June 2006
Coming back from Hull yesterday I saw two Diesel cars with failed turbo's. First one was an '06 registered BMW (ouch!) with a massive trail of blue-black smoke behind it.
Then, amazingly enough, about 20 miles later saw a newish (05 reg IIRC) Mazda6 Diesel trailing a load of smoke behind it...! Read more
Hi Folks
Looks like my 2003 Octavia has developed the infamous VW rear wiper problem. Wiper motor won't switch off, leaking water out of the little plastic connector that the hose goes onto. Water also coming out of other parts of the motor (hence probably why it won't switch off!)
I've disconnected the feed for the time being. Does anyone have a DIY fix for this, does the motor come apart at all? If not, does anyone know a good motor factor or is it down to Mr Skoda to hoover my pockets? Is the motor common to other makes?
2 months out of warranty, just typical isnt it!
Thanks in advance
Baz
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Just replaced the rear wiper on my 2003 Octavia, motor is £75 from Skoda
Right getting a company car and have narrowed the choices down to either an A6 2.0 Tdi or BMW 520d. Have driven both and the Audi seems better suited but I like the look of the 5 series. Have until Wednesday 12 noon by the way. Thanks Read more
No, it's not just you - I'm not enamoured of the looks of the latest 5 series either - lacks the elegance of the previous model.
I have a 2002 Mondeo - the aircon is looking a bit flaky.
It normally starts nice and cold, but over a period of 10 minutes, it stops cooling completely.
Any ideas what to look for, how much it might cost and should I go to an independent aircon specialist or the local Ford dealer?
Thanks in advance for any advide you can offer!
Cheers,
Chris Read more
... and in fact I must say that the aircon on my Mondeo has never been all that glacial, unlike the Primera or 405 I had before it - I like my aircon to force me to put a jumper on :-)
Cheers,
Chris
just wondered which washer fluid people are recommending and which wiper blades. ive always used halfords concentrate stuff and bosch wipers but i still get a streaky windscreen Read more
Labour rates are graduated whether it is monkey, boy, man or technician work in some garages.
IIRC the (excellent) boy was charged at 32? per hr + TVA in a 'minor' Peugeot franchise in 2005 in the middle of France. 40 min job + 'evaluation' charged as 30mins = 16? for cash. Left him the 4? as a tip.
What would it have cost in the UK?
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pmh (was peter)
Am update is required for week two.
I'm still 5,000 miles away so my dosh is save until the end of June but its not looking good on the Thommo front I feel.
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Sorry Thommo,
I think that you are buying. Spoke to my Dad this afternoon. Its in the hands of the guys lawyers. Looks as if his money has gone, cars have been sold elsewhere, he is now fighting to get his money back. Fortunatly Dad hasnt paid anything and would have just paid cash for the car so no loss for him.
hi can anybody give some advice.so fustrated because i cant seem to detect whats going on.MY citroen zx'92' petrol.looses most of the water ,i refill in the radiator .HOt water comes out from under the dash onto the passenger floor.and floods up.
Can anyone out there tell me wheres it comin from and how difficult it is to get to to this burst pipe.DO i have to remove the dash.
thx Read more
Its almost certainly the heater matrix, notorious on these cars for leaking.
This car is built by bolting everythign onto te hearter matrix, I think it books at about a 10 hour job for a skilled mechanic. On a car this age it usually writes the car off. It might be possible to bypass the heater if you can live without it.
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I read often, only post occasionally
It may sound like a funny thing to ask, but although ive had a few good ideas over the last few months about what second car I want, its come down to this.
What 1970/80's car can I get that trully is a car for a guy? The sort of thing Madmax would drive on sundays :)
It cant be too in your face and certainly not a convertible. 4-door is a no no generally although im sure there can be exceptions. It really comes down to whether or not 99% of women would want one - if they do, I dont want it.
Reasonable power is a must, preferably from a largish engine.
I have a few ideas so far:
Ford Capri 2.8
Rover 3500 Vitesse
BMW 635i
Merc 280CE? not sure about this one..
Mitsubishi Starion
Toyota Celica Supra 2.8
Toyota Supra 3.0
Any other suggestions? Read more
The best advice on which car I should get in order
to keep women away from it is to buy a 'gay'
car which would challenge a woman to turn me back? What
kinda logic is that?
I want a car that a girl wont go near and
I can have to myself - you sure your on the
right thread?
Then get a gay car, an appropriate haircut and a set of leatherman clothes. The women will leave you in peace then :)
Hi All,
The MFA on my '99 Bora has suddenly started showing temperature in Farenheit instead of Centigrade, rendering it a bit meaningless. The display on the climate-control has done likewise.
Why has this happened, and how on earth do I change it back? The handbook has been of no use, of course.
{Subject header given a more meaningful title. DD}
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Hmm, its a really clunky site this, isn't it? I dare say it s got great input but I'm reminded of why I rarely come here.
Anyway, to answer again, I inadvertantly posted this already but no idea how:
Thanks, Hawkeye, I'll try that tomorrow out of interest, but problem has been solved already courtesy of Pistonheads www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=86&t=2...1
You need to press Auto and Econ together on the climate control.
Could any member of the forum kindly recommend a good soft-top repairer in the North of England?
I have a 1997 BMW 3 series Cabriolet that has done great service over the last 9 years. I am bugged however by one problem. This related to the fixtures that secure the nylon cords at the LH and RH sides at the rear of the hood that keep the inner 'skin' of the roof in tension when the hood is up. To keep the cords in place they pass through a number of eyelets and then finally through a small opening in the form of a 'bridge' on black plates attached to the inner side of the skin (please excuse my poor description). For some reason best know to BMW the plate mechanism is made of fairly soft plastic. Over time the strong nylon cord rubs through the 'bridge' and the inner skin is no longer under tension. I jury rigged something but it has not lasted.
The BMW service agent's solution (supposedly in communication with BMW) is for the hood to be replaced!!! all for plastic plates that would cost a few pence to manufacture.
I would be delighted if there was a repairer who could fix this problem - it must have come up before. If possible could you let me know a name, address and phone number (I am working in Poland and will need to phone from here to make an appointment).
My thanks to anyone who can help.
Paul Fellows
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I don't know about other makes but all turbo-charged Fords(petrol & diesel)are fitted with oil coolers(usually oil/water).