April 2007
Hi,
I got a brand spanking new Mondeo 2.2 ST delivered today, however reading the owner's handbook is hard work - because none of the illustrations match any of the instruments in the car!
It has just clicked but possibly I have got a handbook for the new model. Only when I got to page 80, there is a picture of the instrument display and it looks awfully like the new digital mondeo display.
Also, earlier I spent about 20 minutes trying to find the non-existent lever to open the bonnet. I did a search and found out how to open it on this site....
Guess the dealer maybe ran out of old ones - but does this sound feasible or am I being a plank? Read more
Following an accident (third-party's fault), our insurer has declared our car a total loss.
The car is a Ford Focus LX 1.6 Auto 5dr hatchback, V-reg (99), 32K miles, 2 lady owners from new, fsh (last serviced in Mar 07), 11 months MOT & tax.
The insurance company have offered £3300 in settlement. Ideally, we'd like to replace this with a similar car. Having had a look on autotrader, we'd be looking to pay from around £4K for an automatic Focus with similar mileage.
1. Would you consider this a reasonable valuation?
2. I am planning to write to the insurers asking them to revise the valuation. Does anyone have a template letter I could use?
Thanks Read more
> Re the valuation are you sure the valuer accouted for your car being an
auto
No I am not. The insurance co provided very little detail of their valuation process.
They did value the car twice (by two different people I hope) so it seems
unlikely that the fact it's an automatic would be overlooked.
Well make sure they revalue it then, an auto will be worth more. If it is substantially damaged externally the assessor may have not got closer to it than 10ft and simply noted the reg and model, in the days of analogue odometers he would have checked that and noticed it was an auto though with a digital one he may well take yours or the recoverer / body shop's word on the mileage.
> Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec auto 2002/52 21k miles £4 700s
In fairness my car was a lot older than this (1999/V-reg) so a direct comparison
could be misleading.
>>
My point is that a four/five year old one might be £6500 on the forecourt, ok yours is 3 years older though the mileage is not much higher.
Perhaps youir local dealer or Ford indy could put in writing what they think you car was worth or waht it would cost to replace.
hello
ive just bought a fiat punto 75elx and i would like to know if anybody knows the correct tools for the job?
thanks Read more
And just supposing someone does know the correct tools for the job, would you like him to tell you?
hello. i have a 1996 1.4 astra. the temperature gauge goes into the red 100 deg c and the fan doesnt cut in. i dont know if it works or not because i turn the car off before it goes any higher but i assume the fan would be set to cut in below that temp? any help appreciated on what to check? c8hep@aol.com
thanks Read more
Must eliminate head gasket before changing switches, thermostat, etc ...
If head gasket is gone the combustion gases have to enter the cooling system ...
It is not automatic that the water will get into the oil and vice versa ...
oil and water can be normal ... and head gasket can still be gone ...
Combustion gases entering the cooling system can effect the thermostat opening ... depending on where the thermostat is ... if air gets trapped under thermostat ... it will not open unless there is water at the correct temperature to open the thermostat ...
Take the cap off the expansion tank (not when hot) and fill tank to the brim with water ... let engine run without cap for 10 to 20 minutes ... if after this or sooner you see a steady stream of small bubbles ... or there is no bubbles for say 10 to 20 seconds then suddenly there is a large bubble ... then head gasket is gone ...
If there is no air bubbles ... Head gasket should be OK ...
Now check for restrictions in the water flow through the radiator ... is radiator partially choked ... is thermostat opening ... (thermostat is usually on the end of the head behind the t/belt on the Astra) ...
Some time ago a member Galaxy had a copy of the user instructions for a hawk exhaust gas analyser.
I could do with a copy of the user instructions as I don't know how to set up and sort of calibrate the Hawk unit that I have, the wiring connections are easy to work out but there is also a knob and a switch.
This is only a gas analyser unit no tacho, or other functions.
Any help would be appreciated especially a copy of Galaxy's instruction sheet.
Thanks Read more
Hello jba,
Regarding the instructions for Hawk Exhaust Gas Analyser you were looking for,I wondered if you had succeededin obtaining same....
on a 1997 106 1.5d the windscreen wiper works on all functions but when on constant the wiper will stop and start across the screen.
If the wiper stalk is wiggled it may make the wipers continue their sweep, but when they are working the wiggling may also make the wipers stop.
Does this sound like a motor problem or wiper stalk/switch?
thanks Read more
thanks saltrampen
Theres a stalk on ebay for a few quid ill give that a try,
Hi there,
I have a lovely little K Reg K11 Micra that has recently starting stalling when I'm slowing down on approach to roundabouts etc. which is a tad irritating!! It has been doing this more frequently in the last few days and I have now noticed some weird furry stuff coming out of my exhaust... I know I'm going to have to take it in to be sorted, but having spent the best part of a grand repairing cars in the last year or so, I'd like to maybe have some osrt of idea what might be going on with it before I get ripped off again!!
Please help - I don't want to have to say bye to this car just yet!
Thanking you all kindly : ) Read more
I would get the exhaust done as it obviously needs replacing anyway. If it solves the problem great, if not I had the same problem on a van and it was an air leak in the inlet manifold gasket. This was proved by sraying wd40 or similar where it meets the block with the engine running and the idle going a bit crazy. Either that or idle control valve if fitted?
Hope this helps
Stuart
There seems to be a new entry in the menu bar on the left titles Motor Match. Can anyone tell me what this is about? Read more
When I clicked on the Motor Match link just now I got the following message:
Does that mean that it has now gone from the site ....
Yes, it's finished. The link will be removed at some point in the near future.
DD.
Does any one know of a cheap/reputable auto glass shop in Liverpool? My girlfriends just cracked the front windscreen on her ZX right at the bottom about 4 inches long. I guess this is going to have to be replaced but would like a clue as to what she (or more likely I) should be paying.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Gav Read more
Is it not "covered" on insurance?
It's almost bound to be. Check the terms of your policy.
--
L\'escargot.
went away this weekend left one of my transits in the street and it has been tagged
(felt tipped with someones initials)
is this a new trend or were the thickos thicker than usual and thought it was a train? Read more
The whole village may well turn out to watch, feelings were running high here as the parish concil had spent a fair bit of money in tidying the thing up.
Browse
I don't think it has the weights. It has all the dimensions for the saloon, hatch and estate, plus there is a section on towing equipment measurements. Can't see any weights unfortunately though.
It does say that the weights are on the vehicle identification plate though which won't be much use for you yet.