April 2007
There appears to be confusion as to when to renew the timing belt on a mk 1 Focus. I run a 51reg 1.6 zetec and my Ford dealer does not give a definitive answer. The book says 100,000 miles and other "experts" say 60 - 80.000 miles. My car has completed 81,000 miles. So what do contributors to this site have to say please? Read more
The other week, I rode my bike in from Waterloo Station to our London office.
At the north end of Waterloo Bridge, where it meets Strand at Aldwych, there is normally a half decent snarl-up and typically a minute or so's delay (even on a pushbike). Today, the traffic lights were out of order. Result? No traffic waiting at any of the entrances to the junction. Everyone keeping their eyes open and moving sweetly past one another.
I was negotiating the junction at the usual time of day, if you're wondering.
I agree that a sample of one is not proof, but I have seen similar things before and the result always seems to be similar. I wonder what'd happen if they turned off every set of lights in Central London?
V Read more
Update. Last Thursday, I left Southampton station at the usual time, heading for home. In my car, this time.
Normally, there's a queue of around 30-40 cars at Foyes Corner crossroads. This time though, I knew it would be worse, as they are carrying out major roadworks and they have set up temporary traffic lights.
Guess what, the lights were out of order. And, as a result, despite the road being pretty severely dug up and the junction restricted, guess what again? Yep, no queue at all. All I had to do was slow down, let a car out across my path and drive on. Amazing, isn't it?
I think I'll stand for mayor of Southampton on a policy of turning off all the traffic lights.
V
Just wanted to say what i pleasent suprise i had today when an AA patrol stopped by my house to see if the problem i had with my Saab had been resolved, It kept blowing bulbs and he had been out 3 times to it, then he spent an hour on to technical people to find out what it could be and found a list of things for me to go to the dealer with, then as i say popped by today to see if anything was sorted!
I think if everyone had that dedication to thier job the the world would be a better place!! Well maybe not but though he deserved a mention!!
Jon Read more
They spend too long making carp commercials, poncing thru the Highlands singing rubbish songs and getting their dreadlocks plaited - that's why they are not as good as the RAC!
My current Ford Focus Zetec is up for an MoT in May.
One of the front built in the bumper fog lights has smashed glass and doesn't work either.
Will my car fail its MoT because of this ? Read more
Hi Viz, why dont you just replace the light ? would not cost a lot, Cheers, Graham.
Anyone had any experience of one? There are a couple around on autotrader that seem to be half decent and I am feeling like a change of car. The other possibility is an alfa spider but I find those a bit girly....although they would be *far more sensible* and therefore *much less interesting* to own :-)
teabelly Read more
Once driven, forever smitten. I'd better be careful if I test drive one then! I've not driven anything newer than a 98 alfa so I have no idea what modern cars are like.
teabelly
My car's a Citroen C5 with 15in wheels. The paintwork is mid-grey metallic which means I rarely have to wash the damn thing. In fact I haven't washed it for three years. The only visible indications that it might need washed are the plastic front wheel trims which have 14 fake spokes that become filthy black in no time and are nearly impossible to clean without first removing them. Does anyone know if it is possible to buy spoke-less trims consisting of a simple flat or even slightly domed disc? These would be a cinch to wipe clean if they ever even got dirty in the first place. Read more
What an incredible co-incidence that you are looking for a set of flat wheel trims! I have just posted the same query, down to using the same phrase: 'simple flat, or slightly domed' trims!
I tried many Google searches with no result except on eBay, try 'mooneyes' search. They are expensive as they come from the USA and seem to screw into the base of the tire!
I have a few queries with different firms and will let you know the results and can you do likewise.
Anyway, I have always loved the look of those bic classic cars from the 30s, the cars like Rolls with the sweeping wings mudguards with running boards. These lead to a second swept mudguard for the rear wheels. And what did those wheels have? Yes, plain flat disc trims with only the tire valve hole!
I am thinking of getting the new 2011 Vauxhall/Opel Astra Sports Tourer estate. A beautiful unfussy design only spoiled by the busy multi-hole cut-outs on the weel trim. That is why I want to get them.
Tim Costello.
my misses reckons they give way to vehicles entering roundabouts(whilst you are on a roundabout) i think shes talking rubbish , and she does it when shes driving(not very often if i can help it) but she is italian is she talking twaddle or what as ive never driven abroad? Read more
Hi, in Holland the priority is by default to those already on the roundabouts, however, they are changing the road markings on most to give way to those already on the roundabout ('sharks teeth' give way triangles painted on the road). There is a fundamental flaw in giving priority to those joining the roundabout, and that is that gridlock can occur which then needs the police involved to unlock it.
Jerry
Hi,
The interior fan on my mark 4 golf (the basic model, not the fancy automatic digital climate one) only works on full blast. The air con light comes on when it'd turned on, but no air comes out of the vents unless the knob is turned to the '4' setting. I''m seriously hoping it's a simple fix and a matter of a faulty knob... any ideas please? Read more
dont know
just relating what the book shows
sorry
does the glovebox unscrew?
or maybe put the seat right back and get down and get under as eddie waring used to say?
sorry dont know ,never done one
Hello
I took advice a while ago on here regarding a Mk1 Mondeo TD Starting fault, and replaced glow plugs and a fuel filter housing.
However my car still suffers with the same fault? After it has been stood for a while (like 8 hours or so), it will not start.
Or, more accurately, it normally DOES start, runs for 2-3 seconds, then dies (revving does not save it).
Once it has dies, it normally takes a pump or two on the primer to get it restarted. But it does seem pretty random.
Today I started to play around with the fuel lines, and worked my way backwards down the line, and it would appear that no fuel is coming through from the tank, into the first line in the engine bay.
When the ignition is turned on, nothing is happening, and when the car is cranked, no fuel is being pushed along the line.
So, is this is a clear sign of fuel pump failure, or there something I?m missing? (by no means a mechanic !!)
Only thing I can think is that when I?ve been removing pipes etc, it is no longer a complete vacuum? would this stop fuel being pumped along with ignition???
Cheers in advance
Dave
Read more
Dave
There is no electric tank pump. The injection pump sucks the fuel from the tank.
Sounds like you're still getting air into the fuel overnight; if it wasn't the priming diaphragm, then check that the filter seals are correctly seated.
All the leak-off rubber pipes must be air-tight too; but it does sound as though it's drawing a filter-full of air into the pump after starting.
Was that a brand-new priming pump? Any sign of tiny cracks or leaks in the fuel lines, the joints, or the fuel heater?
Any idea of the cost for having the timing set up?..it's the 1.8 peugeot diesel engine..Thanks Read more
Thanks, screwloose
Browse
Thank you for your responses. You confirm my suspicions and I shall get it changed within next few weeks!