February 2008
Broke down recently on the A1(M) in Co Durham. Five mins later, at 7.10 am, pleasant chap stops his HA Discovery and asks me if I have help coming. I say I do - I'm told it will be an hour - and he takes my mobile number and says he'll ring in an hour and check everything's okay.
An hour later, the tow van man having been given duff info and thereby delayed by the motoring organsation, another call. Said info related, and the promise of another ring in another hour.
Just after 9 am, another ring (by which time I was in the tow van).
Very courteous, very helpful. Read more
(as I believe it's called).
White squares, one facing each way, atop a pole. Maybe a foot across. On the M6. One has a speed camera logo just underneath it.
What are they? Read more
AS, between J34-ish and J37-ish. So I suspect a bit North of where you'll be. Though if you stay on until J38, come off and go to the Southbound caff ("J38") then you'll find a stonking plateful of good English food.
According to the BBC website a new camera is to be trialled in Leeds to check how many people are in a car. It is proposed to use this to monitor car sharing lanes, a concept the government is keen to expand upon because it is cheaper than building roads. The camera apparently works by detecting water and blood content and is to be used to detect cars with a single occupant. Apparently in the US it is common to carry a dummy passenger or large dog to cheat the system and our government is keen to avoid similar abuse of the rules here. Read more
Fair, if a little politically incorrect comment from the ABD
Nigel Humphries, spokesman for the Association of British Drivers when asked his views on the cameras said: 'We haven't got enough road space in this country for multiple occupants, buses, cyclists and three-legged dwarfs. You'd actually be prioritising school-run mums, and I thought we didn't want to prioritise them. '
Has anybody out there had this problem yet ?? I cannot get the tailgate to open when the car is unlocked on the "plip". All electrics are AOK as all the doors and rear tailgate window unlock and relock on the plip key.
I would love to take the rear panel off the tail gate but to do that I need to open it !!!
Incidentially those avid readers of Espace Diesel problems will remember I reported "limp" mode last summer. I am delighted to report that I have had no further trouble since I changed to the expensive diesel and occaisonally rev the engine to the limiter in 1st gear.
Finally car failed the MOT due to drive shaft gaitors coming detached (metal clips broken both sides) Renault dealer quoted £400 to fit new gaitors and clips. Solved the problem for £5 with cable ties
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Also, the trouble with using WD40 is that it will wash the manufacturers grease out of the lock. Once you've got the lock freed up it's best to spray some grease into the lock. Take note of Cyd's suggestion in the following thread:-
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=8483
Also read this thread:-
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=19068
IDEA`S PLEASE >>> ive gotta 03 vectra `c` 2lt.dt , no probs for the first 155,000 ( YES .. 155,000 ) miles but now has developed a very anoying fault that has baffled a vauxhall main dealer and another garage . It starts first time EVERY DAY no matter how cold , BUT if I drive 1-2 miles , stiop for 20-30 mins it takes 8-9 goes to re-start + I do a good 007 smoke screen impression.....Once warm its fine all day BUT if I go to use it after 3-4 HOURS PARKED the same fault is there . P.S. NO fault codes showing on 2 computers , and all servicing etc up to date
any ideas please.....
{didn't spot 3 separate requests to include the year & engine details in the subject header then?} Read more
my coolant level has been running low very quickly recently and over the past couple of days it has gone from full to empty within minutes. is there anything else other than the radiator that is causing this. im planning on getting the radiator changed because of this problem. and at the same time was going to get a new cam belt as its been about 4 years and 70000 miles since this was changed. does the cam belt need changing this regularly or could i leave it for longer. could anyone estimate the cost of this kind of job.
cheers Read more
Chris: Engine is in and running, the only issue I encountered was the lower radiator hose and the o-ring.
I tried new hose and found the o-ring would not go into the receptacle so I used rigid line o- rings from 1 and 5/8th Spinner flanges (A radio frequency cable) or you could use ANDREWS.
Brilliant neopreme o-rings with flexibility and they fitted.
Solved that rotten rear heater hose problem as well.
If they snap off, remove completely and clean out the heater connect points then use Hardie 5/8 inch boom spray adaptors which allow you to connect to a 5/8th Gates heater hose using hose clips.
The O-ring on the boomspray connector fits perfectly into the heater outlet
and the old hose assembly
at a cost of $9.00 for the clips and $5 for the hose.
Better than the rip off $200 for the hose pair.
in november i asked about a gearbox problem and vibration on my passat.
the fantastic members who replied , exept the sarcastic gloaters !
were very helpfull and correct may i add, i replaced the dmf and clutch kit and the car is just totally different.
i. fitted an LUK kit which included flywheel and clutch. the kit cost including vat was £320
nowhere near the cost some of the scare mongers were talking about.
.i was told the dmf had probably failed prematurely because the car has been performance tuned,and was advised to fit an LUK kit because the shock absorbing bits are better quality than the original vw parts , then someone said LUK make the original bits , when i did the job , they look and ed totaly different side by side and i wondered
wether they would fit........they did and i,m so chuffed with the car.
A BIG thankyou to all bothered to write back
cheers guys
Richie.
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Valeo solution also worth a look, where DMF is replaced by solid flywheel, and a modified clutch plate, which provides some of the shock absorbing qualities originally provided by the DMF
Changed the reg number on my Panda 100 HP this week, on changing the rear number plate found the dealer had drilled straight through the tailgate using 2 self tapping screws.
Any comments on how this will affect paint warranty, dealer is in recievership, so if problems later on who pays for repairs.
Have sent e-mail to customer services at Fiat UK, lets see if they reply. Read more
use self-tappers into the tailgate. Now it's unlikely that this will produce much corrosion but
it's a bit lazy isn't it.
It always amazes me how many dealers can't be bothered to centralise or level the plate on new cars. Doesn't bode well for the Pre Delivery Inspection!
Hi I have a problem with my central locking using the remote control in the key. some times it will open other times I have to do it several times before it will open. It's an 02 2lt five door. I have changed the battery.
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I had similar problem wth my Focus.
I changed the battery and found it did nothing.
I told a chap at work and he said its a common problem on FORDS.
Its a case of built up static in the remote control box in the car.
Follow below
Look under the drivers side dashboard.
Under there attached on the right hand side right is a box which should say SIEMENS.
This is the remote control signal box.
Remove the cables attached to it and leave it for approx 1hr.
Go back to the car after an hour and put the cables back in.
Its an easy job and you cant go wrong.
It will work straight away.
Mines been fine and works perfect since
ttp://tinyurl.com/3xc5zy
135bhp 1.4 Turbo
132 lb ft Torque
Head says Cooper
Heart says Abarth
Abarth in pearl white, chequed roof, 17's, red leather and maybe a remap to 155hp ?
Shame the engine in the video sounds like a 20yr old diesel.
please use the Tiny
URL service above it helps keep Mods from getting wound up - if nothing else
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"The question is, will the car drive and handle as well as a RenaultSport Clio 197 Cup"
My guess is no judging by the reviews so far for the FIAT 500. But you never know. I think I would personally prefer an Abarth 500 to the Clio 197 Cup but that's me.
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I meant to add earlier (about getting the motorways open quicker after a temp closure), that it is easier for HA Officers to clear debris up as you often find them 'hunting in packs'. whereas the Police are often much rarer to find more than one on a stretch (no offence MLC - its since the budget cuts I guess .. have resulted in less obvious marked motorway police vehicles)