April 2007
Pig fat to be turned into diesel
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6571993.stm
The diesel when produced will be pumped into a network and mixed with other types of diesel. It will not be possible to tell at petrol stations whether the diesel is made from animal fat or not.
In a statement, the animal rights group PETA expressed its dismay.
"A recent report published by the United Nations concludes that the meat industry is responsible for more global warming emissions than all the cars, trucks and planes in the world combined."
"Clearly, the answer to global warming isn't to fill gas guzzling cars with ground up remains of tortured animals, it is to go vegetarian, which is something every person can afford to do and should do for the sake of their own health, animals and the environment."
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Seeing that this engine is now available in the new new MINI made me think, this must be about the most widely available engine these days, knocking previous favourites (various VAG lumps and A-series) into a cocked hat. Let's see now:
BMW MINI
Citroen C4
Citroen C5
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fusion
Ford Focus
Ford Mondeo
Mazda 3
Peugeot 207
Peugeot 307
Peugeot 407
Volvo S40
Volvo V50
Can anyone think of any more?
But more seriously, is this good news for indy garages? - i.e. will the same engine diagnostic computer work on all these models?
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The Ford/PSA 1.6 (90 and 110ps) and 2.0 (134 and 140ps) are related, they are both belt cam 16v engines, there is a 2.2 version in the 407 and C5 which will also appear in Fords soon.
The Ford 1.8 engine is based on the mechanically fairly old unit used in the Mk I/II Mondeo amongst others though is refined and punchy, it is 8v and belt cam, it is used in the MkI Focus (100 and 115ps), new Focus (115ps) , S-Max/Galaxy and new Mondeo (100 and 125ps).
The Ford 2.0 (115 and 130ps) and 2.2 TDCis used in the current Mondeo and X-Type (and variants in Transits) are 16v chain cam engines, they cost more to produce that the belt cam Ford/PSA units in part due to the economies of scale in prodiction of the latter as illustred by the OP re the 1.6.
any one got a clue of the price to pay to have a 205 resprayed roughly and if so any recommendations on any good sprayers in essex area ?/ Read more
Saltrampen is basically right but 2 pack would be used
look to spend £450 at a back street spray place with ubiquotous snarling dog in corner
£1000+ at a place with all its faculties
dont do it
no pewgot is worth it no matter what any book may say
Hi folks,
I am having major problems with a water leak on my 1.8 litre petrol Rover 75 which has done 72k miles.
The radiator had to be replaced due to a self evident leak, and knowing the cylinder head gasket problems that these models suffer from I've had the coolant system pressure tested and it was all OK.
There are no external signs of water leaks, and no sign of water in the engine oil, but the system is losing over a pint of water on a 40 mile daily trip.
I'm beginning to suspect the water pump gland might be leaking, but the absence of any external leaks is baffling me.
Anybody got any ideas on this one? Read more
Might also be worth asking a question on the owners club forums
www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum
hth
the dreaded time is here! ive just noticed a small 50p ish size hole rust in the boot of my pug 205 is this a mot fail please help?? Read more
Is this hole by any chance where the little holes for the rubber plugs that hold down the plastic/carpet boot flooring should be? If so slap a little rust inhibitor on it and forget about it for six months.
my neigbour has aquired a monkey bike , unfortunately his pleasure is my nightmare ,when he runs up and down the street on it ,it plays havoc with my telly should i shoot him? the swine Read more
Keep you out of mischief ;-)
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Fullchat
Hi there, first post, please be gentle!
Am looking at buying a used car from an approved dealer.
I have been to the dealer and had a look at the car, and also asked how much they'd give me for my VW Polo. The initial valuation they gave me was £1700, which I thought was about what they'd offer. Anyway, the next day, the salesman had a quick look at my Polo, and said that the engine management light was on (which it was, and had been for a while) and the engine was making a nasty rumble. They'd only be willing to offer £1500.
So I went away, got the engine management light seen to, and was also told that there were some other more serious issues with the car. I asked the mechanic to leave these.
I'm slightly concerned about what to say to the dealer if he quizzes me in the morning when I go down to get another valuation for my car. Do I lie about the condition of it? And say the mechanic said it was nothing serious? Or do I just plead ignorance? Does the dealer have any comeback with me if the car is not in a satisfactory state?
Any help would be appreciated
Cheers Read more
if someone comes in with a saleable p/x and they accept an initial low offer for it then you normally find that greed comes in to play and the usual sensible checks are dismissed apart from a hpi and a look on the screen to see what cap values it at
the do hits the fan when the deal is done and then its too late
so lucyandneil guranga
I recently purchased a Xsara Picasso 52 plate, and I have noticed that once I start hitting 60-65mph upto around 75mph, the steering wheel starts to vibrate and I noticed that it feels like a wind tunnel effect in the cabin. I'm taking it back to the garage, but would like to have an idea in advance as to what they should be considering, as so far I have had to have a number of things done on the car in the first 2-3weeks of owning it, and at the moment I haven't gone one week where I have not had to take the car back yet!
Also when I test drove it I noticed the brakes were seriously screeching when I braked, they said they checked the brakes and dusted them down, but they have started again, and its becoming rather annoying, as I have never had previous problems with such bad screeching brakes before, its every time I brake.
Can anyone help?
Thanks Read more
i have exactly the same problem.i suspect cv joints,im having it looked at today i'll keep you posted with the results.
I have experienced the engine cutting out when sitting in traffic. It has happened 3 times in the last 2 weeks or so.
When it cuts out it will not re start. It is as though the battery is flat (the starter motor tries but it is very weak). After a few minutes the car comes back to life and works normally.
Any ideas??? Read more
Bollard
The crank sensor in mounted on top of the flywheel and is £20-50. I wouldn't change it yet; it's only one of many possibilities.
Check the main power and earth cables first - and particularly those weird battery terminals for both security and internal [unseen] corrosion.
I'm after a new car 03 or04 plate and the two i have in mind are a Golf GTTDI 130 or a Mondeo TDCI 130 probably a Ghia X any opinions on which one is the better car .Driven both and both are very impressive and very nice but would like to have a bit of feedback before i go out and get one. Cheers Read more
I used to have a Mk IV Golf GT TDI 110 and was very pleased with it. It ran faultlessly for four years and 45K miles (I had it from 6 months and 6K), but it wasn't a brilliant drive. Mine was V reg, but I understand later models had sharper chassis set-ups. Still not a Mondeo beater drive-wise, though.
But a Mondeo and a Glf are rather different-sized cars. If, OP, you're seriously considering a Glf IV, how about a Seat Leon?
Browse
"I just think many pressure groups damage their cause more than they promote it "
Quite. But then again it is easier to talk in simplistic slogans that to engage in intelligent debate.
So will the exhaust gases smell of roast pork then? It would make driving through Golders Green an interesting experience.