December 2003
Can anyone tell me the location of the fuel and pollen filters on the 1.9TDi(130) model.Need to change them but not sure of their whereabouts.Thanks Read more
I have a big steel chain for my motorbike. It has gotten mega dirty and is starting to rust. How should I clean it, leaving it ok to handle (i.e not leaving my hands covered in grease)? Read more
Just done similar for the chain that locks up my Honda trailie. I put rubber gloves on, put the thing on the old blanket I use when changing oil etc to keep my nice tiles clean, sprayed it all over with Selleys Engine Cleaner, used a stiff brush to make sure the gloop was well worked in, hosed it down then hung it in the sun to dry (Appreciate that last may be easier for me than you right now!)
Next step was to treat the rust, we have some stuff called Turbo here which is like Jenolite, neutralises the rust. Just brushed that on with an old paintbrush. Once dry (minutes only), I used insulating tape wrapped over the foot or so of chain which comes into contact with the bike frame. Should last another couple of years.
Clarkson reviewed the new V8 MG SV in today's Times' "Driving" section.
Performance was rated very well but he mentioned that price wise (75k for a base model)they will be pitching the car against the Porsche GT3 instead of a TVR. "Performance" versions will be over 100k apparently and in Lamborghini territory. Seems MGR just don't listen to anyone when they price their products.
He opened his article by saying, traditionally MGs were as sporty as a man in an iron lung. I had to laugh. Read more
Help: We have a 1995 850 2.5 10-valve that occasionally won't start - engine turns over OK, just will not fire up. Usually but not always this happens after a journey of 5 to 10 miles, then car is left for up to 1 hour. Strange thing is that if, after trying to start, the car is then left for a further half hour, it usually starts first time. No faults logged by ECU. Someone who has experienced this type of problem has suggested the "ignition amplifier".
Anyone else able to confirm or rule this out, or have any other ideas? Read more
Yes, it could be crank pickup. In fact it could be a few other things as well.
Any body know ignition timing settings the car has no points Read more
Changed the oil in the Capri today. The filter I put on hand-tight a year ago came off easily with no need for a wrench. Is this a first? It hadn't leaked a drop either.
I used Duckhams as first refill after the car's 13 years of dormancy. I've now put Castrol GTX in and I'd swear the engine is feeling smoother, but it's probably an illusion. Read more
I don't think it is an illusion Roger, I always think a car runs quieter after an oil change.
Well, we've finally bought a new car. It was a toss-up between a new one from New-Car Discount who provided a very good price against the other brokers I looked at and a delivery miles pre-reg from a dealer. My wife decided she didn't want to wait 10 weeks for a new one so we've gone for the pre-reg. I found the car at a dealer 10 miles away, but having been in to our local franchise to get a quote we thought we'd give them one last chance. Dealer simply couldn't be bothered to look on the computer to see if there were any cars matching our needs and told us there weren't any fitting that description.
It seemed a bit churlish to point out there was one half an hour away so we smiled and walked away. I wonder how many cars they have sold this weekend to make them so chuffing lazy! Read more
I found an Audi in East London that I was interested in but because I live in West London I thought that I would give my local dealer a call.
They were having a power cut so took my details down and of course no call from the salesman (as I think he thought I wasn't spending enough!!). Went in there the other day on a warranty matter and told them this and my, my weren't they sorry!
I am somewhat annoyed at Renault UK for their inability to provide common spares for the Espace. I was involved in an accident in May this year and 7 months later I am still waiting for an interior pannel with no explanation as to the delay or why. My car is only 4 years old! What can I do about it?
They do not even respond to my letters! The local dealer ignores the issue as well.
Highly stressed - Suggestions welcomed
Read more
Sorry but I have same sort of experience with Renault UK to report. In Sep 1998 I bought a new Scenic - was due to collect the car on a Saturday and start a motoring holiday on the Monday. Dealer phoned me on the Friday evening to say that "my" Renault was affected by a factory recall of suspect driveshafts and that Renault UK had told them I was not allowed to collect the car. No loan cars were available in place. Very peeved I phoned Renault UK ; phone call not returned because Customer Services bloke had dental appointment and didn't have time to call me back. Supplying dealer went out of their way to help and hired me a Ford Mondeo from a local co as they had no more Renault loan cars available! Renault UK, when pressed, gave me a set of roof bars in compensation but I still had to wait about 3 weeks for the replacement driveshaft to be shipped to the dealer and fitted. Based on this experience, I'd buy another car from that dealer but based on Renault UK's attitude and poor back-up, doubt that I will buy a Renault again. Your experience seems to reinforce my opinions.
Contrast this to some other manufacturers' ability to supply spares - eg a few years ago my parents needed an obscure spare for a Volvo that was about 20 years old - main dealer had one in stock! - even a replacement dashboard clock was available within 3 working days.
Has anybody experienced mouse damage to car electrical plastic armoured cables and the wires within? I have an MB 200 K and have just experienced damage to the cambox sensor "armoured" cable that measures cam rpm. The damage is probably the result of recent low ambient temperatures, and the desire for the local mice life to find somewhere warmer!
I have just begun an anti mouse campaign using bait in boxes, traps and baited drainpipe, (I live next to woodland) but would welcome ideas as to how I protect the many cables on my motor!
Regards,
Julian Lindley Read more
Thank you to all the contributors who provided feedback regarding my earliar post.
I undertook a search on the HJ site and discovered another unhappy soul whose Audi was substantially nibbled by the Marder - from the Marten/Weasel rodent family in Germany. His suggested solution, also recorded in HJ's Motoring Answers 1998 under Tools and Gizmo's, is to use an ultrasonic system supplied my a number of UK manufacturers. Mercedes and Audi offer a dedicated kit for their cars, which I assume is also based on the same principles. I intend to follow up with this line of action.
The woodland mouse population in my area has become significant, probably because of the excellent summer and mild autumn this year. My neighbours are all complaining about mice infesting there cottage roofspaces, and this is also true for my own.
This is all very frustrating really, because I suspect the mice are attracted to a hot engine after dark. This has forced my family and I to use our trusty Vauxhalls of 13 plus years old and one of 200 K milage as the mice appear to find them unattractive. Perhaps a good reason not to buy an expesive Mercedes!
Regards,
Julian Lindley
Hi - I am looking to have a cruise control system fitted and thanks to a few leads here have come across a company called Vehvac in Edenbridge who appear to do this. Has anyone used them - are they ok? Any thoughts - thanks.
Y Read more
Thanks Dave - I'm having it fitted to a new shape Mondeo - no idea whether it is fly-by-wire actually ....
Y
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Just had my 40k service done on my 2 year old Passat diesel at a Cheshire main dealer. £173- pretty reasonable I thought. And the car was collected and returned clean.
Had to pay ~£130 separately out of my own pocket for a suspension alignment check, not covered by warranty they said, as I was dissatisfied about the tyre wear. Said to be back in spec now so we'll see.
Other problems have been with the dealer rather than the car.