August 2007
Please can anyone help?
Without going to the expense of buying a Haynes manual, does anyone know how to remove the alt. belt on a non power steering, non air con MkIV 1.25 Fiesta (97),
Can't find any adjustment on Alternator, it looks like the tensioning wheel/pulley is unbolted and then belt taken off or is it more complex than that?
Thanks
S. Read more
Hi all, a few weeks ago i was driving back from the supermarket...was doing about 50ish on a National Speed limit road...came round a bend and the road was totally flooded....I slammed on the anchors and hit the water which obviously slowed me right down...i stamped on the accelarator and the car carried on through it...the water was just below the bonnet line i think.
My problem started immediately after..when selecting between drive and neutral or reverse a distinct clonk appeared...then over the weekend the car would randomly stop engaging first when i came to a stop. I hoped it would dry out but on Monday I broke down and the car struggles to move when i engage drive or reverse.
After some testing the car drives fine until it reaches operating temperature and then the gearbox wont engage first and goes into 3rd,
The car is a Phase 3 Xreg Automatic with only 30K on the clock so dont really wanna scrap it. The auto gearbox is not displaying any warning lights about low fluid etc and its not even gone into emergency drive home mode.
The car has been checked by my friends garage and he has taken it to an auto specialist. who has checked fluid pressures etc and say the gearbox has gone faulty. I have also been told that if i can find a gearbox its not a diy job because it has to be setup on a computer or something.
I have been quote up to a max of 1500 for a brand new gearbox and not much less to fit a recon. What should I do?
Slight tweak to subject line to include year - correct me if I'm wrong on the year ! - PU
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The horn on my Mazda 6 is not working. I want to check it but after looking for ages I cant find the damn thing! Anyone know where it is please? Also is it protected by a fuse? If so which one? Any help would be very much appreciated.
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Thanks for the update, Del.
Now the rest of us with a Mazda6 know where to look if we have problems in that area.
Clk Sec
I have water leaking into the rear drivers side of the C Max in the boot. It shows up on the plastic lip that the parcel shelf sits on. I have has the rear light out and also put a hose around but cannot find the leak-but as soon as it rains its there. Its not the rear door seal either so I am a little puzzled as to where it is coming in.
Any thoughts appreciated.
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Looked at the rails. They are held on by double sided tape and the roof mount holes are still covered. I just cannot see where the water is getting in but it is. Its not the washer either as it only happens when it is wet.
Very strange.
Hello all I have a new problem with my car.
When accelerating away from junctions, therefore with some lock on the wheel, in second gear there is a banging from somewhere up front. It seems worse when turning right than left. I was assuming its the exhaust - it had a new CAT recently - but I've taken the car back to the garage they've checked the exhaust and they say its located correctly. Any ideas? Read more
I took a mkII golf for a test drive once, and it made that sort of noise.
Giving one of the front wheels a wiggle by grabbing the wheel itself, not the sterring wheel showed the bushes on the lower suspension arm were completly shot.
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Aim low, expect nothing & dont be disappointed
I suspect that a lot of the backroom folks are like my dad in that they think a garage is not for the car, it's for storing all those "might come in useful" things, but anyway...
If you wanted to put your car in your garage, would it fit? Passat Estate driving other half is convinced that his estate wont fit in the garage of your average new build property.
How big is the garage of your average new build property and why don't they put this on the spec? Is he right? Have garages shrunk? Or have cars grown?
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We have a garage space with a doorway arch - the prefab asbestos garage erected there in 1959 collapsed in 1995 - fortunately only taking a few chests of books and a bike with it. I can park the x-trail and micra on the base, but could not open the doors of either if the walls were still in situ - getting through the arch is a skill and requires folding in the side mirrors.
Driving back from Derby to Cheshire yesterday, on the Derby - Ashbourne - Leek road.
It's mostly a 50 limit. Of course there are trucks with sheep-like queues of Micras etc all following and going 38mph.
So I do my usual stepwise overtaking to get past the queue -- without cutting in, and ONLY when I am not causing any other driver to have to swerve / brake / take any avoiding action.
Yet you get these silly old duffers flashing / honking horns etc at you, just for trying to make progress.
So what is it about the motorist's psyche that makes them so upset about being overtaken? I can honestly say it doesn't bother me. If someone wants to go past, fine, off they can go as long as they don't cut me up. Read more
Well said, Westpig.
Unfortunately, there are far too many cars on the road in top gear with their drivers minds are in neutral. Good observation and anticipation are skills which require some effort on the part of the driver. Sadly, in-car toys, gadgets and passengers seem to occupy many drivers' minds at the expense of roadcraft.
Speaking, tangentially, of Roadcraft, I have found that the 'correct' use of the horn or lights when overtaking can actually make the overtaken driver react in an aggressive manner!
Now there's an interesting, if off-thread, thought.....what was the last model to be sold with a carburettor and choke? I think everything now on the market is petrol or diesel injection.
Moved over from PCP Thread.
Well Avant, its generating interest of its own so let's re-thread it ! - PU Read more
And, the previously mentioned, Kia Pride.
Mine was first registered March '94.
I have a Y reg 2001 new shape mondeo with 105,000 on the clock with a full service history.
Recently, the engine has sounded a little loud when sitting idle, almost like a rattle. I have also noticed an intermittent noise when accelerating a little when in gear. It sounds like a rattle and only lasts for a second or two. Other than this, the car drives fantastic but am just wondering what it could be and the costs expected?
Thanks in advance
Subject tweaked to show problem - PU Read more
I have a 51 1.8 and had a similar problem. It was worse when put under a bit of load (ie put the aircon and headlights on).
Local garage diagnosed alternator springs (I think). Replaced them and it's been fine since.
Hello
A friend of my wife has a new pcp contract with ford.
She has a ka (Not another one)
She is unsatisfied with the fuel economy and wants to change to a Diesel Fiesta. (She drives 300 miles a week)
Can the PCP contract that she signed for 3 years be shortened to 2 or even scrapped?
All help and tips appreciated.
--
(iam not a mechanic)
Martin Winters Read more
Hello
I will pass all the good comments on to her.
I will not pass the sexist jokes on.
Having been driven around by my older sister i can testify that i had to hold onto the door handle especially around corners.
The granddaughters ka is also a bit thirsty and i know she does not drive too fast.
Many thanks for the replies.
P.s In my replies iam only quoting what the wifes friend has said re fuel tank size etc
--
(iam not a mechanic)
Martin Winters
Browse
My Xantia has this automatic spring loaded tensioner system. It has the facility to wind the tensioner back and insert a pin through a hole in the arm and its bracket to hold it clear while the belt is removed/replaced. It may be worth looking for a similar arrangement.