January 2003
when i hold my throttle in one position say on a motorway the car sometimes surdges forward with out me pressing the throttle down, it only does it in short bursts and some times going round corners can anyone plz help solve this problem,
i thort it might be my pump or injectors
from lee Read more
Hi all.
Today I was given a hastily typed photocopy of a "contract" by the minicab firm I subcontract to. We've never had any agreement on paper up to now, we've always followed the council (licensing authority) regulations and they've been fine. I can't see anything intrinsically wrong with it, but a few of the other drivers are complaining that it infringes their liberties, or goes too far. Can some of you guys with a little experience in these things have a look at it for me before I sign it please? I'm not opposed to it myself, but then I may have missed a major point somewhere along the line, that's where you come in! Here it is:
(photocopied onto headed notepaper)
Contract between Xxxxxx Cars Express Couriers Ltd (Hereinafter referred to as "The Operator" and [driver's name].
The following conditions will apply from 15/1/03 to all Private Hire drivers working through The Operator's radio circuit:
1. Vehicles will be kept at all times in a condition that complies with the provisions of Section 62 of Part II of the Local Government (miscellaneous) Provisions Act 1976. This document is issued to all applicants for a Private Hire plate.
2. The Operator has the authority to inspect any vehicle for compliance of Para 1 at any time.
3. All commissions due to The Operator to be paid by the Tuesday after the previous week's work ending Sunday night.
4. Copies of all documentation pertaining to yourself and your vehicle must be lodged with The Operator.
Signed.....................
Witnessed..................
Date.......................
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I have a 2002 2.3 petrol Ford Galaxy which emits strong smell of petrol after being driven for a while which comes from:
1) the fuel cap area.
2) comes in through the drivers and passenger front windows whilst driving at moderate speeds.
Not sure if point 2) is due to fumes being brought forward from fuel cap due to aerodynamic turbulence or whether there are two sources of leaks. However cannot smell petrol from under the bonnet/engine area when stationary.
My question is should the petrol cap give a hiss when un-doing to fill-up? and should the petrol cap be sealed, have a vacuum check valve or be vented? Does anyone know for sure either of these points ?
FYI
The EVAP system o the Galaxy consists of charcoal canister under front O/S wing with vapour connection to fuel tank and purge valve. Normally an evaporative emission control system uses a sealed tank cap and vents the tank via the charcoal canister, however the fuel cap looks too 'fancy' to be a simple closed seal type.
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If the petrol cap hisses when you undo it then the breather hoses are blocked. A friend of mine had this problem and when he unblocked the hose the fuel smell went away. This was on an older car but i think its worth looking at.
Have just aquired a Fabia hatchback and find the entire rear of the car collects road dirt and spray like a magnet. The front of the car is clean.
Is this a problem with all modern shaped cars as my previous 309, which had a sort of notch back, didn't suffer in this way?
A roof spoiler is available as an option, but will this have any effect in reducing "rear end turbulance"? Read more
I have noticed that grime accumulates on the trailing two inches of the rear doors of my ZX. I assume that the slight gap between the door and the rear panel creates just enough local turbulance to dump the stuff there. I have also noticed this on other models of cars. The excess grime is no doubt due to the pattern of airflow over the back of your car. I am not too sure that spoilers, which are to improve airflow patterns to reduce drag, etc, will also conveniently produce the optimum pattern of airflow to reduce dirt.
My theory is to wax it with a decent wax and then hopefully the muck will slide off when it rains (or not stick in the first place!).
Hi Everyone
After spending 1500 quid on a brilliant black respray, a plastic bin got blown over and hit the side of my car. The paint was undamaged, but there is a slight dent in the side. I want to try a paintless dent repair place, but would rather go on recommendation from someone who has personal experience of their work. I live in Leicester, but have friends in Suffolk and also Essex, so any of those locations would be fine too.
Any suggestions? (and before you say, yes I have looked at the FAQs, but I'd like a personal recommendation if possible!)
Thanks
Peter Read more
The article to which you refer appeared on 31-8-02...I cut it out for future reference.
For more details visit: www.dentwizard.com
Here's something I'm a little unsure about: is it customary to tip your AA/RAC etc breakdown recovery man?
On new years eve my girlfriend and I were stranded when her K reg Metro failed to start. After checking the usual suspects we called for the Rac to come and bail us out. We were greeted by a friendly man who assured us that he'd get it going quickly. As it turns out, he didn't and had to trace the fault to a short circuit (which is something even he didn't expect).
Once going we wished him a happy new year and tipped him a fiver for all his efforts. He seemed suprised so I wondered whether everyone tips these brave souls? Or is it just me? Read more
I operate an airport car service and my experience is that many Americans, who wouldn't dream of not tipping in the USA, often don't tip in the UK.
I think it fairly true to say that they would receive short shrift if they didn't tip a taxi or limo driver in the US, but when they come over here they don't tip. It goes without saying (almost) that they receive first class service, new Mercedes car; knowledgeble, courteous driver etc.
One lady who didn't tip me seem3d to change her mind when I thanked her very formally.
It's a funny old world isn't it?
drbe Don
Hi,
I have an Omega Elite (3.0) 1997 R Reg and earlier today I moved the
seat to the far back position (I was waiting for someone and wanted
to read whilst waiting) and now it wont go forward so I am only just
able to reach the peddles.
The seat has some movement, so the motors are working ok. I have
checked the runners and I can't find anything stopping them.
Anyone got any ideas?
Thanks
Crispin
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As an Omega owner you should at least have said pound coins !
Passing a Mercedes Benz dealership every to and from work I noticed this morning instead of the normal 20 + cars it normally has I could only count 1 c class and as I was passing and a few A class tucked away at the back of the forecourt.
Is it normal practice at this time of year to run stock down or something peculiar with this dealer who are by the way Woking Motors on the A3?
Whilst I am at it, a few weeks ago popped down to Blackbushe auction as had some time to kill and many years since been to car auction. What confused me was that Lancaster who I think are a Audi dealer were selling a A4 All road new model late plate with a rear flat mind you. Why would a Audi main dealer do this, car dodgy or some other reason I cannot fathom? Read more
Lancaster are a big group with a number of dealerships of different marques.
They could be flogging that Audi at auction because they don't want to sell it themselves. If main dealers don't want to sell a car themselves they'll trade it on. This could be because it doesn't have full history, is an import, has high miles, or something else not 100% about it.
mike
I bought a new Golf early last year and it's been fine until now. During the last few months, it has been prone to inside condensation, especially on sunny winter day's, which, to be honest, I have put down to changes in temperature whilst it's parked. But in the last few days, the condensation seems to be getting worse and during the current weather conditions, freezes to the inside of the windscreen !!
The problem only arises when leaving work at around 6pm, never in the morning. I use the heater to and from work, so the car is warm inside when I park up.
Can anyone suggest why this is happening - or is it time to take it back to the dealer ?
Any feedback would be a big help.
Thanks. Carl.
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Carl,
My Golf 2002 has the same fault.The cure for my car was a three day visit to the VW dealer. It started by me noticing damp carpets in the rear footwells, and then has you say misting up and freezing of the windscreen inside. The dealer that carried out the repair said the rain deflectors in the door had been fitted back to front, thus causing water to be deflected in to the car.
The current 'bad smell' thread reminds me of a related question:
Aside from our favourite lady wearing Jean Patou 'Joy', most of us find that the most beguiling aroma in a car is that of new leather (and it's probably cheaper). Those of us with actual leather seek to preserve it, those without it probably would love to create it.
Such aroma products certainly exist - somewhere - but I've never been able to find them. Has anyone? Read more
Dave, a considerable number of people suffer varying degrees of allergy to these things.
Regardless of which, it's not good for YOUR health spending long shifts breathing the stuff in - it's akin to a mild form of glue-sniffing.
Browse
Hi all.
Thanks very much for your responses, I checked this morning but didn't have time to post a reply! The main thing I was worrying about was that I'd missed anything major that might have been implied, it seems I haven't. I will discuss this with the top guy tomorrow, will adjust the bit about documentation then sign away. I think an earlier post was right, a lot of the thinking behind this is just covering the operator's own a**e in case of any future problems.
drbe -
North?? All the way up in the wilds of M1 junction 13 I'm afraid... I decide when I want to work (within reason) anyhow, we pretty much always have more work than we can handle, the controller simply weeds out the bottom layer (rough pubs etc) and we do the rest! I do work too many hours though, but that's through choice, not by force.
The agreement, as I say, has up to now been roughly in line with council guidelines, but if a driver gets the hump he can just hand his radio in and leave, no notice required! There are another 10 companies in town, each with varying quantities and qualities of work, and they will quite happily "poach" drivers from each other.
I wouldn't want to become an owner-operator, for a start the O-licence is nearly £2000, and for another thing all the business in this town goes on reputation, and the company I drive for has the best reputation of the lot. Smartest cars, most punctual, most courteous drivers etc. It takes years to educate the paying public about a new company, most new ventures fold within a year or so.
Once again, thankyou all. ;-)
Dave TD.