April 2006
My 1996 Peugeot 406 (no aircon) has the dreaded smell of antifreeze when the heater is on. I am guessing that the heater meatix needs to be replaced. My Haynes manual indicates that the matrix can be accessed by removing the glove box, but having spent the best part of a sunny Saturday taking the glove box out and a few other panels besides, I can't see how the matrix will ever come out without removing the entire fascia.
I am sure that there is someone out there who has replaced a 406 heater matrix and I would very much appreciate some advice as to how to do this with a minimum of pain and profanity.
Thanks in advance
Canuck Read more
Dear Honest John
I have a new Toyota Yaris which features a rather nanny state safety device in which the clutch pedal must be pressed to enable the engine to be started.
I complained to Toyota and asked for authority to have this inhibitor deactivated as I contend that this puts a load on the crankshaft thrust bearings when there is no pressured oil present and would lead to rapid wear of the washers.
In their reply they justified this device from the safety angle, and stated that although deactivation this wouldn't invalidate the warranty itself, subsequent failure that involved the systems around starting could result in its invalidation. They also said it could have insurance implications by being out of makers spec, and the hardest part I had of taking on board was that the thrust washers were splash lubricated, I find this very hard to believe.
Can you substantiate this lubrication question. Read more
In the old days-and I mean old-we were told to push in the clutch to reduce load on the starter when starting from cold but only on engines with a ball-race clutch release bearing;many cars in those days had a solid block of carbon as a release bearing and pushing in the clutch on these increased the load on the starter.
In today's DT Motoring section, there is an article about a new Collision Avoidance system developed by Volvo. I am in favour of any active or passive device that enhances my chance of remaining uninjured but I am little worried about the applicability of their research.
They monitored the driving behaviour of 241 drivers in Virginia, who covered a total of 2 million miles in 1 year.
Despite knowing that their driving was under scrutiny, they had a total of 82 crashes and 761 near misses!
I have checked the DFT website and found that the official accident rates on Britains roads is 44 per 100 million kilometres = 0.6 per million miles. By these figures, you would have expected 1.3 crashes.
Now, I appreciate that Stateside drivers, road and cars are somewhat different to ours:
"In November 2000, Mr. Grazinski purchased a brand new 32 foot Winnebago motor home. On his first trip home, having joined the freeway, he set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the drivers seat to go into the back and make himself a cup of coffee. Not surprisingly, the Winnie left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Mr. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not advising him in the handbook that he could not actually do this. He was awarded $1,750,000 plus a new Winnebago"
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Higher accident rates in the USA are commonly attributed to vast, wide open spaces, freeways meandering on for miles and people driving humungous distances, leading to loss of concentration and falling asleep at the wheel.
At least freeways meander a bit. Perhaps a worse threat is the dead straight interstate roads, which do go literally for miles, especially in the western flatter states. Just look at a map.
I've recently bought a 6 month old Mondeo TDCi 130 with 8000 miles on the clock. The car isn't due it's first service til 12500 miles. After owning it for three weeks I've only just dipped the oil and am a tad worried as it's well over the maximum mark.
The dipstick is a wire type with a plastic gauge piece at the end. The whole of the plastic gauge part is covered in oil when dipped, well over the max mark, and I'm pretty sure the dipstick is coming out without dragging on the sides of the tube. I've dipped it whilst stone cold and it's parked on the level.
The handbook doesn't specify the best time to dip, should I only dip after the engine has been run after waiting for a couple of minutes? I've always had petrol cars previously and they've never over-read on the dipstick when dipped cold.
Any other Mondeo TDCi owners got any ideas? I know there may be a few around the forum ;-) Read more
does anyone else with a TDCi have similar problems? I can't get a level at all, ending up with oil all over the gauge and on the actual dipstick wire.>>
Must say it seems to work for me, I always measure when the car has been left standing for an hour or so.
Just noticed that new MOT certificates have got a peel off sticker incorporated.
What am I supposed to do with them?- I can not recall any guidance being given for car or bike.
--
I wasna fu but just had plenty. Read more
It all depends whom the sticker is supposed to be aimed at. It might be for the benefit of police etc,
Won't be aimed at the police. The date can't be seen from outside the car. It acts as a reminder to the driver.
yesterday my classic car failed its Mot, reason due to quite a bit of welding needed.
Does anyone have any idea on the cost of welding by garages.
I dont want to lose my car, and if the price is ok want to keep.
How much in extreme cases could it cost, and have any of you had your cars welded by garages, how much did it cost you.
thanks for any info.
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Have just done this with a Renault camper,apart from the battery and clutch failing in the first week,when VOSA checked it they said it should never have got the MOT issued a couple of weeks earlier,the steering and other faults made it dangerous and unroadworthy.Private seller(Ebay)came fom Swindon to Leeds,refunded and drove(!)it away.Anyone seen the remains of a Renault Trafic on the M6?
Hi Folks,
Our club is again organising the annual High Peak Run for old vehicles.
Starting in Pavilion Gardens Buxton 10 am on Sunday 4th June and returning lunch time.
See
www.hpes.co.uk/hphvc/HighPeakHistoricVehicleClub.h...m
for an entry form and further details.
Hope some Backroomers can make it.
--
I wasna fu but just had plenty. Read more
Must be a really charming occasion. Haven't got the right sot of hardware unfortunately, having largely misspent my life.
Hope it goes well. I'm sure it will.
Seem to be the done thing on here, as soon as the two letters that make up VW appear out come the knives. As a VW driver for 12 or so years (diesel for the last 5) and an enthusiast for nearly 30, I wonder what all you VW bashers drive? Read more
I'm confused ?? - Not difficult I know but I do not understand how you can claim >>So basically what you're saying is that all VWs have sub assemblies that are made on Friday afternoons! >>
from what was previously said.
I'm with you Stuartli on this - I think.
Hi
I was about to update a thread of mone, but noted that it had been locked. I now appreciate the reason as expalined on the thread, so it was an unwitting mistake.
I expect news next week and hopefully will make all law abiding citizens/drivers happy with the result.
i will also post info re a service that is avialiable to victims of uninsured drivers, one you may not be aware of.
We've not even had the car washed, but half heartdly had a close insection at the damage yeatrday and it is only noticable on very close insepction :)
Have a nice weekend, long one at that :) Read more
has anybody got any views on these tyres? i have done a search on the web ,but not a lot of info.my vehicle is a renault kangoo van. replies appreciated Read more
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Thank you, this gives me enough confidence to boldly go in through the glove box on the weekend. I'll let you know how it goes.
Canuck