November 2007
Hi all,
I moved to the UK a little more than a year ago. My US license is expiring next month but I cannot renew it since I am not an American, and only used to live there prior to moving the UK. I do not have a car, but plan to buy one since I am starting a new job.
I've done some research but still have a few questions. It would be great if any of you can provide some help.
1. If I apply for a UK provisional license, can I drive alone, or do I need somebody on my side at all times?
2. How long after I get the provisional license before I can sit on a test?
3. When it is time for practical test, whose car can I use to take the test?
4. Is it advisable for me to take a driving lesson from RAC, etc, or are they a waste of time/money considering that I have about 12 years of driving experience?
Truly appreciate any help you can provide.
Cheers! Read more
Hi All,
Can anyone point me in the right direction on this one?
I had a breakdown due to overfueling on my1781cc mono point injection mkIII. (fuel pouring down the inlet) I changed the throttle body and SPI unit (a spare off a scrapped one I have thank goodness), which ran ok until it got hot when the same happened which lead me to realise the cause of the overfueling was actually a temp sender that was sending the wrong info to unit and hence causing the overfuel. Once this was changed everything has run okish since, with no breakdowns.
However I am convinced it is now running far far too rich as mpg is not great and its a little 'lumpy' when hot and doesn't idle particularly smoothly, and sometimes pops a little on the overrun. When cold its as smooth as anything. I realise that there is no adjustment possible on a system like this but I wondered if there is anything I can check or replace cheaply that might make a difference before I possibly go for a properly reconditioned SPI unit (circa £45). Its well serviced and the fact that it runs so well from cold suggests to me its an injection or sensor problem.
Any hints and tips on diagnosis and repair/replacement would be most welcome
Thanks!
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HF
"Fuel pouring down the inlet?" That wasn't a temp sensor fault.
This spare TB; was it exactly the same part number? There are dozens of variations on these and the chances of getting a match was quite slim.
What's the engine code and the code off the spare engine?
Have you checked the ECU plug for corrosion?
After looking about a bit on the net and coming to the conclusion that it may be a cv joint that needs replacing does anyone have a rough idea how much this would cost to get repaired? I ask so as i know i am paying the right price at a garage.
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Is it legal to spray a number plate with this? Does it work?
slt
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That is a very good defence............
I have a leak in part of the hose connection between the inlet manifold and the brake servo on a golf mk iv 1.4 petrol.
The faulty hose is the 3 inch piece that loops round after what I take is a no return valve close to the inlet manifold..
I have made a temporary fix and plan to replace the faulty section of hose( first noticed the problem at thte weekend). I have 2 questions if anyone can help.
First can this section be replaced on its own or does the complete hose connection from the inlet manifold to the brake servo need to be completely replaced.
Second leaving aside the issue of safety which I fully appreciate would a slight vacuum leak make the engine run rich.
Before anyone replies I fully appreciate brake safety issues.
Thanks for your assistance in advance.
slt Read more
Very many thanks for the info Elekie&a/c doctor. I found the recall notice on the vosa website.
Kind Regards
Ian
Any experiences welcome.
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Now what is it that Ford say about using even proper biodiesel in their TDCi....?
We don't even know if it's still under, a very easily void-able, warranty.
i noticed a small crack in my windscreen last week , right in the centre so not an mot issue (yet) was telling my brother about it on the way back from brum airport and he reckons i can get it repaired for nowt at tesco or asda carparks , any one heard of this stunt? or is it a wind up....thanks Read more
While it might not be technically legal to advertise without the small print in a well known supermarket i see the BIGGER picture :-)
Its getting people who normally lets these things on their screens fester get them repaired courtesy of the insurance they didnt realise they had.
Its keeping people in work who might otherwise have to join the great unwashed.
They arent going to do a job without knowing they will get paid so its not really misleading ,just bending the truth a little.........
10/10 from me if they do a good job
My son has obtained some alloy wheels and new tyres for his AX. I have sourced a locking wheel nut kit from a car boot sale but have lost the instructions. We've got this far and you're thinking "how difficult can this be?".
Right, the AX has wheel bolts. The locking kit contains a stud threaded a third of the way down, a 3mm unthreaded portion and the remaining two thirds is threaded. On either end of this stud goes the locking wheelnut.
My question is, which end goes into the hub, the one third threaded with some Loctite, leaving a long bit to hang the wheel on and the put the nut on the exposed thread?
or
screw the nut up to the unthreaded band with some Loctite and use it like a bolt?
Over to you while I cool my melting brain with a glass of orange juice.
As ever, TIA.
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land Read more
Thank you all. I'm sure mjm has it except for stage 6. Mrs H would never tolerate me snaffling her vodka .
pmh, I do have the correct bolts for the alloys and they are different to the bolts for the steel wheels
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land
My reverse lights work on a random basis, same as the reverse parking sensors, could someone tell me what the problem is and how to fix it...... have been told it may be the reverse switch, if so where do i locate it, does anyone know of a manual for the 04 plate mondeo.......cheers shaun
slt Read more
Many thanks, great help.Ron.
Snipquote - why quote everything when the pop up box asks you not to?
I'm going to Cyprus in next 2 weeks time.
Like to hire a car there, but Lonely Planet and Rough Guides say that condition of hire cars there are "appalling". And recommends that you take the car for a spin and test the brakes before committing hire!
This gave me a heart attack almost. Is the situation so bad???
From the net, hiring cost seems reasonable though.
Also they have a weird system of providing car full tank of fuel and then expects you return them with as little fuel as possible! Fuel pumps there also shut down by 6 pm (and by 3 pm on weekends).
PS: I've no intention of moving northern Cyprus. Will entirely be in southern part.
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Well, I had 7 wonderful days in Cyprus!
Drove almost 2000 km in 7 days. The hired car was a Nissan Note (AC). Cost UK£123 including hire charge and full tank of petrol. I need to refill many times later though.
The Nissan Note was very good - just 17k km on odo. Roads were good. However, driving on Troodos mountain was very challenging. It was a real driving pleasure though. Lost roads couple of times inside Nicossia, Limassol and Larnaca. Motorway (similar to our dual carriage ways) exits are quite sharp compared to here. Inside towns, there was no road name markings! But country roads and motorways were sign posted properly.
Driving standard was very similar to here. However, most cars there are quite old. 10+ years cars are very common. It seemed that Mitsubishi is most popular brand. Closely followed by Mazda, Suzuki, Honda, Toyota, Nissan etc. Most taxis are old Mercs. BMW/Audi etc. are few and far between. Even Opel & Ford were rare signs. Kia & Hyundai were a plenty.
Most petrol pumps had attendants. Once I asked four pounds and the guy claimed he understood full tank. However, after some argument I got away paying only 50% of the fuel as I convinced him it was his mistake. I think it is a good practice that we fuel ourselves in UK.
The motorways speed limit of 100 km/h was a bit of daft. Everyone drives at 110-130 km/h. I mostly drove 120 km/h. But I've seen police checking speed using radar gun in Limassol.
Browse
Take a look at:
www.americanexpats.co.uk/driving.htm
I would recommend phoning a few driving schools to discuss your requirements.