February 2005
Hi all,
I've just replaced a pair of Track Rod ends on a fiesta and was wondering if anyone could tell me what the split pins that pass through the bottom ball joint actually do? I purchased new ones as reccomended and fitted them but they seem very flimsy to actually do anything.
Many Thanks
Steveo Read more
having been the fool one too many times in buying a second hand car, i'm determind to get it right this time.
i realise there are good and bad examples in each area; main dealer, independent, supermarket and private.
however if you had £5k and by this time next week had to have a decent car where would you buy it from?
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Depends on the type of car and the age required.
For £5,000 you could have an older prestige in which case an independent or a nearly new supermini, in which case a supermarket.
Mate of mine bought a Skoda Fabia from a family run Skoda dealer. Top of the range, about three years old. Delighted with it. Keeps raving over it. Paid less than £5k.
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
1998 1200 Clio.
Clutch cable went stiff and then snapped. Replaced cable and it was fine for 3 months, then stiffened up and eventually broke.
Fitted new cable last weekend - all smooth and lovely - today it has started to stiffen up.
Any ideas please? Read more
Renault 5's used to eat em for breakfast.
Hi Folks,
How do I test drive an automatic to get a feel for the condition of the autobox?
I'm on the search for a large reliable cheap load lugger. The latest possibles are an Audi A6 2.0 SE (N plate, 130k miles) and an Audi 100 2.6 SE (K plate 102k miles). I'm happy enough with the prices being asked but in Honest Johns Car by Car breakdown he suggests to be aware that the autobox might be worn.
Is there anything in particular I can do while on the test drive that will give me some pointers? I know to check the ATF and the service history for fluid changes, and one of the cars has a tow bar fitted which I guess will have a bearing on condition, but has anyone got any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance
Sunshine Read more
"5. Lockup-clutch - when the engine is warm drive the car so that the lock-up clutch engages and disengages - check that it does both without juddering.
6. Stall test. With hot transmission, put the front wheels against a high kerb (to 'chock' it) and *briefly* floor the throttle in 'D'. The torque convertor should stall-out at about 2000rpm +/- 300rpm for most 'boxes."
Aprillia, you are ahead of me, can you explain a bit more, how does one detect the action of Lock-up clutch and Stall test.
Just wanted to report that I drove from the Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness, yesterday. The sun shone: The mountains were snow covered, and the lochs were so still you could see two mountains. The Scottish Tourist board had nailed a stag to the top of a crest so he was clearly visible. Minimal traffic: on the rare occasions when I found another vehicle travelling below NSL overtaking was swift and easy.
Motoring joy is still available: just not too often. My only regret? that I couldn't have been driving the Audi TT (top down) that I overtook, rather than the Mondeo Diesel, but the Ford was surprisingly enjoyable, and helped me to understand "surfing the wave of torque" that everyone describes.
What was also impressive was that the roads were well gritted throughout the journey.
Tim{P} Read more
That's why I said "virtually"...:-)
Been through that scenario myself and in Edinburgh too, but I've also driven through remote areas that most people would never visit or know what they were missing.
Sad to say though that the great British public often fails to appreciate the beautiful scenery on its own doorstep, heading off instead for "guaranteed sunshine" abroad.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
Where can I find info on mobility cars and info about free car tax etc its for an elderly relative. Someone once told me if you transport a disable person around then you can claim motoring costs, is this true, if so where can I get info. Read more
I think you mean Motability. Website at:
www.motability.co.uk/HomePage.asp?NodeID=89618
The majority of franchised car dealerships usually have at least one member of staff who is a specialist in the benefits of Motability.
If you have to transport a disabled person you should/may be able to obtain a disabled parking badge for such use; your local council's social services department is usually the source for information.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
Got a X reg 2001 Astra estate with an engine misfire changed the sparks plugs but still the same.
Took the car to a local vauxhall garage (not main dealer)they have changed a coil and one spark plug checked for air leaks tried to reset the fault on the ECU but the engine light comes back on with the misfire on a test drive now they are checking the timing.
Can anyone suggest a reason for the misfire? and should I pay the full amount of the bill for checks done if they cant cure the problem? Read more
Had a reconditioned ECU fitted so far everything ok.
Mine are that it's a safety problem, and also that people who have cars with it (especially very dark versions) have some sort of mental hang-up, one way or the other!
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UK police can use Tintman eg tinyurl.com/56oez
Difficult to compare driving/living in the UK with the Philippines, the UK is civilised ........ relatively.
When started cold, my mkII driver behaves fine.
Its only when it has been running a couple of minutes that the revs gradually drop and it stalls. This means I have to keep on the throttle to avoid stalling. once warm , the engine runs sweetly.
I'm guessing it makes the mixture lean too early - could this be a faulty thermo control.
The engine is an EZ and has a pierburg 2E2 fitted.
Does anyone have any experience with this or have a clue how to fix it?
(The choke has been adjusted and did not help the situation)
thanks Read more
I have the same problem - caused by no power at the overrun cut off solenoid - therefore the 3/4 point unit is always in the retracted position - hence no idle.
When I tested I have no "negative" power - serviced by the black / brown wire - I am trying to trace this back to a relay or switch or wherever it goes but cannot find it. - Does anybody know where this goes ??
If I provide a negative then the solenoid turns on and the shaft on the 3/4 point unit extends. but this is only a tempory fix i think??
If anybody knows - let me know
Thanks
That Dover-Ostend question set me thinking. Check out:
www.transeuropaferries.com/
and click to view their ships. They even tell you what their previous names were, and a little gentle Googling reveals their chequered pasts...
Which of these lovely car ferries have you graced with your presence, or indeed vomit? I'm pretty sure I recognise the "Gardenia", and maybe the "Primrose". Be careful when viewing - these are seriously ugly car ferries... Read more
Roughest journey ever has to be the John O' Groats to Orkney Ferry in a storm. Wow sitting looking 100% vertical up, then 100% vertically down, repeat etc.
Nothing the big ferrys do can compare
Still Orkney was nice
Browse
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Some nuts have integral fibre washers so are self-locking without split pins. Sometimes a replacement part has this kind of nut, rather than the more traditional split pin.