June 2007
I have a 1997 Passat 1.9 TDI. The steering has started to get stiff and notchy when the car has warmed up and in hot weather. It takes a few miles to get like it and the self-centering is almost non-existant.
Any ideas out there - has anyone else experienced this?
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\"Nothing less than 8 cylinders will do\" Read more
Apparently the govt. are considering reducing the limit, as too many people are crashing due to drink-driving over the current limit. From The Daily Telegraph:
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007...l
How is this going to help in any way at all?
Confused, Read more
>>>it can be no surprise that drink/driving is increasing.....and drug driving, which is as equally worrying.<<<
I even heard that there are groups of hardcore street racers who deliberately drink or take drugs before driving.
As per the topic title...
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6755413.stm Read more
Well you don't blame Healy do you, just hope they don't live to regret it !
It was not always so but these days I try not to exceed speed limits. I'm aware that a significant number of drivers travel faster than me and I make no judgment.
As I cruise at 70 on motorways I spend a lot of time in lanes 2 or 3, overtaking HGVs, only occaisionally being able to move into lane 1.
Increasingly I notice drivers on motorways who want to do more than 70 but won't use lane 3, even when it's clear. They'll steam up behind me in lane 2, often at a great rate of knots, and then sit behind me for mile after mile. Eventually when I get chance to move into lane 1 they put their foot down and disappear, again at a great rate of knots.
What's it all about - why not just use lane 3 and continue past at their chosen speed?
When I have the caravan on the back they still do it but have to slow down to 60! Read more
rich66 - your definition of when you SHOULD pull back in is spot on - this does seem to iritate the "intimidators" but we shouldn't reduce our driving standards.
On the occassions when I do get flashed, unreasonably of course, I just wave to acknowledge I've seen the flash and continue my manoeuvre safely.
I have an MX5 1.8i - 1996, uk spec. about 100k miles. I've owned it for the last 6 years and never needed any major work on it.
I've looked around online and spoken to a few garages and have got really mixed messages about what to do.
The engine makes a ticking noise most of the time. This always happens at idle when it is cold and sometimes disappears with higher revs and warm weather, but this isn't guaranteed. It has made this noise for the last couple of years and I haven't done anything about it because when I have taken it for MoT or service, I have always been told it's nothing to worry about, just an irritating noise.
I have just taken it to a different garage for MoT where they replaced the oil in the valves as possible fix, but they also said that if this didn't work it will probably cost £600-700 to replace the tappits (?). It was an urgent thing as the noise meant that if it continued it would eventually do serious damage to the hydraulics. He told me to do a bit of mileage and go back in a few months for repairs if it continued.
Some advice would be really appreciated as I don't know whose opinion to follow.
If more info is needed I'll try to give it...
Thanks!
Vix
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DOes sound like the tappets. Not a difficult job. Shouldn't cost as much at £600 though...
Hi guys,
I'll be hypothetical so not to fall foul of the rules.
Lets suggest that a diesel powered german prestige car is covered by a warranty from a leading warranty provider. The car in question is not high mileage - infact, it's below average and thus within the mileage limits in force on the policy.
The car develops a starting issue and is sent to the main dealer. The dealer diagnoses the problem as a faulty 'Pre supply fuel pump'. The dealer calls the warranty company, who decline to pay stating the part is not covered.
Here is an extract from the policy:
'FUEL SYSTEM
Mechanical and electrical fuel pumps, airflow meter, injectors (including injector cooling system), overrun cut-off valve, pressure regulator, sensors, throttle body, fuel gauge and tank sender unit. D.I.S. unit and controls, injection pump, injectors, glow plugs, electromagnetic cut-off.'
Note plural of 'fuel pumps'. Suggesting more than one. Ie, both fitted to the car. Warranty company claims 'Oh, that only refers to petrol cars'. No mention of that can be found in the policy.
In your opinion, are they correct to reject a claim on those grounds?
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The problem with warranty companies is the very business model they are based upon.
A: income is the fixed sum paid per policy
B: costs are claims paid per policy
Profit (and they are there to make a profit) is = A - B
To ensure they always make money A: would be too high and no one would buy it,
So guess were the profit fine tuning comes from.
The idea of rejecting *every* claim up front is probably a good one, if 5% accept that - its a good ploy to boost profit.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
Well my Company Passat is going back in a few weeks to be replaced by a Fiat Grande Punto 1.2 Active Aircon. A bit of a downgrade but thats life!
Dont have any experience of these so could you give me your opinions, experiences antidotes etc of the current Punto?
Many thanks.
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The Grande Punto 1.2 is actually not that much less powerful than the heavier 1.4 8v, if I recall it's about 65bhp against 75bhp. Being an 8v engine it is also quite torquey at lower revs, and shifts the Punto better than say a 1.2 Clio III does. Though I too would have my reservations on air con, as I already feel my Focus TDCi 110 is underpowered with the a/c on...
Can anyone help? 3 problems: 1.Very uneven running at steady low speed e.g. 30mph. 2. Keeps stalling when coming to stop, idle drops too far,
3. Airbag warning light, how is this reset (without going to dealer!). With respect to 2. the car has the idle control valve integrated with the throttle body.
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I would also look at the breathers especially the small pipe from the engine to the inlet manifold. This pipe blocks up as it goes into the inlet manifold, I bet it's blocked there and this stops the engine from breathing correctly and will make it stall.
I've put my Pug in the classifieds as I'm toying with the idea of getting something else, namely an Alfa Romeo - either a 156 2.5 V6 or a 166 3.0 V6.
I know the reputation but they are just soooooo pretty.
My budget would cater for a 2000 model and I would make sure the all important belt change had been carried out - along with a clutch if possible..!
So, am I mad? Read more
I've just bought a 156 aftr years of Nissans. Know what - I love it. I expect a few niggles along the way - but so what. When something drives as well, and turns as many heads, and draws so much positive comment - who cares.
I believe with Alfas in look after them they will look after you. I had mine serviced and the mechanic commented it was in fine mechanical fettle, no impending doom. So maintain the way you should and just get out and enjoy it. The car has character and charisma in spades . . . . . . . Find a good independent garae with the tooling and diagnostics and you're sorted.
The only car ever I look back at before closing my front door when I get home. Nuff said.
www.leftlanedrivers.org/
(This refers to mirror image 'MOVE OVER' sunstrips for front windows of cars. Possibly a little agressive for the UK. HJ)
Time for a similar campaign here?
Tony Read more
They have got it right in France, just try sitting in the outside lane (even in heavy traffic) when on the Motorway into Paris, you will quickly learn lane discipline !!! .....and it works! The USA idea is madness with everyone all cutting each other up, bumping into each other!
Browse
A good starting point would be to change the PAS fluid, as on a car this age it has probably broken down completely and is like grey/black milk.