November 2004
Folks,
The HP hose on my PAS punctured recently, allowing the pump to "run dry" for around 30 miles at moderate speeds.
There were no sounds of mechanical distress, apart from gurgling and odd nosies just as the last of the fluid ran out and pressure was lost. I assumed that there would be enough residual oil to prevent damage.
I have subsequently repaired and repressured the system, and I note the following:
- "Lock to lock" at stationary is fine - no noises at all and all the previous power. No "distress calls" when held at full lock.
- Moderate turns with the engine at 2000rpm and "on the move" causes a noise. Not loud but noticable. Again, no loss of power.
Should I fear the worse about the pump? Are they generally self-priming, or could the noise possibily be small bubbles of air setting up some kind of wierd harmonic? (Yes please.)
rg Read more
Hi...I have recently purchased a 1996 p reg (facelift) Ford Fiesta. I have 2 questions relating to the red key.
1. Should I have one (I dont)ie was this vehicle originally supplied with one.
2. What are the consequences potential problems of not having one ?
many thanks
Read more
If like me you're a BMW driver, let them overtake you. Never fails to please.
Oz (as was) Read more
So ND, It WAS you I followed home the other evening! 35 on that nice rural road (traffic comming the other way so I couldn't overtake) Naturally you drew ahead of me as I slowed to 30 in the village, but you forgot to mention that I caught you up when you blocked the road by parking on the double yellow lines to nip in and get your evening paper!!
Thought I recognised the flat cap (and goatee!!!)
Including Audio Manuals downloadable on Vauxhall's site as PDF files. Read more
I have recently exchanged the Kia Magentis V6 manual (which will be a good buy for somebody) for a Hyundai Sonata V6 automatic. Now these are very similar cars, and I thought I might get a little off the insurance for changing to automatic. Not so, I have been asked for some more money. It occurred to me to look up the insurance groupings for a possible explanation, and I found that the Magentis is group 15 and the Sonata Group 14!
I do not intend to argue, for several reasons, but do they just stick a bit on on principle, if one happens to remind them of one's existence? Or what? Read more
statistically automatics have more incidents.
Does this look like a good buy?
2001 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO 1.8i 16V SX 5dr Estate
51 Plate, Black with Grey Velour, One Owner, Air Con, ABS, CD, Driver/Passenger Airbags, Anti theft system, CDL, Twin Glass Sunroofs, New Front Tyres, 6 months Tax, 12 months MOT. 39800 miles. £5550.
Had a couple of emails from the guy, he says it's his gf's car, she bought it from new.
He's sent me pictures and it looks pretty tidy, though it has a few minor scuffs and a couple of dents from other parked cars' doors. Service history up to 3 services which is what it should be. However the interval for these is 12000 and he says the last one was done june 03 at 25.5k, which is not right, should be at 12k, 24k and then a recent one at 36k. He's not averse to HPI / RAC checks. AA website suggests it's priced halfway between forecourt and trade-in(good) but clearly it would need some mild bodywork and a service to be considered "good."
Any thoughts from the back room? To me it looks like a straight-up private car with wear in line with its mileage. Now I have to decide whether to schlepp an hour out the other side of London to have a look at it.
Cheers,
pp Read more
I stepped away. He said he'd get it serviced, but even then I think it's quite overpriced.
Out having a jolly pleasant drive in nearby countryside the other day and I came across a learner driver in a brand new 7 series BMW! 'More money than sense' is a phrase that may come to mind but can anyone beat that? Read more
If I remeber correctly Tom Hartley's son www.tomhartley.com also called Tom Hartley, passed his driving test in a Ferarri.
At the end of last week and again today, I was confused by the rear lights on new Golfs, one a mark IV and today's a mark V. On both, the flashing indicator light was barely visible, being overwhelmed by the surrounding stop light (or perhaps rear light -- I'm not sure now). Has anyone else noticed this or is my colour sensitivity failing? If it is evident to others, it's a pretty serious design weakness. Read more
The front indicators on the Mk.4 weren't very visible in the dark either - small and very close to the headlights, hence almost obscured by headlamp glare. The Mk.5 ones however are a different shape and should be better...
I have just had my 156 serviced and was told that at 60K miles the spark plugs are replaced. Apparently they are only replaced once in the lifetime of the car. For the 8 plugs the cost was £120. Apparently they are platinium tipped. Does this sound right? Read more
Yes, lots of cars running platinum - or you could also use Iridium (seems to be the next step on performance wise, but only lasts about 30k miles). NGK platinums cost about £10 from my factor and iridiums about £8.
There is also a good online supplier I once used:
www.spark-plugs.co.uk
Came quickly and free delivery - although just a little more expensive than local factor. Good equivalence charts at that site too!
I need to sell my 2000 Beetle and buy a new car.
I have two kids and two dogs (basset hounds - big but low to the ground!).
I want to buy a car with six potential seats as I take my elderly parents on holiday twice a year but also a car where when the back row of seats are out provides good boot space for the dogs.
Our other car is a Freelander and I find that there isn't really enough space in the boot for the dogs on long journeys.
Most of the time, however, the new car will just be used for school runs - so I don't want to buy something too huge and difficult to park.
Things I've looked at so far include Citroen C8, Renault Grand Scenic and Landrover Discovery.
Any bright ideas or views would be much appreciated.
Best regards
Nicky B Read more
As a former (happy) Disco owner, I would always plump for one. £25k
should get you a good last facelift model fitted with all the bits, and include a pretty good maker's warrenty. SWMBO owned a Y plater - problems in 18 months heavy use (including towing and off road use) ? Oil leak from the transmission....
Browse
I meant what Steveo said in his second point:
DON'T LOSE THE KEY YOU ALREADY HAVE!
--
Adam