i'm a bit nervous! I was under the impression that the head bolts should be changed whenever their removed, since they stretch as they are torqued up. However, reading the Haynes manual there's no mention of changing them - should I or not? Also, is it worth doing anything else, like changing the valve stem oil seals, whilst the head is off? And finally, is it possible to tell if the head needs skimming without any special measuring tools? Cheers for any help! Read more
Something I heard on the grapevine that may interest anyone thinking about buying a new one....
All Focus built from February 2003 onwards will have ABS as standard across all the range.
However a price review is on the way at the same time that will probably pay for this.
Charles Read more
This upgrade in spec will add £150 to the OTR price to applicable ie non ABS models.
I have discovered an issue which I beleive affects newish VW/Audi group cars. I was trying an upgraded stereo in my Octavia and discovered I suddenly had terrible MW/LW reception, the original Skoda radio has superb reception (I use LW whilst abroad!). Having investigated further I beleive the Skoda radio is feeding voltage back up the aerial lead to feed the aerial&lifier (Like TV masthead aerial).
I have noticied in past articles/reviews/books by HJ that on some VW/Audi cars, eg Audi A2, have poor MW/LW reception. Do you think they have fitted a different stereo for the UK market that doesnt drive the aerial amplifier properly?
Any auto electricians out there who know what is required to feed the amplifier? Inline capacitor + 12V? Read more
Sorry for the delay in replying. Yes, the kit sorts out the K-wire problem. Not all the pins have wires connected and are thus not passed through.
Denis
How about a link on the left here, to a list of cars that should be avoided? The Mondeo TDci and Renault Laguna can kick it off for starters! Might save people lots of cash, grief and hassle? Read more
An increasingly irritated man, easily irritated.
Hear you have a few probs with guns over there now. Hope it doesn't get like here (where guns are legal):
www.inq7.net/opi/2003/jan/14/opi_editorial-1.htm
Read more
Carjacking seems to be becoming a favourite past-time with certain classes.
Maybe the idea that the driver might have a Colt 45 handy would be a deterrant?
Brian
Still learning (I hope)
Does anybody have any advice on a good importer for either of these cars? A friend is looking to buy a new one and has heard of good deals especially Discoverys from Spain.
thanks
PB. Read more
Thanks Marcus & DVD. Looks like waiting will be an issue.
PB.
I don;t know if this is commonplace everywhere, but EVERY time I visit a supermarket these days I am deluged by people asking me if I want my car cleaned.
I understand that's their job, etc - but it DOES make me feel a little uncomfortable at times, especially when I see them noting my entry into carpark and I KNOW I am going to be approached! And saying 'no, sorry', does not seem to go down too well.
Why has this practise suddenly started up over the last year or so? And is there anything I should say to these guys without causing insult, but which means I do not want to pay them for a quick wipeover. (I said to one of them recently, I'm sorry but I'm only gonna be a couple of minutes - and his answer was that he could get my car all shiny and clean in that 2 minutes! Which begs an answer! Either they're not doing the job properly, or we should all go into car-cleaning - because at the rate of a fiver or more for 2 minutes I reckon we could all be on a par with the lawyers ;)
HF Read more
IIRC the grime (and a few
strategically placed sandwich bag ties) were the only things holding
your old R5 together ! ;-)
Actually V it was a bit of old rubbery stuff and some superglue that used to hold the bumper in place - very effective, too, till the day I finally retired the car to my garage, scraping it in the process against garage door, causing bumper to fall off.
And the sellotape that held the broken number plate in one piece did a very good job, too, for many months.
;)
The roads on the way to work and back today seemed remarkably slippery. Yes, they were damp but does the salt residue from last week make them worse? Just wondered what others thought. Read more
Salt attracts moisture, so if there is salt down the roads will stay damp if the atmosphere is at all humid.
HTH
Problem just now with fuse blowing which covers internal lighting, clock and central locking. Any ideas please? Read more
First thing to check is the central locking motor/vacuum pump
in the boot,disconnect it and see if the fuse still blows.Another
possibility is a faulty alarm unit which may be connected to
the locking system.Unfortunately there are many other
possible causes so allow plenty of time to check this short
circuit.
David Davies (Tune-Up Raglan)
Funny thing happened when I disconnected the pump! I replaced the fuse and all is well including the central locking! I don\'t understand that one unless what I\'ve actually done is disconnected a connection from the alarm system to the pump.
Jim
Bits of an odd one this but please bear with me!
Im in the market for a new Honda Civic type r. Ive decieded im going to get one through an importer and a few days ago i saw one of these 30th anniversay editions advertised for some thing like £14,800 (which in my eyes is a bargain, even if it does turn out to have a 5 months wait!). Me being me i cant remember where or who is was advertising it. I spent 3 hours today trawling through some websites trying to find it again but to no avail!
Anyone got any ideas or know where it was or where i can find out who exactly will have one. Since seeing some pics of the special edition, im smitten!!
Tahnks for any help
Ben Read more
I found the website after much searching!
They do normal ctrs for £14,097 otr and 30th anniversary editions for £14,597 (not sure of otr price)
GPM
Browse
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Needless to say you will tighten the nuts in the correct sequence. Use a torque wrench if you can, but on old-fashioned engines you can gat away with just a good heave on a standard length spanner or lever.
It is always very important to re-chech the tightness after a few hundred miles running, as head gaskets flatten slightly in use, and you can end up with loose bolts and a new leak. It is tedious I know if you have to dismantle things just to get at the bolts.