June 2005
Hi Folks, I would be grateful for a bit of advice please. Driving under a bridge last night when a piece of masonry fell from the bridge and cracked my windscreen. I was considering replacing the windscreen myself rather than go through the insurance (and loose my NCD). My car has those rain sensing wipers, so I was wondering if they are likely to add to the cost of replacement significantly ? Thanks Read more
Hi,
I have a 2000 VW Bora 1.4 petrol. I'm experiencing a very strange vibration in the steering wheel. It happens when the engine is idling in traffic. The car needs to be well warmed up. For about 10-15 seconds the steering wheel will shake violently. Nothing I do will stop it once it starts. I can rev the engine, which sounds fine, or pump the clutch. It doesn't matter if I'm in or out of gear or on the hand or foot brakes.
Someone suggested the power steering fluid but there's plenty of it there. The only other opinion I've heard was there's something wrong with the timing belt but I'd always heard that by the time you think anything is wrong with it your engine is already an expensive door stop.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Colm.
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Check you fluid leaks on the power steering pump that may be contaminating the belt, check belt condition and tension. If all else fails get the engine hot and then remove the pump belt and let it idle if no problem then the pump may be to blame. Regards
Peter
I'm not really sure whether this will be viewed as technical or not, so please bear with me and move if appropriate.
I filled up for the first time last night, and since then I have been unable to properly replace the 'lid' that holds the petrol in; have had to drive round with it just sort of balanced in there. Is there a knack to replacing this? I'm loathe to really force it in case I do some damage. Read more
Before my time - but surely in those days it would have been gallons (or maybe pints in my case), not litres?
As an afterthought, and continuing car/driving stuff, Renault was booked in to be scrapped today - and then I lost the keys. Tomorrow, I promise.
Either I am getting old or there seem to be far more people deliberately breaking the law (other than speeding) than in the past.
This morning I watched as someone drove straight through two sets of red lights on a roundabout.
Must be the third or fourth instance of ignoring red lights I've seen in the last fortnight.
Turning right on no right turn junctions is a daily occurance.
Mobile phone use whilst driving hasn't decreased since it became illegal.
Eating and drinking at the wheel is commonplace.
Overtaking on double white lines: daily.
Blocking yellow box junctions.
What is the World coming to?
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births/deaths and marriages mainly
but its still a pain when the car spaces have all given way to cycle path
I haven't seen mention of this in this forum yet but it was reported in The Independent a couple of days ago.
The wife of DJ Tim Shaw, Hayley, got so irritated by his flirting with model Jodie Marsh, during a radio interview, that she decided to exact revenge by selling his Lotus Esprit on ebay. She offered it for 50p. I don't know what it sold for eventually but it obviously didn't take long for offers to start flooding in. Anyone know how much it went for?
Apparently, It was not the first time he has upset her during his broadcasts, so it would seem like a case of the 'last straw'. Read more
i remember chris evans saying he was selling his bently for something like a tenner one weekend because he was unhappy at the trade in value he had been offered on it against a new bently, he figured it was better to let another punter have if for nothing than let the dealer offer 50% of list at 12 months old
you never could tell with him
he also let a listener pick one of his cars up from a foreign airport carpark (he had left the keys in a wheel arch) when he flew home because he couldnt be bothered driving home again, seem to remember he got the car back
didnt he loose his licence speeding on the A3 for a while?
This is probably an utterly dumb question, but could fellow backroomers enlighten me on the following.
I've had some rattle coming from underneath the car for some time, only happens at around 1000 rpm. When doing MOT (at the dealer's) I asked them to have a look. They diagnosed it as front pipe heat shield corrosion. They also said I could just use hose clamp to fix it.
Now, I had a poke around the exhaust pipe under the car. If I understand currectly, the heat shield in question is two half pipes that surround the exhaust pipe. If I slightly knock the shield with my hand or a spanner I can hear something vibrate with somme kind of rattle. However, these half pipes are actuaslly held with two clamps, and I don't see where it could be welded, thus, can't see possibly broken welds. So, I'm a bit lost. Maybe I'm looking at completely wrong thing ?
P.S. Cat is fine, and it doesn't rattle when knocking it slightly.
Thanks in advance
Kostic Read more
Aprilla,
Thanks for your advice. I'll try it when I get a chance.
Kostic
There have been a number of references on various threads about a police "attitude test", including one or two by posters who are apparently police. It seems that if one is stopped and fails this test one may be done for everything possible. As it seems that anyone, Backroomer or otherwise, may be stopped at any time nowadays, can anyone give some indication of what this test amounts to in the police mind, and how best to pass it - with only a moderate capacity for hypocrisy, perhaps?
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I think this thread is pointless and likely to degenerate into bashing.
Given that the question has been asked, and answered, I have now locked it.
Anyone got any advice when looking for a hire car. Might have to hire an Astra at short notice this weekend, doesnt have to be high spec model, just an Astra that goes.
Only ever hired a car whilst on holiday Portugal and Spain so not sure of what costs you have to pay here, eg insurance, upgraded insurance etc.
Thanks Read more
I echo everything written here, especially about checking it over. I hired mine (not through choice, insurers choice) from Enterprise Rent-a-car. The bill for ten days was a eye watering £500+ sum (paid for by someone else?s insurance supplier, so I didn't care)
Enterprise were pretty good at checking it over, noting the tiniest of imperfections without me having to prompt them. However, also make sure the spare tyre is installed. They checked mine on departure and arrival, so I was ok there, but they may only check when you come back, and if it?s gone they?ll charge you.
Also, be careful with the petrol too. When I collected the Micra hire car, the tank was seemingly full, but when I refilled it before returning it, it swallowed nearly another gallon. So it wasn't full at all. This is quite hard to check, but i didn't want to get charged £0.90 per Ltr for every litre missing upon returning it. (Had to returned with a full tank)
I tried to burn my additional gallon of petrol by going to the hire place in 2nd gear only, but it was starting to make my ears bleed...
New shape Vectra , done 107,000 miles . When im driving down a hill , holding the car in 2nd or 3rd gear depending on traffic conditions I get a shh shh shh shh shh noise , when i push in the clutch to let the car coast down a hill the noise goes .
I have noticed that the car does judder when pulling away in 1st gear , especially when pulling away up-hill .
Any ideas guys ? PLEASE . Read more
Thanks DAVE , just out of interest would a breaking down clutch,or thrust bearing (whatever they are called) cause noise . As when the car is idling theres no untoward noise .When i push the clutch in and out I do hear a slight clatter when on the release .
I have a strong smell of petrrol from my Alfa 156. You notice it when you are driving with the windows down and when you get out and go to the boot it is quite strong.
I had to have a new petrol neck filler about two years ago, but I have never had a car previously or heard of anyone replacing one before. Could I need a new one or is it a more pressing problem?
Thanks
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Well the garage informed me that there is a leak from the fuel tank, but to investigate further they need to remove the seats completely. They believe that the tank will need a reseal and that should solve the problem.
Still quoting a minimum of three hours work. Ouch!!
Browse
PS
Better a bit of masonry falling down rather than the bridge itself...:-)
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