August 2004
Hi,
I've got a misfire problem with my xsara.
Generally happens after 1 minute, goes away after 5 minutes (so happens when engine is partially warm, can reoccur after car has idled in traffic).
I have read in forums that the source of the problem seems to be either:
The coil.
The MAP sensor (manifold pressure).
The Lambda sensor (what is this?).
So basically which of these actually fixes the problem, people don't tend to follow up on discussions.
Cheers Read more
No traffic lights at the Aldwych today, so 3 'community support' bods attempting to direct the traffic. They were actually making quite a good job of it. But they were fairly invisible. Though wearing fluorescent yellow jackets, these stop above their cuffs. When the French traffic police do this, they wear their white gloves, so the instructions are much clearer to the motorist/pedestrian.
Brave chaps, though, standing in the middle of those roads - not my idea of fun. Read more
Dixons currently have an in-car DVD system on offer.
The system is made by Venturer and has two screens (6.2") and remote control. On offer for £299.99 (Was £599.99).
Deos anyone have this system or similar and would you recommend it.
Read more
Bought a Nextbase on Amazon last Xmas for 2 of grandchildren- 2& 6 yrs old.
It was £110 IIRC and does the deed....
Just moved to Swindon.Can anyone recommend a small independent garage for oil changes/servicing etc.Thanks Read more
Stripey,
I wouldn't mind a Velo MAC thumper after I've finished with my Suzi deux temps, these seem reasonably priced today compared with the more exotic 500s. Is the clutch, and the starting, likeley to prove a big inconvenience?
LZ
Hi
A friend is off to France for 6 months soon and is looking to take her car with her. Are there any insurance companies that will cover her whilst she is away?
Thanks in advance
Ben Read more
I'm with Zurich and they provide full European cover for as long as you want. They do not require you to inform them of travel arrangements, and the insurance certificate has translation in a number of European languages on the reverse.
Got an intermittent problem with this Uno with a hard to trace squealing. Sounds like alternator belt, but it definitely isn't. Checked the cambelt tensioner, seems OK, likewise water pump. The noise doesn't change when clutch pedal is used so I don't think it's the release bearing. It doesn't seem to be linked with any particular running condition just seems random and sometimes quite loud. Anybody got any clues? Read more
It turned out to be the water pump.
Had a great day yesterday being "familiarised" with landrovers & trailers in order to get my MOD MT Driving Permit. Had to take a landrover with a 3/4 ton trailer off road and boy was it fun. Almost as good as doing aerobatics. Almost, but not quite.
Looking forwards now to spending the bank holiday weekend bazzing about catterick garrison in a landie.
Read more
I used to do a bit of RTV trialling in my old Land Rover 90, which has now retired! Great fun, but all that mud to clean off in the driveway at home gets a bit tiresome!
Cheers, Sofa Spud
A total of 119 votes in both. Curious. Read more
hi DD,
i get different ip each time i log on, but i`ve just logged off and come back on and voted, seems to have registered a "smiley" this time!
ta, billy.
When the diesel smoke test (revving the engine to full speed with no load)was first introduced, typical engines were Ford 1.6/1.8 idi and the Perkins Prima in the Maestro/Montego. Certainly, the Perkins units were known for being very smoky and could be tricky to get through the emissions test! Does anybody know whether the test is still the same or whether there are any plans to change it given the infinitely cleaner running of the latest common rail, Pumpe Duse and paticulate trap equipped HDi/D4D motors? Seems a rather archaic test for Euro III and IV compliant modern diesels! Read more
I was around when my 406 HDi was being tested earlier this week. The engine was revved up to the governer 3 times, but not held there.
I Have just received my renewal for my Audi A6 2.5tdi. I am in a low risk profession, have never made a claim in umpteen years of motoring and apart from getting caught by a speed camera three years ago have led a blameless life. My reward for this is that my renewal premium has increased from £405.33 last year to £502.23 this year. Last year they tried it on as well and after a call from me they gave me a "loyalty bonus" of £50 which brought the premium in line with other quotes. After ten minutes ringing around I had quotes of £330.75 (Direct Line), £305.20 (Elephant) and £292.95 (Tesco) - all on a like for like basis with protected NCB and legal assistance. I then reverted to my current provider and once again got £50 off, which only made then 50% more expensive than the others. So now we know why they are called "More Than", presumably because they are more than everybody else. This practice is self defeating as it seems their approach is to increase prices the longer you stay with them, as a way of increasing their margins. However this means that otherwise indifferent customers such as myself will go elsewhere, increasing "churn rates" and the costs of customer acquisition. How much smarter it would be to keep me as a solid, reliable customer and then add customers as well. However it seems that financial services in general seem to offer better deals to non-customers rather than current customers, hence we are all conditioned to constant price checking of mortgages, insurance etc and becoming more cynical and price driven in the process. Certainly I will continue to price check premiums regularly. Incidentally I will go for Elephant as they offer 90 days continental cover, useful for holidays and when I visit my brother who lives in Germany.
MGs Read more
Mrs DE & I have been customers of Direct Line for around 7 years. Twice a year (2 cars!) we do the rounds, spend ages on the phone/internet and every time, bar one, D L came out best.
On that one occasion I asked them to match A N Other and they did.
However, now that continental motoring will be taking up some of my time we'll need to check out "Green Card" costs. These seem to vary enormously between insurers ranging from free for a couple of weeks to a tenner for a day trip.
D L is free for a day trip. Cost Mrs DE £12 for our last 5 day trip.
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>>Police Community Support Officers>>
I think PG was exapnding on that and pointing out that the use and powers of Police Community Support Officers varies between police areas. I have discovered today that in London whole teams are designated as Traffic Police Community Support Officers. Some of the funding comes from Transport for London and their duties overlap those of the Transport Police on the tube and Traffic Wardens, whose powers they take in directing traffic. See www.londontransport.co.uk/tfl/metro/articles/metro...l
Contrary to my earlier post they probably can issue Penalty Charge or Fixed Penalty Notices for moving traffic offences. They will certainly be able to issue PCN's when "Red Route" enforcement moves over to TfL later in ther year.