July 2007
Lots of car for the money and I know a few people who swear by them. Just seen an 01 plate 2.9 diesel on autotrader with 41K on the clock for around £4000. How good are these cars really? Build quality, reliabilty, parts costs etc? I know they are a bit tankish to drive but nevertheless seem great value........... Read more
Hi honest john members,
I am looking for honest advice since I have just recently had a new dashboard computer fitted in my fiat punto but the counter now has zero miles on the clock. i asked the mechanic why he did not programme the counter with the correct mileage and was told that this is illegal. This seems odd to me and I would like to know if this is correct as I am annoyed that now people will think that i have clocked my car since as it does not tie with my last MOT and has effectively advertised my car as a lemon.
i would really appreciate your honest opinon on this because i would prefer to have the correct mileage on the clock.
Thanks in advance for you help,
David Read more
Cannot remember which car it was, possibly a Nisssan, but there was a section in the service book where details could be filled in regarding a speedo change.
Hi
My wifes car has developed a problem with the front wheel arch. Please accept my aplogies if this is a basic problem but I am not too conversant with cars.
The plastic trim in the front drivers side wheel arch has come loose and appears to be missing a number of screws. In addition, the plastic appears to have been cut and is flapping around which is further wearing the plastic. We purchased the car around 2 months ago and has been relatively problem free until this.
Is this likely to be expensive to replace at a local garage?
Can this be done myself?
Thanks in advance
Moved to tech and subject line changed to assist readers - PU Read more
If possible, cable tie it as a precaution - if it comes off, it's likely to get completely smashed. Given all this wet weather, they protect the some electricals from direct spray.
Son's 1999 2.0 diesel Zafira alarm keeps going off for no obvious reason which is, understandably, driving him mad. (His neighbours too, of course)
It sets itself automatically on locking the car and when it goes off he says it can only be silenced by starting the engine.
His usual trusted indy hasn't a fix, is a Vauxhall dealer likely to be able to find and fix the cause or alternatively disable the alarm? (He is strapped for cash so doesn't want to go the Vauxhall dealer route without some idea of likely cost/chance of success).
( Nor do I as I would probably have to pick up the bill!)
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We have had this same problem twice now on our 2000 Zafira DTi.
The first time was 2 years ago, and it was indeed the power sounder at fault. Once replaced quietness reigned until May this year when the Zafira started giving us early morning calls again. Back at the main dealer the car was given the full tech 2 treatment and a number of fault codes showed up. However the sounder was pronounced OK. The codes were cleared, and we were advised by the dealer to shut the dashboard air vents whenever we locked the car, and leave the heater set to windscreen. Although initially sceptical I then remembered HJ giving this advice in similar situations.
We now do this after the last run of the day and the car has been fine ever since.
Just my 2 bobs worth!
Just an observation while I am here, but in the big Hypermarkets you can buy a brand new scooter for 799 euros. Not sure of make, but top speed 35mph, and it looks really good.
For 500 quid that is seriously cheap city motoring, I could keep one at the office and use it to nip out to my various calls (all in the city centre) without the hassle of parking, traffic queues etc!
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2007 Seat Altea XL 2.0 TDI (140) Stylance
2005 Skoda Fabia vrS Read more
And in addition to that, I have owned the bike for 2 years now. So we are not talking a major problem. Just a matter of a ten minute job by a mechanic!
This weekend i replaced the drivers side track rod on a 306 (2001). The job went fine and the rod simply screwed into the rack. I also replaced both track rod ends and then took the car to be laser tracked.
I got it back and felt the same play that was there before. Got the car on the jacks and realised the new track rod had be loosened by the guy who had done the tracking.
There is no pin or anything to lock the rod into the rack so im unsure how to get it tracked without comming across the same problem?
As the access is difficult its as tight in the rack as possible but im sure tracking it would loosen the rod again
The tracking was spot on when i drove it back so i could undo the track rod end from the hub and turn it that way to compensate for the track rod being turned into the rack but then it wouldnt be perfect
any ideas?
{Car added to subject header - DD}
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dont drive this till you sort it
as said either a locking washer
a pin
or locktight on the thread
non of these spells --------danger (no red light needed)
the dealer will have a schematic if you dont have a haynes
Any bright ideas for East Sheen (south circular) to Dover in time for the 9.25am ferry tomorrow? AA routefinder has us down the A3 to J9 of the M25, and says 1h50.
Aside from the "I wouldn't start from there" comments, does anyone know what it'll be like?
Thanks
O
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Career: (n) Job, profession.
(v) Downhill, rapidly, out of control. Read more
Many thanks to all for suggestions. We ended up leaving at 0610, and went South circular-A3 - M25 - M20 and did it in 1hr 45. No major holdups at all. The EU wine lake is a little smaller...
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Career: (n) Job, profession.
(v) Downhill, rapidly, out of control.
Hi, I run a Ducato van 2.8D non turbo year 1998 with 105K on the clock. I've had the vehicle for 7 years and bought it with 55K on the clock.
It's now starting to run hot. If I drive at a steady 55mph the gauge stays well down. If I stick my foot down and do say 70mph, the temperature creeps up to about 90 on the gauge and steep hills etc also make it run much hotter. Whenever in traffic and if stationary, the gauge creeps up and the fan constantly cuts in and out after about 5 minutes. This never used to happen and it even happens in colder weather. I've never had the needle go the red cos the fan keeps it from doing so. The rad is missing quite a few sections of fins and the water level wont stay at maximum though it never drops below minimum. With the heater on, theres a smell of hot coolant in the cab.
Given that any water loss isn't ongoing (only goes down to minimum) what could be causing the running hot? Any ideas? Filling up water to the max doesnt make any difference to running temp - it still seems to run hot. Read more
>>what could be causing the running hot?
Partial blockage of the rad will cause it,and you said fins are missing which would suggest rad needs replacing anyway,too much flexing on rad pipes may cause them to split.
Also sounds like you have a dripping matrix in heater
No wonder UK motorists are confused with regard to speeding in towns.
I read, quite frequently, of people being caught doing between 5 and 10mph over the limit and getting points on their license. Statistics seem to show most people gain points on their license while being less than 10mph over the limit.
Yet this weekend I have witnessed the most blatant speeding and what will the authorities do ? Nothing. They have actively encouraged 189 foreign cyclists to London and Kent and actively encouraged them to ride with total disregard to the speed limit for financial reward.
Speeds in excess of 50mph have been witnessed in Canterbury centre this afternoon with total disregard to the two second rule and braking distances have gone out of the window. There was a pile up in a Kent lane less than 20 miles from Canterbury centre. Will the police study video evidence and prosecute the guilty party for riding without due care and attention ?
No wonder the motorist feels persecuted !
The above was written tongue in cheek before we get any Victor Meldrews on here...
{ Posts merged - don't let this degenerate otherwise.... PU} Read more
Just off your patch Orson :)
On the country lane between Walton and Crofton in West Yorkshire ( Or the West riding, as it was then:)
Regards
Currently in Normandy, in Houlgate roughly halfway between le havre and caen.
Family want to go to Paris tomorrow, something to do when the weather is as poor.
Although i am quite willing to drive and have TomTom to take me, if I could get the train then it would mean more relaxing and no hassles trying to find parking.
The couriers here are next to useless and the reception staff don't speak much English,anyone got any websites or info that could help?
I will be googling but just in case anyone had any info to give me?
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2007 Seat Altea XL 2.0 TDI (140) Stylance
2005 Skoda Fabia vrS Read more
Just for future reference, you'll find trains scheduled on the SCNF network - particularly the TGVs -as "red", "orange" or "green".
Red are peak traffic, reservations are compulsorary, orange less busy, reservation optional, green off peak, open seating.
Browse
Pre 2006 Sedonas have a diabolical turning circle. Possibly as bad as the Queen Mary.
Virtually every one i've dealt with has scrapes to the front bumper corners because of this, so check carefully for botched repair jobs.