September 2006
I have a 405 (1992) and the key that switches on the alarm horn situated behind the headlamps was missing when I purchased the car. I have been told by a garage that you can no longer get replacement keys and I will need a complete new alarm system. Is this correct or does anyone know where I can get a replacement key? Thanks
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Driving home on the motorway last I noticed a lack of power going up hills ( was almost down to 60 mph).
The turbo doesn't seem to be working at all. When I go through the gears the revs go up to about 3500rpm which is unheard of.
I've disconnected the MAF sensor but this hasn't made any difference, any ideas? Read more
I dont know how to change the coolant on my Rover 114gsi.There's no space to get to the bottom hose.It seems impossible and very awkward.Does something have to be removed or is there a drainplug located somewhere.I can't find any reference to this procedure in the manuals.I would be very gratefull for any information supplied. Many thanks.
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The 114 does not have a rad. drain plug.
You need to disconnect the bottom hose which is more accessible from underneath.
The difficult part of the job on this engine is getting rid of air locks. Be sure to fill the system very slowly and ensure that the two bleed valves are open.
The Haynes manual covers this job.
Hi there
I bought a Passat TDI 130 form a dealer in March this year with 9900 miles on it, car first registered in May 05. The car was serviced at the time I bought it (VW policy to service cars that look like they'll need a service within the next 5 months). Now, after 5900 miles of steady motoring, 2500 of which touring in france (55mpg!) and the rest mainly motorway and extra-urban on flatish terrain, the dreaded service indicator light is telling me to get it serviced in 1900 miles! And here I am thinking I'd get around 18k miles before the 2nd service, not 7.8k!
So what's going on? I definitely haven't driven the car in a way that merits a service after only 7.8k, so there's either a fault or the garage didn't reset the service flag when they did the service. I called the garage up and they said '..........possibly a glitch, bring it in and we'll reset it' Hmmm......if they do that, and don't change the oil at the same time, will the car still monitor the existing oil properly or will it be confused and let the car run with nackered oil later on? Is it possible for me to detemine whether or not they did or didn't reset the service flag at 9900 miles? (just so I know the score).
Your advice appreciated Read more
Was it the Maxi or the Allegro that had an "oil change sensor"?;it supposedly measured the pressure drop across the filter-after a couple of month's production,it was quietly dropped.
The drink driving limit is in the news as the government has turned down a suggestion of a lower limit for under 21s.
That might be a slightly strange suggestion. However, I think the law needs tightening. Currently if you are over the 80 mg limit, that is a serious motoring offence and you get a 1 year ban, yet if you are just under the limit no offence has been committed. Therfore it would make sense to keep the 80mg limit with the mandatory ban but bring in a lower limit, say 60mg, carrying a fine and penalty points.
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I used to work in the rail industry and to avoid mis categorising posts the company declared all posts "safety critical"
That meant I could drive legally to work with 70mg but could not go in to work when I got there (IIRC the limit at work was 15mg - set by legislation, not the company and backed by random testing).
Shouldn't driving be considered similarly safety critical and isn't there a discrepacy already?.
Hi NC,
The following link relates to a patent application by Yamaha for an innovative intake system that is rumoured to be employed on their 2007 R1 superbike, rather a lot of reading though by scrolling through you can get the idea. Primary and secondary injectors, upstream and downstream of the throttle butterfly, variable length inlet tracts, variable volume manifold etc.
v3.espacenet.com/origdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=EP1655464&F...4
Any thoughts? Perhaps on it's application in cars.
Regards. Read more
Well of course. That's how new ideas come to market. CVT transmission is a very old idea going back to about 1904 (Rudge motorcycle used in the TT used leather-belt CVT). It had various problems and didn't catch on. The idea was revived in Germany in the 1930's. Again didn't really take off. Van Doorne had some success a few decades back - again didn't really take off. Then we have had more recent attempts that look a bit more promising - but the jury is still out. Usually its a case of good ideas waiting for more advanced materials and manufacturing processes to make them viable.
All-alloy multivalve engines with twin cams were built in Germany around the time of the start of the First World War, but it took very many decades before they became 'the norm'.
Folks, I'm about to embark on a 1700 miles roundtrip to France and I took my car in for a full service in prep for the journey.
The mechanic tells me that load compensation valve has seized and would cost between £300 to £400 to repair! its a Citroen Xsara 1.9 diesel.
I can't afford that. Should I risk the journey or cancel? I will be travelling with my g/f.
Is it dangerous?
Is the price fair?
I just don't know what to do! Read more
Jsut as an off-the-wall idea, why don't you take it easy to the coast, then get it fixed when you get into France - probably a lot cheaper, and could be tackled by most garages not just a main dealer?
Saw this film last night on BBC3. I know it has been discussed on here previously, but it has to have some of the best car chase scenes in the whole of cinema history.
Anyway, what really annoys me about all films is the way that they ignore the real life potential of the cars on the screen. An Audi S8 wth nitrous injection will be more than able to pull away from a 205(!) in a few seconds. Why make a point of getting a character to demand an S8 with nitrous, if they didn't use it to its full potential. They even ignored (in the screenplay) the fact that the BMW in the final scene was an M5!
It's the same in American films. They get two cars chasing, but on a open road, the faster one still can't get ahead or pull away.
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I spent the enire film convinced it was Meryl Streep, which shows how many films I see.
Disappointed with the plot! Good Lord that was stupid and unsatisfying! Have to admit the car chases were not very thrilling either - left the room to get a drink in the middle of one of them, it was so silly.
Ooh, I've turned into James May over the weekend. Sorry!
Hello everyone,
I'm a complete newbie here and hope my query is appropriate.
I'm looking to change my old Renault Clio for a bigger car. I've got up to £9,500 tops to play with and want something diesel and an estate.
Diesel for the obvious consumption concerns and estate because I have a dog, could be getting another in the not too distant future. I also don't want anything with sky-high miles - preferrably under 40k.
I've been looking at Parkers, Whatcar and this website and think I should be looking at (in order of preference) Ford Focus 1.8TDCi, 2) Skoda Octavia 1.9 Elegance (it's 110bhp, I think the Ambiente at 90bhp may be a little underpowered as I may buy something to tow in a few years) 3) Vauxhall Astra (if I can get a new shape in my budget).
I also love the look of the Renault Megane 1.9 dci but am worried by the reliability score. I wouldn't touch a Pug 307 for the same reason.
Ideally I'd go for a Japanese car but they don't really come in my price bracket. Though out of desperation I have driven a n inexpensive old-style 113bhp Nissan X-Trail (not the new 136bhp) and loved it - if I could be persuaded of its reliability and reasonable costs.
Despite my eco-concerns with a 4x4 one would be pretty handy as I spend many weekends in the year parking on wet and muddy fields at dog shows - though I've only been REALLY worried in my Clio once or twice.
I am at a loss what to do. Diesel estates in my price range seem to be like hens' teeth...it seems to me I can either go up a price bracket and there's plenty of choice or down a price bracket and settle for something older and with more miles on the clock, which I'm loathe to do.
Am I looking for something that doesn't exist or can anyone suggest an alternative?
I look forward to hearing from you.
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Have a look out for a mazda 6 estate.I reckon you may just about get one for that money.
Basically my alarm works fine apart from the fact the keyfob doesnt turn it off!!
The doors unlock ok but without the rapid indicator flickering, then as soon as you open anything the alarm blares and doesnt stop until you put key in the ignition and press the button on the inside..... Then the indicators flicker as they should and the alarm stops ----- just like it should do when I unlock the car with the keyfob.
The control box is fine, and Ive tried the one from my spare car which I know worked, and the result was the same. Its baffling me but there must be an easy solution.... Read more
Should be 'L' series.
Common problems seem to be water getting into MAP sensor plug.
MAP sensor is located on the bulkhead with a small diameter rubber pipe connected.
Wiring plug is upside down & allows water to settle inside.
Others have also reported the turbo pipe becomming soft & getting sucked together narrowing the air flow.