January 2004
Greetings all, and Happy New Year etc.
Been on a touch of leave, getiing roasted red-indian like by the sun, etc.
Unfortunately, the local road-mayhem has continued as in previous years, with the annual lemming-run for the coast causing some hideous pile-ups. The boys-in-blue have really earned their Xmas bonusses this year, as we have seen a proliferation of S**** C*****s on national roads, catching blokes doing 130 in a 120 zone... as unroadworthy and overloaded taxis, busses, trucks trundle by.
The death of the 8 British tourists in a minibus crash, will have made the media in UK ... apparently Mr Nutter was playing 'chicken' with cars all afternoon. But incidents like this are all too commonplace around these parts - death toll on SA roads during DECEMBER was over 1000!!
On a lighter note, there was a classic advert juxtaposition on TV the other day, midway thru the West Indies v SA cricket match. The pretentious new BMW 5 series ad, featuring all kinds of strange images, immediately followed by an ad for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals: "Erection problems are common, but can be cured..."
How we laughed! Read more
Car related? Eventually..
I've just got my hands on a power washer Karcher thingy and it's absolutely superb at removing the green grime/algae from the back garden.
Couple of questions - was thinking of using it on the car, but am worried it'll strip away the paint - anyone with any experience of this?
And do I need the detergent? It seems to work fine with just water on the pavement. Should I used the detergent with paths and/or the car?
Thanks,
Lee.
PS - DW - it's taken a loooonnng time to get mine, but well worth the wait!
--
Lee
MINI adventure in progress Read more
I have an unused car attachment brush thingy. Well, used once. It is nowhere near as effective as an old fashioned sponge.
Moved from discussion. ND.
I have a T reg Diesel and for some reason the heater has stopped working. I have tested the control unit and it appears to work, ie when measuring the voltage at the solenoid connector there is either 12V or 0 dependent upon the setting. Has anyone any else had this problem? and what is the solution
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Thanks for the info. I will get my dad to fix it.
During an idle moment sitting in the car waiting for the teenage daughter to grace us with her presence, I altered the headlamp level to avoid blinding fellow motorists, because we would be 6-up and with luggage aboard.
Parked in front of a wall I could see the left headlamp beam drop smoothly, but the right headlamp dimmed and the beam travelled down jerkily. At the next opportunity, I pulled the motor unit away from the back of the headlamp and squirted my favourite plastic lubricant, Mr Sheen inside. Smooth operation was restored and now the headlamp doesn't dim.
This ramble is to suggest that the electric headlamp levellers may benefit from regular inspection and use as they may remain static from one year to the next and goodness only knows how much they cost to replace.
Of course the blessed things wouldn't be needed if the car had self-levelling suspension in the first place ...
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land Read more
When I got my car with self levelling suspension, I was looking for the headlamp adjuster the first time I drove it at night. I then twigged about not needing them.
Then you can buy something that looks like one:
tinyurl.com/34jd9
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Hi peeps me again... My partners car, Peugeot 405 has not had its alarm and immobillizer workin for ages. Also the plip alarm armer is also broke.. shes been lockin unlockin by key only.. I put a new battery on it the other day and now everytime the doors are opened and closed and the ignition is turned on the headlights flash on and off for about 30secs !!! ive disarmed the horn but that goes off to if its armed... Can anyone tell me if now its time she has to get a new plip for the system now that the batteries been changed??? if not what is the solution because its drivin me NUTS..... Cheers... Read more
I once had a 405 that did this when I replaced the battery. I didn't have the alarm key so that went off too.
I can't remeber exactly what I did but it involved removing the fuse (number 14). Try removing it for a few seconds then popping it back in.
I don't think I did anything else and I'm not sure if the alarm had to be armed or disarmed but it did the job.
Ive just purchased a Honda Prelude Vtec import. Ive been told it has a top end speed limiter on it and yes when i get to *&%mph it cuts out and dies !!!! It has bags of go left in it so can anyone tell me if its a job and half to get it off and if so wheres good to go and at what cost... Ive a funny idea my Speedo and rev counter both dont read true so any ideas guys n gals cheers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Go to this web site
www.importedvehicles.co.uk/
I had my prelude rechipped by them because the top speed etc had been done but not cruise etc.
Very helpful people but don't suffer fools as you will see from the website language but do give them a look!
Dear All,
Can anyone provide any advice with regards to my purchase dilemma - I thinking of either getting a Ford Mondeo TDCi 130bhp Zetec for £13,100 pounds, or a VW Passat TDi Sport 130bhp for £15,000. Can anyone provide any view/ recommendations please! Which is the best buy?
Cheers, Rob Read more
Passat with sports suspension still doesn't touch the Mondeo for handling - it does bottom out frequently though.
I've already got through one engine pan cover.
Agree about the turbo boost - fine in dry weather but a more linear torque curve would benefit the car in less than perfect traction conditions.
I've taken to disabling ASR (Traction control) in carp weather, I don't mind wheelspin but I don't like the rather agricultural engine control that traction control gives you.
Technical query arising from the demise of my 405 battery this am.
I have always bought the largest good quality battery that is recommended for any car I have (for example fitting a 44AH instead of the stock 38AH one) or fitting one for diesel instead of the one required for petrol. My theory has been that for the small extra cost it may give that extra power you need if the interior lights have been on. I have also always thought that it should last longer, as it would never be discharged and kept topped up by the alternator.
A few months ago, on a technical site, I read the advice that you should not fit a large battery, as it would not "cycle" as it was partially discharged and then fully recharged after starting the car. It said that the larger battery would be prone to sulphurisation and failure.
Views anyone?
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I agree with both of ST's comments but would go even further in the second instance. Some BERU glow plugs were designed over 20 years ago to automatically operate whenever the cylinder gas temperature needs increasing, which can be a long time after starting in some instances.
For example, I could envisage post-heating being useful after running downhill for an extended time, i.e. with fuel shut-off but full air flow through the cylinders (there being no air throttle on a conventional diesel engine). This could occur many miles into a journey, not just at the start, and the benefits would include reduced emissions, etc., exactly as ST said.
Dear All
Happy New Year and all that old sausage.
Has anyone bought a rear seat DVD player for the children (a good fight preventer, I'll be bound)?
If so, what is recommended. DVD (although I have none), VHS (I have loads).
Also from a previous thread about children in the front of a car, what is the minimum legal age for them to sit in the front? Re new child safety legislation - what are child seat belts how do they differ from standard belts?
Regards Read more
best thing for kids - Harry Potter audiobooks - read by Stephen Fry - entertaining for adults too - and v long.
I've got the lot, approx 60-70 CD's!
"Goblet of Fire" got us to the middle of france and back - with virtual silence from my 7 and 10yr old. Journeys take less time too.
John
Browse
Brilliant tv....unless you live with it for real. Doesn't sound much like fun to me.