April 2007
I had an unbelievable drive on Saturday.
Epsom to Hartland, Devon, and back - and had the roads practically all to myself all day, both ways, all the way. Managed to do a better time than even the notoriously optimistic AA website while staying prefectly legal as regards speed limits.
Obviously I'm not complaining at that, but I am wondering why it was so unexpectedly quiet?
Even the A303 past Salisbury towards Yeovil was nearly empty...!!
I also scored my best yet fuel economy - on the way out I filled up at the BP place near Yeovil a few miles before the A358 comes off the A303, full tank to the shut off function. On the way back I filled up at the Shell place a couple of miles nearer to London at the same place, again until the pump shut off. I could only get 3.5 gallons into it, and that was for 185 miles. Better than 52mpg, an amazing 10mpg more than I normally get.
Fantastic! :-)
But I'm still wondering why the roads were so empty on a good weather Saturday...?? [ And please don't say they all knew I was coming so they stayed out of the way - I've heard that a dozen times at work this morning already! ] Read more
I am changing the cambelt on my 1997 2.1td but am having trouble removing the old tensioner. I have removed all the nuts and screws I can see but is still won't budge. Also access is very limited due to not being able to remove the engine side plate whilst in the car.
Is there anyone out there with good experince of Xantia 2.1's
Thanks in advance
Mike Read more
Hi, I was wondering if anyone can help me. My Rover 25 (52 reg) ran out of fuel yesterday, when I eventually managed to get some fuel back into the car it still wouldn't start. I think the problem is that there is now a fuel blockage as dirt from the tank has become dislodged hence causing the problem.
Firstly, is this a big problem (and are any new parts needed) or can it be fixed easily?! And secondly does anybody have any idea of the cost to fix this?! Read more
it could even b an ecu problem but this is less likey it's probally the fatc that u mite need to fill up the resrve part of the tank before it will work then it would b fine or u mite habv a dodgey tank sensor which i think would cost about £30 ish i'm not 100% sure about that tho hope this helps you
In the market for a forward-facing car chair (9months +) for my E46 3 Series Touring.
Our car has ISOFix anchors so my immediate choice was towards one of these but I see that they are consderably more expensive. My main criteria is safety (obviously) and assume that as the ISOFix utilises anchor points to the car's chassis it provides a better, and safer set up (?). I have read on this very board that ISOFix may not be as easy as I might think.
What is the general view? I'd be interested in opinions of others, what they chose (ISOFix or not), why etc... It's going to last us at least 4 years so I want to make the right purchase.
Thanks Read more
This page from the Britax website may clear up some of the ISOFIX compatability points that have been raised.
www.britax.co.uk/cms_downloads/Britax_Duo_Plus_ISO...f
MTC
I think I've done something remarkably stupid. My 98 2ltr petrol Vectra has been garaged for a while and I tried to jump start it yesterday. It jumped fine the first time, I manouvered it and then went to jump it a second time but I think I might have crossed the jump leads. I got sparks when I put on the last clamp and the horn on the vectra sounded.
I pulled all the cables and reconnected more carefully (not sure if I had them on wrong as I didn't check them as I pulled them). The fuses are all fine, the Vectra starts okay but cuts out when the jump lead is removed. The battery does charge because if I leave it 'jumping' for while the car will run on it's own for a few minutes until the charge runs out. The Battery warning light was on but flared and went out, it now does not light up at ignition.
I think I've burnt out the diode pack on the alternator by reversing the polarity. So I expect I'll have to replace the alternator. However, I read somewhere that a blown bulb breaks the circuit. Does anyone know if this is true. Will I need to pull the dash and change the bulb to get the car started again? Read more
Manufacturers frequently use several suppliers;the smaller one available for one of my Fords was,in fact,heavier in weight,tho' it's overall dimensions were less.
My brother in law just came over in his new car. He traded his 1990 Volvo for a 1999 AMG Mercedes C Class with 81,000 on the clock. He paid $14,000 which as my wife pointed out is only $2000 more than I paid for my 2004 Taurus. Seems like amazing value to me although I imagine servicing it's going to cost a packet. Read more
Yer only here once!
...You bought a litre of petrol and then insisted on your 0.1p change? Maybe you would have a case for making them round the price down.
And why is petrol charged in units of currency that don't even exist? Nothing else is.
--
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Robin Reliant,
I think you'll find that gas and electricity units are sold in fractions of pence also, or they used to be when I last worked for a power company. Check your power bills. Its not just petrol.
does any one out there know any easy ways to tune a fiat uno the engine? It is the punto type with the over head cam set up. It is a 1.0litre.
I want some easy ways to tune it to make it more powerfull and a bit quicker on top end, and acceleration. I am a bit skint, so as cheap as possible, and i would like to do the work myself.
If any one can help that would be great, cheers
{Some punctuation added to make easier reading, and to cut down on possible sarcastic replies - bathtub tom, please note! DD} Read more
it is a j reg it is one of the early mark 2 45 fires which it is on a standard webber carb i don't mind doin a bit of work to make it 5 speed it's just the cost's that i can't afford thats y i r4eally can't go down the road of new manifolds and stuff like that cheers anyway m8 also does anybody know if the suspension set up is the same cos i am thinkin about lowering it aswell but i can't find a lowering kit for it but i can find loads for punto's cheers
Driving my mother's Clio (X Reg, auto box) this afternoon, noticed wipers are set for LHD. Is this normal for Renault?
Our own cars are French, Xantia and Berlingo, but both are set to clear up to the RH edge of the screen as was my F reg 205. Read more
The Pug 206 is also set up for L/H drive
Peugeot came up with 2 different front wiper set ups for the R/H drive 206 so you also have to make sure you get the correct size of wiper blades as the wiper arms are different lengths on the earlier cars, doesnt really bother me you get used to them after a while.
I?ve been looking at the new Golf and Jetta. Anything other than base or one model up in the Golf range and you get sports seats and suspension which I don?t like. And you can't get get the more powerful engines in the base models.
Yet you can get a Jetta for £200 less than the equivalent engined Golf yet have a lot more stuff on the inside. To spec the Golf would probably be about another £1k. But then it has got the sports seats and suspension.
So why the negative press I?ve seen about the Jetta? Does everyone want seats that pinch your thighs and a ride that clatters your teeth?
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I do think it strange VW have spec'd the Jetta up to the hilt-the SE has more gizmos than a Passat SE. The Golf seems to be aimed at two markets-the parents/school run/mum out shopping types, and the sporty/GTi types. Anyone looking for a smooth, pacey motor should look elsewhere.
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They have actually. Someone told me so yesterday morning.