March 2006
My ZX has developed a leak in the radiator this morning. The rad was replaced about 18 months ago so I'm not too happy - it's run on the correct antifreeze, changed at two-year intervals so it shouldn't have corroded away. A new rad is £95 min, and i think that there may be a slight leak in the heater matrix too, so I want to try a leak sealer before I go to a greater expense. Are there better sealers than Bar's Leaks? Read more
Hi there, I read that Mercedes Benz has ditched variable computer determined servicing intervals in favour of once a year or 15,000 miles. Any thoughts.....? Read more
What Car magazine I think
Decide this morning that I want an oil and filter change for my TDi Passat. On the off chance I call into my local branch of the well known fast fit chain and enquire, expecting to laugh at their prices. Well, I didn't laugh. £23.99 for filter and all the Mobil semi-synth it needed. The job took them less than an hour, and, get this...
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They didn't even try to tell me i)my tyres were low, ii)my brakes needed attention, iii) my suspension was goofed.
Very impressed!! Read more
I've got to hand it to Rapid Fit at Durham, I realised one of the inside edges of my tyres was bald two days ago, took the car in on the afternoon and asked them about it.
They asked which brand of tyre prefer, rang up, ordered them and sent their parts guy out to get them (they don't stock Hankooks) and fitted them that same afternoon whilst also fixing the alignment which turned out to be 2mm out on the front AND back of the car!
Suffice to say my car now drives better than when I bought it, the steering no longer points to the left of the road and I can hold my wheel at the 12 o'clock position to go in a straight line which is a bit of a novelty! And the grip from the Hankooks is outstanding so far...
The price may not have been the cheapest in the world (£205 for 2X 215/40 R17 tyres and a four wheel align) but I'd rather make sure the job was done right, the last time I went near a fast fit I spent ages with Rapid Fit sorting out the other garage's work!
Blue
Hi,
When MOTing a car now a diesel car is revved up to 6 times at governed limit of the engine.
We are discussing now is it is wise to rev a turbo charged engine to full governed limit off load.
Can anyone advise if this is good recommended practice or frowned upon from car manufacturers?
Hope I dont open a can of worms with this one.
Thanks Read more
Turbo is working whether under load or not,turbo starts just above tickover around 1000rpm or less, only need an exhaust leak after turbo to notice it,ie whistle is very pronounced,it may not be doing anything at this rpm but it still works
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Steve
Was buying tyres on Saturday, and preceding customer had an '03 plate Vectra in. Staff could not remove his front nearside wheel. They were hitting the tyre vigorously with a rubber mallet, but refused to hit the wheel itself (good call) Just a gentle reminder that it is a good idea to discover this sort of problem at a time of your choosing rather than on the hard shoulder when it's dark and wet...
Tim{P} Read more
all for the smear of some coppaslip,its not as if the
metallurgy fact isn"t known .
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\"a little man in a big world/\"
Seconded, did it myself only yesterday.
Didn't get a chance to see other people's responses to Fullchats's thread on the oil problem, presume there were many...
Any news from Fullchat on the outcome? Read more
>>Went up to the Lakes at the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the car.>>
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thank heavens for that!
Some Backroomers have been interested in Ben Scammel's Pipeline card and the possibilty of cheaper petrol/diesel. Do they also know about the following?
www.petrol4less.co.uk Read more
"Seems that a lot of people are getting in on this act."
And it also looks to me like Pipeline has the required momentum, so will probably be successful.
V
With thanks to those who responded to my last thread, I have just about resolved to keep my much-loved Audi (which is two this week) for another 6-12 months, in the hope that its value will sink at a lower rate than the amount owed under the PCP - thus creating a deposit on a new one.
But then - there is a very good finance deal going on the Mercedes B-class (M-B put up a deposit and there's a 2.9 % APR) which would involve monthly payments about £120 less than I'm paying for the Audi.
Tempting? Road tests are lukewarm, mainly on cost grounds: I don't think deals like this happen very often with Mercedes.
Particularly, is there anyone out there who would advise 'Don't touch a B-class'? Read more
Thanks Avant, sorry must track down who does have the Audi/s60 choice on the drive. I loved the A4 1.8t/multitronic combo i tested and if you find the B/cvt combo close then perhaps i would like it too. Like you i could do with the "van" option, i also found it very comfortable in the showroom.
Trouble is we were hoping not to spend so much of our hard earned savings. Perhaps i should do the sums on a PCP, at2.9%??? versus an ISA at 4.2%
Another metro that will not pass MOT,got it down to either inlet temp sensor on inlet manifold,or ECU,Tried getting the temp sensor from my usual place-motor factors-usually this isnt a problem/untill now.
They now state they have to supply both inlet lower manifold and sensor as kit or not supply at all,rovers state the part is available on its own.
but no one will,anyone know where to get just the temp sensor on its own?
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Steve Read more
Pleased you got it fixed. You say you are not in favour of secondhand bits, and I agree for brakes and steering, but this shows the classic benifit. An expensive part recycled from a crashed car with no problems to your selected part. Everyone is happy....including the environment.
Got 5k to spend, want a car roughly the size above if not smaller as new, reliable and cheap to run as possible. All suggestions welcome Read more
An 02 plate Focus I'd imagine. No idea as to the Astra or Civic though.
Browse
The rad on my Peugeot leaked. Radweld did not cure it because of the pressure when hot. But it did cure it when I left the radiator cap loose so pressure never built up. Never overheats, even in high summer, and only requires topping up every 6 weeks or so. Worth a try? (heater matrix could be a nightmate to fit)