August 2004
Drove back to the midlands from Cornwall yesterday on the ever so busy A30 and M5. Stop start to Bristol then clear to Tewksbury then stop again for non existant road works and \'50\' signs which every one ignored.
Throughout the whole motorway trip the number of vehicles stubbornly sitting in the middle lane drove me bonkers (no pun intended) - oh for a plough on the front of the car to clear them into the left hand lane!
Today I see the RAC has raised this issue nationally and I hear the new highways agency patrols are \'shooing\' people over on the M6 and M42. Not once yesterday did I see a police patrol car even though the traffic was (at times) travelling at 90 . Silly naive question but why is the lane hogging issue not addressed by the police?
Answer cos its easier to prosecute for speeding? Read more
I have a PUG 406 1.9TD 1998. Today I noticed for the 1st time a clicking noise behind the dashboard/glovebox on the passenger side. Its a strange one this, a series of 8 or so audible 'clicks' then a short (second or so long) faint mechanical whiring noise. This is all then repeated over and over again.
Any ideas at all as to what this may be?
cheers...
Read more
Tonight, I have heard a ticking noise coming from behind the left hand side of the dashboard, as described originally in Keyscoobs post. (My car is the same but with a different engine.)
Keyscoob, did you manage to fix your car yourself and can you give me any more pointers other than are already listed by LeePower, as it sounds as if I have the same problem as you had.
Did you fix it with a second hand unit or did you get a cog from "Tamya" and repair?
Any help would be appreciated.
Reggie
Could someone tell me what are the legal issues involved in such situation.
If someone took photos of my car and posted it on a web site or forum, also showing my registration plate is that legal?
Thanks for your time. Read more
I heard or read about an amateur artist who'd set up to paint a view of a village. One resident approached the artist and insisted that they should not include their property in the view!
Cheers, SS
I´m pretty new to this website and don´t know alot about cars, so please be patient with me.
I need some advice, I have a 220 turbo (although I wish I had never bought it!) and it is looking like I need a new engine. The engine had been skimmed when I bought it 6months ago. It now overheats after 5 miles and wont drive. A local garage has suggested the engine is knackered and I buy a new one for it, another one suggested I cut my losses and get rid via auction or part ex - which will cost me good style!
Anyone out there had any similar experiences?
Any suggestions as to what I could expect to pay for a) a recon engine and b) labour to fit it?
The car is is excellent nick, low mileage and looks great with 1 previous owner.
Any comments or suggestions welcome.
Cheers. Read more
How long has it been doing this?. Has the thermostat been replaced since it started?. If cylinder head was skimmed due to crack. it may be the rad is blocked. so preventing free flow of water.In some cases head crack will cause oil to seep into water and basicaly cause a blockage. prob lies in reason head was skimmed before. it may not be a new engine job. though rovers dont like overheating 2 litre stands more than 1.6/1.4
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Was mech1
After reading this forum for about 2 years and always having a rather stern-faced HonestJohn appearing in the top-left of the screen, I was quite amused when I saw the "haa-haa-you-can't-type-in-an-address-correctly" face when I happened to type in an address correctly and got www.honestjohn.co.uk/error.php :-).
Little things amuse little minds ... Read more
ISTR that was the picture we had to put up with all the time in the past. Must be one that missed the upgrade.
Hi
I'm considering, (for the second year running!) swapping the gearbox in my car from a 4-speed to a 5-speed unit, as the noise on motorways is starting to annoy!
My question is, what things need swapping apart from the gearbox? i.e. gearbox linkage, driveshafts, mounts.
Thanks for any input.
Mike Farrow Read more
It should work in theory but you may struggle to find a decent box from a breakers, considering age of vehicle. Also unknown quantity - you may go to all the trouble and find that there is a fault with the gearbox and the car is now missing a gear, or synchromesh missing etc!
For all the trouble I would swap the car for something with a five speed box, and possibly other extras you have wanted.
Loads of bargains around, from what others say Cavaliers are still a good buy, easier to fix than the Vectra and sturdy.
Wouldn't go near an early Mondeo, even when cheap a clutch change is complicated - Cavalier can be done in-situ without taking off the gearbox.
My Xantia is still on its original radiator hoses.
Worked hard in hot weather it gets hot and bothered more than it used to do.
Would it pay off to replace the hoses before they blow on the road and have it flushed out thoroughly. Or am I worrying too much?
Many thanks Read more
I had a Xantia for 9 years - never changed a hose. Unfortunately had to change the (original) battery a month before I sold it!
I would suggest, though, that you flush the system out and refill with some good anti freeze. I refilled mine with Bluecol every 2 years.
This will also guard against leaks developing in the heater matrix. I never had any bother with this either, but I have heard of owners who have and you have to remove the dash to get at it!
Don't flush too vigorously - sticking the hose in the top of the radiator should do fine.
When re-filling, make a temporary 'extension header tank' to the rad ( a plastic bottle tightly fitted with overflow pipe blocked off would do.) Fill it up and let the engine run until the fan cuts in. Keep coolant in the tank all the time and close the bleed screws as soon as bubble- free coolant comes through. (Haynes explains all this well)
Graeme
Dear Forum,
No longer having access to workshop diagnostic facilities, and having been bitten with a few engine management gremlins lately, I want to get my own fault code reader.
I would like to know if any particular fault reading tool is:
a) easier to use than the others
b) cheaper to buy and to update
c) more applicable to late model German cars, BMW, Mercedes, Vauxhall, VW, Audi
Are there any types that I should simply avoid?
Thank you,
number_cruncher Read more
Thanks Andrew & Stuart for your replies,
I am torn between the PC-Based ISO & PWM Scan Tools with cables and Digimoto Software from gendan, and the Sykes ACR4.
Please allow me to check my understanding, the gendan is just for EOBD engine diagnostics, whereas the Sykes machine is also good for non engine systems ?
There seem to be a lot of Sykes ACR4 machines for sale on Ebay - is this because they are becoming obsolete, or is it simply a reflection of their popularity?
Cheers,
number_cruncher
I rode my Honda Hornet over to Stratford-Upon-Avon today in the company of a friend on his Honda SP2. A great ride, in great weather.
What made it really great though, the icing on the cake if you like, was the parking at the end. Huh, the parking?
Yup! A superbly well laid out, large, free, motorcycle park, bang in the centre of town, with clearly marked bays, each fitted with a ground anchor to which your security chain or D-ring can be fitted. The park is cleverly laid out to use land that would otherwise probably remain idle, being long and serpentine between a car park and road. It's even planted with shrubs, and doesn't look an eye sore.
10/10 to Stratford. I wish every town would follow your lead. Read more
David,
"The town may appear to be bike-friendlier now but it is not particularly car-friendly. The car park charges are 24-hours,, 7 days a week, and rigidly enforced which comes as a surprise to many an innocent visitor. "
A good summation of the parking situation in Stratford and I confirm your point as to the enforcement.
Regards
Vericn
My wife renewed her VEL today using the new style reminder that follows the issue of the new style V5.
Anyway, the Post Office Counter that issued same did not frank the tax disc. When she queried this she was told it was no longer a requirement as the disc now has a bar code which is unique to the reminder and the disc. I accept that, but I always thought the date stamp confirmed when, where and the autheticity to the eye that it had been issued as opposed to aquired. Any comments to confirm or deny this would be appreciated. Read more
I think that is phase 2 of the master plan Number, but you can be sure any savings will not be passed to the consumer.
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Same-same sa Pilipinas.