February 2004
Hi
Halfords had a special offer on Porter manuals last week, so I bought a combined one for the Punto, Tempra,bravo, brava etc
I changed the front pads on my Punto, after moving the pistons back in using my trusty (50 yr old) G clamp. I ave done this a couple of times on this model without problems
When I looked through the Porter manual it stressed it was vital to screw the piston as you pushed it back,even recommending a special Sykes Pickavant tool.
Now I can see that this should give the seals an easier time, but you would have to be careful to make sure the boots allowed the piston to rotate.
What do you think. Essential, a good idea, or confusing abs brakes with "conventional" ones.
Read more
As you know I am hoping to get another van in the near future.
If I do get the one I'm after, what would be the going rate for my old Trafic?
Ignore what I paid for it, it is a 1996 N 2.1 Diesel. at 185K.
It will have a full MOT but no tax to speak of (poss a month).
It has a normal roof (not a high or a semi high top) it is a SWB with side loading door.
It has one previous owner (then me).
Bodywork has not suffered with rust at all, unlike the earlier models and it is very reliable. It has never let me down.
There are a few blemishes on the body though. The front bumber, whough complete has been cracked and repaired. Both the rear quarter bumpers have suffered minor impact enough to give the light clusters probs with properly seating onto the bodyshell, though they do stay firm. The nearside quarter bumper is broken and the NSR light cluster really needs changing (red tape gets it through MOTs).
In addition the bonnet has been scratched and is missing some trim. The rear doors need a slam to close. Though they are secure when locked.
All the locks work properly. The vehicle drives well.
Work done within the last 15months include replacement track rods, rear wheel bearing new cam belt, servicing and a replacement power steering pump.
So - what's it worth?
Good points - Late reliable diesel, versatile. Obviously well maintained by previous owner. Light use only until I have had it. Then I have tended to carry new materials and waste timber rather than rubble.
Bad points - Bodywork abused by shoddy driving, high mileage.
Ta
Hugo Read more
This now answers a question I asked DD. Obviously my last post on this thread didn't register, so it was some way down the list.
My friend go the £2K he wanted for the van so I didn't get it, so my Trafic will be kept for a year or two.
So it's off to my friendly bodyshop with both vehicles to get the rear floor pan and other bits repaired on the Discovery and possibly a few rear dents taken out of the van, and even some new rear light clusters, depending on its MOT performance in the near future.
Thanks for all the advice, and my apologies for accusing DD of removing this thread!
Hugo
On BBC's Watchdog now ...... Read more
You know I'm really rather pleased about this leaking roof business. You see, I like the Pluriel and fancy a nice second hand one in a few years when I no longer need a great big Terrano. All this adverse publicity is going to send second hand values plummeting and I should get a really good bargain. Only thing is I'll have to find a non-leaker because I don't fancy driving around in a car that smells of a swamp.
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone can recommend a garage in the walton on thames area in surrey, are there any that anyone would personally recommend? Read more
if anyone can recommend a garage in the walton on thames area
in surrey
vr612v
take it you want a vw garage?
what radius of walton?
have you looked at?
www.honestjohn.co.uk/directories/good_garages/DirG...m
www.honestjohn.co.uk/directories/good_garages/DirG...m
www.honestjohn.co.uk/directories/good_garages/DirG...m
there are quite a few vw places lsited there.
Hello all,
Just wondered, whats the best to have for performance ?
BHP or Torque?
Any advice much appreciated. Read more
I love my V8 just for the sound it makes, it's 32 years old but still makes an lovely grunt that will forever endear me to V8's.
My diesel in comparison is the 'daddy' only because it is more modern but has the same properties in a smaller package with twice the fuel consumption.
Now if I could afford the 3.9 EFi V8 as a transplant it would make my P6 into more of a monster that it is.
As a compromise, I'm a diesel convert only down to the 'politics' of the day.
I admit though, a good petrol V8 tuned for Bhp and torque will rule the roost. There aren't many V8s that can do that. Well saying that the new Rover V8 is on song, 260Bhp might sound meagre but 410Nm of torque and it's overtake city.
I guess I want both, I want to able to take my cake and eat it.
Petrol V8 will always win.
hi,
im gonna be getting the cambelt done in the next couple of weeks on
my fiesta, 1.8d, \'j\' reg
what other belts should (if any) i consider getting done at the same time?
what prices am i looking at? (just an averge figure)
it will also be having a oil & filter change done at the same time.
cheers
shaunthesheep
ford fiesta. 1.8d. j reg. 91\'. Read more
i didnt know that the tension pulleys had to be changed at the same time, if i had known this then dont you think that i would have got them done at the same time!!
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shaun the sheep
ford fiesta. 1.8d. j reg. 91'.
hi,
do any of you out there know of a workshop manual (eg haynes) that covers the diesel fiesta engine 1.8 (1753cc) \"j\" 91\'.
ive looked around & i cant seem to find one that covers this engine size.
cheers
shaunthesheep
ford fiesta. 1.8d. j reg. 91\'. Read more
ebay's your best bet if you can wait a few days.
hi,
having not owned a diesel engined car before, is it suppose to smoke from when you first start it up??
when i say smoke the back of the car dissappers in a nice grey cloud
i do know that diesels smoke as normal & rattle, but this one sounds like the tappets need doing, again do diesel engines have tappets??
shaunthesheep
ford fiesta. 1.8d. j reg. 91\'. Read more
hi,
ive notice a few times then when i start up my diesel ford fiesta, that it disappers in a cloud of white smoke.
ive checked the head gasket, via a compression test, thats ok as far as i can tell.
im not losing any water, ive got no water in the oil & vice versa.
it doesn't smoke at other times, ive changed the glow plugs & air filter & had an oil & filter change.
has anyone got any ideas on what it could be, ive heard people say that it could be air in the fuel, if it is air in the fuel how did it get in? can anyone confirm this?
shaunthesheep
--
shaun the sheep
ford fiesta. 1.8d. j reg. 91'.
hi,
ive got a problem with my drivers side doorlock, it seems to have lost it spring from the lock itself.
ive had a look at the lock from inside & removed it, but i couldnt get the the inside door release cable off the lock, does this mean that i have to buy the complete unit as in inside handle & lock in order for me to replace it or can i buy just the lock??
shaunthesheep
ford fiesta. 1.8d. j reg. 91\'. Read more
No you can buy the lock separately, about £30 ish. As a security measure Henry puts a steel cover over the whole lock assembly which is siliconed onto the outer skin of the door (what a GOOD idea,remove carefully!) then once you have that out of the way you can unhitch the rod from the key lock and remove the plastic rain cover, then the cable. Whenever I replace a door lock assembly I always replace the cable (actually it is a thin flexible rod)as it is only an extra £6 or so and saves going back again a week later to do it again!
Andrew
Simplicate and add lightness!!
Just been told about a cracking 85K mile original 1982 MK3 escort XR3 (non injection) going for a cheap price. Apparently its got no rust anywhere, and is original and unmodified, even has the cloverleaf alloys.
Now i've been a fan of these hot hatches (unmodified may I add) since I grew up with them around. I know the one to go for is the RS1600i, but they are rare and use a number of specialized parts.
What problems should i look for with the 1.6 CVH motor? Will I still be able to find spares for this car thats as old (young) as me?
I consider these a classic, even an investment at the price it is going for (comparing to prices hot Mk1 and 2's fetch). My only problem (at 22 years old) would be insuring it, as it is group 14 - would any insurance comnpanies consider it a classic yet on a limited mileage policy? Read more
I was tempted by the XR3 cos of it's low price and possible appreciation in value. Plus I like the way they look.
Maybe I'll keep my eyes open for a 1.9 205 GTI too - I drive a bog standard 306 daily and the handling of that blew me away at first over previous cars (astra tipo etc).
Browse
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Ta greaser, that's what I thought
I still have my special tool for the rear brakes of my Rover 2000