January 2006
Hi,
I'm the first to admit I'm no expert here, so I'll try and give as much background as possible to my problem.
I have a '97 Polo 1.9 Diesel with around 75,000 miles on it, which I acquired around a year ago.
Recently, during a short journey, the coolant warning lamp came on, and when I had a look, the reservoir was completely empty. I drove 1,200 miles over Christmas with no problems, and checked all the fluid levels before making this trip, so the problem has developed quite recently.
I found evidence of a coolant leak on the underside of the car, but couldn't see where it was coming from as the radiator is housed within some mounting. (Unfortunately, the bowl I placed under the leak to assess the level escaping had been nicked when I returned from work the next day.)
Hoping it would just be a hose needing replacing or reconnecting, I took it to a garage, who kept it for a day, before I had to call to see if they'd looked at it, to be told that the leak was coming from the radiator, and that it was totally shot and needed replacing, quoting me a figure well in excess of £200.
I declined, and have since been given a quote of £150 all-in for the job, but I don't even really know if it IS strictly necessary. Unfortunately, all my mechanically-minded friends live down South, so I'm somewhat at the mercy of the garages. I can't see the extent of the damage to the radiator myself, and am reluctant to start dismantling the thing in case I do it some permanent damage.
Does anybody know if there are genuine reasons why a radiator in this model of car cannot be repaired, or if using Radweld or a similar product is really a very bad idea.
I don't really need the car for any major journeys at the moment, so I'll keep monitoring the situation, but I'm aware that I should probably get it sorted sooner rather than later.
Thanks for your help,
Ed Read more
I am looking for a good independant VW(diesel) service agent,within 20 miles of Rayleigh in Essex,can anyone recommend please ? thanks
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I have a 97 Toyota Picnic.
Over the past week, I have noticed that the dashboard illumiation for the speedo is gradually changing from green to orange.
As daft as it sounds, when I first noticed it, the orange only went as far as the 90mph marker on the speedo, now it's closer to the 65mph marker.
The rev counter has stayed the normal green colour that the speedo used to be all over.
The colour remains constant if I reduce the illumination level or not?
Any ideas ???
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Fair point. I did smell a burning plastic type of smell a short while before this started, but put it down to the plastic bag that was wrapped around the exhaust and stinking. Time to whip the center storage out and have a look.
rover 200 - p plate with 60 thousand on it, 1.4
got hit in the back by a football player.
the club have offered to give a grand to him or pay for the repairs (he got a £1500 repair quote).
car needs new bumper, and a bit of tidying up.
is the car worth a grand?
how much for a bumper and a spray?
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On a slight tangent here - but why are the club offering the grand? Or pay the repairs?
Is he not insured to drive it?
I've just rung my local motor factors,for a price for a pollen filter for my 99 HDi.
The lady who answers the phone,says that this model doesn't have one.
Is she correct,or having a laugh,and if it does have one,as I suspect,is it on the n/s section of the scuttle panel? Read more
All 406s have a pollen filter and it is the same part for all 406s.
I thought things were getting better in the car dealers... recent experience has shown I'm wrong.
After having a fun year in my lovely SLK350 - time has come to part.
So after some thinking about the replacement I decided on either an Audi A4 2.5tdi Avant or a BMW 320d Touring.
First visit was the BMW dealer. WOH! I'm a young man but even I was overwhelmed by the testoterone overload in the local BMW dealership. All sales men were mean and under 40. They all lookde sharp as tacks and prowled around the showroom like robots. When it came to talking to them I was obviously wrong in thinking the SLK would give me any kudos as a real and worthy buyer - oh no, as soon as you reveal you're looking at a couple of options, want to drive a sprot and a non-sport car and also thinking about the Audi, the shutters come down. It's a case of well we'll have to book you in for test drives and it's going to be difficult to get those cars and maybe you should come back on the day you're ready to do the deal. So much for building a relationship. They obviously have so many hoy buyers that a guy that doesn't want to buy on the day is a time waster. They never rang me back about arranging test drives and despite taking my details all contact ended when I left the showroom.
Ho hum Audi then....
Ok so they have token female in the showroom but she doesn't seem to want to or be able to speak to customers. Stand in showroom for 5 minutes whilst the informal tea party in the office finishes. Guy walks out but before I can ask for help he has taken a big bite out of a large piece of chocolate fudge cake on his desk and run for the front door.
Next guy comes out - he's at least acknowledges me, I ask if they have any brochures and price list for the A4 cos none are out on display. No comes the answer. Do you want them for the A3 instead? errrr no. If I want an overpriced golf I'll by a leon thanks!
Do you have any A4 avants in stock that I can look at.
Him - "No"
What about that one on the front?
Him "oh yes, we've got that one"
Can we have a look?
Him - "errr, I'll have to find the keys" stands looking at me....
Ok then.
Finally he took me for a test drive in the demo, car seat in the back, road angel on the dash, obvious evidence of it being driven by a smoker who smokes only with the window open,i.e. ash all over the car instead of just in the ash tray!!! He hit 60 in a 40, gve me a 2 mile drive and then failed to take any details...
Why does it need to be so hard?
Now thinking about Skoda! Read more
I?m a salesman, but not of cars ? I sell things
to business (I would *dread* having to deal with the public),
so not the same as car sales but a couple of
points I?d make:
Spot on, Bill Payer. I'd say that's exactly how it is. Customers may want to browse, take a test drive, ask how variable valve timing works etc etc. Let another salesman handle all that. You want them when they're ready to buy.....!
www.polishedbliss.co.uk/
Came across this site through the Seat Enthusiasts site. Seems he has set up his own company after researching car detailing as a hobby.
The guides are very detailed.
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for anyone whom likes to keep their car clean and shiny,try this great site and forum
www.detailingworld.co.uk
It really is good with helpful information and advice.
My Honda Prelude has an aftermarket immobliser fitted and supplied by Honda. It is a 1990 vehicle and one pushes a sort of chip thing in to a socket on the dash momentarily to overide the immob. I have lost one of the chip thingumwys off my key ring. Trouble is, its the chip with good contacts at the end. My spare thingumwy chip has worn contacts. It does work, but for how long. No spares available. Anyone know where I can get a circuit diagram from? I don't see how you can disconnect it without a circuit. I suppose I could ask a Honda dealer. They did offer to do it for me. Car is in very good condition. Any help appreciated? Cheers, Mike Read more
No problem really, it's just that if one can do a job one's self you can save a long trip to the dealer and some dosh and hanging around.The dealer didn't say how long it would take to do but assured me that it would not be very costly. Bexhill Honda are always helpful. Thanks for your reply Armitage Shanks.
What can be done at reasonable cost to provide effective traffic calming ?
In our village we are getting an increase in fast (dangerous) traffic since an industrial park opened a few miles away. One particular junction has seen several serious accidents (fire engines needed to cut out drivers) in the last 18months. We have been told by the council that we can have £5000 for traffic calming measures in the first instance, but I dont think that will do much more than signs and lines on the road.
Anyone care to tell what would cause them to slow down ?
Other than policemen with cameras ? (we dont have scameras round here)
thanks
Mark Read more
Hold a caravan rally on a regular basis :-)
£5,000 is like saying you and your concerns don't matter, I'd suggest you lobby the local papers/councillors/MP etc and demand to be taken seriously. If the junction is dangerous it needs re-aligning to filter traffic into it at a better pace, and/or with more vision on the approach to it.
Currently a named driver in my own car on my mum's policy. All above board, approved by insurance company. I'm now 21 and have been driving for 3 years, so thought about getting a quote for my car. (1998 Citroen Xsara 1.9TD)
Tried First Alternative - told them I had no NCD, had no accidents in last 5 years or penalty points, and drive 5000 miles per year, with the car on the driveway in Devon. Cheapest quote (with 250 pound excess and no other options, and a 10% online discount) was...
...wait for it...
TWO THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY SIX POUNDS
Will be driving on my mum's policy for a bit longer yet! Read more
Well... not wishing to give away where I work but I have driven a few in my time. : )
Theoretically, a discount is available...
Browse
Best to get it done ASAP, leaks don't get better, it could let go in a big way and wreck the engine. This will cost a lot more than the £120 you have to spend anyway.