May 2005
Wonder if anybody can help with this?
There's been a car abandoned in my block of flats for a couple of years, no registered owner, flat tyres etc. No idea who it belongs to. Not in bad condition though, and I was wondering if I could just assume ownership, i.e. just try and register it through DVLA.
Anybody done this before or have any idea what I'd need to do?
Tks Read more
The background to this is that a few years ago the government (at the behest of the motor industry) decided to clamp down on imports of Japanese-market used cars by introducing an Enhanced Single Vehicle Approval test which all RHD cars manufactured after Jan.1st 1997 must pass. For the ESVA you require a 'model report' (basically a full technical report for that model of car, including crash test data). ESVA is not required for LHD cars (e..g. from the US) because the industry does not perceive LHD imports to be much of a threat and therefore the government leave them alone.
Now, I was recently asked to do a repair on an Ultima (this is a kit car, with large GM V8 engine and Holley carbs) and spoke to the owner about how he got it approved (it had many non-standard features). Apparently it was registered on a Q-plate and went through SVA as a 'kit car'. So this gets me wondering....could I import a late-model from Japan and put it through SVA as a 'kit car' and so avoid the bother of ESVA and a model report?
If anyone knows anything about (E)SVA and kit car approval I would be most interested. Read more
This is going seriously off topic, but you can also convert your LHD Cherokee in the US to RHD so you can leap out onto the kerb. This is what it looks like...
www.righthanddrivejeeps.com/photos/cher6.html
Horrifying, no?
Enter thief with hacksaw... Woo Hoo I've got a new turbo and air filter!
It's probably front wheel drive only too, so any extra power just becomes wheelspin.
What a. . . creative individualist...
I have been given Auto Restore as a useful mobile dent removal and spray service - mobile body shop - might have been a better way to put that.
I understand that they are part of Autoglass, has anyone tried them? Read more
Want to spend 3-4k for a car with a view to selling after 12-18 months. Am considering the following:
306 Hdi - good size and handling, insurance group 5 but unreliable?
Astra mk4 Dti 2.0 - good performance, but may depreciate quicker?
Seat Ibiza / Fabia - expensive so may have limited choice, but may not depreciate so quickly
Any others? I'm after reliablility and lowest total cost of ownership over the period. Many thanks. Read more
Citroen Xsara (might be able to get an HDI for near to £4K).
Good people,
A plea for help...
My brother has a Merc Turbo diesel Vito van and has some problems requiring considerable work including removing the cylinder head and involving glow plugs....the specifics I?m not really au fait with.
The vehicle's is out of Warrantee and the lease company are being less than helpful. Can anyone recommend a competent turbo diesel specialist that plays in this space and can fix this sort of thing preferably within striking distance of North London (Camden)?
This seemed a good place to ask!
Nick (actually posting from South Africa....its a long story) Read more
My Citroen ZX Diesel (1.9D non turbo) has started to lose power, and there is quite a strong smell of diesel fumes when you drive it. I have tried some Millers injector cleaner, but this hasn't sorted the problem out. The car has been recently serviced, and has had all the usual items replaced (fuel filter, oil filter) etc.
I suspect the injectors are due for changing - I have read that they usually need changing between 60,000 and 80,000 miles. My car has done about 93k. Does this sound like an injector problem? Are there any tips or tricks to be aware of when changing the injectors on these engines?
Read more
I doubt this is the injectors - symptoms that they need looking at include difficult starting, smoking, extra clattery engine. When you say you can smell diesel fumes do you mean unburnt diesel or exhaust fumes? If the former then you need to have a good look at the leak off pipes (small rubber pipes that join the injectors together) and the injection pump itself - I suspect you will find a leak here somewhere, and that your car a Lucas injection pump, which is not tolerant of air getting in, causing running problems. If you can smell exhaust fumes, then there is an exhaust leak, or hole in the car somewhere that is sucking the fumes back in - I suspect however, you have a diesel leak somewhere.
The injectors will probably go another 90k yet before they need changing...
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RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
Well, not the whole thing actually, just the valve, which is leaking gas.
But in the absence of any other way to repair the valve, it seems a new compressor is required. So if anyone knows of anyone dismantling one of these cars, please give me a shout.
(I have already already posted a request with Findapart.) Read more
I've got some vouchers that I can use to go on a driving day. Quite fancy either a supercar / Ferrari day or maybe a single seater.
After going on a rally day a couple of years ago and being really dissapointed at the whole experience, I was wondering if anyone can recommend, a) a good venue and b) a good overall experience.
I'm in Maidenhead (J8/9 of the M4). So somewhere not too far away (100 miles radius) would be considered.
Read more
Just noticed in todays Telegraph that sadly a Ferrari driver was killed and his passenger seriously injured at Goodwood yesterday, presumably on a track or driving experience day.
I have also seen a Cosworth owner get carried away and wreck his pride and joy at Donington on a track day.
It makes the restrictions that some tracks impose more understandable.
IMO anyone going on such a day should be looking very seriously at both their own and the organisers insurance cover and restrictions ..
Anybody chipped a 53 VW TDi 130 for additional horses and more importantly increased torque.
Am intrested in effect on reliablity etc.
Thanks
J Read more
Not the 130 but I chipped my 2000 Passat TDi (PD) from 115 to 136 at 10,000 miles and ran it to 90,000 with absolutely no problems. The improvement in torque was impressive and enjoyable. It always produced a bit of smoke on hard acceleration but passed the first MOT no problem. I changed the oil every 5,000 miles (using either VWs PD oil and later on Millers XFE PD) and always simmered the turbo before switching off. I always felt comfortable that the extra 21bhp wasn't too much for the gearbox or clutch to handle. Some tuners are getting 180+ bhp from the 130 engine which would give me some concern about longevity.
Hand it in to a police station?? Lost property.
I think we have been here before, but a cursory search didnt find it.
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pmh (was peter)