April 2004

Question Conversion to cooking oil

gttrd on 2 April 2004

Does anyone have any experience/knowledgo on what it would take to make a car run on cooking oil. ie what i would need to do with the oil or what mods i would have to make to the car.
The car i was thinking of converting is a sierra 1.8 td

All help would be appreciated
Read more

andymc {P} on 2 April 2004

I have that book!
The Sierra - does it have a rotary pump? If so, it's unlikely to cope with using vegetable oil due to the viscosity - even if you do thin it with meths. If it's a car you're willing to risk losing in the spirit of experimentation, fire ahead - if it's what you rely on as your daily transport, I'd think twice.
You can get conversion kits for preheating the fuel, twin tank systems, etc, but they are costly (around £1500-£1800) and probably not worth it for this car. Try a google search for Elsbett conversion kits, or have a browse over on biodiesel.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=447609751
You could also have a look at www.oilpress.com/drive_your_diesel.htm
and
www.veggiepower.org.uk/

Let us know how you get on.
andymc

Question Skoda Octavia: review

Roger Jones on 2 April 2004

As the owner of an MB and a Golf, but who has also been driven across the Crete mountains in a mightily impressive Octavia, I'm delighted to see it going from strength to strength, as indicated by this Channel 4 piece:

tinyurl.com/35eqh

It must be right at the top of the list for spending motoring money sensibly. Read more

Question Tyre fitting alignment

Ben79 on 2 April 2004

I think I remember reading that the coloured dot on a tyre sidewall should be mounted opposite the valve. Is my memory correct?

I have tried a google and a forum search but cannot find an answer.

Thanks in advance
Ben Read more

none on 26 June 2004

With Michelins, yes, next to the valve. Don't know why, probably something to do balance. Lots of tyre places don't bother and it doesn't seem to make any difference. Also on Michelin new tyres there is a coloured band painted around the tyre on the tread - offset from the centre - the tyre should be fitted with the band nearest the outside rim. Again, don't know why. The band would wear off after a couple of miles, so in the event of a puncture, could the tyre be refitted the wrong way round.

Question VW Golf auto 1.8gl 1996 gearbox noise

ibster on 1 April 2004

When the gearbox changes up through the gears I can hear (from the nearside of the car) a metallic scrapy type nise. what is this. should I be worried? There is no problem in the gear change or drive. Should I just close the nearside widow and forget it? Help please. Read more

Rich Gardens on 27 March 2005

I get a rubbing noise when my auto selects top gear only seems to throw itself into top gear any one experienced the same ?

Question NEW GTX oil ?

henry k on 1 April 2004

GTX oil for high mileage - New? - henry k Thu 1 Apr 04 20:56

"Castrol High Mileage GTX. NEW

15-40 API SL ACEA A2 / B2
For engines over 75 K miles
Contains seal conditioners to preserve the elasticity of engine seals, helping control oil leaks IN the engine. Damaged seals can cause the engine to burn more oil, increasing exhaust emissions"

Any thoughts on this version I have not seen before?

I have always used GTX, at £10, for older engines at 5K intervals in the old Sierra.

Any real advantages to using this new oil at £14
or I could use Wilko 15/40 at £7.99
Wilko also do an oil for older engines at £2.99 so I could change it even more frequently.

Apart from what I think is valve stem seals leaking again, I am inclinded to stay with the old GTX for the old wagon even though I suspect it will be be disposed of soon.

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MarkSmith on 2 April 2004

Hi Greg,

Old hardened valve stem oil seals cause oil to leak (indeed) past them, into the combustion chambers where it gets burnt.

Cheers,
Mark

Question Honda Accord starting

john2 on 1 April 2004

I have a 1996 Honda Accord LS 2.0 with an intermittent starting problem. Usually it starts normally, but occasionally when I turn the key there is no attempt to turn the motor and all I hear is a faint whirring noise from the vicinity of the ignition switch. The dealer who sold me the car said one of the relays was not properly connected and claimed to have fixed the problem, but it has since recurred. Any ideas? Read more

Question rover 200 front subframe

chris k on 1 April 2004

would anybody have any tips on fitting a new front subframe for the above vehicle, only my mate's car failed the mot on this today and was quoted £320 to fit a second hand one.The car (91 rover 214 gsi)is to good to scrap, besides he's had it 13 years and it holds a lot of memories he claims. Read more

Civic8 on 1 April 2004

I forgot to ask what part of chassis failed mot?

Forum The awesome power of the internet

Thommo on 1 April 2004

I needed a copy of the service manual for a 1985 Nissan Silvia Turbo Auto Coupe (S13 model).

Quick go on Google and its now downloading as we speak (on my weedy 56k dial up).

The link for those who might need such a thing is:

bagpuss.swan.ac.uk/200sx/s13manual/

What an age in which we live...

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Question Megane head gasket?

owen on 1 April 2004

A colleague of mine has asked me for some advice on her parent's Renault Megane scenic, 1998 R reg, 1.6, which apparently broke down and required the attention of the AA. The AA man told them that there was oil in the water, indicating a head gasket problem. However, the mileage is only 53k. This seems a bit low for HGF to me?

The car is 1 owner, immaculately maintained etc. My colleague is a bit miffed because her parents want to swap the car, but have only been offered £1500 trade in given the head gasket problems. Does anybody have an idea how much it would cost to replace the gasket?

Ta! Read more

Andrew Moorey (Tune-Up) on 2 April 2004

Did a 1.6 R reg last summer 55,000m, easy job but get head skimmed and pressure (crack) tested. Fit new timing belt at the same time. Corrosion was the problem with this one, possibly due to the carp antifreeze Renault use.
Andrew

Simplicate and add lightness!!

Question transit g reg 2.5 diesel,long wheel base

squack on 1 April 2004

my transit is always wandering and i have to correct it all the time ,i think my steering box is worn ,can i shim it up or do i need a new one Read more

none on 1 April 2004

How much free play at the steering wheel in the straight ahead position - 3ins. is about average.
There is an adjuster on the box, a locknut and grubscrew. I dare say they can be shimmed but as a rule if a box is worn, replacement is the only answer. Anyway, it's more likely to be partially seized kingpins. Sometimes they can be freed off without using heat by greasing and working the steering, other times a bit of heat is needed and subsequent weekly greasing, as the seals get burnt. Very often freeing off badly seized kingpins results in badly worn kingpins. As with the steering box, replacement is the only cure.