February 2005
My 1998 Subaru Legacy (2.5lt quad-cam) has just been diagnosed with head-gasket failure and piston slap after only 60k - has any one else heard of this happening to what is supposed to be a very reliable car?
This is looking to be rather expensive to sort out, and I do see that this is a known problem with this size engine (not sure if it is the same engine) in the US where the warranty for this type of failure has been extended.
My concern is that if this is a design fault - will it happen again? Read more
I see in the paper this morning that from 2007 all EU contries can chase for payment of fines in other EU countries.
Interestingly, it appears that the money will stay with the country that collects the cash rather than whose fine it was. Does that mean that we in the UK will get another "Stealth Tax" when our government can see a way of bleeding us dry again.
Perhaps we shoud run a poll, which country will be the best / worst at collecting others fines?
Read more
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
Just go to a Motor Accessory shop and get some "Show plates - for offroad use only" ones.
**** 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.
Browse
I think there is a known problem with piston slap on some Subaru engines of this vintage. It is not 'fatal' though and can probably be left alone.
The HGF is an odd one though - they are not really known for this.