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June 2006

Question Clutch advice - Citroen ZX
DHJ on 1 June 2006

The clutch on my 1997/56k Citroen ZX 1.4i seems to be pretty worn. I'm basing this on:

  1. Slightly awkward, scrapey gear change, improved a little but not cured by greasing linkage joints; slowly worsening over time.
  2. High biting point; lowering biting point makes gear change worse.
  3. Clutch slowly becoming less smooth, more juddery.
  4. Very occasional slight brief burnt smell under load.
My local Citroen authorised repairer has just taken a look at the gear change problem and said the next thing to try would be changing gear oil, but that there's not much point doing this now as the clutch will need replacing before too long which should improve gear change and would involve changing gear oil anyway. I'd like to give them the clutch job but they quoted about £350 inc VAT, Mr Clutch £200 inc VAT.

I'm not clear about what a clutch replacement actually includes. The Haynes manual recommends replacing friction plate, pressure plate assembly and release bearing as a matched set. Is that what a "clutch kit" consists of? Is that what I would get from a quick-fit clutch place? When I rang Mr Clutch they warned against leaving it too long in case the flywheel became damaged, is that legit?

Any recommendations (or otherwise) for clutch work in the Bristol area? (No libel, of course - see Naming and Shaming: www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=27804 ) Or feel free to email me: iamaluddite at yahoo dot com. I'm wary of getting stung for expensive "extras" at quick-fit outfits after reading some threads here, any advice to avoid getting ripped off?

Thanks, Dave

(Same car as "Maintaining infrequently-used Citroen ZX" www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=4&t=41...7 ) Read more
DHJ on 3 June 2006

I think you are going a bit overboard, to be honest.


In the case of a trusted garage, I agree and I wouldn't feel the need to go to these lengths with the garage I usually use. The problem is that they quoted £350, Mr Clutch £200. And after reading threads like "Clutch on Subaru" www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=719&v=f I feel uneasy about using that firm. That's why I tried to think of a way for us customers to arm ourselves with the means to ensure a fair deal. I still haven't had a reply from Mr Clutch to my email. I'd be interested to hear of other people's experiences with them.
Have a look at HJ's good garage guide on this site.
From memory there is on at Frenchay, north Bristol.


Thanks, I wouldn't have found this without your help as it's not listed under Bristol.

Cheers, Dave.
Forum New Child Car Seat Law
drbe on 1 June 2006

With effect from September 2006 (I understand) the law on child car seats will change.

The new law states that children up to a height of 135cm (4ft. 5in.) or age 12, MUST be carried in a suitable restraint. Previously the law stated that a child will be carried in a suitable restraint WHERE AVAILABLE.

Does anyone know whose responsibility it is to comply with the law - is it the parent or guardian or is it the driver or owner of the vehicle?

This is more than casual interest - I operate an airport car service - who gets prosecuted if the child is not in a proper restraint - me or the parent? Read more

Pugugly {P} on 2 June 2006

I sat through a 59 page presentation on this, too boring for mere words. It's eurocrat stuff. Driver's responsibility. Imagine an MPV full of the little darlings.....enough of a contraceptive in itself.

Forum Car Valuation - J reg Fiesta
component part on 1 June 2006

Hi all,

Any chance of some advice valuing a car? How much do you think the following car is worth:

J reg (92ish) 1.3 Fiesta Flight.
12 months MOT and a few months Tax.
Good condition, not exceptional.

Off the top of my head I'm thinking no more than £300-thoughts?

Thank you. Read more

bell boy on 1 June 2006

Its worth what your locality will stand,look in local paper for an idea but be aware men in shorts will be round wanting a minter for their prodigy to go to college in.
Oh nearly forgot they will probably want a full service history as well.
I have crushed cars of this age for the last 4 years now they are not worth the kind of customer generated, so best of luck OP and i hope you drop lucky with someone sensible.

Forum What would you do? (Selling car, fault)
mss1tw on 1 June 2006

I really want shot of the 306 now, and to get my Toledo.

I've replaced the anti roll bar droplinks but it's still making a knocking noise on cornering.

It could be so many things, I'm loathe to get it sent in somewhere to be sorted, only to sell it right after.

I'm tempted to just whack it up on eBay, where any old piece of rubbish seems to get a good price, describe the fault and just see what happens.

Other than that the car is fine. I've changed the oil every 6k, etc.

Read more

nick on 2 June 2006

First rule of selling never give a negative..........


Not true on eBay. Full descriptive 'warts and all' car listings give confidence and sell well usually.
Computer Related Questions - Volume 94
Dynamic Dave on 1 June 2006


***** This thread is now closed, please CLICK HERE to go to Volume 95 *****


In this thread you may ask any computer related question for which you need help, advice, suggestions or whatever.

Usual rules apply,

No motoring related discussion,
No politics,
No Speeding, speed cameras, traffic calming
No arguments or slanging matches
Nothing which I think is not following the spirit of the thread
Nothing that risks the future of this site (please see the small print for details www.honestjohn.co.uk/credits/index.htm )

Any of the above will be deleted. If the thread becomes difficult to maintain it will simply be removed.

There is a wealth of knowledge in here, much of which is not motoring related, but most of which is useful.

This is Volume 94. Previous Volumes will not be deleted.

A list of previous volumes can be found here:-
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=20892


PLEASE NOTE:

When posting a NEW question, please "Reply to" the first message in this thread, i.e. this one. This keeps each question in it's own separate segment and stops each new question from getting mixed up in amongst existing questions. Also please remember to change the subject header.
Read more

Baskerville on 16 June 2006

N_C

I'm also using a shared Gcal calendar on iCal (confusingly, the built in Mac calendar) but so far it's one way only, which is a shame. When I can add events on the desktop calendar and have them appear on the shared calendar, it will be really useful. One great thing about using the iCal format is this site:

www.icalshare.com/

Glad you like OpenOffice.

Baskers

{Although this thread is now closed, please continue with any questions in the next volume - DD}

Forum Traffic Cops: on board ANPR
Lounge Lizard on 1 June 2006

I've just watched tonights progamme on the telly. Have I got it right, that Traffic cops can just drive round with their car automatically reading number plates and checking them for road-tax and insurance (and pretty soon M.O.T. certificate once they get a new elastic-band to fix the computer)?

Also, are car-parks etc being fitted with ANPR cameras so that untaxed and (possibly) uninsured cars automatically get caught?

If so, I welcome it. If I have to pay for my insurance, tax and MOT then so should everyone else. Especially if they're also looking for stolen / cloned cars.
Read more

stevied on 5 June 2006

The second "they" in the second paragraph meaning the police, not the chavs! Pressed enter too soon, the perils of being a GYIM (Grumpy Young Ish Man).

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