August 2006
Hi
I have a 1.8 ford focus T reg that has done 78,000 miles or there abouts.
A few days ago I stalled i accidently went to put it in reverse withiout the clutch down which stalled it as could be expected.
It has reversed fine since then and gone in to 5th fine since then....until yesterday.
Yesterday I parked it in a supermarket car park and it will not go in to reverse at all, or 5th gear. The formation is
1 3 5
I_ I _ I
I I I
2 4 R
Luckily I managed to get it pushed out the car parking space and drove it home using 1,2,3,4
Now I am not sure what the problem could be or what the cost of repair may be. I have put it in to be seen by a mechanic who I know and I have this extended 12 month warranmtry I got off the dealer who sold me the car in April 2006, but am not sure if this would be mechanical breakdown or not.
Any of you guys know what it might be and what the cost of repair may be??
Thanks, John Read more
Hi,
As autumn is not too far away and the weather will be getting cold and damp I though its best to waxoul my car.
I was going to buy the 2.5ltr circular can and a high pressure sprayer frm boyes.
Is this kit good....has anyone any experience of it?
Any tips on how to apply waxoyl?.....its the first time im attempting it!
How many litres will I need approx on the car?
Do I spray underneath the car or di i do the door shuts, insides if wheel arches, insides of front wings etc? Read more
Another vote for Dinitrol. Waxoyl doesn't penetrate well, Dinitrol does, but it is much more expensive.
Hi, Could anyone tell me where to locate the wiper relay on a Renault Megane (S reg). Thanks Read more
nkl
Guessing at what equipment's actually fitted near a model-change year on Migraines is a risky business; but if you've got a UCH, then it could be an internal timer or relay hold-on fault - or it could be a wiring short or similar, or a bad earth... somewhere. Realistically; you need a good auto-sparks, an independant Reno specialist, and/or a stroke of luck.
Hello
I have just changed my front brake pads on my 2003 citroen C5. Everything seemed to go OK wound the caliper pistons back in Near side clockwise Offside anti clock wise no problems I gad some brake fluid come up out of the resevoir as I wound the pistons in but thought no problem that is normal. Pumped the pedal a couple of times which brought it up to the top so I thought good job done. then I started the engine up and the problem started. With the engine running after 10 seconds the pedal goes to the floor It pumps up hard take your foot off the pedal and 10 seconds later it goes to the floor. This only happens with the engine running. turn thr engine off and the pedal stops hard.
The hand brake is OK with or without the engine running. This indicated air in the system to me but I have not touched the hydraulic side. On this I have bleed both front brakes just in case but no change. Any body got any ideas please
Thanks in Advance
Mark
Read more
I had a similar experience with my C5. I changed the pads all round and although the brakes held well enough, there was a sponginess to the pedal that wasn't there before. Fortunately the car was going into the dealer the following week for its service so i mentioned it to them. Car came back with brakes nice and firm again - they said they'd bled them and all was well.
I did, however, open the bleed screws wheh retracting the pads (to avoid sending dirt back up into the ABS valves) and I was wondering if I'd allowed a bit of air back into the system. Maybe it is just a case of letting things bed in. I didn't change the discs either.
You do have to be careful with C5 brakes. The front caliper pistons have to be 'screwed' back in to the caliper - N/S clockwise and O/S anticlockwise. Getting it wrong can disrupt the handbrake mechanism (built into the front calipers on Cits) - or even destroy a caliper.
Graeme
Saw about 115 on the clock on a nice empty stretch of motorway a couple of weeks back... Read more
Yup, I remember mine well. I had an indicated 130 a
couple of times, but it was such a lovely engine to
use. >>
With the greatest respect guys this is really a reflection on the optimism of 80's Vauxhall speedos rather than a 115 bhp 1.8 brick being able to do a genuine 130. A 1996 2.0 Vectra SRI with 136 BHP, much better aero and ideal gearing would "only" pull 128 to 130 in road tests.
Thinking about a a vovlo V70
Need an estate car, and something that will tow a BIG 4berth caravan.....
Article in Car Mechanics s Magazine about the new shape V70, how low spec ones are gettin down toward £4K ( I don't think I'd buy one that cheap though)
I am prob wanting to spend £6-7K maximum.
Diesels seem extremely overpriced considering they are prob only £1K more when new.... s/h it seems ot add about £3k to the price.
I wondered what peoples opinions were as to old shap e vs. new shape and the pro's and con's of each.
The car would need to be auto , as I live in London - I know I will need a fluid cooler for towing .
I understand the new shape are a 5 speed auto old ones 4speed auto, but the engines are otherwise extremely similar, except for the diesel which is a new design.
I use my own mechanic who comes to me, so what is aftermarket spares availability like for new shape cars - I imagine it is good for older ones, and also possibility of sourcing speiclaist from breakers for older car parts.
What is reliability of new vs. older shape ? Any common problems HJ doesn't mention ? I know old shape has expensive aircon problem - replicated on new shape car ?
And is new shape car better to drive than older one ?
I would probably be looking at the 2.5 low pressure turbo petrol or a diesel engine, as I imagine they will tow the best, and the turbo-petrol seem quite available
What is the mpg of the 2.4 LPT petrol engine like when coupled with autobox (Horrific ?) - has anyone towed anything with this set-up and can comment on how it coped ?
Many thanks for the advice guys
Read more
there are indy parts suppliers but not neccessarily much cheaper than volvo.
eg leccy window switch - drivers door. common failure poor design, indy quoted me £85, volvo £89
some things are much cheaper, aftermarket drop links £20 rather than £60 from volvo. On the whole I prefer to use genuine or at least oem parts.
If you dont do the mileage to justify a diesel then I would look at the legacy or outback as being significantly cheaper (although parts are still expensive) and I would expect to be v.good for towing.
Some neighbours of mine - both JPs - have two vehicles with illegal spacing on their number plates, e.g. J11AB C . I remarked to the husband that his plates were illegal, and his wife stopped me today to aver that they were perfectly legal. Her magistrate colleagues had confirmed this.
Where can I find a site that gives examples of incorrect spacing that will print out properly? I tried UK Speedtraps but the pages won't print properly . Read more
I have seen I5LAM in Arabic font, Asiya X, FATIMA, JOTI P, DHILLION, P3TEL, and even a number plate in Arabic script. if you got hit or someone was injured how are you going to report this? Sorry, I could not read the plate and the driver had a veil so I cant identify them. They don't get pulled but I get pulled for having an ever so slightly dirty number plate! Perfectly legible, correct font. I have seen cars with no number plates or on the dashboard!
***** This thread is now closed, please CLICK HERE to go to Volume 46 *****
For the continued discussion of all things pertaining to Speed Cameras.
This is Volume 45.
There is no need to repeat anything since earlier volumes will not be deleted. But then if we only posted original stuff the backroom would grind to a halt in a fortnight.
;o)
A list of previous volumes can be found here:-
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=18846 Read more
should be a laugh at court if anyone contests anything.........the civilian staff will not be at all used to court appearances and have probably never been.......so would not necessarily make very good witnesses as they'd be expected to know what they're about, but in reality might not and would be nervous etc
Just bought a 2001 Mondeo, there is a switch on the side of the drivers seat that adjusts the up & down movement (I think!). This does not work. There is a motor beneath the seat and it looks as though it should be operational.
The fuses shown in the manual don't match what is actually printed on the fuse box covers and I can't find one for the seat.
Any ideas?? Read more
Sorted.....
I unbolted the seat, tilted it to one side and managed to get to the motor.
It is only held in by a clip and a slide pin. The motor runs with 12v applied so I checked the connection.......
It was the plug that connects the motor to the switch. Gave it a good clean and all is OK!!
Thanks for all your help.
Hi,
I have to get my 03 Mondeo TDCi (31000 miles) garage-serviced for a insurance-type warranty.
When I got the car home (4 miles) the oil was already black!
I've heard this happens quickly with diesels, but that quickly???
I have had little previous experience with diesels.
Could someone with greater knowledge help me to guess whether this is normal or should I do it again myself to be certain please?
Thanks
eljay
Read more
Hi eljay,
oil in any diesel will turn black very quickly. But - because you see it's black you automatically assume it's not doing the job. This is not so. Back in the 80's i used to service trucks and they were fitted with what was called a 'cresco' filter. This meant that you didn't change the oil for a minimum of 100,000 miles - you just changed the filter at regular service intervals. Our Foreman was a suspicious person and actually had some oil removed from some trucks that had done 50,000 and 75,000 miles then sent them for analysis. I remember seeing his face when the lab report stated the oil properties were within limits and there was no degradation of the spec of the oil.
So, just because the oil is black - don't assume its no good.
I just changed the oil in my '02 Peugeot 406 with 45k on the clock and the oil was black within hours.
Hope this answers the question
--
These are the views of Robin the Technician with 35 years in the trade. I fix, therefore I am...
Browse
.jpg)
You really need the car up on a propper ramp so you can have a look under & see if one of the gear linkage rods has popped off its ball joint.