September 2005
My wife has one of these on hire for the day - HDi S with climate control. Stuck it on auto and 'Lo' last night as it was 23 degrees and very humid. It gave out cold air, but when we went round a corner (i.e turning from traffic lights) the thing gave out a real blast of very warm air which lasted for a few yards after straightening up. Also is there a way of synchronising the temperatures for driver and passenger so that moving the driver side temp changes the passenger side to the same temp? Read more
Sorry if this is an old chesnut, but as a newish member haven't seen it come up yet.
My Volvo 740 purchased in 1998 is still on the battery I aquired it with. The friend I bought it off didn't fit it, so battery must be at least eight years old, only time it has failed to start car was once when I topped it up, guess I diluted the volts.
I don't suppose this is a record, (does anyone keep cars for this long these days?) so when should I start saving for another battery. The car has only done 230,000 miles so I hoping to keep it for a few years yet.....
Steptoe
One mans's junk is another man's treasure Read more
My last car, a Nissan Micra, that I bought new in 1988 had the orginal battery for 13 years. When I finally changed it the recommended replacement was only two thirds the size. A battery expert commented that this was the minimum capacity and the orginal was over rated, hence its long life. In modern cars there is frequently not sufficient space for a higher capacity battery to be fitted due to space considerations. I would always recommend asking if there is a higher capacity battery of the same size as this will extend the time before a replacement is needed.
For the record there was a debate in Honest John's column in the Saturday Telegraph a few years ago on the longest a battery had been fitted to car. IIRC it was won by a Rolls Royce built in 1913 and still using the orginal batteries.
Interesting article in the Evening Standard tonight about front gardens making way for cars.
They reckon half the front gardens in London (and probably elsewhere too) have gone as families have more and more cars. I know the feeling. Me, wifey daughter (and son when he was at home) have our own cars. With most of my neighbours having two or three cars, parking was becoming a nightmare. So, we had the old crazy pave job done to get two cars on drive and one out front.
Made an effort at greenery by having a curved bed with green stuff in it and a couple of evergreen tree things. But, looking down my road, its all a bit messy. Some have laid loose gravel which has decanted into the road and on the pavement, one has simply concreted (not very well)and painted it tile red, some have got cars longer than their drive, so hang over the pavement.
When you look at old black and white pics of suburban streets and see just the odd ghostly Ford Prefect to the whole street, it makes you hark back with misty eyes.
Can't give cars up, but......if only! Read more
so......the final decision is.....we don't want gardens?
Funny though, when I go for a walk in the evening I walk past some lovely front gardens, really well kept. Then I walk past a nice looking house with 3 ugly cars on the drive clogging it all up. I think "Ugh, horrible" Then I get home and look at my drive and think "Ugh, horrible, would be nice to have a garden, but where would I park?" DOH!
Drove a new style Passat today with the boot loaded up with files, papers A4 sized dockets etc etc and of course after some death defying driving on 2 wheels around some corners the files and papers went everywhere.
So trying to retrieve these became quite back brakingly difficult.. reason? the enourmous deep boot (lengthways). Just could not reach them all without virtually crawling inside.
My point is.. is it really neccesary to have such a large trunk? why not more rear room instead. It's too much storage space for Mr average. Read more
Sorry, new to these boards ....
Those plastic boxes would probably work though !
I've read several times that the Peugeot 306 diesel has a habit of blowing engines - con rod probs or something???
Should one be wary of all the diesel engines in these cars or are only certain ones potentially problematic?
ie which years and engine types Read more
Thanks for he info. very helpful. Speaking with someone today who should know, he told me that on the late 2.0 HDI, the fuel pump in the tank can break up with copper filings going through the injection system resulying in a worst scenario of new (4) injectors needed at a cost of £1000 parts as well as a new pump (£500) ouch.
Does this sound familiar??
A couple of months ago I thought I saw a reference to a new Citroen Picasso 1.6HDi diesel on HJ deals for £9999.00, thought I'd saved the reference to it but hadn't, done a search but no joy does it ring any bells with anybody?
Cheers
Claybuster Read more
The Picasso is now an end of line model and any agent should sell you a hdi for under 10k
I am planning to change the cam belt on my wife's 1999 306 1.6i petrol. The car has only 35,000 miles but I guess it would be best if it is changed due to its age! She has had the car from new.
Is this a difficult job (not technically as I have changed cam belts before), but just very awkward on the 306? Is it nesessary to remove the road wheel(s) etc. to get at the various parts?
Any help or advice appreciated. Is it best to change any idler roller(s) also whilst I'm at it?
Thanks in advance for anyone who is kind enough to comment.
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I have a 1997 BMW 5 series i Touring 2 litre petrol manual. It's been serviced by BMW since new. Now has 120,000 miles.
Suddenly its reluctant to start from warm. Starts fine first thing in the morning, but 1 - 5 hours later it needs a lot of cranking, and a lot of throttle. The crankshaft position sensor has been replaced and made no difference.
Can anyone shed some light?
don w b
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Father in law(85) had his said Rover 75 auto suddenly shoot forward while parking and damaged 6 cars.......anyone else known of this happening? I remember years ago autos of some type doing this. Read more
'It doesn't have to be an auto.'
True,but,as you have to have the clutch down,if it comes up suddenly there is a good chance of stalling,whereas an auto will go every time.
Does anyone know any common reason for Clio horns to stop working??
I have checked the fuses and that doesnt seem to fix it Read more
Check the wires to the horn itself for corrosion. If OK, take the wires off, and run a lead (jump leads will do) to the horn itself straight off the battery. If it works, its a wiring/relay problem, if not get a new horn.
If it is like the VW system, putting on LO will overide the AUTO.
Maybe the system was hitting the lowest sustainable temperature and had to warm itself up a bit to avoid icing etc.?
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I wasna fu but just had plenty.