March 2005
all the cars i've ever owned in no particular order.
Ford Escort 1.3L 1977 S reg
Ford Cortina 2.0 Ghia 1977 R reg
Ford Cortina 2.0GL 1980 W reg
Ford Fiesta XR2 1982 Y reg
Ford Sierra 2.0 Ghia 1985 B reg
Ford Escort 1.3 GL 1983 A reg.
Ford Sierra 2.0 GLS 1988 E reg
Ford Granada Ghia X 1984 B reg
Ford Granada 2.0 GL 1988 E reg.
Ford Sierra 1.6 L 1985 C reg
Ford Granada 2.0 GL 1986 D reg
Ford Granada Scorpio 1990 H reg
Ford Mondeo 1.8d LX 1999 T reg
Ford Mondeo 2.5 Ghia X S reg
Ford Granada 2.3 GL 1981 X reg
Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6 L 1984 A reg
yes it's a bank holiday and i'm bored..
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My mate has a Sprinter van which has started using water. As the warranty was about to expire, he took it into the local dealer to ask for their help with it. They replaced the head gasket, pressure tested the system and had the head tested too. Somewhat frustratingly for said mate, it still drinks about a litre every 150 miles and worse still the dealer isn't willing to offer further help as the warranty is up. They did pressure test it again for him, and pronounced it healthy.
I suggested he see a local air-conditioning firm to see if they would put some UV dye in the header tank in a bid to help him trace the leak. This was done, but still no signs of a leak or UV trace.
I think it could be a tiny hole in a pipe somewhere, but can't understand how evidence of the leak is proving so difficult to find.
Any ideas?
Eurocourier Read more
Read my post further up about testing for HC in the coolant header tank. This is a very cheap and highly reliable test for head leakage - if an engine is unaccountably losing water then always have this test done.
I assume that your mate is still getting the repair done for free - I don't see how the dealer could wriggle out of this. Or are they saying that this is a 'new' fault?
Always confused when I read an ad. that states high mileage but motorway miles.
What does this mean?
Are they incinuating less wear and tear? The engine still runs when you drive on a motorway, you still brake. what about in heavy traffic? The clutch gets a hammering here too? And how do you get onto a motorway?
I'd say doesn't make any difference at all.
I'll always ignore an ad that says *motorway miles*
Opinions? Read more
A friend of mine got 200K out of his Vauxhall Carlton 1.8i when the engine died. Like everyone else here he had it serviced on a regular basis etc and spent thr right money doing so. AFAIR he never had to change the clutch!
He liked it so much he then went and spent a small fortune on getting a new (not recon or SH) engine fitted.
IMO that was a mistake - he should have gone for a good SH engine from a reputable source - 76,000 miles later the bodywork failed the MOT and it was scrapped. That was a great shame.
H
1995 transit. A bit of a shed (just to set the scene for you!).
Yesterday the indicators stopped working. When you indicate or turn on the hazards, the green dashboard light stays on continuously, and none of the actual indicators do anything.
Have changed the relay for a brand new one - no joy.
Have tried three other switches from the scrappy, none worked.
I'm a bit stumped now - any ideas? Read more
It is probably the switch.on some. indicators were combined on the one switch(not talking of stalk switch)it is a seperate relay type box plugged in to the circuit.If it has failed you wont get anything but lights on all the time/no flash.Need to find it and replace
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Steve
I have a J-reg MB W126 arriving in a couple of weeks and it will have to live outside. Does anyone have any recommendations about good covers? The last one I had was a couple of decades ago and it was as efficient at keeping moisture in as at keeping the rain out, but I'm sure there are good breathable fabrics about now. All suggestions welcome. Read more
Long exposure to sun fades and damages paintwork. In a few small areas, the lacquer of my 1982 metallic Granada is 'peeling' slightly and the top of the dash is slightly cracked.
I can confirm the first bit.
In a few small areas, the original top coat on my 1986 parked-outside-in-Taiwan Skywing is visible. Apparently it was red....
I am looking to buy a new car and on the face of it PCP looks the best way of sourcing my finance. I have thought long and hard about it but only seem to be able to come up with advantages. What's not so good about taking out a personal contract plan? Thanks, Tim Read more
This quote dates from 2005, so not much use to you now I'm afraid.
What vehicles are allowed to use the outside lane on a motorway? I ask this, as I regularly see what look like small lorries in the outside lane.
I was also followed by what looked like a small truck, yesterday, on a dual carriageway, at a speed between 70 and 75 mph. Read more
Should I assume that by reading the majority of posts here that everyone in the backroom does exactly 70MPH on motorways.
This would make a good poll, though I wonder how many people would answer truthfully.
Every time i try to lock my focus with the key fob it locks and then opens again ! Does anyone know if this is major fault or something simple im confused its never done this before. Read more
I woudl strongly advise Kat to try the driver's side door catch. I don't think it could hurt you either Patricia. See my link further up the page.
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Adam
a couple of weeks ago,,,my check control panel told me A side light was out.but NONE were...after a few days the light disappeared...
now my check control panel says BOTH side lights ARE out.
all other lights work..
i cant find any fuse's for the side lights or even a fuse that says "lights" i have also replaced both side lights with new bulbs...still dont work..
are there any fuses??? or any other reason for the failures??
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storme
This one's come up before. It's not a voltage problem. LED bulbs take a minute current compared to the conventional bulbs, Result? The 'bulb failure' electronics see them as failed bulbs.
JS
I have a W reg Ford focus 1.8 38000 miles a full service history with all receipts, but i cant find any evidenace of cam belt replacement does anybody know at what point i should get this changed or can it be easily checked ? Read more
Update: It WAS the adjuster in the wife's car. It hadn't been changed when the belt was changed. The car is on about 55k, the belt was done at about 45k.
8 bent valves and other collateral damage.
My little man charged me £460 to repair/rebuild it, which I guess is a lot cheaper than a replacement engine. I have yet to speak to him to ensure he has made some allowance on the bill for his earlier omission.
The charge which sticks in my throat is the £160 from the Ford dealer to which the car was towed. This is for "preliminary diagnosis". They sussed the cambelt was the problem, and that it was a non-Ford belt. How long can that take? I will be trying for a reduction in this bill, but don't hold out much hope as it has already been paid (in order to release the car to "my little man").
Browse
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1958 Austin A30 (heavily modified - NOT)
1961 Austin Healey Sprite MK 1 (Frog Eyed) in leaf green
1962 Austin Healey Sprite MK 2 (non-descript shape) in beige
1964 Austin Healey Sprite MK 3 - Ist with wind-down windows! in British Racing Green (the best so far)
1969 Austin Healey Sprite MK 4 - With 1275cc 'A' Series engine and in Powder blue and my last Sprite.
All the above cars were bought new and for much less than £1000. Most of the above Sprites had heaters as optional extras!!
1975 Ford Escort Saloon (second hand) in Sandy beige
1988 Ford Escort Hatcback (New) in Metallic Silver
1994 Rover 214 SLi Hatchback (New) in Champagne Gold Metallic.
1998 Rover 414i Hatchback (New) Ist car with aircon in Metallic Silver.
2004 Volkswagen Golf MKV 1.6SE FSI (New) with aircon, of course and in Metallic Silver.
Not many cars to show for forty years of motoring? I'm sure I haven't left any out.