March 2007
Imagine overtaking this on a dark night.
englishrussia.com/?p=767 Read more
In the 10 years I have owned my 740 the power steering fluid level has dropped from the max mark on the reservoir dipstick to the min.
Should I be concerned about this inordinate loss of fluid? :)
Actually the serious question is that I have numerous unopened bottles of Castrol TQF transmission fluid (don't ask!) on which the label states that it is suitable for some power steering systems. As the Volvo is unlikely to last for more than another 10 years it is obviously uneconomic to purchase a whole new container of the correct stuff, does anyone know if the TQF is compatible with the Volvo rack. I don't suppose a top-up will do any harm in any case, but if it is OK I may as well use up the TQF by doing a fluid change, the original stuff has been in there so long the colour is indeterminate
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One mans junk is another mans treasure Read more
Steptoe,
You are indeed very wise to wait for warmer weather.
When I replaced the Power steering fluid on my wife's 740 in the depths of winter, I managed to break the pipe stub off the reservoir (its made of plastic), while removing the hose. As the vehicle was not allowed to be off the road, I ended up fabricating a reservoir out of a old metal brake fluid can.
I used Castrol Dextron III ATF
I went in to my local branch of a well known fast fit chain today for a pre-booked oil and filter chain. I noticed that they seemed to have all new staff since my last visit about five months ago. With the forum's policy in mind I shall of course not divulge their name....
SNIP 8< - you didn't think you'd really get away with that, did you Tom? DD
Anyway, left the car with them and spent an hour kicking my heels round town while the job was being done. When I returned the fitter was closing the bonnet, so thinking the job was done I wandered over. I was then informed that they could not change the oil because someone had rounded the drain plug nut. On seeing my raised eybrows the guy told me that they did not have a socket that would grip it, and when i suggested a mole grip he cocked a deaf 'un. I pointed out that they had done the last change so their fitter must have damaged it, and asked when they would be able to do it.
This was answered with a shrug of the shoulders and a suggestion that I take it somewhere else before he walked away! No rudeness or shouting on my part, so i said nothing that could have put his back up. I've had all my oil changes done by them, plus tyres and Mots, same with the other half's car, plus having motorcycle tyres fitted in return for a drink.
I suppose they can afford to lose the business, the one man band I went to in a small village later in the day was happy to do the job in twenty minutes, including the rounded sump plug. I though that sort of attitude to customers had died out years ago.
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I've extolled the virtues of the Furham branch of Rapid Fit many times in this site, it's one of only ywo garages where I don't think I've been deliberately messed about!
Blue
Something is wrong with my 2002 Rover 45 Td. Since yesterday when reversing slowly and pressing the clutch pedal all the way down, the pedal refuse to come up and the gear stick is locked unless I switch the engine off, take it out of reverse and pump the clutch pedal twice.
Is that the clutch master/slave cylinder? Going forward is not a problem and also going fast in reverse is fine.
The car is still under warranty for 3 weeks and clutch (and all its parts ) are covered. Should I contact the provider (AA)?
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Well, took it the garage and yes Steve was correct, master clutch cyl, interestingly the block in the garage said that they had few of those on Rover 45/25/400.
Common problem apparently He said it is a BMW design which is to blame.
Does anyone know anything about citroen ax cars .Namely the 1.4 diesel variety. My stepdaughter wants to buy one (1991 model with low mileage and no pas). I aren`t keen as they strike me as bean tins held together with chewing gum and ricepaper.. Also is there an issue with the 1.4 diesel engine?. Any help would be appreciated Read more
"they attract bullying a small percentage of other drivers"
edit; "they attract bullying from a small percentage of other drivers"
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land
I have a 97 vectra that as suddenly started losing fluid out of the nearside gaiter could anyone let me know if this is repairable or does the rack need to be replaced I would be grateful for any comments on this thank`s...... Read more
Thank`s chris sounds an interesting repair, nothing easy......
Just got my copy of Autoexpress and in it are photos of the new FIAT 500 - looks great to me with just the right amount of "retro" to the old 500 (not recent Cinquecento) but also a very modern look. Could be a big hit???
Photos here
www.infomotori.co.uk/a_17_EN_4762_2_1.html
and from HJ
www.honestjohn.co.uk/index.php?url=/carbycar/index...m
who reckons it will be a big hit.
Yes, I know it's a FIAT, but shows much more originality but also individuality than their recent efforts
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Phil
{Slight amendment to subject header to include a hint of what this thread is about - DD} Read more
The 500 is apparently 5cm wider and 5cm longer than the Panda on which it is based (with modification like front crash structure due to short overhang). According to Autocar that makes it 1.65m wide and 3.55m long but their car price guide says:
Panda: 1.589m x 3.538m
Punto 3dr: 1.660m x 3.840 (5dr slightly longer, some models of both still on sale)
Grande Punto: 1.687m x 4.030m
So discounting the old Punto that is still available in limited models, yes there will be two cars smaller than the Grande Punto in the UK. But the Panda will be cheaper than the 500.
Currently in Italy you can still get the 600 (the lightly worked over Seicento) which I guess will be replaced by the 500. So having two cars smaller than the Grande Punto is already the case.
A friend has an ancient but generally serviceable Kia Pride, the one that was originally badged as a Mazda 121. Its only apparent fault is that it makes a screeching sound when accelerating. However, it only does this when the lights are on.
If, as he suspects, it's caused by a faulty fan belt, why would the screech not occur with the lights off? Presumably the alternator is working harder, but why would this cause the noise?
I'll stop before I display any more technical ignorance but any ideas would be gratefully received.
I'm guessing that the reason may be glaringly obvious to anyone with any mechanical knowledge at all (ie not me or the car's owner). Read more
Easy test to see if its the alternator belt. Start the
vehicle up and put the heated rear window on and the
lights. This will put the alternator under a reasonable amount of
load. Rev the vehicle up with the bonnet open and using
a suitable container (possibly a watering can) pour water onto the
belt whilst its screeching. If it goes off then the belt
is slipping and either needs tightening or replacing. diagnosis guaranteed!!!
wouldnt pouring water near the alternator whilst its spinning be a bit risky?
The TRACS off and ABS warning lights appear together after a twenty mile (aprox.) run in the warmer months. The driver manual states this to be caused by overheating brakes, but inspection shows all brake assemblies are fine. It also happened for the first time when the car was left in the sun for 3 hours last week. Could there be a faulty sensor under the bonnet causing the problem?
Please advise.
volvonut. Read more
This is a typical symptom of an abs module fault .(usually repairable ) Dry solder joints on the circuit board affected by heat.A diagnostic check will probably show a fault to offside rear sensor.(which is not the fault.)
I have had a garage clear out & found an unused sealed container of
SHELL SPIREX EP80 GEAR OIL, this is probably 30 years old.
My question,.......... is "EP80" the same oil specification as SAE 80 Hypoid gear oil. ?
Can anyone clarify this please ?
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Don't bin it, use it in an oil can for general lubrication on things like bonnet hinges, throttle cables etc. It's a bit thicker than 3 in 1 type oils and tends to "hang around" for longer. Be aware that it smells a bit sulphury, though!
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Yeah om, he should have sat one end or the other, not in the weak bit in the middle.