I've just moved into a rented house up in Leeds with some friends from Uni. In the past the house had two deadlocks on each door, although they could all be turned by hand from the inside with no key necessary.

Last week, however, the landlord has changed to a master key system and the locks were replaced. We still have two deadlocks on the front and back doors, but they now require a key to unlock from the inside.

We're not too happy about this, as these are extremely solid doors and in the event of a fire we'd need a key to get out of the house. The landlord will only provide us with one key each for security reasons, and while we can aim to keep a key by the door each night, it ain't really going to happen.

Are there any regulations regarding deadlocks that need keys to open from the inside? I personally think things as they are are a bit risky - I doubt that even the six of us working together could break through these doors once they're locked.

Is it unreasonable to ask the landlord for extra keys to be kept within easy reach of the doors, or altering the locks to allow them to be opened from the inside without a key? Read more

Hi all, further to my post in discussion, I've just picked up a 53 reg Focus TDCi that seemed to smoke quite heavily when accelerating under load, especially in second.

On the way home we got stuck in a bad traffic jam that took the best part of 2 hours to cover 6 miles, whilst in this jam I noticed it was even worse, emitting huge clouds during the little bits of progress that we made, as I put it into second (at quite a low speed) and put my foot down, out came all the smoke.

I rang the garage that I used to work at and arranged to bring it in and show them, but I couldn't get it to make quite such a bad repeat of this trick on the way in. I spoke to the mechanic there and we reckoned we would be wasting our time taking it out if it wasn't smoking so he said give it a week of your own driving and see what happens. If I'm not happy he can then update the ECU with all the latest codes etc.

Now then, after doing a forum search, I'm pretty sure that there's a new EGR valve design, does anyone have info on the TSB relating to the EGR problem and also any general information that I may not be aware of.

The car drives otherwise fine and acheived 42mpg on a 250 mile tank, of which about 2 hours was virtually stationary, the rest was wildly fluctuating speeds between 65 and 80mph, I was following my dad and we didn't travel at a very steady speed at all.

The power also seems very lacking before 2,000 rpm, but that's about right on this engine from the very little that I remember of driving it, isn't it?

Any help appreciated!

Blue Read more

Focus 120,000 miles ffsh 2000 v reg, Reliability problems with this mileage? What overall things to look for, advertised for £2400 ono Private sale.Thanks Read more

I have a vw with a radio that does not receive long wave. I am getting serious withdrawal symptoms from the cricket. I have tried using a big portable radio in the car, but the interference is too high and I cannot hear anything except fuzz.

Is there a solution to my dilemma? This is the most exciting test series I have ever seen, and I do not want to miss a ball if I can help it!

P.s. I am not going to shell out on a digital radio for the car, but would a portable digital radio avoid the interference problem? They can be had for about £40 now I think.

{Moved from the current IHAQ thread as motoring related. DD} Read more

Some time ago I managed to back my Mk 2 Mondeo, on a dark and wet night, into a concrete fence post. The overall effect of this is that I now have a large amount of silver gaffer tape holding the parts together. A very large up-down split is now there after this mishap, covered up by the tape.

I clearly need a new bumper!

However, I don't particularly wish to claim on my insurance for this since it will use up one step of my protected no claims for an accident which didn't involve another vehicle, i.e. I have, in this instance, the option of whether to claim or not.

I have an estimate from my local Ford Main Dealer for about £500 inclusive, but, the car's probably only worth about £2000 now and that's quite a large proportion of the cars actual value!

I would like to get the car repaired, but more cheaply than the £500 FMD quote. Trouble is, I could go to an independent who might do it a bit cheaper, but the genuine Ford part costs £185.

I have seen pattern-part bumpers advertised on Ebay, some of which can even be sprayed the "right" colour for an additional fee. I just wondered whether anyone in the BR had purchased one of these, and, if so, what was their experience, good or bad?

Would be very grateful for any advice or suggestions,

Many Thanks,

Galaxy Read more