October 2004
Is it just me or am I seeing a lot of people driving around recently with no lights on at all. I'm not talking no side lights at about 4-5pm, I'm talking dipped headlights at about 7pm onwards. I've seen two of them in the past 2 weeks traveling "travelling incognito" in dark coloured cars Read more
My 30 mths old 406 is fitted with this (2.0L petrol, low emissions) engine but it hasn't run properly all this year. The dealer says there's a problem with the unit that advances the valve timing (apparently it has VVT just like the Honda's). They change the unit but within a few wks it plays up again - misfire/hesitation under load. Even when it's 'fixed' it's still only 85% OK, and the engine always feels very 'flat'.
It's back the dealer again now. Has anyone any experience of typical faults with this engine? The dealer seems baffled & I'm on the verge of giving up with the car. Read more
apparently the engine was rushed through testing (peugeout dealer)
Based on what evidence??
1997 Megane Scenic, the engine judders after deceleration, similar to what we used to know as "Kangaroo Juice", if i accelerate before the revs drop too low then it appears fine. Anyone any suggestions as to where the fault may lie.
Read more
I've just struggled through what seemed like hours of downloads and frippery trying to learn about the Honda diesel engine.
It's amazing !!
It's got a TURBOCHARGER ! and--wait for it--an exhaust gas recirculation system and --this is fantastic--a catalytic converter !! Under its FLOOR !!!
So it has "OOMPH" and it's clean.
Amazing.BMW etc had better watch out.
Stupid fools. Read more
I trust you haven't driven one. If you had, you would be saying "BMW better watch out" without any hint of sarcasm or irony.
As suggested in my other New Thread of the day, my older daughter has grown out of the Fiesta and is planning to change cars.
Bad timing really. Younger daughter is keen to drive but isn't 17 until next April. The Fiesta would be an ideal starter for her.
So...
Direct Line want £21+ a month TPFT if I keep it on my front drive (insured in my name). Then I could drive it occassionally to keep things moving...
However, if I can find a lockup (which is nearly £7 pw through the council) then they will do me "accidental damage, fire and theft" for about a fiver a month.
Looks like option 1 is the cheapest then.
Does anyone have any other ideas? Apart from sell the Fiesta and get something else for youngest when the time comes...
PS Direct Line said that if I insured it using option 2 under wife's name, my own Fully Comp cover wouldn't give me TPFT insurance so I could take it out sometimes. My policy says I'm covered in a "car not belonging to me" or something like that. Read more
OK, I have it now. In the Third Party section it says
"driving...with the owners permission...any car not belonging to you and not hired to you under a hire purchase agreement"
I currently wear a Plantronics Bluetooth handsfree ear piece, which works perfectly well, but I get fed up with the feeling of having something hanging from my ear after more than half an hour's driving.
I therefore intend to switch to a combined 'charger, cradle, loudspeaker, and microphone' solution.
With this in mind, have any fellow BRers used the 'Roadster' handsfree kit, please? A forum search did not return any hits, and Google returned reviews of varying praise, hence asking the question before I buy one. Whatever kit I buy will be used in the relatively peaceful environment that is a Volvo V70 2.4T, with tyre drone the dominant noise source when cruising.
The unit appears to meet my needs and be simplicity itself, as shown here:
www.mobilefun.co.uk/product/3211.htm
The only 'problem' I know I will have, but am happy to live with, is the occasional 'didit didit didit' that comes from placing a cellphone in close proximity to the stereo head unit. Experimentation by switching my phone on and off has shown that I have to sit on the back seat to completely eliminate it, so I'll live with it!
Read more
Hi Henry K!
Nice to hear from you!
Yes, there are plenty of brackets available - the Proclip range from www.brodit.com/?l=1 being my favourite - but the most importance factor is throwing the earpiece in the bin, and replacing it with a loudspeaker and microphone.
The Roaster offers this for buttons, but I'd especially like to know how effective the microphone and speaker are before buying one.
Cheers!
Just bought a 52 plate Vectra 2.2 DTi LS with 39500 miles. Drives very well and in very good nick. Managed to get 2nd 20 000 mile service off the dealer before delivery but they didn't change belt/tensioner as service book says. Should I be stamping feet and insisting this be done? Does this engine have a history of chewing belts. Or will it be fine until next service at 60 000 miles?
Read more
The best way to maintain the timing chain is to change the oil regularly and use good quality oil and filters.
I've just been looking at Vectra's. Due to heavy early depreciation, top-range models are cheap.
But just what is the V6 diesel Vectra like-is it better or worse than the V6 petrol (I'm looking at an auto box).
Or would the 2 litre turbo be better suited? Read more
The Trooper!?
Mmmmm, just brings to mind some rattle old thing...but if SAAB and Vauxhall use it, then it must be ok.
Hi, just wondering if anyone has experience of a chipped VW tdi, as thinking of getting a golf mk3 90bhp tdi, and if there are any particularly effective methods, and what sort of gains are experienced?
Cheers Read more
Thanks for the feedback everybody, upsolute do seem to offer a good service!
A friend of mine has got a 1995 Rover 827. The car is in great condition and having driven it I think the 2.7 V6 is one of the most underated V6 engines out there. (Much better than the KV6)
The car has been reliable over the last two years except for an annoying intermittent fault with the electric windows and sunroof. Most of the time they work fine yet occasionally they will refuse to work either not opening at all or refusing to close once already opened. If the engine/ignition is switched off then restarted, all the electrics work correctly.
Where are the control relays located?
Many thanks in advance
Spanner Read more
I will email you Spanner with the info as the explanation is quite long.
--
\"Nothing less than 8 cylinders will do\"
Browse
SADDO