January 2007
Company looks like having a few problems. I always enjoyed a fry-up if travelling some distance. Hope they succeed...
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6232425.stm Read more
What a sad story about the bus accident, and it seems that at least some of the injuries relate either to people being thrown from the bus or impacting other people as the bus fell over.
Seat belts have been fitted to buses for years and despite the operators advising their use I have rarely seen more than a handful of people use them . Usually they are only lap belts which wouldnt help much to prevent forward motion, but would at least stop much of what seems to have happened here.
I frequently see both large buses and minibus type vehicless, which advertise that they have belts, with clearly no-one using them. I get particularly bothered when these vehicles appear to belong to a school or youth organisation and apparently no-one in charge of the group has ensured belts are being used.
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There is a note posted by Pologirl further down this thread, but as it *could* get overlooked, I've decided to repeat it right at the start of the thread as well - DD
"A bit of snippage to this thread I'm afraid - apologies to those of you whose comments have had to go. Please remember that once someone is arrested, the case is active and there are restrictions on what you can/can't say, even when they are bailed. I've removed all references to the way the coach was being driven and anything that might in any way imply that the driver is guilty. PG"
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That's interesting AR-CoolC. I had always assumed that the side and rear windows were toughened glass as they were easier to break and escape through. Many buses and coaches have windows actually labelled as emergency exits with hammers close by. Laminated would surely take an age to break through? I noticed that the escape hatches were used on the roof of the Neoplan, this is another good emergency exit feature.
I took the Focus TDCI for a MOT, which it passed, an oil change and filter and a new fuel filter to my local independent garage yesterday. The reason why I get the garage to do the oil change is because it is impossible to do without being on a ramp. It is very difficult to do even on a ramp, it took the mechanic quite a while to get the undertray off, it took even longer to get it back on again. What a kerfuffle, I challenge anyone to do an oil and filter change on this car without a ramp.
A different mechanic put the new fuel filter on today, after the garage getting 2 wrong ones! He fitted it in place quite easily and tried to start the car. The battery ran down, on went the big charger, it still would not start . He kept spraying some sort of fluid into the air intake which made the engine start, bang a bit , and then stop. This went on for 45 minutes. I asked him and the other mechanics if he was something wrong. No they are all like this I was told, the fuel will come through eventually. They ended up tow starting it, after about half a mile it started, the amber heat light came on then went off. They let me take it home. I looked in my Haynes manual which said that you should fill the new filter with diesel before trying to start it! Why are mechanics and garages so useless? I have no faith in any of them.
Does anyone know whether all this will harm the engine, I am particulary worried about any damage to the fuel pump after reading of problems others have had. Read more
>>>Normally if the filter change is done correctly 2 or 3 short bursts on the starter is enough.
I agree, but would like to know why 4 mechanics don't know how to do it correctly in a busy independent garage?
Why don't they look in a book or ask someone. It has made me cross, I am sure they have damaged the car in some way.
13/19 - looks like I can expect to lose my (clean) licence very soon!
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14 out of 19. Sneaky one of the car "broken down" in Valencia, Spain.
SWMBO's 01 1.6 Focus was making a speed-related noise from the NS rear, that stayed when the brakes were applied. Jacked it up and noticed straight away that the wheel had far too much wobble on it.
The rim has no damage, so I'm wondering why a bearing should go at a fairly young age/mileage?
I've been quoted c £100 all in to replace it, which seems OK. Its last service was at an independent, so I can't imagine Ford being prepared to help. Read more
Our V reg Focus with 55K failed the MoT due to O/S rear wheel bearing.
It had not been abused for the last 30K in our ownership but had been singing for a little while.
Trying To change Auxilliary drive belt on my 02 Diesel Mondeo together with Tensioner....Local main agent unable to supply me with Tool to release tension from belt ...What are the alternative tools...... Read more
Time for some new tyres - no complaints having done 30,000 on the first set.
Anyway, any recommendations? Any reasons to switch away from Bridgestones? Read more
Such wit, Mr. Wilde.
Hello all,
I am 18 years old and have my Insurance policy renewal coming up at the end of the month. The quotes online don't reflect the actual prices you get over the phone i.e. online it said it cost me £840 but £1038 when I rang them. I have a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 Match 16v and will have 2 years no claims on 30th January, also my 19th birthday, when my policy expires.
Can anyone recommend any Insurance Companies that give good quotes to young drivers? My best quote so far is £909.
Cheers Read more
I use NFU mutual. My buisiness liability insurance and contents insurance are with them also so I get a very good mutual discount.
Thought I should share my experience with you.
After receiving an MOT "early warning" on my two front tyres I asked Blackcircles for a quote which was £85.13 each fitted, total cost.
As this required a bit of a journey to the nearest fitting centre I thought I would ask my local Quick Fit Centre which is just around the corner. Same make and spec., total price fitted was £113. I said that I had been quoted £85.13 to which the response was "OK we can do that for £80".
Well done Quickfit.
Morale: Shop around ! Read more
When I had a puncture in May I was told that the HP was the replacement for the Pilot Premacy. However in KwikFit on Saturday (as the one they fitted Tuesday is going down) they had Pilot Premacies with date code 4806!
Does anyone know how to remove the trim from the sill area and the B (?) pillar in order to lift the carpet? I can't see any obvious screws, and don't want to try just pulling it and seeing what happens!
Thanks. Read more
Cheers Big John!
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