February 2006
This post has been prompted by a letter in today's Telegraph. Forgive me if this subject has been brought up before - but in the light of the recent £40M+ robbery, it's topical again. As part of the ruse, a car fitted with blue flashing lights in the radiator grill was used by the bandits - dressed, I understand, as police officers.
In the light of this, is it wise to stop for an 'unmarked police car' and, as the letter writer asks, is it actually an offence not to stop for any vehicle not displaying police signs? Read more
Helping to change a wheel on a colleagues Picasso last week, I was mighty relieved that we managed without incident. In a wet carpark on a very slight slope, the L-shaped jack seemed very unstable - I wonder how safe these things are? All my previous cars have had scissor jacks, which seem a bit more stable and where possible I chock the car up with wooden blocks "just in case" Read more
Are bottle jacks any good ? Draper ones start at under a tenner, 2, 4 and 6 tonne lift, but with a minimum height of about 20 cm and a lift of only 12 cm (approx), may not get you very far off the ground.
Anyone know a car inspection service operating in Edinburgh operating at reasonable cost ? I tried to phone two listed in HJ?s FAQs (D.S. Crawford & Carscan) but the numbers are unobtainable.
I?m looking for a small hatch for my daughter and I?ve just had a Micra inspected by the RAC, which I rejected because of a poor accident repair. At £208 a pop that could quickly prove to be a significant cost (although it has likely saved me money in this case.)
Thanks
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Unfortunately, I'm only working in Edinburgh at the moment and I haven't been here long enough to know any friendly local garages.
Does anyone know what engine modifications were involved for an engine to comply with Euro 4 emission requirements.???
I know particulate filters were introduced , but were other mods also require to meet the stricter emissions??? Read more
Not all diesels needed particulate filters to comply with Euro Stage IV emissions. The Mondeo TDCi was available as a stage 3 and 4 - I got a stage 4 one.
Comparing the two, the Euro stage 4 engine produces more CO2, but obviously less NOx aand particulates nd uses a little more diesel. I assume it's using more diesel (hence more CO2) to better burn off the NOx gases and reduce particulates.
I have read somewhere about a 'Diesel Warning Device' you clip on the filler flap and every time you open it reminds you to fill with diesel. Can anyone point me to it I can't find it. Regards Peter Read more
I seem to remember that when diesel first became common on our forecourts, the pump itself boomed out a warning that it was diesel.
Would that not still be simpler?
Hi There, anyone have experience of replacing a Stilo's (1.6, manual, 52 plate) radiator? A colleague's just been quoted £315 by the MD and is a bit dubious. Apparently there's a small leak "somewhere" - do I recall that sealants from accesory shops are not recommended? Read more
Go to a radiator specialist. They will bubble test it and probably be able to repair it for a lot less than £315!
All
First time on here and Im a mechanic newbie. Basically i am changing a radiator on a 106. I am a bit confused by the Haynes manual which states you have to drain the cylinder block. When I disconnect the hoses, swap the radiator and plumb it back in, Do I simply refill or do i have to 'Bleed the cyclinder block, If so where would this valve be?.
Any help greatfully recieved.
Thanks
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The plastic bottle trick is only needed on the earlier PSA diesels with the XUD and similarly derived engines. The TUD unit on the 106 has a single bleed point near the RH engine mount and there should be no problems bleeding this. By the time PSA designed the TUD they got around to fitting narrow bore degas pipes to the header tank from both the radiator and the cylinder head, so the rest of the system is self-venting.
Putting the filler cap at the highest point was a further stroke of genius; these developments have lowered the incidence of blown head gaskets, although the quality of the OE fitted radiators is very poor.
659.
I have been offered a new job.Good salary,good prospects but instead of the free choice of car I have at present,its a Vecta or a Vectra.
At the moment I have an excellent Accord Tourer CDTi and wonder if I`m going to notice much difference......... Read more
If you're going to have a company car, then it's better to have one that you don't really like as you don't fret then if a stone hits it etc, and you haven't got to waste time keeping is shiny. It's just a tool for the job.
Employers that are too stupid to realise the downside of forcing their staff to drive a particular car deserve everything they get.
Hi Back Roomers!
Due to my fiancee and me becoming 1st time buyers in the very near future, It is necessary for us to share one car. So my 05 plate Ka has gone, and we are sharing my partners 53 plate Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 16v, My partner bought the car brand new in September 2003, As its due for its first MOT this September, I was wondering what is the procedure? Will we get a letter saying what day in September the MOT is due because I dont recall what day in September she purchased the car.
Also can somebody confirm that the 1.2 16v engine is chain cam and does not have a belt? When did they change from belt to chain?
Thanks very much for reading my waffle
MML. Read more
You need it done in AUG ready for 01 SEP.
If the car was bought new in Sept 03, then the RFL will run until the end of Sept the next year (providing it's a 12 month RFL). This doesn't apply however to 2nd hand cars. If you bought a 2nd hand car on, say the 28th Sep, then the RFL would expire at the end of Aug the next year.
Only new cars are given extra days grace on the RFL to the end of the calendar month.
Morning People!
Have a query if any of you guys can give us some advice I would be much appreciated.
I have 99 Fiat Punto S (60000 Miles)which broke down on the motorway. I was happily driving along when all of a sudden I could not accelerate anymore. As I moved to hard shoulder my car cut out. I was towed to my local garage and he is looking it at it as we speak. Any suggestions with what he might come up with?
Cheers Read more
Sounds a reasonable price if that includes fitting+vat, did he say the cambelt actually snapped ?
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Saw a black Bentley with outriders and a Mondeo full of heavies behind it, blues behind its grille, in heavy traffic near Olympia one evening, struggling hard to get out of town... next day the papers were full of Jacques Chirac being late for dinner at Windsor Castle, so that could easily be who it was. I blame the hosts under the circumstances.