March 2007
Today my pug 106 failed mot on fuel emitions,the test centre said i need a new cat and lamda sensor does this sound right i have no reason to not believe them but just want some reasurance any advise would be helpful ta Andrew, Read more
Hi,
In the past i have always hired a card using my Natwest Visa card, I tend not to go for the insurance protector that is offered by so many of the car hire companies. In doing so I always run the risk of paying the excess fee should I have an accident or a little scratch on the car.
An American colleague of mine told me that if using a Visa card I should be covered under the Visa card insurance policy, which gave me some reassurance. I contacted Natwest Visa and they advised me that I am covered.
However after some research and an email to Natwest I found this to be incorrect and I'm not covered..thank fully I managed to return the car after 2 months hire without a blemish!!!
So ultimately my question is are there any credit cards that do have an isnurance that do cover you in the event that you would have to pay for an excess claim against a car hire made out on your visa card?
Of course I understand you would have to pay a premium, but imagine such a cost would be significantly less than paying the full excess.
Thank you for your help and your answers. Read more
Read the small print;not all cards offer the same protection!!!
What happens with the V5 when buying a used car from a dealer?
My tax is due to run out at the end of this month, and having had the car for just over 2 weeks, I still haven't had the V5 back from the DVLA. Looking at their site, it implies that I should have signed part of the V5 myself before the dealer sent it off to the DVLA - and I certainly haven't.
Should I be panicking?
Or is it right that I haven't signed it, and I should be expecting it through the door any day? Read more
Hmmm...
I don't. I think I'll have to give the dealer a ring in the morning.
My wife's Skoda Fabia is coming up for three years old. It is the 3 cylinder 1.2litre engine and has done about 14000 miles. Recently when she goes to work in the morning I think it has got louder ( though I do not think it is the exhaust ) as she drives way. I drove it a couple of weeks ago, and I thought it lacked power. I used to be suprised at how smooth and nippy it was, but not at the moment. It is being serviced on Friday.. Anyone any ideas what it may be, or is this a common problem with Fabias. Thankfully the electrics are ok.. Read more
We have the same engine in an Ibiza, which has done 20K in 30 months. It is smooth and nippy when its moving, but has always noisily rattled and juddered at slow speeds - almost as if there's an engine mount missing.
The dealer tells me it's fine, but never has another 1.2 I can drive to compare!
Hi,
I've recently become the owner of a 1.1 Petrol Citroen Saxo. The first problem we've had with it is a very common problem, that it's very hard to start. The idol is far too low, and we initially assumed it was a problem with the ECU, but more recently have come to think that it's a problem with the little stepper motor.
To fix the idol, I could simply hold my foot on the accelerator whilst the car was stationary. But lately, the car has been doing bunny hops. I'll keep my foot on a speed around 20mph, and it will slow down, and then speed up and then slow down and then speed up etc etc.
It's very hard to control, and really need to get this sorted. All suggestions are welcome.
Thanks,
Kobius. Read more
I don't think that's a possibility, as I've only filled it up twice, and not at a supermarket.
The year is 2000, 36,000 miles and I'm not sure about the engine code. I have bought a new stepper motor, as that has stopped working. Although I'm not sure if it could stop the bunny hops, which have something to do with the air intake.
I'll get back to you on the plugs.
Hi,
I?m looking for some information on Ford Radios, namely the latest Ford 6000CD fitted to the latest Fiesta/Focus/S-Max/Galaxy/Mondeo/Transit?. It is not the Sony unit, rather the Ford unit but it is the one with the large CENTRAL rotary volume control. It isn?t the older 6000 units where the volume is at the side.
Could anybody please advise me if they have a silver version and if so, what colour it is illuminated at night?
I know that the Silver version is fitted to the S-Max/Galaxy and is illuminated orange but would like to know if the silver version was fitted to any other cars with a different colour of illumination (most fords are green).
So if you have a Silver 6000CD with the large central rotary control, please let me know either way.
Thanks for your help.
Read more
Hi
Mine is a CD6000 unit in a 56 Fiesta Freedom.It has the silver centre knob and the unit is a sort of dark grey in colour.The illumination on the unit is green. I think Ford have pickies of this unit on their microsite detailing the Freedom special edition if i remeber correctly.
Anne
I hope you'll indulge me these thoughts from my little break.
Plan: To disappear into rural Britain for a few days, riding the highways and byways on my own to "chill".
Equipment: -
BMW R1200GS - What Can I say ?, Total flexibility, at home in towns on M roads, A & B Classes and single track muddy and gravelled lanes. Fast, economical, (around 65mpg) handling is "ok" After a week of intimacy I am totally at home with this sometimes awkward beast, it never put a foot wrong anywhere. The only issue was whilst parked on the very steep main street of Knighton in Powys, I started it in gear (clutch in of course) and the shaft's torque nearly spat me off. A bike that drew attention to itself wherever it went,positive remarks from passing peds and the like. Felt totally visible in townscapes. Bike swallowed the miles as if they weren't there, particularly enjoyable in the flooded Wye Valley including crossing a deepish Ford - big Wellie boot ! Cracking, cracking bike with very few vices. Covered in filth which added to my credibility in towns (:-)) for very little effort ! Rubbish horn. 700 miles covered. Rode this today from last night's stop with one stop for a drink en-route (and helmet fiddle) covered nearly 150 miles with no discomfort. Heated grips are not just gadgets, they work and a good.
BMW Vario Topbox. - The only hard luggage I had, it swallowed all the solid stuff I needed and some clothing. Only just adequate for my needs - but hell, I'll have to get panniers. Mane Event pannier liner, Ideal for lifting out into hotels a hand luggage.
Knox Rucsack. Ergonomically designed for the bike, forgot it was there - swallowed clothing and books. Good choice.
Triumph Boots, Triumph branded gloves. Cheaper than the equivalent BMW kit, the boots are identical to the BMW models, not seen the gloves in BMW brand both items however comfy enough to forget about them
Shoei Helmet. Hated it - had it a couple of years with really annoyingly discomfort to my ear. Got worse as the holiday went on had to keep stopping to adjust, dramatically reduced concentration, it's got to go. Probably get a BMW flipfront (avoid hassle with glaasses) and need bluetooth connectivity for phone and MP3 feature on the phone.
Frank Thomas two piece fabric oversuit. Comfy and practical in "death black" warm with its liner, ideal to go to the pub in the evening.
Learnt a few things.
Concentration is everything. Got lost in Swansea so need bike Sat Nav now ! Any annoyance in gear is multiplied x 10 as time goes on. Forgot iPod (curses), need more luggage space, glasses broke - nearly spoilt the holiday (take a spare pair next time). Need to take a hat for off bike moments. Tescos do very cheap but durable clothing T shirts and undies (two tees for 5 quid !). Magners Cider is baaad for keeping upright. One thing I picked up on was preparation, before every day's ride I go through a routine of checking equipment and stowing gear this aids concentration on set off and avoids annoyances later on with flapping zips or rattles later on.
Positives.
The Bike, the roads, the scenery - in 7 days I came across no bad driving apart from an idiot smoker within 5 miles of home who threw a fag end out of his car as I overtook ! People in general were excellent, the bike is an ice breaker, everyone from youth in Tesco Camarthen to Bed and Breakfast hosts were wonderful when engaged in conversation, no negativity towards bikers anywhere. The smiles from pedestrians in towns when you waved them across in front of you, the waves from horseriders when you crept past hoping the BM wouldn't backfire (like they do in a muted way). The smells, the scenery that you mis sin a car.
Negatives.
Speed cameras, speed cameras and Speed cameras - this wreck the 100% concentration required to ride safely in towns, you're so busy keeping an eye on the speedo to avoid "creep" that it dominates, it shouldn't I should be using
that time to look ahead on the road. I don't go fast ! Idiot street parking in Shrewsbury; Ticket machine dispensed tickets that couldn't be stuck to anything, these people are clowns. Two wheels are good in towns on a number of fronts but these idiots make it difficult on the point of arrival. Thank goodness for the human face of enforcement - the common sense of the Parking Attendant there who proved that the breed are human Read more
Great post! Hope you are suitably chilled
Hawkeye
-----------------------------
Stranger in a strange land
Hi all, ( Vx Omega, 2.0L 16v auto 1994 )
got a problem where when you take the ignition key out , the small grey button which the key pushes-in, doesn't pop
out it just sticks. When it happens, the key can't be put back in until it has popped out again so I'm having to
put the end of the key in then twist and pull so the grey button comes out.
Would there be any way to lube it ? I haven't yet for fear of shorting something electrically, but I can see me being
stuck at some point if I don't sort it.
Cheers,
Pete Read more
There were problems with these years ago, and Vauxhall did replace them outside of normal warranty, but I think 13 years would be pushing it! :o)
Looking for a bangernomics car, and these seem to be incredibly cheap- £400 for a car with 12months mot, some tax, mid 90's and lots of toys. Any downsides?
TIA,
Alex.
--
Dr Alex Mears
MG BGT 1971
If you are in a hole stop digging...unless
you are a miner. Read more
Use the forum search on this site to search for author "SjB" and message details "440" to find the detail of what I've said over time, but in essence, my mother has owned her 440 1.7 GLi from new in 1989 and jettisoning it's coolant aside when brand new (loose bottom hose "Jubilee" clip) it has been totally reliable and trouble free. Often going several years between Mobil 1 oil changes, the Renault engine still burns not a drop and belying its looks, on the original more sports orientated suspension than some that followed, it handles like a go-kart and runs my wife's superb handling 306 pretty close (though the 306 rides better). Only downsides are a dreadfully creaky interior, plastic buttons with UV degradation, and slowowowowowow leccy windows that sound how I've just described them despite me cleaning and lubing the runners.
On the hunting idle comment, Mum's has always hunted when the mixture is set correctly for MOT. Thankfully, there is a simple trim pot that can be adjusted with a screwdriver until the idle becomes steady. This has applied from Day One and has never changed over time. The engine also sounds like a demented cow at startup - cambelt, I suspect - though this appears common too and has also applied to Mum's from Day One all those years ago.
Mum's has a small amount of rust at the edges of the lower sills where they join the rear wheel arches, but other than that iappears sound. Certainly it has historically passed its MOTs without advisory notices.
Now Dad has retired, only one car is needed so Mum's 440 has been SORNed for the past year. It will depart for its new owner soon; this likely being a friend of Dad's who is going to drive it to Prague (coincidental, given my Czech wife!) in an impending banger rally. It needs some minor attention to get it back on the road after a year sitting idle, but nothing major that I'm aware of. I would have no qualms about undertaking this trek; the old 440 will breeze through it.
Good luck with your hunt, and sorry you are too late to perhaps take on this one!
Got a friend who is undecided between the petrol 525i and diesel 525d of 4-5 years old; read the CBC breakdown and the general story is rosy. Is there any significant problem areas to be aware of? I know BM's cooling systems are bad on the petrol but does the cooling system also affected the diesel?
Also, the 320d produce 150 bhp at the same year yet the 2.5 straight-six only produces 163bhp and 258 lbft. So is the 2.5 diesel very under-stressed or BM is under-quoting the power and torque figure?
Any maintenance issues to be aware of? Like problematic diesel pump / injectors which affected some Mondeo TDCi or autobox that breaks down after 100,000 miles?
He does 15,000 miles a year so which will be a better bet?
Thanks in advanced for any advice, Gazza Read more
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The diagnoses is the garages problem, get them to do a quote and make it clear you cannot afford more than that. The bill for a new cat and lamda won't be cheap on a PSA as others have said.