October 2003
There is a new film out called 'Stander' - I don't know whether it is/will be released in the UK.
It is the true story of a South African cop turned bad, who becomes a bank robber... this all occurred in the early 80s.
Features as his getaway car a Ford Cortina XR6 Interceptor. (as driven by the rogue himself).
Interesting specs on this beastie...
"Interceptor.....only 250 built (its a "south african" version...so only 250 worldwide). The car (from the factory) had modified branches, camshaft (i think it was a 275), high compression pistons, modified cylinder heads, and most important ...3 42DCNF downdraught webers. All cars were numbered ..1 to 250, and all came out with 13" ronal (i think) mags. The rest of the car was standard XR6."
Yeehah!
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I'm considering buying one of these (121ps version). The only thing putting me off is the relatively poor official fuel consumption figures of 42.8 on the combined cycle. Does any one have any experience of this car and can advise if this figure reflects what they usually achieve? Thanks. Read more
The Honda will surely require a lot more beans from the piggy bank ???
Hi a newbie here wishes to get something of my chest.
Why on earth do idoits mainly boy racers need to have front fog lights on in the dark (Yet there is no fog!). I am getting tired of blinded by these pr*ts in the city and country. Local plod doesn't take any notice at all.
I was told when I did my driving lessons some 3 years ago that the use of fog lights are a no no in good weather - did the law change since then?
YoungSei.
(city in question = Lincoln) Read more
I have foglights on the car because they were part of the standard kit. If you knew what I looked like you certainly wouldn't think I was fashion conscious! I have never modded a car - in fact, I still think the word "phat" refers to the latest increase in my waist measurement. I've never adjusted the foglights (wouldn't know how) and they do seem to illuminate not just the bit immediately in front, but a bit at the side of the road for a few feet as well. I still think that with them on I would have seen the movement just a little earlier of the guy's feet as he walked. Have to admit that it never occurred to me that they might be mis-aligned, so I'll have to have that checked.
DD - I know about the night vision thing, but it's good to get a reminder. I've found that looking to the left and using the other guy's light can also work sometimes, but not every time. Anyway, it all gets filed under E for experience.
andymc
Recently, a nut that secures a cam belt tensioner on my Peugeot 406 2.1TD sheared and resulted in serious damage to the cylinder head assembly components. Fortunately, there was no damage to any of the valves. The cylinder head is now being repaired requiring a complete set of 12 new rockers, followers, head kit (gasket etc?), head bolts and some other items. The parts bill is about £ 650.- and, including labour, the total bill will be about £ 1100.-.
The garage that has diagnosed the problem and is undertaking the work is the same local garage (not a Peugeot main dealer) that changed the timing belt six months ago. Since the timing belt was changed the car has covered 7,000 miles.
Have I just been unlucky by the fact that this nut has sheared, is it a known problem with this particular Peugeot engine or, could it be something that the garage did or did not do when they changed the timing belt six months and 7,00 miles ago ?
Any comments or advice would be much appreciated.
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On this car one has to remove the bumper and the front of the car!
That's only bad design if that's a difficult job. I used to run a Zafira, on which quite a few things required removal of its plastic front end for access, but it was a five minute job to get that off and the end result was a heck of a sight easier to work on than fiddling around with restricted access....
Sunday October 12 will see the Severn Valley Railway Classic Car & Bike Day.
Over 200 vehicles will be on display at the six main stations on the 16 mile Kidderminster to Bridgenorth line.
Biggest display will be at Highley with around 50 vehicles and the motorbkes will be at Hampton Loade.
Great day out! First train at 9.55 am from Kidderminster. For the price of your ticket you can ride up and down the line all day, getting off to see the exhibits at no extra charge.
Something different.
Not so much Flat in Fifth but "Full Steam Ahead"
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Copy that.
OK Guys who makes this Peugeot stuff is it Castrol as I need a few Litres and object paying the main dealer silly prices. Thanks Peter. Read more
Is this "Total Antigel" rebadged?
I suspect that any claims for premature radiator failure may be rejected if this stuff has not been used.
rg
Help! My L reg micra's air flow meter has given up the ghost,and to have it mended with new parts will be £600 apparently, ouch. I know nothing about cars at all - is an air flow meter something I could get from a scrappy do you think? Thanks for any help; really need to sort my car but can't afford £600 at the moment... Read more
You are on a different planet when talking about mark-up on spares. I work in the industry and would guess the AFM's cost under £10 to make.
One company I did some work for a few years ago was buying in a small motor from a Swiss company for about £2 (it was pretty good quality, even at that price). I was told that as a dealer spare it sold for something over £100! Another part I once got involved with was an ABS sensor - cost about £1 to the manfr. - dealer spare part cost over £100. Cost and price are not really related - you are paying for it to be available.
Here's a little story
Seicento 1.1, starts hunting when warmed up on idle, then after about 5 mins, injection firewalls the throttle all the way to the rev limiter. Repeatable. Nice in traffic.
AA home start takes one looks and wants to run away - car ends up at franchised Fix It Again Tony dealer.
Firstly I am told that the whole throttle body (potentiometer, stepper motor, injector, regulator) need replacing. But when I query the actual fault, the stepper motor is indicated. So I instruct them to just replace the stepper motor.
I get a call a day later, to find the the stepper motor has not cured the problem. On enquiring why, I find out that they have rounded the retaining bolts (apparently locktited in) and the the only solution is to go and replace the whole throttle body, which I am told is not available on its own, but comes with, guess what, the potentiometer, injector, regulator and stepper motor - total cost £460.00.
When I want confirmation that this will cure the fault, I get the answer "we think so". When I come down off the ceiling, and ask what happens if it does not cure the fault - they agree that it would be their problem.
Then I get back into my 1987 Mini and give thanks to the good old SU carb. Read more
My remote key recently came apart, it still works on remote locking but the key will longer start the engine. The spare key works. I heard that there is a small sender in the key between the actual key and the remote fob that might have fallen off. Ford are quoting £150 plus vat over the phone and I don't want to give them my hard earned money. Advice please
ajg
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Omega Elite 2.5 \'98
The under bonnet alarm sounder starts to splutter into action, very intermittently, in trafic.
If I stop, the alarm continues, although switching off the ignition & back on again tends to (mostly) cure it.
No false alarms when parked up ...any ideas / experiences? Read more
The most common fault with Omega alarm systems is the electronics in the power sounder/siren unit(located behind inner wing panel). Only cure is replacement unit don't think they are too expensive.
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Indeed it was a great game. Suspecting in advance this would be the case I walked to my local drinker (a German pub) leaving my vehicle at home (motoring link). Not enough tries though. Growlette has developed an unhealthy attraction for Johnny Wilkinson -- something to do with the way he lines himself up for those dead-eye kicks.