August 2005
Hi all,
the power steering return line for my 1990 MX5 has corroded and is leaking. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement at a more reasonable cost than the dealer (over £100). I've read that sometimes importing the parts can be cheaper.
Thanks
Mark Read more
I know various methods of removing rounded nuts have been discussed before but this is a product I have not seen before.
Not cheap but may be worth it for some jobs.
www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=040214678 Read more
Both Snap-On and Mac do similar sets of these special sockets and i can confirm that they are abslutely superb, (although not cheap).
Something strange happen to me in the early morning.
Coming off Broomfield Rd in Chelmsford in to Parkway (we are going on this road all the time) we were flashed by the red light camera at 6.00am passing the junction in amber. I am a regular driver on this road and never seen this flashing in amber before. My question is what kind of fine I should expect.
I am driving with my international license (Non-EU) and have my provisional since April and booked to take my practical in October. As I am in my 12 month concession period for getting a UK license, will I get a penalty on my International or my provisional? We were going really slowly, I think like 20mph when we crossed. The other person in the car also said it was amber.
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Sorry Adski I misunderstood this bit -
"If you did pass on amber then expect no fine. The pictures show the lights themselves and how long they were on red for etc.. so would show you had committed no offence by not crossing the stop line on red (if that makes sense!)."
Myself and SWMBO were chatting this morning about a renewel of an insurance policy on one of the cars, We remebered that Eagle Star used to give you a credit card sized insurance certificate as well as the A4 size one, This led on to a discussion about the merits of "Displaying" car insurance, I know (I think) that in Germany you have to have a little sticker on the number plate that I believe shows you are insured. Personally I think we should all have to display a 2nd tax disc type thing that shows you are insured, I know it would not be fool prooof but it would make it alot easier to spot those without valid insurance. Thoughts plese!! Read more
Sounds like a good idea to me. Only worry is attracting insurance disk theives..
Should we start a campaign of some sort then?
Just watched a Sky News report on a group of Lady cancer sufferers who are riding from 'The Famous Bikers Cafe' in London, up to Scotland to raise money for cancer research. Harley Davidson is sponsoring them, and has supplied them with 7 bikes. There are 15 of them, 12 of whom have undergone surgery for cancer. If anyone sees a group of bikes with lady riders give them a cheer, and hopefully a contribution. I think that they will have earned it. Read more
Yes saw that ---
Go Girls....
My father in law has a 97 A4 TDi 90. Two years ago he was on holiday in Europe and the gearbox went, replacement required 3000 Euros. He has been told by his meachanic this week that the replacement looks like it is on its way out too. Can anyone tell me the warranty period on a new gearbox and if it is still in warranty he will have any issues by virtue of the fact that the work was done at an Audi dealer in France? He does tow a caravan but this does seem unbelievably bad luck.
He is going to buy Japanese next time. Read more
Manual or automatic?
When my 6 week old Yaris is parked on level ground, the off side front wheel arch is 10mm lower than the near side. I've checked the tyre pressures, what could be wrong? Read more
Sorry for loosing the thread, computer problems! Anyway I checked my neighbours Yaris (54 reg) 5mm lower on off side, friends Yaris (04 reg) 15mm lower on off side, Guy at work his Yaris (02reg) 10mm lower on off side. Is there any more out there with the same problem?.
ok here we go,
astra 1700 none turbo gm engine, 1994,
car starts ok, runs for 20 seconds, stops then wont start. turn it over for 20 minutes, on and off, then it might start, then it will run all day.
i have tried removing the solonoid spring and bullet, makes no difference. tried putting pipe from, pump directly into fuel container, still the same.
checked power to heater plugs and made sure plugs ok.
its fuel starvation because there is no fuel comming out of injector pipes when loosened, i think its the lift pump, intermitently not drawing fuel up, going to try an inline bulb pump.
do you also know if a gm turbo fuel injector pump off a 1997 motor will fit ok. i have 3 of these. i can remove the immobalisers off them so that is not a problem,
thanks,mal. Read more
As you did not mention fuel filter.I gather this has not been replaced.I would try that before going further,other than that suggests an intermittent air leak?
--
Steve
Evenin? all.
I?d like to canvass opinions on what options I should consider for changing my car. Since January 2001 I?ve had a 1998 Volvo S40 T4 which has now done 92,000 miles. On the whole I?ve been very pleased with the car.
Pros: Storming performance, well equipped, understated image, more reasonable servicing/maintenance costs than I had expected, and it?s been totally reliable (never broken down or needed remedial work to pass an MOT).
Cons: fuel economy, showing its age, ride on urban roads is utterly abysmal, residual value disappearing fast
Add to the equation the fact that I have recently changed jobs to one which involves using the car for work on a daily basis. My car usage henceforth will be:
9-mile each way commute on urban roads (nearly all stop-start traffic at this time of year)
Frequent, short trips between my office and main work site (up to 5 per day, <1mile)
Less frequent, longer trips a couple of times a week (e.g. today I did a trip of about 25 miles, in addition to the 18-mile commute)
Plus occasional weekend leisure trips.
Annual mileage will probably be about 12000.
Clearly this kind of usage is not going to sit well with a fairly highly-tuned car that?s already done a lot of miles. Also there?s the fuel economy issue - I have averaged 28mpg since starting the new job - not bad for a 200bhp car, and I get a very good rate for mileage, but I can?t help thinking that I would be substantially better off with a more economical car.
So, the options as I see it are as follows:
1. Run the Volvo into the ground.
2. Replace with something newer & more economical
3. Bangernomics?
With regard to option one, I could happily carry on with the car, but some factors are getting to me (poor fuel consumption, the ride quality, dated design, niggly squeaks and rattles, would generally like a more modern car). In some ways I?d be sorry to run it into the ground, I?d almost rather sell it on for someone else to enjoy (the resale value is now firmly in chav territory, and I?ve seen a few T4s with the de rigeur modifications?)
In terms of replacement, I would not want to suffer too much of a drop in performance, or in specification. I?ve been thinking about a high-performance diesel - modern examples would provide similar or better low-end torque (hence similar ?real-world? performance - I rarely if ever use the Volvo?s full potential now), yet would probably offer about 20mpg more than I get now. I?m thinking something like a 2001-2004 Golf TDI PD 130/150 or Seat Leon TDI SX 130. Incidentally, any replacement of this sort would be on finance. Insurance is not an issue, I live in cheap area and have 17 claim-free years. Any other suggestions?
Finally, I could forget either of those and just buy an old clunker, enjoying ultra-cheap motoring for a while.
What does the Back Room think? I really am open to any suggestions. And if you?ve made it this far, congratulations on your persistence and high boredom threshold!! Read more
I think any change to a newish car is just going to cost you money in depreciation (and finance costs if you need finance). On that mileage I would be tempted to go for something older and maybe half the budget at max. That would give you a choice of things like golf/a4 tdi or 944/excel depending on your preference for economy vs performance, remember that depreciation is the biggest cost of ownership for most people.
Bought a primed standard part spoiler, any ideas on how much to spray this up, colour is oyster silver metallic or could I do it with aerosol tins with success, any guidance would be helpful
thanks
Nivek 9876
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whole car...you wouldnt want a job much cheaper than £1000 for a tidy up on a decent car..if you want it show car standard or if theres lots of damage then up to £5000
Browse
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I've tried Japarts and mx5 parts and several breakers with no luck. Mazda are £100 for the part.
Cheers,
Mark