January 2004
How can I tell if the Timing Belt needs replacing, are there any early warning signs such as change in engine sound, noise etc and how much approx are we talking about getting it replaced at a grarage?
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Hi,
My GF has an old Nissan Sunny which is G reg and has a few months MOT left on it. Her parents are about to give her their car when they replace it (not as flash as it sounds).
The bodywork is a bit rusty in parts (the CAR!) but it got through its MOT last year OK and doesn't appear to have got worse.
Any suggestions about what to do with it? With minimal hassle.
We tried suggesting to the parents of a young family friend that she may want it to go off to university - and if so she coiuld have it for nothing but she wasn't interested.
Thanks,
Simon Read more
Whats up now rob unusual for that to give up
I have been running my motor on 100% biodiesel for some time. Excellent stuff - recommend it. Someone told me that it would be an idea to wind the igintion timing back by about 2 degrees.
Two questions -
Is there merit in doing this - I know it would need to be advanced again if I were to revert to diesel.
Can it be done / easily done on a modern engine - ie the Mk IV Golf Tdi
Leon Read more
You'll need VAG-COM to do this adjustment..
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groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....
Can anyone please tell me where I can find the ABS relay on 1997 Volvo S40. I have looked everywhere for it.
It is not in the fuse box under the bonnet.
Can anyone please help!!?
Thanks Read more
Haven't worked on this system but the trade ABS data book says...
Location: Relays located in hydraulic modulator.
Furthermore under diagnostics it says...
Relays: Note relays are integral with the ECU.
So I'd have a look at the hydraulic block/ecu locations and double check nothing external is visible.
Otherwise not the news you were wanting?
M.M
My best mates gone to Iraq for 6 months so I am looking after his wife and 6 kids. Just before he went they bought a new Peugeot 807 and have had problems from day one. Unfortunately as he is now away it seems to be me who has to deal with the idiots at the local dealer.
The problems are the remote central locking works when it feels like it, the steering rack is knackered and needs replacing, full carpet mats were ordered with the car and have failed to appear and my freind has not recieved his cashback deal from them.
The garage have now upset my mates wife to the point that she will not go anywhere near the dealers without bursting into tears. I have spoken to them on the phone and after explaining why I am having to deal with these problems they have turned round and told me to get stuffed as they will only deal with my freind or his wife.
I am going to pop into the dealers tomorrow and will probably end up giving someone a good hiding but what is the law regarding this. Can I legally deal with the ongoing problems on my freinds behalf, do I need written permission from him( not a problem )or does his wife have to go in to the dealers in tears only to be told another bunch of lies. Read more
Our pathetic renault dealer only seemed to take notice when the renault hq became involved . So its always worth complaining to their hq if the dealership wont act.
Polite but firm is always the best way because the dealer cant then turn around and accuse you of threatening behaviour.
If the car is still under manufactures warranty then why dont you take it to another dealership and get them to look at it, you dont have to get the work done at the dealership nearest your home.
Folks
Today I was in a supermarket car park and there was a minor collision between 2 cars. Fair bit of damage, no one injured, people standing around etc, both cars looked driveable. A typical prang, probably happens hundreds of times daily. Half a mile up the road, squad car, lights and sirens on, heading for the supermarket. My question, WHY? I was always under the impression that as long as details were exchanged, no one injured and no damage to property etc, the police are not required. I certainly wouldn't have bothered hanging around. Am I out of date with my thinking in our "blame and claim" society?
Baz Read more
Toyota good on this point-free camera when I got my Corolla last year.
Dear all!
Which is the best reasonably priced aftermarket alarm to fit to my Vectra LS? I would like it to also open/close the central locking when activated/de-activated.
Thanks in advance!
Gaz. Read more
Thats what my Meta alarm is, as the car's immobiliser should already by thatcham approved if the car is relatively young, then you just add the alarm and your car is protected to Thatcham category 1 standards. I've even got my little thatcham certificate and everything :-)
Blue
Hi
My heated rear window has been getting slow over winter, and has not packed up! I'm trying to replace the feed wire that goes between the tailgate and the body.
I've taken the plastic cover off that runs up the inside of the pillar, only to find solid metal underneath! I don't want to attack the rubber hose that keeps the wires weatherproof as I'm worried it will split.
Any help appreciated.
Mike Farrow Read more
Hi
Finally replaced just the section of wire that goes from the body to the tailgate and all is well again! Definately broken through, the cable was "floppy" where it had been kinked so much. solara: Thanks for the multimeter suggestion. Couldn't really measure it as the relay output goes to the switch light and heated mirrors as well!
Cheers.
Mike Farrow
hi all,
will be going to Hong Kong for 6-12 months would like to be able to drive overthere , will i need an international driving licence?...can i sort that out while i am over there?...I have been to the DVLA website , cannot find what i want. I currently hold a full uk driving licence (paper based version rather then the ID card version) any info would be great......
cheers,
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All the info you need is here.
www.info.gov.hk/td/eng/services/drive3.html
Althought they say it is ok to use your UK licence if your stay is less than 12 months, insurance companies might not accept it.
Try contacting these guys to check
www.rsib.com.hk
If you need to get a HK licence, you can get a direct issue (no test, just take in UK licence and docs) HK$900(£65) for a ten year licence
When checking tyre pressures I noticed I'd picked up a nail in the front nearside tyre. The pressure was a few psi down , the tyre is only two months old and the nail was about an inch or so in from the wall of the tyre. Far enough in to be confident that I would not get the response that I got from another repair chain on a previous puncture 'can't repair that - too near the side wall' in the hope of selling me a new tyre.
So I took it another well known repair chain and was told - you've guessed - 'can't repair that - its too near the side wall.'
After realising from my curt response ( second word 'off') that he wasn't going to sell me a new tyre he eventually produced a greasy plastic guage and proceeded to measure the tyre with it finally pronouncing that as it was 'borderline'he would graciously repair it.Repair , valve and balance £15.98.
Just asking ,how are these guys supposed to measure where the tread ends and the wall begins and how do you counter this if you are a little less forthright than I am?
Is it universal to all tyre sellers?
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Anythings possible SR but IMO they were both trying to improve the job from a £16 repair to a £70 tyre sale.I think its fairly common practice , they do the same on brake and exhaust 'free' checks where the 'pads are a bit low' or the front box is 'just about rusted through'.I suppose I don't trust them to act in my interests when they see the possibility of a tyre sale.
Didn't Polo girl mention something like this happened to her with brake pads on a recent thread?
It is strange that the first repair lasted at least 5000 miles until I traded the car in.
BTW - SWMBO had the Yaris in for service last week and when the Main Dealer advised replacing a front tyre because of a bulge on the side wall I agreed immedately beause I trust them.
Browse
If you are unsure about the timing belt life time on your car and have just bought it its always good practice to change as soon as possible being a mechanic myself i know that this engine is what is called an interfierance engine and if it jumps or snaps then bent valves is almost certain to happen and that will cost more than its worth if you want to check the belt then you should look for worn teeth on the belt and the tension you should only be able to turn the belt through 90 degrees anymore than this and its to slack also the belt will possibly show singns on the inner and outer edges of fraying ie the threads which are inside the belt are coming out this is a sure sign of belt deteriation its also worth noting that the teeth can easily break away then the belt will basically self destruct as it slides around the cam and crank