August 2003
Has anybody (Dave N?)ever heard of r416a as a direct replacement for R12? A bloke recharged my previously non-working and pretty empty -judging by the pressure released from the Schroder (sp?) valve- this time last year. It worked great but after a few months the air got not quite as cold as before, but it didn\'t get any worse at all, so I took it back and had the guy regas it recently.
He told me it definitely had a leak somewhere (I queried whether he\'d put in enough gas) but didn\'t bother looking for it properly even though he\'d put leak tracer dye in it last time. He did say that he thought the condensor was leaking as there where oily stains round it.
I had a good look at this myself, and I mean good look, because the front bumper had to come off for a bit of work on the electrics round there and where were the oily stains? Nowhere as far as I could see. In fact I could see no corrosion at all. A few squashed flies and road grime which lifted off with a soft brush, revealing nicely painted black radiator underneath.
I know its an old car (1986 Volvo 360) and not worth spending much money on, but is the r416a gas any good? or is it worth getting the car converted to run on r134a?
Also, did he put enough gas in it this time? Because the sight glass on the receiver/dryer is bubbling when the system is on. Is this correct?
So many questions, sorry for the long post.
Any opinions welcome.
Andy Read more
Can anyone please recommend a good radar detector. Cost is not the main issue, but it must be 100% reliable. I recently got my new car (BMW 320) and with already having some points I really need a bit of help dodging the cameras! Read more
RF, there is a Gatso on the A420 Oxford to Swindon road (the one just after The plough Pub, nr Longcot) that didn't have the calibration marks on the road for ages after it first appeared. Rumour has it that the calib marks were in the grass verge in the form of small wooden posts. Very sneaky, which is why I suspect the marks are now on the road.
Sapristi! Heatwave in UK and the best we can manage today is a lousy 31 C in clouds and rain. Just collected Number One Daughter off Gulf Air from London and she says she's feeling cold.
I mentioned the pristine 1982 Merc 230E my 87 year old neighbour is trying to sell me. It is a superbly kept car and while I have no earthly need for yet another vehicle it's too good to pass up.
I would just like to know of there's anything I should look out for. Mercs are known here for horrendous parts costs.
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Try pulling up at a freeway toll booth on a bike and balancing on the greasy detritus left by countless weeping sumps before you while you fumble around for small change and the guy in the 75 seater bus behind is getting antsy. Even worse, forget to wipe the gloop off your boots before you walk indoors all over that nice Moroccan rug you picked up last holiday.
UK you've got all this to come.
Morning everyone.
Seeing as how we have this lovely weather at the moment, lets have a summer theme topic.
On the drive home last night from work I spotted the following
4 x MGF
4 x MX5
2 x Escort convertables
1 x Astra convertable
1 x 206CC
3 x SAAB cabriolets
1 x C70 cabriolet
1 x Vitara convertable
2 x Megane cabriolet
Now I'm a firm believer in you spend your money how you like, you earned it, but of the above 19 cars only 5 actually had the roof down.
This is a pet hate of mine and I know fully well that in the great scheme of things it makes no difference to my life what so ever but AAAAAHHHHHHHH.
And don't give me all that "its more comfortable with the roof up and air con on" because most of thm had the windows down.
Time for a strong coffee.
Buy the way whats the difference between a convertable and a cabriolet ???? Read more
Coincidently, there is an article in today's local paper (unfortunately not on the web yet) which warns of the dangers of convertible driving in hot weather. Apparently Austrian authorities are seeing plenty of cases of ragtop drivers dehydrated, badly burnt, or suffereing sunstroke because they don't apply sunscreen and/or don't keep hydrated.
The airflow whips the sweat away at such a rate that the driver doesn't realise he's sweating cobs - or being burnt crispy - apparently!
Hi,
This is my first post so i apologise if this is a much-discussed topic previously. i have also e-mailed Honest John himself but thought it would be interesting to hear other folks advice/experiences.
I am a 22 year old med student at Glasgow uni. I have had my license 4 years now but haven't done much driving (on parents insurance, hence no NCB record).
I am looking for a small modern car, either nearly new or brand new. My budget is £10K maximum. I am thinking along the lines of the SEAT Ibiza, Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa although would be open to any other suggestions (although no girly cars please!).
Thanks in advance,
Glasgow Mag.
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Mag - older cars aren't dirt-cheap because they cost a lot to keep running. It's because there are loads of newer ones available which are more desirable in the status race, and lots of people have money to burn. Provided you avoid buying a real lemon (and it's not difficult) you can save several grand without losing all your street cred.
Having read the road test of the new Audi TT, I have a question for people like me who've always gone for manual - if this gearbox is as good as it seems to be, would you consider converting to using an auto transmission, or will you be a manual driver till the day you die?
andymc Read more
On the subject of transmissions, why do the majority of motor
manufactures give you an automatic transmission coupled to a petrol engine,
but not with a diesel?
I would love to own a small hatchback--European or Japanese, that
has a diesel engine and a tiptronic style box,but, guess what?
Yep, very rare. Is this because a little diesel (15dci say)
can't deliver the required boost needed to make a transmission perform
effectively?
A friend has a Merc A Class diesel (1.7?) with the tiptronic gears - I've never driven or been in it so can't tell you first hand but he certainly seems very happy with it.
Chad.
I didn't realise that they came with a 3.2 engine !
I shall be a little more respectful when coming up behind one next time. Read more
When Merc put their 3.2 into the SLK it certainly made a big difference. Really smooth, nice drive without that rather coarse 2.3 Komp.
That was well worth the extra. The TT certainly needs more than that 1.8T - which is not very smooth and doesn't give the poke it looks deserve.
i have a peugeot 406 1.9dt and think it is developing a knock,
The knock is not constant but is noticeable at low revs, the knock is deep sounding but not constant, any idea what this could be? and is it a big job to do? Read more
HJ - that's because we're all still trying to work out how that gearbox works - you'll have to do little diagrams next time, for those of us who are a little bit hard of understanding.
Must be a hard life in your line of work..... ;-)
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why's he not a nice guy?
i dont know any of you but i'm just intrigued!
I have a squeaky door and a clutch pedal that squeaks every time I press it.
I think it may go if I dump grease on them. But then I thought I'd try WD40 first. WD40 dissolves the grease doesn't it, so though these are two solutions, they seem to be opposites.
So, do I need more grease or less. Confused!! Read more
Gen,
As you suggest, there are different viscosities and types of grease. For example, there's lithium-based grease which has good resistance to temperature and often used for wheel-bearings. Then there's calcium-based grease (light/medium/heavy grades) which has good water resistance. Etc, etc.
However, for the sort of use you are after, where getting the grease into the assembly is more important than its physical or chemical make-up, I'd go along 100% with Richard's suggestion to use a general purpose spray grease.
Browse
If Dye has been put in the system, get a garage with uv lamp to have a look. Leaks stand out like a sore thumb!!