July 2003
Oil industry pundits are predicting an end to global oil supplies in as little as seven years, the optimists have it at up to thirty years.
Whoever is right, the writing is clearly on the wall, and the effects will be devastating on individuals and nations.
Will out-of-town shopping areas become worthless with a revival in corner shops? Will the horse and cart reappear? Will farmers and their produce become vital once more? Plastics, detergents and solvents will disappear. Will many of our roads become skate parks - expanding roads and airports would seem to be an economically dubious activity.
Whatever, it looks set to happen in the lifetime of many of us as a 'golden age' comes to an end. Read more
Just backed out of the garage and caught the nearside mirror causing it to fold the wrong way. The motors then went berserk seemingly moving the mirror casing randomly back and forwards. After trying to move it by hand both mirror casings have now folded inwards completely and will not fold out again using the controls. The mirrors themselves are still moving in the casing and the motors are still working as they fold back automatically if moved by hand. Anyone got any ideas please? Can they be reset? Read more
Good news indeed! I thought there must be some sort of mirco-switched mechanism in there somewhere that needed to be 'timed up', so to speak!
Can anyone help? I have a 1992 Astra and have found that a spark plug (second from distributor cap) has been cross threaded. The car appears to run fine because it was not until yesterday I found this out when I went to change the plugs. The plug in question goes in about two thirds of the way before coming to a stop. I don\'t want to force it in case I do more damage. My questions are:
a) Could it keep running without problems for some time (it does not seem to have affected it so far)
b) Is there an alternative to having the cylinder head reconditioned? (if not, then I\'m going to trade it in because it\'s worth less than the cost of the work). I was think along the lines of the way a tap & die is used in similar circumstances, but not sure if it can be done with a car.
Any help/suggestions greatly appreciated. Read more
I agree with Cliff that removal of the head isn't vital in this particular instance. The odd bit of aluminium swarf that escapes shouldn't do any measurable harm. The car is of little value anyway so it really isn't worth going to a lot of trouble and expense simply to avoid a small risk of swarf damage.
How long before manufacturers start using LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs for exterior lighting? Already many high level stop lights are LED so why not replace the other low/medium wattage lamps too?
They illuminate almost instantly so are safer.
They have an almost infinite lifespan - at least compared to the vehicles they are fitted to - so there would be fewer cars driving around with one or more lights not working. Again, safer.
OK they'd cost more initially but economies of scale should reduce that. Read more
\"Eastman Kodak Company has led OLED research since its scientists discovered OLED more than a decade ago.\"
From Kodak\'s website, admittedly!
Agree with the general thrust of your argument, though. It\'s just that almost anything would be an improvement on incandescent bulbs, which must be one of the last 19th century inventions in general use, largely unmodified!
Any web addresses for technical data please
K2 Read more
IMHO 85 to 90% of the native British public are genuine decent people but the remaining 10 to 15% are social scum. I raise this issue after my son`s 330Ci was keyed in his local Tesco car park yesterday, and after working hard in a sressful job to buy his dream motor, he is naturally gutted. I question how widespread are these acts of malicious vandalism, and how many other members in the B.R. have suffered similarly. Would I be correct in thinking that these crimes are directed mainly against the prestige German marques, or are other makes also attracting the attention of these low-life crims ??? Read more
To me this was one up for the good guys...
alvin
Alvin
I would put your son in law's mate up for a public service award
H
Just wondered if anyone knew of any other publishers of workshop manuals other than Haynes, which are availiable to the general public. I wanted to get one for my Rover 416 Sli auto, but the one Haynes publish doesnt include the 1.6 Auto, as it is the only one in the range to have a Honda engine, instead of the Rover K series engines. Read more
Are you sure Haynes don't do a manual for it? I had a Haynes one for my 416GSi (1991 model). I think the chapter on the auto box was the same for every other haynes - i.e. leave it to a specialist, but it DID cover the 1.6 Honda engine. Look for the 216/416 manual...
What is the best product for applying to rubber seals around windows etc to protect them from "cracking" and general wear and tear. Petroleum Jelly?? Read more
Yes, Armor-all Protectant is very good.
I saw it advertised years ago in "Cycle World" and "Cycle" the American motorcycle mags.
You can even use it on CV joint rubber boots and it keeps them supple and pliable.
Dashboards come up nice and clean but a bit shiny.
Ive just got a new Rover 416 Sli auto (1997) and Im very pleased with it...lovely ride and a smart looking car...good reports aswell as it is the only model in the range to have the 1.6 Honda engine, which is far more reliable and better performance or so Ive read anyway.
The only problem I have is a noise coming from what sounds like the rear wheels when braking. Its not a metallic screeching noise, or a grating noise which would be associated with pad wear, but a kind of "shhh" noise, with no vibration at all felt through the pedal. Any ideas what this could be? It was sold with a brand new MOT and has only done 200 miles since, so it cant be the brake pads wearing. Its noticable only really with normal braking...If the brakes are applied softly while crawling in traffic, or heavily in an emergency type stop, it doesnt really notice at all, but its definately audible with normal braking. Read more
Same question has been posted in Technical Matters. No need to repeat the same question in both forums.
If anyone can answer geebee's question, go here please:-
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=4&t=14...5
We often hear in the Back Room of the astonishing prices manufacturers demand for spare parts. Well my Vectra needed a fog light blank that goes in the front bumper. It's about 5 inches wide by about 3 inches high and looks like a grille for an air intake. Vauxhall wanted £1.42 inc. VAT. I was astonished!
Chris M Read more
>>>> Ouch!, for the insurance company.>>>>
And I'll give you one gues where the insurance company get its money from?
Browse
"It's the way that mankind is meant to go."
Wiped out by our own progress, you mean? Very probably...
(Further reading: After Man, by Dougal Dixon)