April 2008
Have a look at autocar.co.uk at news article about some new technology that MIRA has developed, which can essentially turn all cars into a Prius style hybrid. Very interesting.
I wonder how the politicians will take to it? If this technology becomes widely adopted by motorists but governments continue to tax the hell out of us, it will expose them as the money grabbers that they are! Read more
Hi all, got a tyre question. Our Galaxy is fitted with the original Michelin Pilots all round, they are an extra load re-inforced tyre apparrently. The front two need replacing but the Pilots aren't cheap at around £135 each. I've been offered some Avons at £80 instead. I know Avon are a good brand but are they going to be detrimental to the ride, handling of the car etc. compared to the Pilots. It's a second car that does about 8k pa on mainly urban runs incidentally.
Opinions please.
Thanks. Read more
Hi all,
I have a 99 2.0 cabrio. The temp warning light comes up on my dash after about 5mins of driving. The needle sits around 90 on the dial, coolant level is fine and the car performs fine. I've replaced the temp sensor that fits on the top of the hose going into the engine housing, as read this was simple and usually the issue, but light is still coming on. Have changed the coolant mix as well, but now at the limit of my capabilities. Are there any other sensors worth trying? Is there one in the coolant bottle that would trigger this light?
One more thought, this started happening just after I got the speedo replaced due to it failing.
any thoughts appreciated. Read more
Bought car last December and one of the attractions was that the previous owner had had a lot of the things fixed that were wrong with my previous one,including 7 new spheres(it's hydractive) I've always thought it was riding a bit hard.I've changed the LHM,and cleaned the filters.The accumulator sphere didn't look as new as the others so I changed that which has improved things but it still don't feel right.It does sink a bit when left sometimes.I gave it a bounce today (engine running) the rear felt O.K but the front feels a lot stiffer than my old one(non hydractive)did.After standing idle for a while the front is more or less solid and the rear is stiffer than when running(I think).It's a lovely car otherwise and I'd really like to get it running 100%.Any of you citroen experts out there got any advice please? Read more
No, you won't notice any difference with the switch setting unless you are driving, as on the Mk2 version, 'sport mode' only increases the sensitivity to movement so it goes hard earlier. If its the same system as the XM, you should hear the solonoids 'clonk' followed by a continious whine when you open a door, it will then switch off again a minute or two after you shut the door, with another clonk. If the car has been standing for a few minutes but the suspension is still up, open a door, you should hear the solonoids clonk and the suspension should then be in soft mode. If you bounce it continually after closing the door you should feel it go hard after a minute or so, at the closing 'clonk' You need to be in a fairly quiet environment to hear the 'whine'.
You can try swapping the spheres although they are not identical, they are normally quite difficult to undo, but if only replaced fairly recently they shouldn't be to bad. I had the front centre one fail after less that a year, but this is unusual.
Hi there!
Got a problem with the drivers side door lock. If I lock using the remote it will not lock or unlock, all other 3 doors will lock then unlock 1 sec after they lock, ie they will not stay locked.
The only way I can lock it is by pushing the latch or using the key so the drivers side lock is locked mechanicaly using the key.
It seems there is an electrical fault, the central locking motor does not respond.
Checked the plugs, very clean.
Any ideas?
Thanks Read more
Pop the door card off and test the two locking wires in the motor plug go live both ways when the other doors lock.
Probably a lock mechanism - very cheap and 5 mins to fit.
hi just a quick one, had a very noticable misfire on my escort 1800 diesel 1999 t reg with the endura de engine. idles fine but when i accelerate lots of white smoke and a constant misfire throughout the speed range! my first thought was fuel injectors, but reading through some of these posts could it be the fuel filter with the pump opn letting in air? or is it a fuel pup problem?
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White smoke equates with unburnt fuel. If its all OK at tickover something must be happening to the timing or fuel delivery when the throttle is opened. If its only missing on one cylinder I would suggest a faulty injector but if its a general misfire either the pump or information being fed to it.
The fuel shortage in Scotland and the North reminds me of the protest strike about 7 years ago .
I was returning from a lenghty journey looking for some fuel on my way home, and saw a queue at a filling station that obviously had some. I queued for 20 minutes and when I got close to the pump I realised the guy in front, who had queued as long as I had, took an age to squeeze less than 2 gallons in.
Asking the assistant I was told the majority of customers there ( near Reading) were topping up over and over , so now wonder there were queues.
I asked then, and do now, instead of having a MAXIMUM limit in a shortage, why not have a MINIMUM ? ( say 3 gallons) .I don't know how this would be legally but you could say people will be charged for 3 and if they can't take more than that the difference will go into a charity box; surely if properly posted would be legal?
Peoples' ability to be panicked is incredible. A few weeks later I was in a big Tesco at Sandhurst, when while I was shopping a caller on local radio reported a rumour the protest was back on. By the time I came out of the shop all the approach roads were jammed with people trying to get into the filling station. Read more
"here we go watch the nurses and coppers jumping the queue to fill up all the cars for their extended family like they did the last time"
Well I'm a copper and my wife's a nurse.........so stick that in your pipe!!!!!!!!
I have an '05' VW Touran 1.9 diesel, <42K miles. It has developed a clutch judder. Has anyone else come across this problem? Is it something that would normally be covered under manufacturers warranty?
Thanks.
Read more
Yes, in my 1.9PD Passat. In damp weather. But after the first clutch engagement it usually went away. Try slipping the clutch briefly to clear any rust/damp from the mating faces.
I would like to complete the IMI National Certificate / Diploma in Automotive Engineering Technology (Level 3) at Northbrook College.
I am doing this course more as it something I am interested in, and I might possibly consider working for a dealer.
This is an A level based course, and I do not have previous experience in automative engineering technology. The staff seem enthusiastic and the facilities look pretty good.
It is a 2 year course.
Does anyone recommend this college, or know more about this course? Thoughts would be very much appreciated!
Gregory Read more
Yes, thanks for the advice. Very useful. I will check this.
I am interested in this course because it has an element of science and mathematics in it and includes more advanced items like gearbox repair and diagnostic work.
With a new Berlingo out in June, why hasnt the current stock been discounted yet?
The cheapest i can get a basic diesel for is £9,300.
My local dealer wouldnt say to much about new model discounts, but did say he was suprised that the where not being more aggresive with current stock.
Anyone in the know?
I prefere the berlingo to the doblo - but i can pick up the doblo for £1,000 grand cheaper in basic diesel mode and am warming more towards the Fiat unless i can pick up a berlingo for similar money.
Read more
The above deal is for a 1.4 model. The price offered for a 1.6 HDI Desire is more than I paid for mine last year. Suggest you haggle hard!
Browse
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Nothing wrong with Avons. Were fitted to top drawer British cars for many years as OE.
Despite sharp intakes of breath from brand conscious youngsters, my sons got them on his subaru, and they don't miss a beat, and don't take 3 laps of Silverstone to warm up.
I was going to ask why you had them fitted to the rear, then i thought better of it, then i lit the blue touch paper....incoming-;)