May 2004
Had the tracking checked and adjusted 2 weeks ago on a Cavalier ( 1994 year ) and the steering has gone of centre again . Went back to the garage to have them check it again , and did confirm it was out again , they couldnt understand why though . So now they have redone the tracking once again free of charge , but want me to come back in a week to see if its still inline . They are saying that the power steering rack may be at fault , can anyone shed any light on this subject please , before it starts costing me and arm and a leg . Read more
Dear forum members, please can you settle a rather pressing issue regarding the transport of pasengers in my car. I own an 03 plate Astra Coupe which is no more than a regular Astra hatchback with a more sleek roof line and a boot. The interiour is identical but for one small detail. There is no lap belt in the middle of the rear bench seat. Its not been removed, the coupes just dont have them. Why I really dont know as the identical hatchback cockpit does? I am also informed by an unreliable source that the coupes are sold as a 2+2 seater car. So I contacted my insurance company, "adrian flux" who advised me that I was covered to carry four not just three pasengers? Im not sure this is acurate though and still have some concerns regarding the eyes of the law.
If I was to carry four passengers would I be overloading the vehical if it is sold as a 2+2 seater? Is it legal to sit in the middle seat when there is no belt suplied. Does the law only state that you have to wear a seatbelt where provided? or can you not travel unless wearing one?
It just seems insane to me that vauxhall have decided not to supply the veichle with a fith belt where the hatch, saloon and estate do. Read more
An 03 Astra Coupe will have been built under the regs that require all occupants to be belted in. Therefore if only 4 belts fitted, only 4 can be carried. If in doubt check with Vauxhall UK to see how many seats the coupe has been homolgated with. If it turns out to be 5, ask them where and how a fifth belt should be fitted so that you comply with the Construction and Use Regulations.
Heard on R4 that a hippo at a safari park (UK but can't recall which) attempted to mate with a Renault Megane.
Often wondered who or what that distinctive rear end would appeal to....... Read more
it woz the wonderful News Quiz where they read newspaper cuttings and quoted zoo spokesman saying:"Oh, he's a bit of a lad..."
Hi
Does anyone know how to word a bill of sale for use in the private sale of a motor vehicle, or know of a 'free' template available online.
NormanB Read more
Not paranoid, just cautious! Just changing the words to "recorded mileage" should be adequate.
Frankly, there's so much that could go in it could get like war & peace. IMHO, if it just keeps to facts, then there should be a minimal need for lots of botty-covering phrases.
Just by looking at an engine bay, how do you tell the difference between carburettors and single point injection? Also, multi-point injection has a fuel rail right? Just looking to clarify things!
gm... Read more
A single point injector has at least one and usually two multi pin connectors associates with it. A carb unit does not. Most single point injectors also have a stepper motor throttle stop. Regards Peter
My parents have a 1997 (R reg) 1.8TD Mondeo, 60,000 miles which is serviced regularly. After its service last year, they noticed that the oil pressure light came on (flickering) when the car was sitting in traffic (especially when towing a small caravan). They took it back to the garage who added some sort of viscosity improver to the oil (???) and all was fine afterwards. They have just got the car back from this years service (same garage) and it is doing the same thing (but more regularly). The garage have changed the oil pressure switch (no difference) and are having the car back on Monday to drop the sump & clean out the gauze in the sump (presumably around the oil pick up).
The car doesn't burn any oil and this didn't start happening until the car was serviced in 2003. Anyone got any ideas (I am not familiar with this engine). I wondered whether the garage had perhaps forgotten to refil the car with oil first time round and started the engine before they realised (maybe damaging the oil pump?). My parents don't want to be throwing money at it replacing components on the off chance it might be that which is at fault. Personnally I would go straight and replace the oil pump. Is it a big (ie. engine out) job on the 1.8 TD Mondeo??
Thanks. Read more
This is a known problem for which Ford issued a technical bulletin.Rectification action involves replacing the oil pump and using a thinner lower viscosity oil.Pump change is not an engine out job, yet involves afair deal of work as you have to drop the belts( replace at the same time )If the oil light is coming on when the engine is hot aand sat at idle (800-900 rpm) and extinguishes when revved deffinately the pump.
At my Focus' last service I had Osram Silverstar (xenon-filled) headlight bulbs fitted. I get the impression that they're a significant improvement (on both dipped and main) over the original halogen-filled bulbs, and I don't begrudge the cost ~ £40 inc. fitting. You can get xenon headlights fitted to the Focus as a factory-fitted option for £500. For £500 I would expect little short of WW11 searchlights. Are they? What's the difference between xenon-filled headlight bulbs ~ as per Osram Silverstar ~ and xenon headlights as per the factory fitted option?
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L'escargot by name, but not by nature. Read more
Xenon HID (High Intensity Discharge) are arc lights, like streetlamps discharge floodlights at a sports ground, or a camera flash.
Xenon-filled quartz halogen lamps are ordinary incandescent filament bulbs where the filament can glow hotter, due to the Xenon gas with a bit of bromide which protects it. I recall Xenon is the rarest element on the planet, so it more costly than the Argon normally used.
I have found the Osram Silverstart a worthy upgrade. especially on H4 lamps, less so on H1, and not much different on H7, as I think they already have Xenon as standard?
My wife's mate has a imtermiitent banging noise at the rear off side.
I told her that I would sort it out but for the life of me I can't work out what's causing it. It sounds like it's coming from under the seat/by the door but I can't be sure.
Any ideas anyone. It is quite pronounced. Read more
spare wheel?
My wife has had her 1.2 Punto for a few months now. She uses mainly to get to and from work and to knock about the City. I have to say that the car has totally surpassed my expectations for a sub 6k small vehicle.
Yeah the plastics are crap, the metal seems thin and it hasn't got much woomphh but the general quality, comfort, panel fit etc. etc is actually very good. It's fun to drive too.
No doubt I'll eat my words now! Read more
'A lot of new cars do this to varying degrees. Its programed into the ECU, some say its for smoother gear changes, some say for polution control reasons.'
Ah! Cannot remember what I was driving, but it did this, and I put it down to my incompetence at lifting foot off accelerator quickly enough when changing gear. Felt very very very bizarre.
following a lovley mk1 golf , the only badge it had was "kompressor" is this a turbo car and did vw make them? any help would make me happy Read more
On a similar subject, I saw a very ordinary Fiesta Mk3 a little while back which had two small-sized "Ghia" emblem badges (the ones meant for door pillars) stuck onto it's boot in what seemed a very random and non-symetrical fashion.
Very tacky it looked too.
You didnt say how much it was out.I doubt power steering would make any difference ie if play is in track rod ball joint would notice on rocking steering wheel.and so would track rod ends.if no noticeable play on steering wheel and steering not knocking.would think possibly suspension prob.maybe bottom wishbone bushes.just a thought may be wrong?.