July 2004

boris

I\'m sure the small print says I\'m liable for any damage these guys do, but I\'d like a second opinion from those who may have been here before!

I drove my \'96 Audi A4 Tdi to fill up with diesel yesterday afternoon after running on the empty light for a little to long. As pulled up to the pump, I ran out completly!
Thinking that this was pretty good timing, I filled up, paid, but couldnt start the car again. Obviously the pump needed priming again so I didnt keep cranking the engine as I know what can happen. So I called my breakdown company out to prime it for me.

After waiting two hours the \'mechanic\' turned up. He obviously couldnt be bothered to prime the pump (even though I asked him to) so got his can of easystart out - sprayed it into the inlet piping and made me continuosly crank the engine. After a few disturbing pops and bangs there came a nasty screetching sound. He made me try the starter a couple more times and all we heard was a whirring / screething sound.

In his words, the starter must have been a bit tired and the gears had been stripped, I common ecent. So he towed me home.

I\'ve just managed to get the starter off the car.. and my worst fears are confirmed. The starter\'s fine - but the flywheel has 6 of it\'s teeth stripped - and I can only find 4 of them.

Immediatley I\'m thinking of shouting at the his employer and getting them to pay for the repair.. but what chance have I got of that happening??

At this point *any* advice will be welcome :(


Company names removed. No naming/shaming please. DD

Read more

wemyss

A friend who is a mechanic of a large company in which all their fleet cars are diesel.
He tells me that it is common practise in their workshops to use a spray of easystart into the air cleaner to get the engine fired up after work on the fuel system... mentioned the above case to him and he could only say \"never heard of this one and they had used it hundreds of times and after all...it is produced for this purpose\"

thumper

I have a saxo vts 'Y' plate, its due its third service, from service one i can remember the car making a clicking noise after you have changed gears and put your foot on the acc.
Citroen say they adjusted something in the clutch but the noise is getting more frequent and worse. don't think it is the drive shaft.

has anyone ever had this problem as its driving me up the wall.
As the car is going for its service shortly I don't want citroen saying a need x,y and z done when i mabe don't.

many thanks Read more

thumper

I have a saxo vts 'Y' plate, its due its third service, from service one i can remember the car making a clicking noise after you have changed gears and put your foot on the acc.
Citroen say they adjusted something in the clutch but the noise is getting more frequent and worse. don't think it is the drive shaft.

has anyone ever had this problem as its driving me up the wall.
As the car is going for its service shortly I don't want citroen saying a need x,y and z done when i mabe don't.

many thanks Read more

kenl

Sorry can't help specifically but it might be worth seeking out a Saxo forum and posting there as you will get through to more Saxo owners. It could be a common trait of the car.

steveo30

i just rented a place in the country, the owner said that the 2 mile lane leading to it never gets salted/grited during winter

i wondered if anyone on here faces the same, and how should i go about driving when theres an icey spell

say if i need to go around a really icey corner...do i coast or stay on gentle power???? Read more

Mark (RLBS)

>>Excuse me while I search for my head. I seem to have laughed it clean off my shoulders.

before or after you bought the Alpher Romoe ?

svpworld

Hi,
Does anyone know of or have access to a Tech 2 GM system? Just fitted a Siemens Navi unit plus new GID display to my Vectra C but both units need to be programmed into the rest of the car.
I am willing to travel if necessary, I live in Cardiff.

Thanks,
Simon


_____________________________________
Read more

kithmo

Try re-installing your Windows 8-}

henry k

There are several just delivered, still sealed Range Rovers, Discos etc in a local mini pound.
I was surprised that all had large (some very large) clip on balance weights on their wheels.
I was not expecting to see clip on weights but rather the stick on types. Cost surely cannot be the reason on cars of this price range.
Are stick on weights for alloy wheels tbeing phased out?
Read more

bathtub tom

Ive just had tyres fitted at a couple of different places.

The first used 'knock-on' weights only, on the inner rim of alloys, after I requested them not to use them on the outside. I took it back next day to get them balanced properly with a combination of 'knock-ons' on the inner rim and stick-ons inside the rim.

The second took one look at the stick-ons on the rims and declared 'we only replace like with like'. As the wheels involved had no 'knock-ons' then they wouldn't use 'knock-ons'.

My observations seem to indicate there are at least two different types of 'knock-on' weights. Those suitable for alloys seem to have a much larger gap and are plastic coated.

OAP

You may be interested to know that there is a programme just for you on Radio Four at 8 o'clock on Monday evening 19th July. Read more

Forum Toyota LC4
VTiredeyes

Hi all
just a quick question,
just bought a toyota LC4. i know mark uses a lc, wondered where best place to gain sum idea's on using it.
ie: offroad, learning how to use diff lock, downhill asscent and hac hill start and all the features.
any ideas would be great.
oh and by the way, i am lovin it.
gota be the smoothest large beast i have driven. (not including the MIL) Read more

henry k

One of the local driving schools is call Miniscule.
(No prizes for guessing what vehicles are used.)

I thought the name was quite clever and it made me smile.

What other driving school names amuse you? Read more

Insect

There was once (may still be?) a driving school called 'El Paso'......

barney100

When I was in the army in Blandford circa 1972 I had as a first car a Viva Hb. Evntually the engine gave out and The local garage part exchanged it fo a Victor. Almost 25 years later I at a reunion and who was in front of me in immaculate nick..FJT 668D my old Viva. Read more

Imagos

I suspect not, Crayford was a convertible conversion company which went out of business several years ago whereas Tickford are a coachbuilder affiliated with Aston Martin. or something along those lines, maybe someone else can correct this?