February 2005
SWMBO cracked our number plate in two. When I go to buy a new one what do I need to take with me? Read more
**** Poll now closed. Results here:- **** www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=29634&...e This weeks poll, as suggested by Tyro:-
Read moreI reckon the reason the motor sport boys use alloys is the greater accuracy of manufacture mentioned earlier and that they're more likely to survive a clout than steels.
So far the problem of 'ease of manufacture' has been ignored in this thread. Yet we have been comparing wheels for a production line car, where many thousands of wheels are required, and where the setting up of a production line that needs the use of powerful presses and rolling machines to produce the steel wheel is not a large obstacle to manufacture, with the wheels that are made for racing cars where only a few sets of wheels are required.
Might it not be a preferred choice to manufacture in alloy for the latter?
On the question of alloys for ordinary cars, has the salt corrosion problem now been solved with the use of new alloys?
Can anyone assist. I have a Megane Scenic 1.6RT with an LPG Conversion on it. Yesterday there was a bang from under the bonnet (which may have been from the LPG) the car lost power when going uphill. when listening to the engine there was a knocking noise. the breakdown service removed the plugs and found that no 1 plug had metal between the electrode this was removed and regapped bit the noise was still there
(The car was recovered to a Renault Dealers (Bad Move) and they advised it would be £43 for an inspection to investigate the fault. The Garage phoned to say that they needed further investigation time and that it would br £70 per hour and they wanted authorisation for 2 hours. I gave them this as I needed to know what was the cause. they called again to say that they had not been able to determine the fault and needed a further 4 hours at £70 per hour (estimate to rebuid without additional cost for repair of fault found £759) they said it may need a refurbished engine after this and suggested that I may consider that option for £2167.
This is not an option as the car is not worth that much.
Anyway watch the dealers when you are recovered to them because they treat you as a money pot.)
All I have from the dealers is that there is oil to the top end of the engine a compresseion test was done and 2,3 & 4 cylinders are fine however they say that no. 1 cylinder is about 40% down and it could be the little end or something.
Any pointers or assistance would be appreciated
thanks
Geoff J Read more
Have had it stripped down and it is the piston ring on no 1 cylinder that has failed. I have found a local mechanic (not £70 per hour) so looks like it is repairable although will be off the road for some time due to his schedule.
Thanks to everyone for their input. this is the first time I have used the site and have found it very informative.
thanks again and as Arnie says
I'll be back
I need some advice about my hubs on my MKII Range ROver. When I go round a right hand bend there is a distinct vibration from the front nearside wheel. Left hand bends have no effect.
I suspect the hub. These are pressed into the housing which bolts onto the end of the axle, this is a one piece design which is significantly simpler than the MKI design.
I can pick up a 60k 1998 axle off an engine dead P38A for £250, which should be ok (fingers crossed) and take my discs off and swap the housings over. I did a full disc and pad change at the weekend and it doesnt look too tricky a job. Alternatively I could replace the whole axle I suppose.
Or should I get a garage to remove the bearings and replace them, for this you need a decent press. The bearings are only about £60-70 per each. Read more
I suggest you put this query on the LRO website. www.lro.com/nav?page=lroi.message.list§ion=MES...D
and select Rangerover. You'll find masses of stuff on the P38a and you ought to get a good response on your query.
Hi all
got to take a vauxhall company car soon.
but which one would you go for?
me=none, but have to, or i will be walkin !
at the moment its looking like the signum 2.0 turbo.
with colour sat and xenons.
any idea's?
will have to pay extra over a £16K baseline.
Read more
like the look of signum 2.0turbo.
i think we can have petrols, not too sure, gota wait another week, to see.
after the takeover of the company.
they are letting us keep opt out scheme for 1 year.
(reason for my coupe question)
or do i bite the bullet and go with signum.
if we have their comp car. its gota be a estate.
astra est
vectra est
signum
merviva?
zalflower? zalferia? ;-)
the inside of vectra/signum look awful. much like new 5 series.
just bland.
but astra looks cosy. but estate looks a bit pink fluffy dice.
they only one that would suit me (i think is)
2.0turbo signum, black or dark blue design?
twin tailpipes and would look ok IMHO
OR
do i keep opt out scheme for a year???
and yes monro would be a BIG favourite, but i dont think they would like the fuel bill :-(
About to get D5 Turbo-Diesel engine in a Volvo.
I Remember reading somewhere that with BMW it is advisable after a long run to leave the engine at tick-over for a few minutes to ensure it remains lubricated. Do I need to do the same with the Volvo and are any other cars affected? Read more
I have this image of road warriors hammering down the motorway
longing for the service centre so they can use the facilities.
On arrival in the carpark, sitting there with legs crossed counting
down a further two minutes.
Been there done that!!
Just seen piccys of the goona face lift.
It seems they have grafted a Megane II nose onto the body shell, (it looks like an almera at the front now) the rest appears much the same.
Some interior changes, looks like its got a version of the BMW I-drive, and softer colour schemes but much the same inside.
Oh dear Oh dear Renault, what have you done :( Read more
The Laguna II hatch is strange for rear vision. In general road use the door mirrors are superb, the best I have ever used and the rear view mirror is also very good, so for general driving, pulling out, overtaking etc its really excelent with no blind spots.
BUT
There is a 4 to 6 foot blind spot directly behind the car that makes reversing into a spot a pain and possibly unsafe if anything under 3 foot (like a child) is directly behind Eeven with a swiveling 180 degree head its still the same.
looking at a toyota avensis it has a remote control for the stereo, not a stalk by the steering wheel or buttons on the wheel but a proper remote like you get for the tv at home.......why? i can reach the buttons . anybody know why or think it's a good idea ...cheers...keo. Read more
You can usually also use them to easily enter info into your stereo eg CD names so the correct name displays for each cd. Easier than entering by any other method.
I would be grateful for the forums advice on my unusual situation. I am currently in dispute with an 'after-market'car warranty company about the repair of my broken autogearbox.
They have really 'dragged their feet' throughout the claim process, and hardly ever returned my calls. When I was complaining to one of their 'claim operators' about my frustration of never having my calls returned, he questioned my memory of how many times I had phoned. I informed him I had made a note of every call in a log. "Don't worry sir, so do we, every call is recorded" "really" I replied "I've never been told that" "oh yes sir, in accordance with 'insurance industry guidlines' every call is recorded to computer". I questioned the legality of this and ended the conversation.
At no time, in any call, was I informed my call was being recorded for the usual 'training purposes' etc. I would like to learn;
a) if they have recorded my calls without telling me, have they broken any law? Am I entitled to any transcripts of those calls?
b) If they havn't, and were just trying to fob me off, how do I make a complaint about such an attitude?
I havnt named the company in order to keep ethical, and the dispute is still ongoing. However if anyone contacts me directly I will happily share with you the identity of one warranty company you should steer well clear of!
Thanks in anticipation....David Kirkham Read more
If I recall correctly, it is legal to record telephone conversations as long as one of the two parties to the conversation is aware that it is being recorded. In other words it is legal as long as it not done by a third party and unknown to the two people actually making the call.
I hope that makes sense!
A few years ago I ran a company in the service business and we routinely recorded calls. Why not? It's the truth that you are after, it saved many a dispute where the customer claimed not to have been told something (or vice-versa).
I don't see any problem, as long as you have access to the tape -unedited.
Don drbe
A client of mine who has a company Picasso told me about this. It may be common knowledge here but I haven't seen any threads about it here.
Apparently, wheels, jacks and all when stored under the boot in the normal way have been stolen.
I won't say how but suffice to say I'll be advising FiL to keep his in his boot, not under it.
H Read more
Most French cars since the Simca 1100 of 1971 have had
underslung spare wheels. Same goes for Shalambras and Zafiras. The
Modus has a complicated clamping device to prevent theft. Most French
car franchises offer locking kits for £30 - £40. Things are
changing now, though, as C4s have spacesavers in the boot. And
worth remembering that Citroen 'spares' are often not the same size
as the road wheels, so nick a Picasso spare and it
will be a very basic wheel and tyre that proably won't
match the road wheels on many Picassos.
HJ
Spare wheels are unlikely to be stolen from Shlahambras - have you ever tried getting the spare wheel off one?
I'm about to get my SECOND replacement spare wheel mount under warranty. The first was only fitted in OCTOBER. The wire rope tangles up in the winder.
HJ: You should add this to the Problems on the Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra pages
Browse
Just go to a Motor Accessory shop and get some "Show plates - for offroad use only" ones.