July 2004
Hi
I've just been looking over some old reciepts for my car and noticed that the 1st interim service (September 1990) charged for two split pins, code 20000524 at £0.08 + VAT each.
What are these for? I cannot for the life of me think what needs split-pins, it is for something they just do at first service?
Other items on the bill are just oil, filter, "CABLE @ £0.00" and "REFIT PLASTIC COVER OVER HEATER @ £0.00"
I'm just worried I'm missing something vital when I service the thing!
Cheers
Mike Farrow
Car is an 89 Escort 1.3 HCS. Read more
Me again!
My \'trusty\' Laguna II Sport Tourer is now on its third gearbox since I got it - July 2003.
The problem shifting into third is still there.
I reckon that it is now unlikely that the problem is with the gearbox!
I took it out today and have developed a theory I would like to put to the techies out there.
I tried some gear changes with the clutch pedal not quite fully depressed and the problem of a crunchy/jarring gearchange seems to get worse. So, is it possible that the clutch is not being properly disengaged when I press the pedal to the floor ? Does this problem have a name ?
When the third gearbox was fitted, the slave cylinder was found to be leaking and it was changed too - might be relevant ?
Any thoughts ?
Thanks,
x2l Read more
Hmm, I did 37k miles in 16 months in a Dec 51 1.9 diesel sport tourer with no problems with the gearchange - no crunching/baulking etc, so I would dispute that they all do that...
Good Luck! JohnM
Please can anyone fill me in on how to adjust the fuel mixture on a 1990 2.0 (fuel injection) Audi 80?
It's running rich - heavy fuel smell, rough idling when warmed up, exhaust smoke etc.
Thanks in advance. Read more
I assume this is Bosch KE-3 Jetronic?
You can't adjust the running mixture, as such (the idle mixture is adjustable via a threaded stop on the air metering unit).
You really need to get this looked at professionally, I would say.
Eight of the twelve 250m radio masts by the M1 at Rugby were demolished over the weekend of 20 June. The rest will probably follow when their current use for the MSF time signal ends.
They have been a distinctive landmark, particulary at night with their red beacon lights on journeys since childhood. As a kid they were half way from Leeds to my Gran's in Blandford, now they mark nearly home in Northampton.
Do other backroomers hold particular landmarks, natural or manmade, in similar affection? Read more
Ribblehead viaduct.
Also as seen from the Station Inn at Ribblehead...they call it ''the loo with a view''.
My landmark has been Ingleborough...driving home from work in Keighley, my first view from around Long Preston meant that I was almost home.
Hi all.
Pretty simple question this one: Where is the best value place for tyres?
I was thinking on the lines of the large national chains like Kwik fit, as ones which are local to you may be 100s of miles away for me. But if you know a one near the little town of Ashington, that would be great.
I have had a quote from National who gave a price in the region of £80 for 2 155/70R13 tyres of reasonable quality. Or £67.30 from Blackcircles.co.uk for 2 Firestones. But I don't know if this kind of service is any good. Can anyone advise through experience?
National have cheap tyres advertised in the press, but are these as bad as I think they are? I know the best way is to ring around, but you people will have more experience of the quality of service than I will and maybe know something I don't.
All thoughts welcome
Roberson
Read more
For anyone in the Bury St Edmunds area, Bury Tyre Services (01284 762996) is well worth considering.
Found a nice July 2002 Mondeo TDCi 130 in Stardust Silver with 29k on the clock. Its nice and tidy, has 1 private owner and has full Ford history.
Its up for £9995 at a large independant dealer.
Is it worth that? I can't find any TDCi's cheaper and those that are turn out to be old TDdi's. Read more
One would also have to have to ask the question of how it could have been missed by the pre sales check (or is this typical of what can be expected of pre sales checks?).
Hi folks first post here.
Would like some feed back on Toyota cars thinking of getting the new Corolla Verso,i know its new on the market,but would like peoples opinion's on Toyota cars in general.
I know they have a good name for being reliable,but still would like some members opinion please.
Mr B Read more
I have an original (2002 5 seat version) Corolla Verso. Its OK, but I havn't fallen in love with it. It had an engine oil leak fixed under warranty. At 25k its now developed a slight engine rattle when turning right out of T junctions. Nothing major I hope, but I'd heard so much about Toyota reliability that I was expecting perfection. After 18 months use I still miss my old (95) Mondeo, especially when it comes to corners.
Any Backroomers got any thoughts on the Honda Accord Tourer v the Volvo V70 (particularly the CDTi v D5)? I know the Volvo is probably classed as more expensive but after discounts the D5 SE seems to be available for about 23k for a new 04 pre-reg which is only about 1k or so more than the Accord Executive.
Currently been using a 2001 V70 170SE Auto which has been comfy and practical but the overall quality and refinement haven't been great. The V70 has some really cheap aspects and while its nice and quiet upto 70, beyond that it all seems to fall apart. It has also spent too much time at the dealer. The 2004 V70's I've driven seem more "together" and more refined.
Had a quick go of an Accord 2.4 VTEC Executive auto and it seemed to be a better quality car than the Volvo but the ride wasn't up to much and I'm not sure it had the overall comfort of the Volvo.
Comments? Read more
The Volvo has much more presence than the Honda and is a much ''solider'' car. The Hondas have a great reliability record and to be fair have excellent reputations. However the Volvo is a better propsition in my mind due to the all round ability of the vehicle. I tend to notice which cars pass the test of time: you see loads of old 240's going strong but not so many Hondas!
Heard about this a few days ago and forgot to mention it - sorry if it's old hat or been deatl with already. Anyway, apparently there's a growing scam in certain parts of Europe which involves sending UK/foreign motorists what seems like official documentation demanding payment of fines for motoring offences which never took place. I'm not sure what claims or threats the 'documentation' makes but it's all convicing enough to lead some to aprt with their money apparently so beware. Read more
Just heard some more about this. The scam apparently emanates from Spain and involves tens of thousands of very realistic looking documents being sent to addresses in the UK. Spanish police are investigating the possibility that the scam may be linked to timeshare operations and their mailing lists. The documents state a fine of about 130 Euros has been imposed which if not paid will result in legal action being taken through the UK authorities. These documents look very credible apparently and anyone who receives one is advised to ignore it and forward it to the DTi (or whatever it's called).
Quite a few months ago someone bought me a new Trafficmaster Freeway unit. It came with '12 months free subscription' to the Trafficmaster service. Does anyone know how/when this starts? There is no information in the box and nothing on the website. The unit has never been powered on, so can I assume that the 12 months have not yet started? I'm having a clear out and want to sell the unit; I don't want to mislead anyone about the length of subscription on it. Read more
FWIW I won a Trafficmaster satnav guidance system a few months back. Used it on Sunday to go up M3 to Uxbridge area. Guidance instructions said to go via M25, arrive at 2:00pm due to delays on M25, no other routes known to Trafficmaster. Stayed on M3 past the M25, unit automatically told me I was no longer on the programmed route, recalculated an alternative with ETA of 12:40pm!!!
Actual arrival time nearer to 12:55 due to phasing of traffic lights to cross main roads eg A4.
Browse
Hi
Thanks for the replies.
The need to adjust the bearings sounds feasible. I might do it myself when I re-service the car at 114k ;-)
Thanks again
Mike Farrow