March 2003
I am thinking of buying a cycle carrier to mount on the rear window of my Scenic. Does anyone out there know an exact model that will fit without having to get extra lights etc fitted?
Also, excuse my cynicism, but are rear hatches built to support the weight of 2 or 3 bikes on them, bouncing along through pot holes.
You see plenty of them about but has anyone experienced them causing damage to tailgates, hinges etc?
Also, I think I know the anser to this, but what if someone runs into you from the rear - does it then possibly lead to a bike being pushed through your window?
Any thoughts would be appreciated... Read more
I was cleaning my carburettor with redex, my brother was keeping the revs up while I was pouring in. He then decided to just go, without my knowledge and the car stalled. Ok no problem, just try to get it restarted. Problem is it doesn't want to know as it coughs and splutters. So my battery is dead now. I then get my brother to help me bump start it and as we are doing it there is an almighty ping, that because it is so loud sounds more like an almighty bang.
Trying to start the car now, it doesn't cough but just keeps trying to turn over with, it seems, no intention of starting.
What was that banging pinging noise(which also came with loads of smoke).
Is my engine wrecked?
What can I do to fix the problem?
The car is a 1992 Nissan Primera 1.6.
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I never actually got to speak properly with the mechanic, but required new spark plugs a tow with the ignition on and fuel pipe closed to clear unburnt fuel and some other mechanical trickery to get it to start.
Good news is that for a 12 year old car purchased for £500 it is a bargain! The running improved dramatically after the cleaning and fuel economy went up from 35 to 37 mpg.(Even more now but thats for another thread) Also, every time I put my foot down I wasn't followed by clouds of grey smoke and hesitancy.
It has had 2 owners from new, both women I believe, and from that episode I can assume neither knew about the benefits of Italian tuning! though was serviced religously at 6k intervals.
I cant imagine it being noything but reliable from the way it drives now.
I currently own an M.B. E320 Cdi and love it to bits but I keep reading about how chipping a diesel engine produces so much more driveability.
My car is fantastic to drive, leaves most cars in its wake, loads of torque for relaxed driving and is fairly economical. My point is that if a designed using millions and millions why would an aftermarket chip be any better than what is already fitted? Read more
I had my new Seat Ibiza TDI Sport (fitted with VAG TDI 130 engine) chipped by the manufacturer up to about 160bhp.
Performance is incredible, overtaking is so easy and my fuel consumption is around the same as figures quoted for standard models. With my "enthusiastic" driving I generally average around 50mpg, it's never dropped below mid-40s and often exceeds 60mpg when stuck in 40mph convoys...
The fact that the manufacturer offers a chip, which still retains the car's warranty, does suggest that there's plenty of room for improvement without causing any long term damage.
I think other manufacturers offer chips too (I seem to recall Rover offering upgrades on petrol models?).
I know quite a few other Ibiza TDI 130 owners who have had their cars chipped, and covered plenty of miles without a problem - most of these were chipped by an aftermarket tuning firm (Revo) up to the 180bhp/300lbft mark.
Goto www.seatcupra.net/forums and visit the TDI forums if you're interested...
Does anyone know why BMW fit such heavy-duty door return springs?
I have a 4d W reg 318. While the driver's door is fairly easy to pull open from the outside, it can be extremely difficult to push open from the inside.
Is this yet another strange EC ruling? Read more
There probably is a bit of over-engineering in there, depending on your point of view, but bear in mind also that doors weigh more these days because of the anti-intrusion stuff inside them, electric window motors, tougher, shielded electronic locking mechanisms, even the odd airbag.
does anyone know where to find out the cost to run diffrent models of cars, in terms of servicing, cost of spares etc. something like a lease company would use to cost vehicles for lease. Read more
Top Gear mag also has this information. Worth the investment of £3.60 I'd say.
Does anybody know the Bosch part number for the fuel pump for a 1988 Saab 900i 8valve? Mine is on it's last legs and I need to replace it. Thought I'd try here first rather than go to the hassle of removing the old pump, getting the part number, refitting the old pump and then doing the same again for the new one.
Thanks,
Boab Read more
Armitage
no sweat
I just have a rule in life that 'no money should be spent at a motor dealers that could be more effectively spent elsewhere'.
Not memorable, not snappy, but hey why should I pay for comfortable surroundings for company car owners to sit about in ?
I have to grow old - but I don't have to grow up
Last evening (Friday) I was in a filling station near Heathrow, when a youngish man and very politely asked me if I could give him £3 or £4 for petrol. He said he had runout of money or come out without any money.
He promised to pay it back and would give me his driving licence and his wifes wedding rings as security. I said, sorry - but no and went into the pay desk, he moved on to the next customer to present the same story.
Inside the pay/shop area the staff were watching and told me that he was a regular with that story. They were considering calling the police.
A similar thing happened some months ago, with a girl asking for money for a bus fare, this was also near Heathrow (I go to Heathrow a lot)in Macdonalds.
The point of all this - BEWARE.
Perhaps Back Roomers have had their own experiences which they would like to contribute.
Regards to all
Don drbe Read more
Sombrueil, not that you are soft,possibly being cautious.
I was approached by unkempt young male in Luton Sainsburys car park,begging for cash.No reason or excuse, given.
I declined & he returned to his scrap value, Panda, before approaching other shoppers.
I can fully understand how a mum,kids & trolly full of shopping, would give some cash, rather than stand discussing reasons as to why she shouldn't.!
Haven't seen it repeated there since.
VB
does anyone know if i can use straight veg oil to run my citroen zx 1.9d on,
i know u can with the boshe fuel pumps but im not so sure about the lucas/cav one which i have?
the seals might go in it Read more
jh
Sign spotted in a hotel carpark today,
\"Wheelclamps fitted free to non patrons. Removal charge £25.\" Read more
I like it.
Do they fit them over the left or right ear?
Or - should it read ....PROTONs
Need to have two tyres fitted to the front at the local fast fit.
As a number of thread recommend new tyres should be fitted to the rear, so I would like the front tyres replaced and fitted to the rear - and the rear tyres on front.
No doubt I will have to pay extra for this - how much is it reasonable that I am charged for the extra work?
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I agree with Darren, they shouldn't charge for this. Ask first, and if they do, try elsewhere.
Re: New tyres on front or rear. This has been discussed many times. Please don't start another discussion about it or I'll simply attach this thread onto one of the earlier threads.
btw, previous suggestions conclude that new tyres are best fitted onto the rear, regardless of whether the car is front or rear wheel drive.
Previous threads for reference include:-
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=i&t=94...1
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=i&t=52...6
Browse
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Most cars have a roof rack rated weight of 75kg. A reasonable quality aluminium framed mountain bike will weigh 25lb or less. only the cheapest steel MBs will weigh about 30lb or so, but unlikely to be above 35lb unless weighed down with accessories. On this basis you should be able to get four bikes on the roof and be just under the rated weight. Don't forget to account for the weight as part of the vehicles GVW - those four bikes plus rack weigh about the same as 1 adult.