September 2004
Originally I posted this as a reply to another thread about HDi belts and pulleys, but as it doesn't seem to have been picked up, I'm repeating the main point here.
What is the current received wisdom about the intervals between timing belt changes on the 306 HDi?
The (French) manual I have says 160 000 kilometres (= 100,000 miles) for normal use, or 120 000 km (= 75,000 miles) for heavy use - short journeys, urban use etc.) The garage I bought my car from had serviced the car, but as it had done 34,000 miles did not change the belt. They quoted me 90,000 miles. My other half's 306 HDi was bought from a different dealer with around 40,000 on the clock and they had changed the belt.
Confusing, or what? Read more
Someone got talking to me yesterday about car finance . What he was basically saying is that if you where to go to a main dealer for a used or new car citroen being cit , ford being ford etc..........................you where more likely to get finance there than if you where to go to a used car supermarket . Maybe someone can recitfy this ? Read more
The car finance was an additional loan, not part of my mortgage, which, incidentally wasn't on as good a deal over that 3-year period!!
I guess the "One Account" type deals are also probably quite good if you've got the willpower to not eat in to your equity un-necessarily.
I need a new(er) car!! My Mondeo Estate 2.0 Ghia X is dying (reliable until 100,000 miles then bits falling of left, right and centre - £1,900 spent on it this year alone). Aircon packed up today - £300 to replace condensor - arghhhhh!!! Car is a company one and so will be it's replacement.
Want to move to something a bit more prestigious and nearly new. Can live without an Estate and am considering a Volvo S60 D5 Diesel for good performance and fairly low Co2 emmisions but what else would people recommend for my budget of £14-16,000? Want 03 reg to be as old as it gets, ruling out BMW's - any suggestions? Co2 / list price new and budget all important. SAAB 9-5 2.2TiD Estate maybe?
Good suggestions as to where to source, i.e: not main dealer, not car supermarket appreciated! Cheers! Read more
There are some cracking deals on the Octavia range at the moment, especially the outgoing model.
Baz
Opened rear door ---fiddled around with stuff on seat --shut rear door--needed something else---pulled door handle----nothing.
Nor will door open from the inside either.
Both inside and outside handles "feel" OK but both are kaput.
Spent an hour trying to work out how door trim comes off (in a state fit to allow it to go back on again), because I'm dead sure that some stupid little rod has come off somewhere.
Please help.Bearing in mind that door will be closed while I get the trim off, (if I get it off at all !!)
Many TIA Read more
>>Thats it. This car gotta go. I will not live with a car that makes me look a prat.
Wouldnt worry. Happens to many.Point is if you dont know what to look for. you can spend a long time trying to. And get nowhere. why I suggested MD for help
Glad you got sorted
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Was mech1
Hi
Simple question from a novice but where are and how do i change the pollen and fuel filters on a vauxhall astra estate with a 1.7td isuzu engine (1997). Any help would be appriciated. Thank you Read more
Pollen filter. See here for info on where located. www.puravent.co.uk . Click through the menus until you find your particular make of car.
Fuel filter - no idea. Sorry.
As usual I can't vote (apparently already have??), but I wonder how many people clicked no by mistake because it's where yes should be - doesn't yes usually come first in this sort of thing?
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I use AOL, but got the following little gem by putting 'cookies' into Google -
"Cookies are pieces of information generated by a Web server and stored in the user's computer, ready for future access. Cookies are embedded in the HTML information flowing back and forth between the user's computer and the servers"
There are certain things one would do better not to ask....
A bit like cars. Back in 1969 I think I knew what every component was for under the bonnet of my first car (a much-loved 14-year-old Austin A50). Not any more - I must just be glad that it all works.
I am at last persuaded by my 15-year-old and 7-year-old sons that my trusty 1996 Synergie should be consigned to history at 115K miles, and replaced with a C8 2.2 HDi 6-speed. Having driven one recently, I am sorely tempted. Anyone think any different? Those of you who want to slag off the car just because it's a) a Citroen, b) French, c) a people carrier, go and polish your prejudices on another thread.
The people at the local dealer are so easy to deal with, but elder son did his work experience there recently - could he be on commission?
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land Read more
There is also a Super luxes model badged as a Lancia in mainland Europe
dont know if any of you guys have seen this ad before but bmw have done a pretty cool little game for the launch of the new 1 series, also features a new track from the prodigy album, anyway worth having a look when you?re winding down on a Friday afternoon, here it is:
www.bmw1derland.co.uk
enjoy!
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Thanks HJ. Love it - although I won't buy the car.
Must stop now as I've hit my surreal limit for the day.
Giraffe!
When I turn the ignition on in my 1.4 8v Megane, the water temp gauge illuminates & needle hits the top. After a few seconds, it drops back to the normal cold position. Two questions:
- is this a common problem, and whats the fix?
- whereabouts should I be expecting the needle to sit under normal driving (there is no useful "N" marking, and the handbook is useless on this point).
Also, on a related subject, does anyone know whether there is a forum specifically for Renault owners - I've looked at the Renault Owner's club site, but can't see any forums and am not clear whether modern cars like the Megane are included. There also doesn't appear to be any contact details for the club that I could find. I'm reluctant to spend £25 on joining only to find that the members area doesn't have any forums, and the club doesn't cover the Megane.
Thanks. Read more
In the spirit of the forum, just a quick word to say that the problem outlined in my original post is fixed - in fact, it's a non-problem. Having bought a handbook, it seems that, for approximately 30 seconds after turning the ignition on, the water temperature gauge is used to show the oil level - and uses what is effectively the red (overheating) segment of the water temperature gauge to do so. Seems a remarkably sophisticated trick for a budget car but there you go! Hope this is useful for someone else.
I have a V reg Peugeot 406. Can anyone recommend a Peugeot specialist (for servicing/maintenance - using genuine Peugeot parts) around the Ruislip/North West London/Middlesex area? I've had a bad experience in the past with a main dealer branch and I'm reluctant to go back! Cheers Read more
£180 gets you a new genuine belt, fitted but no tensioners or rollers.
They don't give trouble on HDi engines, but if you wanted those replaced, you can add another £50 or so.
Pulley change? Well if it were mine, I would wait until it gets noisy......ultimately it's up to you.
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groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....