August 2003
The power steering on my 2 year old Mazda 323 hisses once the car is warmed through and can be heard easily in the cabin. The noise occurs when turing the steering wheel a couple of degrees to the left - not even as far as full lock. Mazda has already replaced the steering rack but now refuses to admit that this is a problem - Mazdaa claim this is a characteristic of the 323 model. Any one out there that believes differently? There is no hiss when the car in cold. Read more
I have a Citroen ZX Turbo Diesel.
Two winters ago I changed the glow plugs as I noticed it was sometimes having difficulty starting on cold mornings.
I changed 3 of the 4 but the other is seized solid.
The three new plugs made no difference.
I soldiered on , until last week I took the car to a Citroen specialist for a cambelt / water pump change.
Now the car takes two turns to start even on a warm morning. The engine turns but there doesn't appear to be any combustion at all on the first turn. On the second the engine springs to life.
What can I do?
This question has probably already appeared in this forum, but can anyone help?
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4 seconds even with a warm engine, Dan?
Recently, I have experienced water dripping from one of the air vents (in the passenger\'s floorwell) in my Primera, while the aircon is working. Also, the aircon has lost much of its efficiency. Whereas 6 months ago it was icy cold, now it is barely cooler than the ambient air.
The car is 6 years old, and I know that aircon systems lose gas over time, but this does not explain the dripping water or the fairly sudden drop off in performance. What could have caused this? Read more
Thanks Dave, that's great. I'll see what I can find out tonight.
There were some yoofs hanging around my car last night (3AM).
When I got into work this morning I noticed a 6inch scratch in the paintwork below the passenger door.
The scratch was covered by a film of black grease so I am tempted to think it was not done last night. Would a recent scratch still be shiny after 25 miles on the M1?
Bruce Read more
If it's below the passenger door (say near the door sill) I suspect it's occurred naturally.
Most vandel scratches are usually around or just below waist height.
If someone's going to do your car the will not go to the trouble to make sure the damage is not very prominent.
H
Has anyone else had problems with there vauxhall Zafira mudflaps chafing on the bodywork, exposing bare metal. I had mine repaired under warranty and 12 months later the problem is back.My local Vauxhall garage are going to repair the problem again(as a good will gesture)but say that they have had no other complaints from any other Zafira owners about this problem. I refuse to believe this is an isolated incident so would urge all Zafira owners to pull there mudflaps away from the bodywork and check behind for chafing. If there is any sign of this take the car back to there local dealer and lets get them to admit it is a design fault before the corrosion sets in.
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I kicked up a right stink about this with my local vauxhall garage, thefirst time they repaired it the mudflaps fell off when I collected the car, now they have fitted self tappers, and given me a free 30K service.
just the other day i noticed water dripping down the right hand side of the passenger footwell carpet,its been dry weather for 2 weeks,it only happens when engine is running,could this be the heater matrix?
my car is a golf gti mk2 16v 1988 f reg
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Thanks for replies to previous post. I have found out it is the heater matrix that ruptured flooding hot water into the footwells. I've contacted VW who are going to look into it. Does anyone know of recalls related to this? Are VW still liable to repair this fault even if the recall work has already been done once?
I do not believe that the motor vehicle is responsible for as big a proportion of pollution or global warming as the eco-greenies make out.
The web is full of the green lobby. Is there any opposing evidence? Read more
I would have thought that 43,000 vegans crying must produce some fairly unpleasant emissions!
Any car salesmen on here ? If there are , how many cars is your target for month ? Do you have difficulty gaining your target ? Read more
I did it once (horrible job - only did it because i love cars - it nearly ruined that interest).
Low basic. Long hours. not many days off.
I have a friend who worked for Merc Direct. I did Vauxhall main dealer. We used to chat about it.
20+ on a Good month. 12 on an average month. Some months quieter than others.
As a main dealer, mine was a percentage of price sold. My friends was a set amount. However, as a main dealer they would take into account the part ex price as well so if you gave a customer a great deal on the Vauxhall and too much for his part ex you wouldnt get anything. Its the Net result of the whole deal taking into account the Main Sale Car and the Part Ex that counted. Bit of a nightmare.
£30k+ is feasible but he's probably good at it, and if he can maintain 20+ cars a months he very good at it. What dealer/garage/Trade Supermarket did he work for?
If you're going to buy a new car go to the main dealer on a cold,wet wednesday afternoon at the beginning of the month - December is probably a good one. The salesman will be crying out for a deal and you'll probably get a great one.
I need to buy a car up to £5000 max,. preferably a bit less. I've had and liked Saab 9000s but wife says they look dated. Any other larger, comfortable cars which aren't too slow anyone can suggest. Is this too little to spend on a BMW to get a decent one? Help me please! Read more
If you are in the South of England you may want to contact me about my Mazda Xedos 9 which could be exactly what you are looking for and went in Autotrader today. Use the embedded link for Autotrader and find a 70k miles one at your price point.
(with apologies to the moderator, I hope this is OK).
PB.
I would appreciate a bit of advice concerning a potentially nasty road rage incident.
This evening, just after leaving home, I was going round the local Asda roundabout. I saw a car on a side road that looked like it would enter the roundabout without giving way. So I slowed, it didn't pull out, but as I passed it, it pulled out dangerously close, just missing my tail. I exited the roundabout, and saw the car in the rear view mirror dangerously close, and the occupants were swearing and pulling faces at me. I normally ignore these people, but this time, I was annoyed, and casually gave a one fingered gesture. He must have dropped a gear as he then did a high speed overtake (residential 30 mph zone) followed by slamming on his brakes forcing me to stop. He then got out of his car, swearing, and gesturing menacingly, and then started towards me. I checked my rear view mirror, turned on my hazard warning lights and then reversed as fast as I safely could to get the hell out of there.
Firstly, please no lectures about not enraging an already aggressive driver with hand gestures. I usually ignore them, but I am not perfect.
Obviously I am unlikely to meet this person again. However, the driving was dangerous, and it looked like he was going to assault me given half a chance. Perhaps in future some old lad, or a young woman will suffer at his hands. I am wondering what I can do that is constructive. I have a mind to report the driver to the local police given that I have the registration and a description of the car and the driver (he was about 30, shaven headed, an unshaven face, and a lean build i.e. football thug lookalike). I am prepared to have them laugh at me.
Although no charges could be brought, due to no witnesses, the presence of one or more plod at his door might make him think twice next time he tries it on with someone else.
What do people think? Read more
Just a thought... but if he was able to 'force' you into the 'slow' lane... why weren't you in lane 1 anyway?? I wouldn't condone his actions but I sure can sympathise! (Maybe rather than 'defensive driving' a read of the Highway Code mightn't come amiss?
Browse
I\'d compare your car with another UK car. Then I\'d see if there is indeed a problem or not.
I would have gone for the steering rack, but I see that has been replaced.
It could be as simple as a bulkhead grommet missing.......