August 2004
Hi all. Just bought an Alfa 156 JTS which apparently had its first annual service about 400 miles ago. (This confirmed by service record book.)
On checking the oil level (which was fine, at the upper limit) I noticed that the oil is very black. Am I right to be suspicious that the oil is older than 400 miles?
I'm tempted to bung some nice new synthetic in there just to be on the safe side. Any thoughts? Best regards
Joe Read more
I am thinking of buying a Celica Cabriolet. How do I tell if it is an used import and does it really matter ?
Des
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1997 - it seems reasonably priced but that might be because it is an import.
Does anyone have any experience of either of these cars? I have driven an A3 with the 2.0 TDi and it was pretty nippy but I am wondering how it will fare in a bigger car. With only 115 BHP I am worried the corolla verso will be a bit sluggish. I know the BHP isn't as important as torque in a diesel but I am just trying to find out if anyone has compared the two engines. Read more
My Focus 1.6 Zetec is just about 3 years years old, 33,000 miles and due it's first MOT and 3 year service.
From what I can gather the 3rd service is classed as 'major' and includes change of plugs.
For the second service which appears just to be changing oil & filter and checking/topping up of fluids I just took it to a local indepependant (not ford specialist) and he seemed to do an ok job at an ok price.
I'm minded to use an independant again but was wondering if any special kit is needed for the servicing, in particular a diagnostic computer.
If so, should I be able to find an independant with the required equipment and what should I ask him.
Thanks in Advance Read more
Thanks for the feedback.
I've booked in with a local independent for next week.
He's quoted me 145 quid for the service and MOT together which sounds good to me. He also said he had the diagnostic kit.
I am looking for a little help on behalf of a friend about a Fiesta 1.25 Zetec. The car is, I think, a T plate and has done around 50k miles (again I think).
The problem is that the car, when pulling away, has very little power. It is almost as if it hestitates, thinks about stalling, decides not to and then increases its revs.
Then in second and third, around 2k revs it almost kangaroos. It does this with all drivers and has just been serviced and is no better.
Otherwise, I believe it behaves okay.
My apologies about the poor description, but does anyone have any ideas about what is the problem?
Many thanks in advance for your responses.
Paul Read more
Does it idle smoothly when stationary? The problem may be the ignition leads causing problems when the engine is put under load when pulling away and driving at lower speeds. I had a similar problem on my 1998 model, a real misfire and jerking when asking the car to pull away - Ford dealer diagnosed ignition coil fault, possibly High tension ignition lead also.
I would check this and the spark plugs before moving on to the fuel and air intake system.
Would welcome comments for how backroomers deal with anoying noises fron dasboards/centre consoles etc.
I have tried ,with partial success, placing the clear adhesive pads from the back of air fresheners between parts of the assembly where there appears to be too much play. However I don't know where I could get more of this type of thing form.
Suggestions welcome
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Current Citroen models certainly have large gaps to prevent squeaks. I drove my friend's C3 the other day and was horrified to find the whole centre console creaking and moving with every gear change. When you pull the handbrake on the console lifts at one end!
Thin felt is very useful for those small gaps where an adhesive pad won't fit. A little spray adhesive and you're away.
Anyone got any experience of buying new cars from the internet? I've found a company who reckon they can get a brand new Focus ST170 for about £4000 less than the list price. They seem genuine enough, and explained that they buy in bulk from Ford to get the discounted prices. Their cars aren't imports, they are 54 plates, the only mileage is delivery mileage and they come with 3 years manufacturers warranty. They didn't mention whether I would be the second registered keeper - I will need to check on this, but even still.....
OK - so what's the catch? Read more
Who's the company? Any naming and shaming will be stamped on by the mods, of course, but it doesn't look like these people have anything to be ashamed of.
Catches - the p/x offer may be low, or non-existent - and obviously your local dealer can probably be persuaded into £1,500 of discount with just a little gentle prodding - but it'd take an absurdly generous p/x of the kind that gets salesmen fired to make it financially better for you to trade in.
Other than that, they may be based in Edinburgh and you may be based in Plymouth, but that's only a problem if you don't like driving or their delivery fees are more expensive.
Finally there is a chance that your local dealer will be awkward about doing any warranty work on the car but they *are* paid for it by Ford regardless and if that is their attitude, you're probably better off finding someone more co-operative whether or not you buy from the broker.
Hello, I need to change the gearbox oil in my Panda Selecta, the CVT automatic box, and have not had much success in tracking down the oil. Apparently you can use Dexron for topping up but not for refilling. The Fiat agents weren't very helpful but told me I should use Tuvala CVT oil but they couldn't get it and I can't find it anywhere. Any ideas? Also the manual says the filter should be replaced but according to the agents, this is over £60. Do I really need to replace it? The car has done 111,000 miles and seems to be working very well.
Any help gratefully received.
Thanks. Read more
Are you sure it's 'Tuvala' and not Tutela. See link below. This will direct you to CVT Transmission Fluid, direct from suppliers!
www.shop4parts.co.uk/index.cfm/method/catalogue.li.../
AA
As reported on the BBC, Norwich Union are testing a monitoring device to charge for insurance per mile with monthly billing.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3573912.stm
StarGazer Read more
The difference is that this proposal is akin to giving HMG
access to detailed information about the frequency of your number 1's
and number 2's.
STOP GIVING THEM IDEAS!!! PLEASE!
Details the early stages of becoming a giant.
www.japan-101.com/business/just_in_time.htm
Read more
That article missed out many other techniques developed years ago by Toyota that are only now being adopted over here - Kaizan and 5S two of the more widely-used, there are at least 8 of them but for the moment the others slip my mind...
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If the engine was 'dirty' when the new oil was put in then, as others have said, it will turn black pretty quickly. On a regularly serviced car most of the muck should drain out with the old oil - so the new oil should stay clean for quite a while (more than 400 miles). I would change the oil again.