November 2006
Saw, to my shame, on a digital TV shopping channel that they were advertising a product for putting into your tyres to seal a tyre's tread should it become punctured with a nail or similar implement. The compound was called, if I remember correctly, 'Flat Free' and after letting down the tyres the recommended amount was then added via the valve and then pumped up again and run for several miles to distribute the product evenly around the inside of the tyre.
Do such materials have a deleterious effect on the tyre or its state of dynamic balance? Has anyone used these products or similar ones that are used after a puncture to reinflate the tyre and seal a hole? Read more
94 Cavalier SRi 16V ecotec engine management light comes on. It used to go off if you flicked the ignition off/on whilst running, but now comes back on. I have followed the guide on Topbuzz to read the codes, and assuming it is a Simtec 56 the codes give 19 and 92, which indicate Incorrect Revs per Minute (RPM) signal (crankshaft sensor) Camshaft sensor, both shown as Incorrect signal fault. As both of these seem to be related to engine speed can anyone offer me an explanation. I don't believe it's down to faulty sensors as there are 2 (semi) related codes. Also is there any way of confirming it is a Simtec 56 (so I know I have the right codes) and also because it says in Topbuzz that you should have the engine running for the Symtec system, but I can only get the light to flash the codes with the engine off/ignition on. When the engine is running the Mgmt light just comes hard on Read more
bk.bas
If memory serves; the ECU should be in the driver's side kick panel; next to the accelerator pedal. If it's not there, try the passenger's side. If it's the X20XEV engine, then a Simtec 56 sounds right. Check the cam sensor's connexions and it's wiring for fraying/chafing near the sensor. I've a feeling that there used to be a modified piece of loom available for some of these engines.
Always beware of crank sensor codes on Vauxhalls when the engine isn't running. Although they are indeed often faulty, a slack cambelt can also cause crank/cam codes due to lack of syncronicity. If it's slack - change it; don't re-tension it.
Having just sold our 7.5t horse lorry, we are looking for a smaller replacement and would love some input.
What we require is, ideally, a converted van with space to carry 2x 16.2hh horses plus tack.
As this is a wish list, the vehicle should be automatic; have a walk through to the rear from the cab; it should be not much wider than a standard van (due to the track-way it will be parked in); and be no higher to get in to than a Transit / Movano (my back problems are getting worse!).
The only no-no is anything Renault based - we've had bad experiences with Renault dealers and are not prepared to give them any more money!
Budget is around £15k (+vat if required, as it can be reclaimed).
Any suggestions for vans suitable for conversion, ready converted vehicles, or conversion companys would be welcomed.
And before anyone suggests it, yes I know I can fit a "small horse" in a Mini van!
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Colin-E
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I forgot to say 40 - 45mph on the open road - before I get complaints about speeding in a 30 zone!
Thanks for looking on Horsequest, Local Yokel - I'll run the suggestion by my wife - they are her horses after all!
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Colin-E
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I know this isn't the first time this has been debated, but the following is a link to an interesting BBC piece on the subject which seems quite balanced.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/6165276.stm
Read more
With current legislation we cannot descriminate by age so lets have
annual reviews for ALL drivers!
Problem with current system is Gps do not do that part
of their job so we have people driving who are not
fit to do so.
>>
What part of a GPs job do you feel they are not doing?
There is no requirement whatsoever for GPs to routinely assess drivers of any age.
The only ways in which they can get involved are.
1. If a patient develops a condition such as Epilepsy where they should, and usually do, advise the driver that he/she should not drive and inform the DVLA - it is the driver's duty to inform NOT the GPs.
2. Where a - usually professional - driver is required to have a medical assessment as a part of theor licensing requirements
3. Where the GP believes that driver in 1) is continuing to drive and presents a danger to the public and has advised them that unless they stop the DVLA will be informed, only then can a GP directly inform the DVLA.
For many years insurance companies used to require an annual medical for older drivers - age varied but mostly at 70 or 75 - but this practice seemd to cease a few years before I retired, don't know why - not cost cutting by insurance companies as the patient paid for the examination.
I certainly failed a few elderly patients, mainly on poor/appalling vision!! One I recall carried on driving and I discovered he had just changed companies!!
Relative has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He is given a course of tablets and strict diet to keep it under control. He has not suffered the usual symptoms but had been advised a blood test because he is obese. He was shocked to learn his blood sugar level is 10 which means he is diabetic. He was told matters will improve if he loses weight.
He has been told to notify the DVLA and his insurance company. Regarding DVLA does he fill a form from the post office or write them a letter?
Has anyone experienced the above? Did their motor insurance premium go up? Any restriction from DVLA?
thanks in advance Read more
Glad you're flourishing, GWS. The thread was revived by what in your part of the world I believe is called a wazzock, trying to get free advertising - so I have hidden its post.
There does seem to have been a spate of prehistoric threads coming back to life. So wazzock is not in the swear filter, I wonder if dipstick, divvy and tosspot are?
***** This thread is now closed, please CLICK HERE to go to the next thread *****
Title originally 'Fifth Gear - I can't take anymore'
I have set my personal video recorder to record The Gadget Show and Fifth Gear each week. The Gadget Show is excellent - three knowledgeable enthusiastic presenters who are highly entertaining and interesting. Suzi Perry is the no.1 geeks pin up girl whilst John and Jason would be the ideal guys to sit next to in the pub.
And then there is Fifth Gear. Two gurning presenters whose poor presentational style completely collapses when they get someone famous on the show. Vicky Butler Henderson is only really capable of using the show to demonstrate that she can drive faster than her mother and sister and what is the point of Tim Lovejoy? Why not just trim it down to 30 minutes and have Tiff Needell solo showing how to really get the most out of any car on a racetrack. I have not seen this evening's installment - I just can't take anymore.
As Fifth Gear is currently the only motoring programme on terrestrial TV, is anyone out there watching it? Read more
I thought it was better than the last series.
Lets face it, it could have hardly been any worse.
But yes, definately better.
A little question I would appreciate some information on
My pre facelift mk1 focus ghia has 14'' alloys and one has become buckled. Early ghia alloys seem pretty rare and are v expensive new. So instead I have acquired a secondhand set of the later 15'' ghia wheels from a facelift car. These currently have 195/60X15 tyres which I see from the tyre calculator page will give me a 3% speedo error compared to the 185/65X14 originally fitted.
I have an option therefore of either changing the tyres to 195/55 which give an almost identical rolling radius to the originals or living with the error.
I notice from my focus handbook that 195/60X15 were an original option and my question is, how do ford deal with the slight differences in wheel/tyre sizes offered on new cars. Do they have different speed sensors or is it a matter of a software change to a constant in the speedo?
Many thanks
SR Read more
These
currently have 195/60X15 tyres which I see from the tyre calculator
page will give me a 3% speedo error compared to the
185/65X14 originally fitted.
But does it matter? Under most circumstances I wouldn't think a 3% error is likely to swing the balance between getting caught for speeding and not getting caught.
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L\'escargot.
About 10 days ago all the vehicles in or road had their windscreen wipers removed.
The next door neighbour found a load and put them back on some peoples' cars for them and handed us back the rest to see if we could identify ours.
One had disappeared from the van and was identifyable. Both had disappeared from SWMBOs Almera. One remained unnacounted for, so I went into my garage and found a cheap replacement bought off e bay a couple of years ago.
I reported it to the police after several people said 'What's the point?'. Last week I received a phone call from the police to say they arrested someone else for an unreated incident and that he had coughed to the Almera as well.
He was cautioned due to 'previous good character'.
I was advised that for compensation for the missing wiper blade I need to go via the civil recovery route. My first move was to ask for his details. He lives about 1/2 a mile away from me. The PC was initially unsure about passing his details to me but referred me to the Freedon of Information Dept. The good lady there e mailed him to point out that there are much simpler ways of legally providing me with the information, and copied the e mail to me. I then e mailed him to formally ask for the guilty party's details and duly received them over the phone the following day.
The next step. I intend to take a witness along and deliver a letter asking for reimbursment for the cost of the wiper blade. Not the cheapo replacement I fitted but one that is of the same quality that was removed. My wife had not had them that long. So I need to price it up at the local factors. If I see him then I will ask him myself. The PC seems to think that this chap won't want any more hassle. I am told he is quite reasonable when he's sober.
Watch this space - Read more
Thanks for your replies re disclosure of offender details. You learn something every day!.
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Fullchat
My Passat is a 2005 (05) plate.
The radio is the factory fitted one.
Every know and again it will freeze, the display will go blank (still illuminated though) and not work at all for love or money, I have tried to stop and switch of and on again hoping to reset, have pushed all buttons, held all buttons etc etc but it still wont work, but remains illuminated (Blank Blue screen, where it would say CAPITAL)
I appears to happen just as you turn channels over, Press button 2, then it makes a sound and thats it.
I am getting concerned now, as they other day I failed in this state en-route to work, so thought it would sort itself out and left it, on my return still in the same illuminated state, with no action, then suddenly started to work after about 5 mins ?
This is really bugging me know , any ideas much appreciated !
Scruffythedog Read more
scruffy
As it's a factory unit in an '05 plate; then it should still be covered by the warranty. Your dealer [or anyone else with the gear] can scan the radio for faultcodes etc. through the car's diagnostic socket.
Does anyone know the difference between the RDS 5000 and the RDS 7000 (Ford OEM radios). The "Audio Guide" doesn't show any major differences apart from "high power" on the tape flap of the 7000 and an electronic tape eject on the 7000. Anyone know the power output difference? cheers Read more
many thanks Cheddar, I will try tomorrow.
Bike sounds nice, I like the idea the 06 R1, if only I could afford one myself :(
Anyway, thanks for your help and good luck with your dream bike
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it works wonderfully well on my wheelbarrow. Hawthorn plus wheelbarrow = green stuff fizzing out for a minute and then it's fine. Wouldn't dream of using it on the car.
JH