August 2004
views anyone? Read more
I have followed a number of Ford Mondeo & Focus TDCis that were emitting clouds of black smoke from the exhaust, even under quite gentle acceleration. This is surely not what one would expect from a modern common rail diesel. The one I saw this morning was an O3 reg., so not very old. Read more
Plenty of devoted Ford discussion here:
www.ffoc.co.uk/forum/
An off the wall question, purely out of interest:
After three years each of ownership, my two Vectra V6s had completely fur-free and uncorroded alloy engine componentry, as does my wife's ten year old 306. After barely one year however, components such as the intake manifold and cylinder head on my V70 are dulling to a white powder. Of all the cars, the V70 is the one with the best 'weather proofed' under bonnet area too, with good rubber seals along the leading edge.
Would love to know why, as I would have thought alloy components where extreme heat or loading is not a factor would have pretty well the same 'lowest cost' alloy materials, regardless of manufacturer. Thinking back in time however, Dad's 1998 S80, 1979 244, and 1972 144, all exhibited the same 'white powder' surface corrosion that my V70 does. The only exception has been Mum's (Renault 1.7 powered) 1989 440.
So, what do Volvo do, or not do with its engine alloys, please? Read more
Alloy covers and engine blocks will be of an aluminium alloy. This alloy will have, my guess, in excess of 95 per cent aluminium. Alloying of aluminium involves magnesium and silicon amongst others. This makes the alloy dearer, but they are principally added to improve the manufacturing/machining and toughness characteristics of the alloy.
Alloying compromizes the inherent corrosion resistance of aluminium, but is a trade-off.
Aluminium without significant alloy content, such as ladders and heat-shields in the engine bay last very will in all sorts of conditions.
Aluminium will, in the presence of oxygen, form aluminium oxide. This forms on bare aluminium in microseconds to a thickness of a lot less than 1 micron and then stops growing. The reason it stops is because al-oxide is impervious to most oxygen and most chemicals.
If you compromize the Al2O3 by using some 'engine washes' (they can be caustic) it may not reform correctly and be open to continued attack. This is evident as the white deposit that you see on the alloy.
The white deposit is not deterimental to the function or the longevity of the component in the engine bay in the same way that rust on iron is.
It's an aesthetic thing
Yes, the '69 Bullitt Mustang 351. We did the front brake disc conversion, sorted out the trans with expensive bits FedExe'd from Oklahoma, rebuilt the Holley 4bbl carb (check the HJ pix site for pix) but the electrics remain a mystery to even the most inventive of Filipino mechanics.
I will flog it to one of those aged Vietnam vets who reside in the Philippines so he can drag race it on Sundays on Clark Airbase, and lick my financial wounds. Just that I will miss that V-8 exhaust rumble from the days when cars were cars and before PC eco-loonies had been ill-conceived by their hippy mothers.... I think a 40 day period of mourning is called for..
I'm going outside to eat worms.....
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"Wedding? Me? twice already, I'm a slow learner. Never again."
Ditto.
A Challenger sounds fun. Was there ever a better engine than the Chrysler Hemi?
The Government keeps repeating the same tired old arguments about congestion and carbon emmissions and the solution being to tax people off the road.
Time for radical rethink.
How about re-introducing fuel rationing, but with every adult being issued with vouchers.
Those who do not have a vehicle or did low mileage could sell their vouchers on the open market to those who required more.
Pensioners and the disabled would sell theirs and use the proceeds for buses, trains, taxis.
Greens could sell their vouchers to buy a bicycle.
Public transport subsidies could be cut out as those who needed or wished to use them would have an extra source of income to meet the cost. Read more
People, eh?
Not expecting a perfect world, just an improvement (as promised) on the current situation.
Tax, tax, tax isn't the answer without an alternative. Or maybe it is if you're more interested in revenue than solving problems.
--
Lee
MINI adventure in progress
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3554030.stm
These people are our elected representatives, folks. Let's all take a moment to be proud about that.
I perceive the following consequences of such a move:
1) Protests/blockades etc, just like those which took place 4 years ago.
2) Unable really to afford the increase, but having little choice but to continue using their cars, people will start economising on things like proper maintenance, which will probably, if anything, lead to increased emissions when their engines develop faults, which they can't afford to have fixed properly.
3) Higher distribution costs ==> higher prices ==> inflation.
Ho hum.
Feel free to correct me on any of the above... Read more
Does any one have any trick-of-the-trade ways of cleaning the inside of windows abd what to use. I've used screenwipes and windolene and glass cleaner and all sorts but they all seem to do the same thing, smear the hell out of it so when it's a nice sunny day you can't see 'jack' out of the screen. Thanks in advance Read more
as post above, but add a splash of vinegar to the water, especially if theres a smoker in the car.
billy
Is there a best time to buy a new car anymore? I obviously want teh best deal and wonder if dealers have to work harder/offer better deals at any particular time of year. All views appreciated. Read more
Not really, September 1st is the day the new 54 reg comes out & there are lots of people out there who want to be first with the new plate on there nice shiny new motor.
If you can wait till xmas you will get a very good deal, Not many people buy a new car or even vist a dealer around xmas time & the dealers have targets to meet at the end of the month.
A "prestige" car showroom (no names, no pack drill) near me has a line of BMWs along its forecourt. Each and every one has its rear offside wheel up on top of a car ramp (15" tall?). The remaining three wheels are left on the ground. It's to display the cars at a racy angle, it appears.
Is this likely to be damaging the cars? Looks like it to me. Anyone with a bit more knowledge who can shed light on whether this is likely to do long term damage?
V Read more
to be floating in the air if looked at from the
right.
That should read "if looked at from the left"! Just realised that made no sense at all in it's original form. :-)
Blue
Still looking for a newer car , and came across a Volvo S60 bi-fuel (LPG) . Its a 2002 model and to be honest it is very nice . But my big worry is (please excuse me) because its a 2.4 5 cylinder no turbo , will it still cost as much to run , as say a diesel Vectra ? The car will be doing a lot of town work . Read more
The figures that I used assumed for an OEM LPG Vx Zafira
Petrol 75p/l 40mpg net additional capital cost nil
diesel 75p/l 50mpg net additional capital cost nil
LPG 38p/l 35mpg net additional capital cost 450 (half of cost of conversion net of powershift grant)
I travel all over the place and do not always know where the cheap gas is, nor frankly do I have time to chase it.
The servicing costs for such a car are virtually identical to a pure petrol car.
I'm sure taht my figures are a bit out but they demonstrate that LPG can be a good deal.
Browse
\"should 4x4`s pay more road tax?\"
NO!!
Been done to death many times before. End of discussion.