December 2006

Question Ibiza power steering pump

fordprefect on 30 December 2006

Daughter's 1998 1.4 petrol Ibiza (60k miles) had a noisy P/S pump, which was to be checked and sorted after Christmas.
However, starting up yesterday the noise was suddenly much worse, all the fluid leaked out and it seems the bearing has failed (lots of free movement of pulley etc)

There is a VW specialist dismantler nearby, I would appreciate advice as to whether it would be better to source a pump from this scrapyard or go for a re-con exchange unit with 12 month guarantee?
(She plans to keep the car for at least 6 months)
Any ideas of likely ball park cost of a recon pump vs scrap part?

[ recon factor and scrappy both closed till Tuesday]

Thanks in advance

Read more

Forum Parking, New Year's eve, Central London

Micky on 30 December 2006

I've just been instructed that I am to chauffeur some VIPs (obscure relatives) to the West End tomorrow morning. Deep joy. Are the parking restrictions lifted for New Year's Eve? Read more

Bill Payer on 1 January 2007

It's been a few years since I strolled along Oxford Street

with time on my hands. Obviously, there is no longer a

local authority responsible for maintaining the structure of the roads and

pavements. Some of the wheel ruts in the tarmac resembled medium-sized

tank traps.

Hence a 4X4 is essential if you live in London. :-)

Forum Giving away a UK car abroad?

local yokel on 30 December 2006

We've been given a 93 Favorit! It's not in bad condition, and it came with an envelope stuffed full of bills for work and parts, so it's clearly been a burden to its former owners. We have enough cars here already, that are far more reliable than it seems to have been, so I though of a plan.

I'd like to do a relaxed road trip across Europe, ending up in Croatia/Hungary/Romania direction, taking in France, Italy, perhaps Austria, Slovenia etc. No more than 3 hours driving each day, stopping off for lunch, see the market/castle etc. May would be a good time. I appreciate that a Favorit might not be the conveyance of choice, but as the title suggests, I'd like to leave the car at the end of the trip and fly back with Stelios/other cheapy airline.

How difficult would it be to give the car way do you think, or is the red tape so thick and tight abroad that it would really only be possible to drive it to a scrappy? Read more

local yokel on 2 January 2007

Park it and flee not such a good option now that HMG is sharing details with other govts. I could be liable for some huge parking fines ....

I might ask around some people I know with villas in Spain - they might fancy a car for the summer on UK plates and then they can deal with it when they want rid.

Question peugeot 406 i c e

232burn on 30 December 2006

Just a quick shout to see if anyone knows of a replacement cd system that can be fitted istead of original system ? has a perculiar attachment fitting not the normal gap with adaptors
thanks
232burn Read more

local yokel on 30 December 2006

You need a fascia adaptor like:

www.dealsonice.net/contentitempage~ContentID~60371...x

Do a google for "406 fascia adaptor"

Forum Best source/type of Disco Tyre

Hugo {P} on 30 December 2006

I'm going to need to spend money on this area. Rear NS tyre needs changing and I have a couple of questions.

1) I would like the Disco to manage off road better - Hence I am thinking of some all terrain tyres as opposed to the roadgoing ones I've got on there at the moment. However I only need one tyre. Do I just buy the one I need or do I go for a complete set of replacements

2) Where is the best place to buy them from? I can get them fitted at my local garage for £5 each.

Thanks Read more

M.M on 31 December 2006

Greetings Hugo & DVD.

Hugo big decision to make here because ideally you want a whole set of whatever you get... I'm not keen on having seriously different tyres on different corners of a Disco.

I have been running a set of Pirelli Scorpions for 18mths now on mine... the road type. Rubbish wet road grip (braking in particular) and no better than car tyres with mud/wet grass.

I have recently put a pair of Goodyear GT plus4 on the front and intend to follow with the same on the rear in a few weeks. They seem to have a softer compound, more blocky tread, great wet road steering/braking grip and far better on mud/wet grass. They do cause a bit more straight line wander though.

All terrain tyres can either be a good compromise or neither one thing or another depending on your point of view. The BF Goodrich mentioned above though seem to set a standard in all round AT performance but are very costly. Last well though.

Having said all that if you want to go bog running with trailer (!) you need mud terrains. These can be a handful on the road in the wet, howl away at speed and induce a fair bit of steering wander. The grip in mud is awesome though.

I would never mix road and mud terrains either across axles or front/rear as a dangerous handling imbalance can be created.

As a matter of interested I bought my Goodyears (in sound condition with 8mm tread) from EBay... a collect only local bargain at £28/pr. I paid £15/pr to fit/balance so well happy at £43 all in compared to about £170 new locally.

Cheers,

David

Forum corsa 1.7d -> 1.5 td

James_dbrz on 30 December 2006

Just a quick question to find out if this is a worthwhile switch is the 1.5 td a better car to live with than the 1.7d (non turbo) Read more

stunorthants26 on 30 December 2006

I had a 1.7 low pressure turbo diesel Astra van which was hard to start - try replacing the glowplugs and wait about 15-20 seconds longer with the glowplugs. That used to get mine going straight away.

Forum Toyota Verso D4D

icefox on 30 December 2006

I am considering buying a Verso diesel as a towcar for a caravan( no comments thank you). I like Toyota cars for their reliability and consider the Verso or Corolla suitable for my needs, the Verso has lots more room inside. Does anybody out there have and comments regarding owning a diesel Verso, negative or positive and what sort of fuel economy could I expect on the combined cycle?

many thanks

Icefox. Read more

Rhubarb on 31 December 2006

Hi

I suggest you have a look around in here: toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showforum=91 and here:toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showforum=9

HTH - Andy

Question peugeot 406 2.0 hdi starting problems

232burn on 30 December 2006

Can any one help?
I have recently purchased a 406 2001 y reg 2.0 hdi , it has an annoying starting problem either hot or cold where it refuses to start ! it feels like fuel starvation as it turns over fine and when it decides to start runs like a dream , but is so hit and miss !!!!! also it has a problem with the stereo and because of its unique fitting and integration i wondered if it was possible to change the radio cd in the car with some changes to the fitment , if not can anyonre offer a good source of re con units
hoping any one can help Read more

Bromptonaut on 30 December 2006

See responses lower down re jayvee's 306 HDi. Most (all?) HDi cars use an in tank fuel pump to lift fuel up to the engine. It usually primes audibly when the ignition is switched on. If you cannot hear it consistently it's probably on the blink (they're a bit of a weak spot). Around 180-200 at a franchised dealer.

Question Vauxhall Meriva 1.7 CDTi - running temp

gbn on 30 December 2006

Hi All,

I have a Vauxhall CDTi engined car.

1. It takes around 10-15 miles to warm up.
It's my 3rd diesel and this is soooo long.
I was away over Xmas and rented a VW 1.9 TDi. This heated up like I expect a diesel should.

2. If I switch off for 30 mins, there appears to be very little heat retained and the temp gauge goes to the bottom.

3. The temp gauge show running around 80-85 C.
Of course, this is a guide not too accurate

It could be that the temp sensor is the "wrong side" of the thermostat, and I think the thermostat is electronically controlled

Is anyone else having similar experiences please?

Thanks
Read more

Micky on 30 December 2006

Temp gauge may be controlled by ECU, it might be possible to monitor "real" temp via diagnostics. Ford offer this facility but then Ford are far more advanced than GM ;-)

A crude test: how long does it take the heater to produce any warmth? My elderly Granadas would start warming the interior after a couple of hundred yards, I've driven a couple of French deeseails that don't produce any heat for several miles. The penalty of 50mpg vs 20 mpg.

Question diesel mitsubishi space star - no power

davey.j on 30 December 2006

hi,have 2001 mitsubishi space star 1.9 diesel renault engine,..no power uphill 10-15 mph will only rev to 3000 at rest changed fuel &air filter no good. any help? thanks davey.j Read more

davey.j on 30 December 2006

many thanks people, booked in for diagnostic at authorised dealer next week.....happy new year to all. davey.j