March 2007
My Xsara 1.9TD has developed a whine at about 2000RPM which is coming from near the front of the engine bay. It's almost a groaning noise, and with the bonnet open there's a hint of bearing rattle. It happens with the clutch in and gearbox in neutral, so inclined to believe it's the alternator as I can't see it being anything else. No change to engine power or smoke.
Do these tend to go on the XUD engine, and are they particularly complicated to fix? 90k on the clock.
Cheers,
David. Read more
Hi
I am hoping I can call upon the advice of motor professionals with our dilemma.
We presently have a 2000 3dr 206 which is now impractical due to a new arrival. I do not have a huge sum of cash - around £750 - £1k - to spend on a car to last around for a year or so when the missus goes back to work and we can afford to purchase a car on finance.
What should we be looking at? It must be a 5 door, ideally an estate, and be a petrol car. Preferably not mega high mileage.
Thanks Read more
Do you mean up to £1k plus what you can get for the 206 (maybe £2k depending on model and condition), or £1k maximum?
There are plenty of Mondeo and Astra estates around either way - these are probably your best bet as there is more choice.
Anything UK can do, we can do better!
"...an appeal court in Burgos has quashed the conviction for dangerous driving of a man who was clocked doing 260kph[163mph]. The judge opined he was not guilty of causing any ?concrete danger? as neither he, his passenger, the pursuing police or anyone else on the road had had to execute any perilous manoeuvre to avoid him. It was admittedly reckless driving, the judge said, but not dangerous. The driver was a politician, by the way." Read more
A Spanish Green obviously, proving that aircraft are completely unnecessary for short-haul work as you can do it quicker door-to-door in your Ferrari.
Noble work, to be encouraged. Very sensible judge too. Perhaps we can get him over here under EC regulations.
Just in case anyones interested, we've just ordered the 207 cc we were considering buying.It seemed a great deal but of course its a bit of an unknown quantity as its a new model but it has had good reviews in the press. We got free insurance,free cruise control and 'fragrance' diffuser,a very reasonable trade in on our 18 year old car and a bottle of champagne! Will keep you posted.
Read more
I've just ordered a 407 Coupe. Managed £7000 off list price, don't imagine I'll be getting a bottle of bubbly!
I currently have 2 Renault dci motors in our family having changed from very reliable Renault petrol motors due to the high milage we now do (25000 pa each).
The cars are a Kangoo 1.5 and a Clio 1.5 106 hp.
I have read horror stories about these Renault dci motors and wonder if I should do anything as preventitive maintenance such as change the EGR valves and sensors at regular intervals or should I just cross my fingers?
Read more
Thanks, this makes me feel more confident.
My 2006 Clio needs the side light bulb changing on the passenger side. Can't see how to get to it - the manual talks of removing parts (which?) or going to a dealer(and be charged £30+ for a 90p bulb!). Does anybody know how to do this?
Read more
Hello,
I am looking for a part for my sisters fiesta that is a nightmare to acquire. We need just the plastic fitting which the rear wiper clips into. Been to scrappies and no luck and tried ebay but no luck. I guess we may have to buy the entire arom and fit this but the arm is fine - any ideas? Read more
I had to buy a new (front) pivot nut cap from Ford a year or two ago. The screen I looked at also showed the price of the arm - about £15 IIRC. Save your troubles and go get a new one at these prices!
--------------
Mike Farrow
Hi,
I am driving to Keswick from Eastbourne in July, and I'm ashamed to say that I have never travelled up north, the route planner says part of the way will be on the M6 toll road, I?m not worried about the £4 each way, but I don?t want to encourage toll roads, any advice you can give would be appreciated
Joe 90
Read more
2. A65 via Ilkley....
Indeed, that's the way I would go.
Instead of Harry Ramsdens, which have gone badly downhill of late, I would now go into the centre of Skipton, and go to Bizzie Lizzies chip shop & cafe on the corner of Broughton Road and Coach Street - excellent quality food.
All being well, I should be getting a chance to sample both the route, and the fish & chips later on this week!
The other potential food treat on this route is bacon butty and a mug of tea at the van by the bridge in Kirby Lonsdale - even SWMBO found it to be up to scratch!
Number_Cruncher
hi, i took an old knackered alternator to bits to examine the contact brushes,the wires they are connected too looked very thin and brittle, they hardly look capeable of passing a lot of ampage ,can they be replaced ,its off a fiesta? Read more
MJ
Magneti-Marelli make many different types of alternator. If it's the most common, the A127, [there should be a label on the side with numbers] then the brushes are in the cast-alloy regulator on the back which has one internal plug and is held in with three long 4mm screws.
The whole reg is dirt cheap and can even be changed in-situ.
hi, pads are down to the backing and n/s disc is "warped" i was going to replace them with a set off ebay for £16.00 the lot, bangernomics practiced here,should it be a safety issue or is it worth paying top dollar for ford parts? Read more
ok nuff said


Argh! It's still whining, though now it's more of a whirring noise. Hope that it's just the new pulley wearing in.