May 2006
Hi,
I have a problem with my Fiesta, in that when I turn into a corner the back end feels really "loose". By that I mean I turn the wheel, then there is a slight delay before the car bites in and turns. It feels as though the front is doing its thing, but the back is sliding out, before digging in and gripping. The car is also tramlining like never before on the motorway, but it's the rear that feels unsettled.
I've had the car on stands, and can't find any excessive play in any of the suspension components. I've checked bolts are tight, that the shocks aren't leaking (they're only 6 months old anyhow!), and finally checked the tyre pressures which were as per the owners' manual.
Basically I'm confused, and can't understand why a normally fairly nimble little car, now feels quite imprecise and slightly unnerving to drive.
I'd be grateful for any suggestions as to the cause!
Cheers,
mr-fiesta Read more
I've always liked Saabs and I'd have a 3.0 V6 Vector in a shot but I was just browsing and found this; (from Wikipedia so it could be wrong I guess)
Saab:
* In 1958, the GT 750 was the first car fitted with headrests as standard.
* In 1962, Saab became the first volume maker to offer diagonally-split dual brake circuits.
* In 1970, Saab introduced a 'world-first' - headlamp wipers and washers.
* In 1971, heated front seats were also introduced that year, the first time in the world that they were fitted as standard.
* In 1971, Saab developed the impact-absorbing, self-repairing bumper.
* In 1972 Saab introduced the concept of side-impact protection bars.
* In 1977, Saab was the first manufacturer to put turbochargers in mass production cars.
* In 1978, another 'world-first' was the passenger compartment air filter.
* In 1980, Saab introduced Automatic Performance Control (APC).
* In 1983 they introduced the 16-valve turbocharged engine and introduced asbestos-free brake pads.
* In 1985 SAAB pioneered direct ignition, which eliminates the distributor and spark plug wires.
* In 1986, the Saab 9000 became the first front-wheel drive car to offer ABS.
* In 1990, the 'light-pressure turbo was introduced.
* in 1991, Saab is the first manufacturer to offer CFC-free air-conditioning.
* In 1992, Saab unveil the 'Trionic' ignition, with a 32-bit micro-processor.
* In 1993 came the 'Sensonic' clutch and the 'Black Panel'.
* In 1993, Saab developed 'Safeseat' rear passenger protection.
* In 1995, Saab presented asymmetric turbo-charging of a V6, at the Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany.
* In 1996, Saab introduce the SAHR (Saab Active Head Restraint) for the seats.
* in 1997, Saab fit ventilated front seats to the 9-5, another world-first in a passenger car.
If true, who'd have thought that it was Saab that developed these technologies! Looking back at some of them, they're still not standard on a lot of cars even now!
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Yup I'd forgotten the Capri which used the V4 for a shortwhile. Yes the hex drive is common with V6 & Cologne V4 & V6 engines as well. Burton Engineering sell an uprated one which is hardened & solves the problem.
I have been thinking about a Mitsubishi RVR - a grey import, was wondering if anyone could give me any opinions on these vehicles,as they are a "bit different" and might suit my purpose.
I need something to occaisionally tow a 4 berth caravan, must have auto transmission ( I would fit a fluid cooler to protect the 'box), and would like diesel for economy purposes. I don't have room for a very long vehicle, either at home or work parking, but would like something with a decent towing capacity, and good room inside - does anyoen know kerbweight and towing capacity for these vehicles as I can't find iton the web.
The RVRs seem to be a Spacerunner body-shell, but with a SUV chunky bodykit and 4WD system (is this permanent or selectable ?)
Most advertised seem to be 2.0 turbodiesel with auto trans and 4WD. Is this sluggish as hell or is the 2.0i 16v petrol engine better (but what kind of economy ??)
Are the rear seats removable so it can be turned into a mini-van for moving large objects ?
Lastly can anyone comment on reliability and spares availablility - are servic eparts eg. filters, pads etc. off the shelf ?
Many thanks for the help guys !!! Read more
They are only 4 seaters,but with plenty of legroom.
My next door neighbours sister-in-law went shopping to Barkingside in Essex a couple of weeks ago, parked and locked/alarmed up her 2 year old X Trail, when she returned the car had gone, and has not been seen since. I thought modern cars were almost as safe as houses, is she unlucky or are Nissans easy to steal?
Regards Read more
Could her keys have been swapped?
I have heard this is becoming common, where they pinch your key, put another on your keyring, and put it back. Can she check the key against the spares visually?
I have a 1993 218sld turbo diesel which won't start. It turns over but fails to fire. Any suggestions? Read more
You can't start a PSA XUD without glowplugs (well not easily anyway!) - even if you don't wait for the light the plugs come on which is why it will fire in 5-6 seconds. Without plugs it will need churning over for at least 30s before it will even entertain firing. Trust me, I know! (BX TD in the Alps with failed plugs....)
Back to OP. Assuming that the cambelt is still intact, and there is still compression, 3 faults to consider: failure of the stop solenoid, failure of the glowplugs / controller, fuel side air leak. Crank the engine, and after a few seconds, check to see if anything is coming out of he exhaust. Grey / white smoke will point at failed plugs. Nothing points at fuelling fault. If nothing, try pumping the fuel primer. If it goes hard after a few pumps, try starting again. If success, you have an air leak. If it's already hard, then suspect the stop solenoid.
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RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
I'm looking for a diesel,M,N,or P reg,Citreon ZX, Peugeot 306, Renault 19 or Clio, Fiesta or Escort,Astra. What would you recommend? Read more
Had a look through our local rag and the cheapest small diesel was a R plate clio for £600. A couple of 106s for £700 and £800.
Looked on ebay for Seat Cordoba / Ibiza and only found a white Ibiza that looked like sheep had lived inside it.
Have a look on your supermarket notice board for an older persons hand writing and possibly a genuine car.
Your 309 is still going so I'm sure in time you'll find what you're looking for but its not going to be easy. Good luck and keep us posted.
Can anyone help me with information regarding spares for these 4x4 vehicles? I also need workshop manual and parts catalogue? Read more
I thought that these were a basically the old Mitsubish Pajero, but made by Hyundai. I would have thought a Pajero manual and parts would have fitted.
Try Parts Direct in Derby. They can bring in parts from the Far East quite cheaply if you have the VIN. There are also a few Korean spares importers on the web, try them.
was wondering if any one nows when the london to brighton run is with the minis Read more
Just a note
On the same weekend I believe it is the Lamborghini Club UK London Brighton run.
I live within the area covered by Sutton & East Surrey Water, who yesterday announced the first drought order in the country some time.
It starts on Saturday 27th May and the gist of it is that non-essential water use is prohibited. From newspaper discussion it seemed that washing cars would be forbidden and I would be left with filthy cars for the rest of the summer.
But on reading it, from a home car-washing point of view, nothing is different!
Sprinklers have been banned for some time here and hosepipes earlier this year. But the order only prohibits using a sprinkler or hosepipe to wash a car. My current method is to fill buckets, which I use to fill a watering can to rinse the car and I can carry on doing that. There's nothing stopping me from filling the buckets by hose!
Automatic car washes that use more than 23 litres of water per car are also banned but I never use them anyway.
James Read more
(Adam, apply the C6 Priniciple) The north isn't a nice place at all nothing to attract us Southerners.
A few years ago I was involved in a very minor shunt where a driver behind failed to stop in time. The damage to my car was minimal, basically just a cracked bumper but I suffered from some whiplash that lasted on and off for about 6 months. So why should I have suffered this when you see these people banger racing bumping the living daylights out of each other and presumably to no ill effect? Maybe it's something to do with the fact that I wasn't expecting someone to hit my car whereas banger racing you prepare yourself for the impact.
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A frontal accident is much more dangerous for neck problems. There is a sympton called a basal skull fracture. The head goes forward, the neck hyper extends and the rear base of the skull fractures with instant fatal effects.
Its what killed several Nascar drivers (Dale Earnardt) who hit the wall hard,
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Micheldever usually do a four wheel alignment and you get one of the most comprehensive printouts (complete with values for factory setting, pre-adjustment settings and after adjustment settings) I have ever seen.
I got my Mondeo done a couple of months ago and after a bit of surgery on the front it felt like it took about 50,000 miles off the car. Sharper, weightier steering and tracks beautifully.