Hi folks

I bought a '73 Triumph Stag last October and have been using it for 3 or 4 days a week. It's a great car, and while not a "fully restored garage queen" has had all the usual Stag problems sorted out. It's very much a daily driver if I need it.

However, I had it serviced a while back and asked for the carbs to be tuned/balanced. This car has a pair of Zenith Stromberg 175 CD-2's. Since then, it's been difficult to restart when hot. The car smells gassy at those times too. Only way to get it going is to hold the throttle wide open when cranking.

I don't trust the crowd that serviced it, so rather than bring the car back to them I took it to a pro - while he knows carbs, he was unable to get the CO2 etc down, they were very high. In fact, adjustments at the car were not making much difference.

Any ideas ? Carb-rebuild time ? The latter doesn't look too difficult, there are rebuild kits available.

Thanks
Frank Read more

Could the forum please just confirm something for me. I have recently had my car serviced, and no mention was made of changing the cambelt. On the worksheet I was given after the service, there was a note that the cambelt should be changed at 54,000 miles, but my mileage was more than this, and this has not been done.

I wonder if the worksheet just covers all eventualities (ie not specific to my car), as I believe the Primera (which is a 2.0 petrol on an X plate) has a timing chain not a cambelt - in which case nothing needs to be changed.

Can one of the experts out there confirm that my car has a timing chain, and that therefore it does not need to be changed?

Also, my front fog lights are not working. Have tried to trace the problem, but without success. I believe front fog lights are not tested as part of the MOT, so my car should not fail if they do not work. Is this right?

Thanks in advance Read more

A few weeks back, I bought a 1989 Peugeot 205 diesel off a neighbour as a bit of fun more than anything. We have enough cars as it is but these 205's bring back a a few happy memories since we had one new in 1986 and the chance to pick up an immaculate low mileage model was too tempting. Anyway the intention was to use it for local journreys but last week I had to drive to Cambridge for the day, a round trip of almost 400 miles from Bath.

Normally I would take my Mégane dCi but it's got a slow puncture at the moment and I didn't want to risk it on the motorway. SWMBO was using her Toyota and the VW is in the barn on axle stands having some new brake disks fitted. I had no choice but to use the old 205.

I was amazed at how good these old 205's still are. By modern standards the 1.8 engine is modest in power output, there being no turbo on this model. But it purred along very comfortably at or near the legal limit. I returned home with no back pain and averaged approximately 55mpg. A very comfortable, rust free, refined and economical car all for £550. And should anything go wrong, it's so simple under the bonnet.

In the late 90's we looked at the 206 and to be honest were disappointed. I found it hard to get comfortable and I felt refinement wasn't as good. I think my recently acquired 205 will be with us for a while, parked happily in our barn next to the Mégane, Yaris, Polo and Dauphine. Read more

Hot bank holiday Friday forecast. Is the M1 or A1 recommended for clutter-free relaxed cruising northwards, leaving around 3.30 pm? Read more

I purchased a Passat Estate 1.9tdi(130) Sport 4motion new a year ago. When I The reason I purchased it was because I needed a car with a heavy Kerb weight for towing without opting for a SUV. In the brochure it stated that the kerb weight was 1824kgs based on the vehicle weight, 90% tank of fuel and the driver (75kgs). This suited my needs and gave me the option to tow heavier loads based on the 85% towing rule so I purchased the vehicle.

I have recently increased the weight I am towing, however I have now looked in the handbook and the Kerb weight is 150Kg lighter. I have contacted VW UK and queried this and as soon as I mentioned kerb weight the telephone agent said, ?it?s not a Passat is it? We know there is incorrect info about the kerb weight?. I have searched around on the net and found a site ( www.dieselcar.com/volkswagen-frame.html ) that states that the kerb weight is as low as 1566kgs and with the 85% rule made it not a suitable car to pull my previous load.

Getting to the point where do I stand under the consumer rights act if VW UK confirm the above as I stand to loose a packet if I need to change my car to a suitable vehicle.

Yes you have probably guessed it?s a caravan 
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