March 2004
My brother has a 1999 1.8 Mondeo with 62,000 miles on it. He wants to keep it for about 4-5 years i.e. another 50,000 miles. He is keen to consider changing the cam belt, as he can get the benifit of it. Also a snapped belt is a disarster. Five Ford dealers in south Essex all quoted about £320 (incl VAT) for a new belt and pulleys. £75 for parts plus labour and VAT. One asked why change it when it is good for 100K. I know these belts are good, for 80k plus, but is it a risk to keep the old one. I suggested change it at 70k. Also it seems expensive to me. I like the idea of a Ford change because if it snaps there is some comeback, and they can tension it properly. Anyone know of a Ford dealer in the area who is cheaper? Read more
As a satisfied Rover owner for many years (yes, they exist) and not living in the UK I wonder what the future of MG-Rover is and what the consequences of a collapse will mean and how realistic a collapse is. Read more
Sonalika make international tractors and have a renault collaberation in India
I drove 50 miles in a diesel after refueling with £15 of unleaded, does anybody know if this can be fixed under warranty or is it out of my wallet? Read more
It was a fiesta.
The only problem with the unhonest answer is that I hadn't realised what I had done until the dealer called to say that there were traces of unleaded in the tank. It was only when I'd checked the receipt that I realised.
Surprised that no one has posted yet about the Pug 307 recall due to some cars logging an extra 25 miles per 100 driven.
Was on Watchdog last night. Read more
>I cannot believe that the computer technicians at a multinational company such as Pug cannot seem to sort out the problem (all they need do is contact Bill Gates ;-)...)
"A vulnerability has been discovered in the Windows-for-Peugeots (TM) operating system that could enable malicious dealerships to gain access to your credit card and other personal details. To correct the error please download this patch, reboot seven times, install fifteen third-party spyware programs and disconnect your 307 from the Internet."
Peugeot 307: How far do you want to think you've gone today?
Just heard a piece on the radio claiming that the powers that be are considering massive increases in RFL for 'gas guzzlers'. £1000 was mentioned as a figure but where this came from I don't know.
Can't see the manufacturers being very pleased at the prospect or indeed the owners of cars whose value is likely to plummet.
Having aid that I'm sure the tax will be well spent by our glorious leaders (TIC). Read more
Shouldn't that be snacks of unfairness ;-)
If the govt were really concerned about the environment then MPs would be driven around in fuel efficient superminis not huge great limos. If everyone switched to fuel efficient vehicles tomorrow or started driving frugally they would be in deep financial trouble so perhaps we should be encouraging gas guzzlers as they must be propping up the nhs and education :-)
According to Bjorn Whatsit that wrote the skeptical environmentalist reckoned it is not our concern to make sure that natural resources are there for our children but to build the economy so we can afford to research alternatives so our children won't need old fashioned things like fossil fuel.
teabelly
Five days after getting my honda jazz se sport I've chipped my alloys.
What's the best way to repair them? Read more
The other day I noticed three words on a large yellow sign on the M62 westbound which I am sure is familiar to many of you. It made me think all over again about the immediacy of road-sign language. It said Discontinuous Emergency Refuge. I suppose it means Intermittent Hard Shoulder, which on reflection may sound equally daft. Any suggestions, or better examples? Read more
Kev
I don't think anyone can, but at least they didn't put an apostrophe in it!
Terry
"Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand"
Looking to buy a used Peugeot 106. Rather suprised to find they do not have water temperature gauges. Quite suprised, as all but my first car, a 1963 Viva, have all had temperature gauges.
Is this a problem?
Is it possible to fit one as an accessory? Read more
There is an adaptor on the market and ebay where you can fit it to the top coolant hose. It consists of an alloy casting tapped to take a sensor. You cut the top hose and fit the adaptor using jubilee clips. Then just wire in an after market guage. It's an easy and relatively cheap conversion to do, and pay's dividends especially with the large number of cars being produced without coolant guages. I've done this on Peugeot 106's and some Ford Ka's with good results. Just remember if doing it yourself, the 106 and Saxo cooling systems can be a pain to bleed.
This is more a regional question,but I'm open to suggestions from elsewhere.Does anyone know of a stockist of Castrol R40 in the West Yorkshire area,preferably Leeds-Wakefield way?
Ken. Read more
aye up mate,this answer may be abit late to your question,but today[thu 31/05/07] i bought a litre bottle of castrol r40 £9.99 from padgetts of batley,they had 1 bottle left on shelf,if this stuff is getting rare to buy,or obsolute,pleaselet me no,and any i come across,we can split?let me know anyway in regard to your question,just picked up bike reigns again after 17 years off,lad is now 18 and grown up ,so its time to wind the mrs up again,by going back to my youth,just bought a nice nc30,hence the hunt for the nice smellin castrol r,
regards hagis[russ]
ps i live in dewsbury
(I have called it this for the benifit of the non-techies)
Previously we have discussed EMI and its effect on battery drain. But there is another topic that could be even more interesting.
Ways of reducing the complexity of the car wiring have been sought such as by (ideally) using a single pair of wires to supply everything and then switching things on and off by sending an appropriate code of pulses down the wire pair. Thus each headlamp etc., would have an electronic switch on the back of it and would respond only to its own special code words, for on, off and dip.
As you can imagine such a scheme has enormous scope for some very funny effects in the presence of interference! Anyone know if it is in use yet?
Did I mis-interpret the news item I heard on the Pug that catches fire because it sounded to me like it might be using something like this.
Read more
"in fact you may have seen the paraphernalia being installed at the sides of the roads in preparation."
Nope not seen it what does it look like? We are all dying to know.
Browse
Wish I could get away charging that sort of cash for a 'simple' Zetec belt change!
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groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....