August 2007
I parked my wife's black Panda under a fig tree for a month whilst we were away. I now notice that the tip of a branch of the tree has been in contact with the bonnet and lightly scratched it, as the tree branch moved in the breeze presumably.
The scratch marks are negligible, but the entire paint area around the scratch has turned a milky white. Some kind of bleaching of the paint in the sun I guess? Needless to say water has made no difference.
Any idea what to do? Read more
Afternoon all
Apparently the only thing ACF 50 does not do is cure cancer.
As well stopping rusting, is it really not only safe on plastic and rubber, but good for it? (I won't br doing the tyres, don't worry!)
It's hard to tell how much out there on the net is hype.
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Hehe, many apologies - it's been one of those nights :)
I wonder if this would act as a reasonable alternative to underseal / slathering old engine oil on?
Hi
Has anyone had problems regarding throttle body/positions on there s60's ?
I've heard that Volvo no about this issue and are consequently taking back and cleaning them out which apparently sorts the problem out !! also its free of charge????
I've had the airflow meter changed as one of the diagnostic problems but not the throttle body !!
can anyone advise please....
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Hello,
I know from reading the forum often that many of you are well travelled.
I am driving from Southport (just south of Preston) stopping over in Portishead (Travelodge) on way to Newquay on the Friday evening, leaving approx 1830 -1900, of next bank holiday weekend. We have two children 5 and 3.
Is it worth going the toll road and coming back under B'ham on the M42 to the M5?
Suggestions on the way back please which will be the following Saturday, haven't made any plans for a stopover yet, any good break places etc etc for an hour or two, (e.g. Cheddar Gorge) or is it madness to try this in one go, leaving times etc past experience will be welcome!
Thanks
Ellis
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what about the detour to see the spitfire in the garden?
Have I got old news for you! tinyurl.com/3c9qjy
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L\'escargot. Read more
I know the B3012 well, its a real cracker for speed. We used to have contests to see who could fly the furthest at the frimley end when whipping over the Basingstaoke canal. You need to take care tho the army is prone to come leaping out of the trees in landrovers and APC's.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
was reading a magazine while SWMBO was shopping and came across 'power tool racing' Basically it's hand power tools nailed into some sort of chassis and the course is 75m long 'cos that's their longest power lead! How about six chainsaws driving a go-kart or a leaf-blower powered dragster?
What would you build? Read more
I know exactly what you mean. I used to commute along the B3057 coast road from Weymouth to Bridport. Yes, I know it's a world heritage coast and it was a privilege. But it was one of those things that made me realise I am better off as far from the rest of the human race as possible.
Some cars, like Daihatsu Sirion, Toyota Prius, G-Whiz Electric etc. are exempted from Congestion Charge.
For Prius or G-Whiz, I understand the environmental reason.
But for other cars with less than 120g CO2 emission, what is the point of allowing them to ply without charge? If everyone buys those cars, there will be again massive congestion as well. So, will be back to squre one soon.
So, what's the point?
TBH, I feel even Prius or G-whiz should be charged as well. It's Congestion charge not pollution charge! Read more
At present cars on Powershift list are exempt from the charge. This means hybrids, proper LPG conversions (whether or not they actually use LPG) plus minibuses. To have Toyota/Lexus hybrids exempt whilst lower polluting cars pay is clearly ridiculous and suggested to me that Toyota might be lining Ken's pockets!
Changes are planned for next Feb. to make it environmental-based charge. Any car producing 120g CO2/km or less will qualify for exemption (ruling out many LPG conversions and Lexus hybrids that are currently exempt). More controversially, high C02 cars will have to pay £25 and residents discounts for high polluters are to go.
If you are going to tax/charge, I suppose it makes sense to base it on emissions, from a clean air point of view, but there will always be loop-holes. At least those who actually DO need a car won't have to pay it.
More info on the CCLondon website.
Does it really require a new headlamp to cure a faulty headlamp adjuster? Honda dealer says it is because they want to charge £176 approx.
Mark Read more
Mark .. I had to replace 2 headlamp units on a SEAT Leon on pre-test for NCT (MOT) @e500 (£365). I understand that this problem is fairly common across all car makes!!! It would appear "adjusters" are only for built - in obsolesence!.
Brendan
There are a few motoring programmes on the box, but they often come in for much criticism here.
So to be more positive, I wonder - as a group of people interested in motoring;
what would our ideal motoring programme actually look like?
who would present it?
what kind of format would it have?
how long should it be?
You never know, there might be an Independent Television Company Executive reading to take notice.
For me: maybe an hour. Keep some of Gear's messing about, but no more than ten minutes. Real reviews of real cars people actually buy. A section on used cars, perhaps with regular reports on a "fleet" of vehicles being used in the real world as some magazines do. A segment on industry news, ideally with interviews of the new Chief Exec or whoever. Get the other side aired too - a section with the likes of Ken Livingstone or cycle campaign leaders putting forward ideas. A brief televised version of some of HJ's FAQS, one a week. A brief motor sport section.
Presenters - maybe more May like than Clarkson like. How about Mark Evans from the Discovery programmes for one? Enthusiastic, knowledgable and likeable.
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I could make a great motoring TV programme- for me that is not sure what anyone else would think.
First of all I'd drop the studio format and go back to filmed reports on location as much as possible.
A mixture of new car reviews, old classic reviews- a heroes of the past maybe even 'battling' against each other, track based segments and commentary- the 'other side' would be allowed to state their views and have their myths debunked.
I don't think emulating top gear is a good idea at all- they are the masters at that sort of thing leave it to them.
As for presenters anyone who knows about cars, doesn't have a speech impediment and isn't so personally repellent they make me want to switch off the TV. I like your suggestion of Mark Evans there are also some excellent motoring journalists who'd make great presenters.
Has anyone ever manufactured a motorbike with derailleur gears?
They'd be cheaper to manufacture than a conventional gear box and you wouldn't need a clutch.
You could also have a freely rotating sprocket for a neutral gear.
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Maybe what you saw in France was an ordinary 'push-bike' which had one of these 'bolt-on' 49cc two-stroke powe-packs,
Yes, could well have been - mind you my memory could have been moderated by, IIRC, M.Pinot et M. Grigiot.
Browse
I totally agree with Aprilia about the G3, its great stuff. Do if possible use it with water though, and dont use a rotary polisher and G3 without it as the paint will burn.
Personally, id call out a decent valeter just to clean the panel in question - anything more than a tenner would be over priced but he can use professional kit such as the polisher and get a good result ( assuming he is competant! ).
Its about a 10-15 min job if like me, you know what your doing. The potential for someone who doesnt know what he/she is doing to use too harsher compound and cause damage beyond that already done is very real, take it from someone who has to pick up the pieces when his customers think they can have a go :-) still more work for me eh.