May 2005
Sorry, but it's another totally dumb question, I'm afraid :-)
How does one know when one is labouring an engine?
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Has anyone out there built/rebuilt a leaf spring trailer?
I bought a leaf sprung trailer on ebay and on the first serious outing to the tip it sat on the axle and started pouring smoke from the hubs. I'm in the process of renovating a house and need to get the trailer back and working.
Which vehicles would be suitable donors for a pair of strong leaf springs and an axle?
How would I shorten the axle - if needed?
Is there anything I should know before I attempt this?
Thanks
Simon Read more
I was looking to keep the trailer bed/box and just renovate or replace the springs.
I was carrying 12 smashed up 24" paving slabs when the trailer misbehaved. When the weight was on the nearside due to the camber/banking of the road there was smoke from the hub. I stopped to check it wasn't the mudguards, as they are easily removed.
The current leafsprings are only 3 strips of steel. The bandings are not closed loops and look to have been repaired/botched on a number of occasions.
I think that it is using Maestro/Montego wheels. Does that mean I should be looking at a Maesto van as the donor for the springs?
Are ther better donor vehicles out there?
I thought replacing the axle as well might be easier than changing the bearings. (something I have never done)
I've just had the entire n/s xenon headlamp unit replaced on my Dec'01 Citroen C5 due to a failed igniter unit in the original, for the painful cost of £430 (which was after 10% off and free fitting)!
However, I've now discovered that whilst the original xenon has a blue tint, the new xenon is more white/yellow and infact looks much more like a halogen. Additionally the new unit doesn't appear, at a glance, to be quite as bright as the original o/s lamp.
Having had a look at the labelling on the two units, they do seem to more or less match, so not sure what to do about this...is it legal to have different coloured headlamps?!?
Cheers
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PhiL Read more
Thanks for all your advice guys. I do indeed have the old headlamp, complete with bulbs, sitting in a box in my flat. You don't realise how huge these things are until you see them off the car!
Another interesting difference between the two headlamps is that the fringes of the new n/s unit's light beam have a red colour band (you can see it on your trousers if you stand directly in front of the lit headlamp), which is not visible from the o/s original.
I guess it would be possible to refit the original bulb, only problems being that a)these xenon units have a warning sticker stating they have 25,000 volts running through them, and b)I think it's a bumper off job! Neither of these facts make me very keen to try it, so I'll either see if the dealer is willing to switch them, or just live with it and see if the colour changes over time.
Out of interest cheddar, since the xenon equipped Mondeo's headlamps are self-levelling as you say, why would you want manual adjustment inside the car?
Cheers
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PhiL
Afternoon all,
I've had a look in the good garage guide but still need help!
Does anyone know of a garage that specialises, or has a good knowledge of Datsuns, in particular the 240Z, around the North West?
Cheers all,
DB Read more
Thanks. It's not mine, belongs to an ex-colleague.
He lives in Winsford - so it's not a million miles from you....
Cheers
I have a Rover 418 Diesel, M Reg and i went to unlock the car this morning but could not unlock it, in the end i unlocked it with the key but could not start the car because the immobiliser was not disabled. I have rang a few garages whho have said it will either be the key fob or immobiliser but to get a new key fob i have to take the car to the garage as the fob has to be programmed to the car. However, i cannot get the garage to the car without disabling the immobiliser. I have been given some advice on how to do this and have been told to look in the handbook but i haven't got the handbook as i only bought the car a week ago second hand. I have also been told that usually to disable the immobiliser you have to turn the key so many times but i have not idea how many times. Does anyone know how to disable the immobiliser on this car or what the problem could be? Read more
You didnt mention whether you had either a fob or keycode..If you have a fob.It may be the battery is flat.If you dont then keycode is required..Handbook only as M.M said.This wont supply code. It is on credit sized card with both radio code and alarm code.Without this code you wont be able to mobilise engine.
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Steve
The "Tonight with Trevor McDonald" programme last night discussed the subject of yearly driving tests for those over 70.
A large proportion of accidents are the result of the lack of experience and wisdom (not increased reaction times), which means the younger and/or less experienced driver. I would suggest yearly driving tests for the first 7 years, followed by 5-yearly tests up to the age of 70, and then yearly after 70. Having accidents is not totally the preserve of either the young or the over 70s. Alternatively the frequency of testing could be made to be commensurate with accident statistics for each age group.
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L\'escargot by name, but not by nature. Read more
Those who think regular retests would be a good idea would think again if they became a reality. Apart from the logistics, an extra six million tests a year if the time was set at five years, plus retests for those who fail.
So how many attempts should you be allowed? Two has been suggested. You really would like to be given two attempts to pass a test or lose your licence? I have seen people being physically sick in test centre waiting rooms, then go out and drive so far below what they were capable of because the stress of the occassion had shot their nerves to pieces and the examiner had to terminate the test. And this is with L drivers, who have nothing to lose because they are only going to have to take it again. Imagine if your job and your whole lifestyle were at stake, be a doddle, wouldn't it.
And what standard would this retest be set at? L test standard? I don't think so, an examiner would expect a far higher standard from an experienced driver. Remember, the L test is only to show that you are capable of continuing to learn without a supervisor, nothing more.
And the guy in the BMW who sits two feet from your bumper at 90 then swerves across three lanes without indicating would sail through it, because he is an arrogant prat who can bullstuff his way through any test when he has to, and then goes back to his own selfish ways for another five years. It would be the concientious ones who get hit, not the bad guys. Add to that the people who would ignore their fail and drive illegaly, not bothering to insure either because if you are going to be an outlaw you might as well go all the way.
If you think it would be easy and only the incompetant would fail, then phone a local driving school and tell them you would like to book a mock test at a very strict DSA standard and see how you do. You might get a shock.
If you want to improve the standard of driving then you have to increase the number of traffic police and target the cowboys, not burden everybody else with a scheme which would cost billions overall.
Just dropped in to my local Fiat dealer (not telling who but in the North East and tbe owner is very religious) to ask about my Panda 4x4 ordered 12 weeks ago and no sign of delivery.
Oh, sorry sir, salesman failed to put order through, only discovered this 2 weeks ago when another sales person took over his post.
A lot of confused and semi-apologetic expressions followed from the staff present but no reasons given as to why they had failed to communicate this state of affairs to me despite my dropping in on two previous occasions to find out what was happening with my order.
Leaves me even more disillusioned than ever with the motor trade. If, as in my profession as a GP, I treated my patients so shabbily, I would be struck off but I seem to have no redress against the motor trade except to take my trade elsewhere, which I will given any opportunity.
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What have they offered to throw in for free?
Does anyone own or has had any experience with the Metasystem Targa SR2? I like the way the sensors are discreetly placed on the number plate. Because there are only 2 sensors rather than the normal 4 placed along the length of the bumper, will this be less effective or do the sensors work on a wider field?
www.metasystem.co.uk/index.php/msy_eng_en/content/...1 Read more
Appologies for breathing life into a very old thread. So best thing to do I guess would be to start a new one on the subject so that I dont confuse any one. My post was;
I?ve just booked my BMW (316ES, on 53 plate) in for its first service. Done 15000 miles in its 18 months of life. The quote was £160 for what is essentially an oil change, which is on the expensive side when compared to Ford, Vauxhall etc, but not a made price. But I?m trapped into having it done by a beemer dealer so that I can keep the warranty and the resale value up.
What have other paid for similar services?
P Read more
yep, you are correct but only the 2.0L TD models.
If you have a number of cosmetic issues with your brand new car that you pointed out to your dealer when you picked it up and the dealer decides after a couple of months of discussions that the best course of action is to change the car rather than fix the issues:
1)Is it your choice whether they change the car or fix the issues?
2) If they decide to change the car is it reasonable to assume the replacement car should be of 100% identical specification, brand new and provided to you at no cost whatsoever? After all, the issues were present when you picked it up!
3) If the dealer will not let you keep the current car whilst the replacement is on order as they will want to sell it, is it reasonable to assume you are entitled to an equivalent loan car from them at no cost whatsoever for the interim period until the replacement car arrives?
Thanks.
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No.
In principle yes, although potentially subject to some discount if the car has been substantially used and value had. A perfect car of a similar age/mileage might be offered. What was reasonable would probably depend on the magnitude and impact of the "issues".
I don't think so, no. I am sure that this has been tested, although it was a) a long time ago and b) might have changed.
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I think it can also be the same with old buses as well as they go up a steep hill near me, the virbrations used to go through the whole saloon!
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Its not what you drive, its how you drive it! :-)