July 2003
Citroen C3, just done 12,000 miles. Gear selection has suddenly become difficult within the last 200 miles e.g. can't get first or reverse from standstill without trying a couple of times and heaving on the lever. On the move, any gear may be difficult or impossible to select, seems to be random. It doesn't feel like the synchro is baulking.
The clutch seems normal in operation, light and usual bite point.
Of course the local dealer will be able to sort this out, but have you guys any ideas in the meantime?
Mrs H says it's so bad sometimes that she wants me to lend her the Synergie. Now that's BAD!
H.
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Hello Everyone
I'm new to the back room but I've been reading posts for a couple of months now. Thought I would cut my BR teeth by asking a question I couldn't see info for - namely advice on buying a Q Car. Ten years ago a Volvo T5 or dare I say it a Rover 620ti would have fit the bill, namely reasonably swift, understated (in comparison to an Impreza or an Evo), and not a body kitted version of an existing model (like a Mondeo S200 type). I'm looking to spend about £20k so I realise that I'm looking at something a couple of years old, other requirements are mondeo size and with a good reputation for reliability. Present thinking is Audi A4 in previous S4 guise (like the idea of 4 wheel drive) but any suggestions would be most welcome.
Over to the fountains of knowledge.
Pauliepops Read more
Volvo 960 24V 204 BHP RWD according to HJ himself - see car by car breakdown -
The Ultimate Q Car says HJ
Paul {Forest of Bowland}
I've always ignored the super unleaded pump purely on cost grounds but was wondering if there is any benefit to using it and if there is in what way does that benefit manifest itself? Read more
A knock sensor does not necessaily mean you benefit from Super unleaded, or Optimax.
The Rover T series for instance has a knock sensor. That will not advance the timing for optimax, but will retard it for lower quality fuel.
Engines that are not expected to be sold across different continents do not tend to have knock sensors.
Yeah good link, nice to see that i am surrounded (transport wise) by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th most congested roads in the country, and one one to get to uni in Loughborough and one to get to work in Slough! (I live in Watford) Looks like i'd better get round to getting some good 'traffic jam' cd's!
This weekend I did the journey Manchester to Stoke to Bolton (via St Helens) and the following grabbed my interest about the journey.
Princess Parkway, in Manchester, just after the underpass at the G-Mex end, police man with no vest, in unmarked car, with speed trap, just as you come out of the underpass. Thoughts sprung to ACPO guidelines, 31.2, which state hi vis vest, and no hiding away, which being at exit to underpass constitutes in my view.
M6 J19-18 (and back) roadworks. They seem to have done away with cones. Instead there is 3 miles of solid, temporary steel barrier, separating the active carriage way from the work area. Must have taken ages to bolt all of that together. Seems far more sensible than cones from a worker saftey point of view.
SPECS cameras in place, played my usual game of sticking at the posted limit until some tailgater gets impatient and then let them roar off into the sunset, with fine in tow.
Just after roadworks on Thelwall Viaduct (another SPECS hotspot) a totally different approach to mobile speed traps. A very obvious white police van park on bridge, with "Mobile Speed Safety Van" in mile high letters on the side of it, along with speed camera symbols. Commanded much more respect from me for the officers than the guy hiding away at the end of an underpass.
At start of roadworks on M6 at St Helens exit, the sign "Roadworks monitored by CCTV. In event of breakdown, stay with vehicle." This sign was attached to a SPECS camera. False sense of security?
All in all, a very interesting journey. Well, for me at least.
I'll get me coat. Read more
Wally
narrow lanes
adverse camber
high traffic flow
high winds
busy junctions either side of the bridge
I hate driving over ot and I'm suprised there aren't more accidents
I have to grow old - but I don't have to grow up
I had a Renault 25 TXi, (my first car!) with voice synthesiser. It started off as a gimmick but it actually said some useful stuff like, \"Brake problem! Emergency circuits in operation. Avoid braking hard. Service as soon as possible\" .. which turned out to be low brake fluid.
My S-Class Merc doesn\'t tell me even 1/2 as much as the Renault did. Why is voice synthesis not included in at least the flagship models? It\'s all available on the OBD at the garage I\'m guessing. Why not to the driver, at the very time something goes worng.
Which light-bulb has gone wrong, which door has been left open, handbrake on, fuel low .. etc etc etc.
PS You *could* shut the Renault up if needed.
rojer@lycos.co.uk
Astra, Renault 18, Renault 25 TXi, Astra Est, Passat Est, Mercedes 190E, Mercedes Read more
... others would include:
"I feel sic......."
or
"But it's my turn to sit in the front"
or
"Look, if I have to stop the car to sort you two out ..."
or
"...oh, that was the turning we wanted"
or
"ooooh, Daddy swore"
etc.......
The backroom seems to be running slowly at the moment. While this glitch is being sorted out, I ask that you please be patient and not repeatedly press the \"Post this message\" button. If you get a time out error message, chances are your message has been posted anyway, and all you simply need do is hit your Refresh button (which is button F5 if you\'re using Internet Explorer as your browser)
--
Dynamic Dave
Back Room Moderator
mailto:dave_moderator@honestjohn.co.uk Read more
Just bringing this back to the top of the list as the message doesn't appear to have reached some people yet!!
Also see thread www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=14...5
Reqad this weekend that IDS and co are proposing a motorway speed limit of 80mph, the removal of speed humps and the re-siting of speed camera away from revenue generating sites to sites where there is a pressing safety need. Sounds like a votewinner to me.
What surprises me is the absence of an effective and vocal pressure group for the motorist. The AA and RAC are virtually invisible on these issues.
I don't want to stray into politics, but I think all 3 main parties have gotten away with ignoring the driver (except at budget time) for too long.
What do others think of these proposals? Read more
This is obviously a Tory point scoring scheme but the idea does have merit. Several European countries are increasing speed limits to improve road safety and a couple are removing speed cameras because of the negative effect they have on road safety.
The sad thing is that the UK once had one of the best road safety records with falling accident rates and we now have a poor record with increasing rates.
Hello
I have just dropped off my Mk2 Golf (1990)1.3 61500 miles at a VW garage. The problems I have are that it is difficult to start when hot i.e once it has warmed up and I leave it for at least 30 minutes it takes 3/4 attempts to start and I have to floor the accelerator. The garage have just rung to say it takes them just two attempts and that this is normal because its a carb and not fuel injection, the guy also mentioned that it was similar to starting with a flooded engine.
Another problem I have is that sometimes it is uneven at idle speed and judders as if it is going to cut out. The garage say that this is perfectly acceptable given the age of the car.
Are Vw correct or are they just brushing me off with poor excuses?
Many Thanks
Sarb Read more
i found that my car use to cut out when realy warm, took me ages to find out what was wrong i change every part in my car but in the end it was simple where the manifold is connected to the head there should be a heat deflector there with a alloy pipe comming of it into the side of the air intak,
this allows the hot air to get to the hot cold flap and you will no longer stop lose power good luck
Bringing my chirldren back from a horseriding lesson the other day, Whilst travelling along a narrow country road at about 15mph I came across 3 labrador sized dogs.
Although the dogs were very friendly they were off a lead and were a bit of a nuicance to me and other traffic. Either side of me was farmland and some fields had sheep.
These dogs were not under control and I actually had to stop and wait for the owner to appear. When the owner appeared I politely suggested the use of leads.
"No need" came the reply "We're in the country now" At that point I didn't reply as I had the children with me. I would have only pointed out the nuicance that he was causing anyway.
Some people really make a career out of being ignorent. Read more
All I can say is that these owners must have no idea of vets bills. Before i got her my dog was chased out of a park by another dog, and ran under the wheels of a van. To save her life and restore a badly broken/torn leg cost £2500 - yes £2500!
Browse
The service manager's summary was that part of the gear linkage was "below specification" and he has ordered a part. When pressed about which part he tells me that he doesn't know exactly, but that the mechanic, Ron knows what is needed. "Can I have a word with Ron, then" I ask. "Er, no, he's out on a test drive" comes the reply as he steps sideways to block my view through the window to the workshop. Hmmm.
Ron, of Brompton-on-Swale, if you are reading this, I mean you no harm, I just want to talk.
H.