August 2003
Hi,
Quick question.
My diesel Renault Trafic camper van has attained a clunk noise when I switch on/off the engine ignition. It happens more when the engine is switch off, as if 'something' is taking a second longer to stop - it also makes the engine judder slightly.
It originated when I switched off the engine and let it roll to a stop, (i.e.. not bringing the vehicle to a halt first and then switching off the engine).
This may be a silly question but in doing the above, could I have caused some damage to the engine or knocked out the timing - is it possible to knock out the timing in a vehicle.
Hope someone can advise before I take it to a garage. Read more
Hi Chaps/Chappeses!
Just a quick question. Myself and my brother are going to be bought for our birthdays (30 & 28) a half day rallying course (we have no experience apart from our youthful experiences on the country roads--I know slapped wrists...) or maybe longer...if the price is right (i.e. if you guys give it a great recommendation we'll pay for the full day)
Anyhoo I thought I would ask you keen backroomers if you have any suggestions for any companies or race areas? I am based in London and my brother is based in Leeds so I reckon we have most of England covered.
Anyone got any thoughts?
Cheers
Rozzer Read more
I can echo Renault Family's opinion. I did the Phil Price rally day. It was great fun. Lively cars, excellent tutors, very friendly.
No idea on cost as it was a present from the Mrs.
Go in the winter as mud is better than dust.
I have a Mk5 fiesta and it came as standard with a ashtray fitted. I have seen several other Mk5's that are fitted with a Cd storage tray/coin holder fitted as a optional fit item instead of the ashtray.
Does anyone know if this is available as a spare part conversion, i've tried my ford dealer and they are saying that its a production line fitted item only.
Any news would be helpful.
Pastyman..
Read more
You think you've got it bad ...
Harare - The price of fuel in Zimbabwe went up by more than 500% on Wednesday as the government announced a deregulation of the petroleum oil industry.
Diesel that used to cost 200 dollars a litre will now be sold at 1 060 dollars while the petrol price has gone up from 450 to 1170 dollars.
Lately fuel has been available on the black market at prices that were eight times more than the official pump price.
The largest denomination note in Zim is the $500. On the present exchange-rate, if you can find anyone to touch them, that is worth about 45p.
So work out how big a wallet you need!
The price of goods is so astronomical, that it would work out cheaper to use the smaller denominations ($5, $50 etc) for the task than to use it to purchase lavatory paper.
Read more
Yes I have friends in Zim and they joke grimly about needing a wheelbarrow to take their money to the supermarket. Shades of the Reichsmark in the Weimar Republic. Can only be a matter of time.
One of my colleagues drove into work today with their brand new car - a Suzuki Swift! I couldn't believe it - I thought these cars died years ago!!
After checking the prices etc I can see why its a good "budget" buy, although my preference would be a better used car for the money.
However, it made me think, what is the earliest Swift registration with the same shape - I am sure I have seen P regs?
Also, what is the longest a current car in production has gone without a change? Peugeot 206 goes back to S reg, any thoughts??
Incidentally, I thought the older Swifts looked nicer than the current ones with their huge black plastic bumpers! Read more
I would also have to say the Hindustan Ambassador aka 1956 Morris Oxford, but another contender would be the Iranian Peykan aka 1967 Hillman Hunter originally assembled from kits imported from UK, but not to any great degree of exactitude. These things still chunter around Tehran as taxis and rather like Datsun 16O's in Karachi imported years ago from Dubai, simply refuse to die. I believe production of a modified version is still in place.
The Fiat 124 is still running round in its Turkish version. It's kind of a Lada Lite.
Has anyone out there experienced lacquer peeling from their Rover?
I've a 1994 216 SLi and both front wings and the top of the back door have lost their lacquer completely Read more
I'd agree with Dizzy - this is suggestive of a poor quality respray in the areas affected.
If you have put a quarter of a tank of unleaded in to a diesel car - is it ok to fill the rest of the tank with diesel (25% petrol and 75% diesel), or will this damage the engine? Read more
Then nothing until you switch on "ignition"
Quite....
They are filming a commercial in the square outside my office.
the X3 Bimmer. Have a blue LHD with German plates on it.
I popped won to have a look, and can see it is going to make some serious inroads into the Soft-Roader market...
I'll try to snap some pics Read more
Looks like they are only going to have the 2.5 & 3 litre petrol and 2 litre diesel in the UK. No 3 litre diesel, which is the one I want.
PB.
can somebody please tell me the ratios for the 306 dt Read more
If we are looking for total accuracy, don't forget that the answer will depend on how much rubber is on your tyres. If new tyres have 7-8 mm and old ones 2-3, that equals a difference of 10mm in diameter or >30mm (well over an inch) in circumference, or about 1½ %.
I have just been reading the thread in the discussion area about petrol types. I have just bought a new car, a 306 xsi. This is much newer than my last car and so would I benefit from the advantages stated in the above thread from using a higher RON rated fuel. I don't really understand what it does or when to use it. Any help/advice would be much appreciated.
Jon Read more
I own a 8v 2L xsi, and the manual just says it can take 95 or 97 ron with no problems
Browse
Diesels cannot pre-ignite, it is all down to injection timing.
Only petrol engines pre-ignite.