The car is a '98 Punto 75 Manual

The problem is the car is difficult getting into gear, especially when cold. Engaging reverse in the morning results in much crunching. Problem started about a year ago when the answer was to slip it into 1st or 2nd, lifting the clutch a little, depress clutch and then it would slip into reverse with no problem. However, now it is reluctant to go into any forward gear when cold. The answer now is to start engine in gear with the clutch depressed.

Car had new clutch and slave cylinder 18 months/6,000 miles ago. It has now done 60,000 miles. I bled the clutch today, with little improvement. No apparent leaks from the master cylinder. I haven?t yet checked the gearbox oil level, but thought I might change it anyway ? it?s meant to be done at 80,000. No oil leaks from the gearbox either.

So the questions are, any ideas as to the cause and, if I change the oil, should I replace it with SAE80W as specified, or go for something thinner?

Any advice, much appreciated.

Chris M
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Does anyone have any experience of their employer introducing the fitting of tracking systems to the company fleet?

My understanding is that this may necessitate amendments to employment contracts (according to a provider's website) and employee consultation is recommended prior to the installation.

If neither of things things have happened, where would someone stand if they refused to have the kit fitted/use the vehicle until proper procedure had been followed?

No, it's not me, in case you're wondering and although I usually belong to the school of 'nothing to hide, nothing to fear' in these 'Big Brother' issues, that's no excuse for taking your employees for granted. The Information Commissioner publishes a guide covering Monitoring at Work in relation to Data Protection & Human Rights, and the employer in question doesn't appear to have read it... Read more

Greetings. The Golf has spring an oil leak & the concrete driveway is sporting some lovely stains.

Now assuming that I fix this leak, what do the HJ collective suggest for removing the stains?

Last time I had to do this was when my 205 diesel dropped a bit, & I had it with washing up liquid, unfriendly bio persil, petrol. IIRC none of it really shifted it. More like 6 months later & a number of pressure washes. Odd really-petrol does such a brill job of degreasing anything else.


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www.bayingbasset.com

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My other half has been sent an email today that claims that every time a vehicle passes a camera whilst exceeding the speed limit by a small amount the 'offence' is recorded. It then says that once 20 such offences have been recorded a ticket will be issued for the next misdemeanour. It gives a website address where it is possible, apparently, to check the accumulated score for your vehicle.
I told the missus that this is a complete load of hokum. I don't see how a camera can record your number if it doesn't flash, and I don't think all cameras are linked into a database that could do the 'totting-up'.
She is getting a bit shirty with me because I don't believe the email, and says that she has looked up her own vehicle on the website. I refuse to do this because I suspect that this is some scam intended to get vehicle details off the unwary or to allow a virus to infect the computer.

Any comments? Read more

I have a 98 Ford Fiesta Ghia X 1.4 which I am looking to sell as I now have a company car. I recently had it MOT'd and it failed on a leaking o/s front shock absorber which will now need replacing. I am under the impression that you will need to replace the other front shock absorber otherwise the vehicle will feel imbalanced. As I am selling the vehicle I want to keep expenditure down as much as possible so I would like to know from anyone with any experience in this matter - is it really necessasry to get both front shocks replaced or can I get away with just the one done?. Read more