March 2004
Could someone enlighten me on what I've heard called the VAG coil problem?
We've had two (out of three) ignition coils go on our 2002 Polo.
What is the problem, is there any cure for it, how frequently do they go?
Also which engines does it affect in the Polo/Fabia/Ibiza range?
I would welcome any information on this matter. Read more
Hi,
Hope someone can help. have a 1992 Astra and noticed that cv boots starting to split. Don\'t really want to go to expense of having a garage do job and recall that some time ago I read about a kit that you could fit yourself. I recall that the boots themselves were split down the middle and were glued together once fitted over the cv joint.
does anyone know about these, do they work and where can I get them? Many thanks Read more
Did you know you can pull the driveshaft out of the
cv joint in 80% of Vauxhalls... No more splitting of ball
joints required...
And if that fails, just disconnect the bottom ball joint from the suspension arm and then pull the driveshaft from the cv joint; leaving the cv joint in the hub.
hi, i have a ongoing tyre wear problem with my volvo v70, can anyone recomend a garage in the manchester area who would do a decent job of setting the tracking correctly, a couple of places have tried and not really sorted the problem to my satifaction, t.i.a Read more
My 850 - now sold - which is probably much the same as V70 took 3 attempts by Volvo dealer to get tyre wear to acceptable but it was never perfect, something you have to accept with a volvo. Anyhow, the set the tracking "on the limit of tollerance" the garage's words, all was fine after. May be worth speaking to a couple of Volvo workshops - no doubt they have experienced this before, and with the cost of tyres it's worth it!
Pied Piper Pc led drivers astray
Motorists were lead on a mystery tour through Essex after a policeman accidentally switched on a sign telling the drivers behind to "Follow Me."
Five motorists took the instruction to heart and tailed the police Volvo for a number of miles as the officer carried out his routine patrol.
The officer - now dubbed the Pied Piper by colleagues - noticed the convoy near Maldon and pulled over.
Essex Police said the unnamed inspector had apologised to the motorists.
A police spokeswoman said the matrix system on top of the car is used to display instructions to drivers such as "Pull Over" or "Follow Me."
She said: "Naturally, the law-abiding drivers saw the message and did as they were asked.
"Some had followed the car for some time, but they were all very understanding when the officer explained the sign had been accidentally switched on."
Read more
As an Essex boy, born and bred, I'll get in first.
It doesn't mean we're all sheep once we get out in the country!
BAAAAAA.....
Mind you, shouldn't a police inspector have noticed he was being followed....
Cockle
Sadly a lorry driver died on the M25 last night.
I believe one lorry was carrying chemicals but can anyone justify how it was necessary to cause 80,000 motorists to be delayed in 18 miles of jams from Lakeside to the M11.
The opposite carriageway had 10 mile jams.
Horrendous inconvenience to motorists and the motorway remained closed between J29 and 31 for 12 hours.
I know the police and emergency services have a job to do and I have the greatest of respect for them but why does it take so long ? Can't they at least keep a couple of lanes open?
Read more
>>if only all causes of death were treated equally thoroughly, >>thousands of lives might be saved. but that would lead to >>hospitals being closed as crime scenes every time superbug >>infection killed someone ( 7000 people die each year , wich >>is about 20 a day due to superbug mrsa infections picked up >>in hospitals due to negligence by somebody ).
Whilst it would be good to eradicate or reduce these infections, I would suggest it wise to take care not to interpret everything you read or hear on the news literally.
You might also ask whether there might be other factors giving rise to increased infection rates rather than just taking the easy line of blaming health care workers.
Does anyone know the law about using a hovercraft on (or just above!) the highway?
Obviously not one of the SRN4s that used to cross the channel - little personal ones.
I ask out of curiosity, not because I want to.
Terry
\"Just because I don\'t care doesn\'t mean I don\'t understand\" Read more
Thank Heavens for the good old fashioned English Eccentric lol. I nearly wet my pants reading this post and its replies. Thank you all very much for cheering me up over what has turned out to be a pretty sad easter for me.
A mate has a 10 year old Previa auto that is misfiring, running badly and doing about 5mpg. A mate of his changed the plugs with no effect (not me!).
Does anyone know a reliable independant mechanic in Surrey (he lives in Addlestone) that they could recommend. He wants to know if its worth chucking some money at it rather than scrapping it.
Read more
Whilst I've been online trying to find a solution for this problem, my friend called the RAC who towed his car to an "approved" member garage. He told the RAC guy he'd had a recon engine 2 years ago and this was obviously passed on to the garage where the car is now. They rang him this evening, said they'd run a compression test and one cylinder was "a bit down" and said this didn;t surprise them given the source of his engine have quoted him £500++ for a head off job.
Given that low compression could be insignificant or caused by worn rings, I reckon he's opening himself to a huge bill leaving it with the "approved" place. Would it be reasonable for him to take his car for a second opinion (with one of the above suggestions)? It is just about driveable.
my neighbour is swapping her 1997 Saab 900 SE (I think, rather than just an S) for something a little large to accomodate her kids.
This 97P has 49k and is an auto and is in *excellent* condition. She is getting a Renault Scenic and it seems that she has been offered £1500 as PX.
I realise that the car is 7 years old but isn't £1500 a little on the light side? I can understand that the dealer doesn't really want a car this old (in years rather than mileage) but if it is a little too cheap how else can she sell?
Advice welcome. Read more
Appreciate the heads up CM.
Knowing that the quality of diesel varies in this country, and Shell is usually recommended, I was wondering is there a Spanish equivalent? Read more
Diesel in Spain is quite as good as any in UK. I generally use the Carrefour Supermarket gasolinera as there is a discount for spending ??? in the store. If that is not convenient I usually use Shell as it is on the way to our usual shopping centre.Rest assured, you can also drink the water in Spain although ,mat I recommend Mahou Cinco Estrellas premium lager as an excellent substitute !!!
I am in Uk for a few days - isn't it cold and expensive in Britain?
Roger.
Ppaul, absolutely brilliant site! My sides are still aching with laughing.
Think this should be a "sanity" check for backroomers, if you think the cars on display are cool, go elsewhere. If you think they are naff, we welcome your opinion!
Browse
Coils went today on start-up! Nasty noise, flashing orange lights, air turns blue...
Fixed at roadside by VW assistance mechanic [they're very good - I've had plenty of chance to judge.]
He replaced all 3 coils, although he said head office gave him a hard time about it - they prefer to let them go one by one!
CF.