January 2008
I wanted to ask about this strange experience at the hands of a garage, and whether anyone has known similar.
I took my car to a large, tidy-looking independent for a full service plus MoT a couple of years ago. When I collected it, the mech talked me through the recommendations for things that would need to be looked-at. He said the differential was badly worn, and that it would give-out in the near future.
This struck me as odd since it hadn't given any trouble before, but sure enough when I drove off, it was making a noticeable rumbling noise which it hadn't before. I considered booking it in straight away to have the work done, but it got put off for a while. Strangely, the rumbling got quieter over time and eventually went away completely. It hasn't given a hint of trouble since (~2.5 years and 25 k miles).
I just wonder what the guy did to provoke such a bad noise from the diff? Do you think he was deliberately mistreating the car to try to cause a fault to be fixed? Thanks for any views. Read more
For some reason I got to wondering the oldest model name in current and continuous use is. I happened to be looking at a Fiesta at the time (introduced 1976) but the Golf beats it (1974). Is there anything older?
JH Read more
Officially the Volkswagen Type 1 commonly known by its nickname of Beetle in Europe or Bug in the US. As far as I know only the new Beetle is an official VW name.
Jeep maybe?
All,
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN FIXED, I AM JUST OFFERING ADVICE
Over the last few weeks I was waking up to a sluggish battery, and yesterday morning it wouldnt even start. After jumping it and running for an hour I noticed that the fan was on all the way. I then discoved that the fan had been running all night on several occasiions and had depelted my battery.
Fault was the thermo-sensor which screws in to the radaitor and goes to the fan (something was telling the sensor that the temp was at 100 degress even tho engine was off!). Replacing that means draining the system and getting one which costs 12 pound roughly. Luckily I had a old radiator which had one in also i put fresh coolant in and you wouldnt believe the mucjk that came out. Took an hour to replace and very simple on mine with limited mach knowledge and a haynes manual
This will probably be the case for most water cooled cars, like i said it worked for me
Thanks Read more
Any clues the Radio on my 2002 1.9 hdi Berlingo Multispace keeps turning the volume up to full, not all the time.
{header made less vague} Read more
is it only on traffic reports, or any time
I'm planning a replacement for my ageing (but still excellent) BMW 525TD, and I rather fancy a Hyundai Coupe.
Has anyone on this forum owned or used one, if so are there any pitfalls to look out for when buying?
I'm looking for the 2000-01 models with the different front end, preferably the 2.0 SE.
TIA Read more
My borther has the V6 version. Seems to like the speed of the thing but generally moans about some build quality issues (sunroof leak problems particulalry) and the usless service he has received from the dealer
What about this seemingly uncomplicated electric vehicle for London and provincial, school run/ supermarket urban use?
www.piaggioporter.co.uk/electric.htm
regards Read more
How environmentally friendly is it to get your fuel from a gas/coal fired power station rather than a petrol station? And are "lead-gel batteries "environmentally friendly" in terms of manufacture and disposal? I can see that the local environment may benefit from the reduction in air pollution - but otherwise?
Just wondering
Does anyone have any ideas, technical or not, of how many miles running a car has to do to replace the power loss on the battery of a cold start?
Thanks Read more
>>If it helps, especially for ClkSec, here are my views on the £9.99 Maplin Solar >>Charger.
Many thanks Dulwich Estate. I?ll buy one next time I?m in the metropolis.
Clk Sec
In the Honest john review of the 9-5 there is a note to avoid Avon tyres. Why is this?
Read more
The Avons (ZZ-something, probably ZZ3) I had on one of my cars were reasonable when new but I had to scrap them after 8k miles. They had plenty of tread left but the understeer became absolutely appalling.
Other Avons may be better but mine were an expensive mistake.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=28...4
Kevin...
Just seen this one in Belle Vue auction for next week
MAZDA MX-5 2.0 ICON, 2 Doors, Roadster, Petrol, Manual Transmission, Registered 23-10-2007, only 700miles.
Pre-reg/demonstrator I'd guess, but it'll be a sound buy for someone. £12500ish????
As long as you didn't want the folding electric roof & it's premium price.
VB Read more
125mph on the M23 in traffic, reckon the police will track him down.
tinyurl.com/ypopdr
Do you know what car it is? Read more
A pretty quick Astra .
Browse
^ I worry about the car getting thrashed from cold too. I always get the MoT done directly at a testing station rather than via a garage which takes it to the station for you; at least that's one less chance of it getting abused and you can get it tested while the engine's still warm.
Anyway, my face is red, I just checked the invoice and BW was spot-on - I had both rear tyres replaced and no doubt had the tyres rotated - well diagnosed! At least it apparently fooled the mechanic as well ;)
Thanks for the responses.