October 2005
Following on from my further problems with the Fiesta (see tech for details) my mech says valve stems would be maybe a couple of hundred to do (I'm incapable) but may not be the cause of the problem. A replacement engine would cost a couple of hunded to fit, plus the cost of the engine. It's still a neat little car so I'd be sad to see it go. But I'm starting to think maybe complete replacement would be the answer.
So, say we were spending up to £1500, and I don't mind buying at auction or privately but am not keen on traders (though might consider one if I got a decent trade in price), what variants of the following would be in scope financially, and technically which is the best variant, with low maintenance costs, insurance etc. Or which should I avoid like the plague. (Insurance for a new driver means I need to look at lower spec engines - say up to 1200cc). I would hope to get something with no more than average mileage.
Ka
Fiesta (presume Zetec engine desirable)
Corsa
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It appears that some form of spring is at fault here, when i push gear stick to the right it spring back central but when doing the same to the left it just stays there.
The problem is when changing from 2nd to third gear because of this fault it is easy to go into 1st !
Is the fault simple to rectify any ideas ?
thanks Read more
Glad I was of some help.
£3.40 for a spring. The robbing swines!
The new Focus has a system rather like ABS, EBA etc called ..... ADAM, yes ADAM, honest, I was reading about it the other day in some Ford internal bumph my local dealer gave me though cannot remember what it stands for. Read more
>>So this might actually work, won't short out in 10 years time, and won't cut out if the electrics die? About time too!
Sorry,not read enough about it as yet.But looks good from what I have read,Maybe someone else knows more about it?.still looking into it
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Steve
Hi all,
I've got a friend with a 53 plate Corsa 1.2 SXi but she's never had it serviced. She's done (she thinks) 18,000 miles.
It's got to be due a service now but shouldn't she have had an oil change somewhere between when she bought it and now?
Any help appreciated,
Adam
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Oh - and I'm amazed that hasn't happed already Stuart!
A query for any Ford experts out there.
What is the correct fifth gear mph/1000 rpm figure for the C-Max with a 1.8 petrol engine? On my wife's example it is around 20, which seems a tad low to me. I'd have expected something closer to 25. Read more
How do you get out of the self-diagnostic mode?
Switch off the ignition.
One thing I forgot to mention, the diagnostic will reset the tripometer, for those who measure fuel economy by it.
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Mike Farrow
left my car in a car park this weekend. when i got back to my car i found two big dents in rear passenger door.paint not broken,has anybody used the various companies that remove theese, are they worth using, and how much do you think it might cost. Read more
My limited experience of using dent removal is that, if you can find a good service, the results are very good indeed. I used a very good one, a freelance based in Mansfield area; £50 per panel. I found him thru my local main dealer who use him to fettle up their trade ins. They were happy to recommend him and I was well pleased with his work. My tip would be to ask one of your local main dealers who they use to sort out their car's dinks and dents.
Hello, I hope someone will be able to help me.
On wednesday night I was stuck in severe weather, in Birmingham City Centre(!), I drove through lots of puddles and was sitting stationary for long periods of time.
After not going anywhere for a good while, I notticed my engine temperature start to go up, it got to about 3/4 (it usually sits just below half way) and turned the engine off. About 2 minutes later, when the traffic started to move again I tried to restart the engine but got absolutley nothing when I turned the key.
The lights work, the lights on the dash come on but absolutely nothing happens on the final twist.
Has anyone got ANY idea what the problem may be? It is currently at a Ford dealership (nearest garage to me when I broke down) and the're only offering is that my engine management system might need replacing and that will cost £800!!
Please please please help me, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I am interested in cars but am no means a 'hands on' person.
Thanks for your help in advance.
Jo Read more
Hi, I'm having the car moved to a specialist mini restorer and repairer today. If he doesn't know what's wrong I think I'm in real trouble.
Thank you very much to everyone that has responded to my post, I'll post again when he has managed to diagnose the problem to see if his estimate is taking the mickey! He's charging me £25 for the pickup to his garage and I think that's reasonable!
Thanks again.
I must say the new 3 series has really grown on me and I would seriously consider a 320 ES or 320D ES.
Does anyone know the main dealer waiting times at present? Read more
Test Drive for as long as you can over as many surfaces as you can, it could seriously wind you up....Try telling a BMW dealer that you don't want the run flats.....
I'm a proud driver (company wheels) of a new shape VW Passat (i'll give you my full opinions if you like).
My question is i seem to be alone around my town. Only seen 1 or 2 on the road in the last month and not around here so where are they all?
Are they not selling? if not why not?
It's a fine automobile.. Read more
A lot of the taxis in Granada are new model Passats.
Loads at Prague airport too. Non-taxi ones are pretty common around the city.
Does anyone know if there is going to be a GB version of AutoRoute 2006?
Don drbe Read more
Surprising quote from the UKMotorHomes review mentioned above:
"....Dell L400 notebook (P3 700Mhz) running XP Professional. We have used it extensively when travelling as it is small, having a 12" screen, and sits nicely on our A Class dashboard."
Hope I'm not driving near that person!
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Get a Micra, post R reg with airbags and a few toys. £1,500 plus should get you a good one