June 2008
When you get new tyres fitted, do the fitters check the recommended pressure for the car they are working on, or the tyre itself?
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Hi all
Great forum by the way.
I have a LHD MK4 Tdi with 32k (low for it's age). I am just wondering when I should have the cambelt changed? I have had the car 2 years but I don't have much history before that so I assume it has never been done.
Also, is there anything else that should be checked?
many thanks Read more
Every 4 years / 40K - used to be 5 years 60k miles.
Reduced because of plastic tensioners breaking.
Hey,
I was involved in an accident a couple of days ago and i've been worrying myself over claiming on insurance.
Here's the story:-
I was driving down a main road towards home at 1730pm Monday night, traffic was flowing steadily due to the time and obviously because of this there was no way I was speeding. I was driving down the road when a car came out from a junction into my path, he drove directly into my path and I collided with him. It turns out he just came out of a pub nearby and before the police arrived many of his friends turned out to see the damage. I'm a careful driver but didn't anticipate him pulling infront of him, there is a crossing before the junction which I slowed down for a checked, it turns out there is someone who claims I sped over the crossing. I believe one of his friends are claiming to be independent witnesses to boost his case as there was NO one at the crossing when I approached. Luckily for me there was someone waiting to turn in to the road he came out of. This witness had a clear view of my apprach and a clear view of the crossing, he saw there was no one at the crossing, saw my steady approach and the other car pull infront of me. Do you think his 'independent' witnesses will alter the direction of liability? Is there any doubt of who is to blame in this case?
Any thoughts on who the insurance company will blame?
Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance... Read more
As you describe it, it seems 100% the fault of the other driver. I doubt the witness testimonies will alter the view of the insurance cos.
Has anyone signed up with these vinyl advertisers, the ones that plaster taxis and buses;to have their own private vehicle splashed with an advert. If so what are the pros and cons. It appears to be money for old rope. Though I am sure there are some of you out there that have an honest opinion.
In anticipation of generous replies, thank you. Read more
I been on classic insurance for a few years now, and i didnt realize you dont get any no claims bonus, now i want to change my car for something newer, insurance companys are saying i need to start with zero no claims.
My quote was £350, my wifes quote for the same car with full no claims was £135, so my question is do i really need my own insurance or just get put on the wifes insurance? Read more
The upside of classic insurance is that it is a lot cheaper and you don't need any NCD as it is normal that the classic is a second car and NCB (used to be) only valid for a single vehicle.
You've found the downside that, not needing any NCD means that you don't get any to transfer out.
Hello,
I was going to replace my front brake pads but while reading a DIY guide on VW Vortex it mentioned a special tool that you need to push back the caliper and twist it at the same time.
I was going to use a G-clamp but this would only push the caliper back ..i.e not do the twisting part.
Would using a G-clamp damage the caliper?
Also i saw a mechanic taking the lid off the brake fluid container before when replacing my back brake pads. I didnt see this mentioned in the guide. Do I need to do this?
THANKS,
CARLOVER
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My preferred method is to loosen the bleed nipple and attach
a bleeding kit and let it squirt out then bleed the brakes properly with a
fluid change when complete this prevents wear particles in the calliper from being pushed up
inside the brake system.
And also prevents the master cylinder seals reversing themselves, which some cars are prone to if the brake fluid is forced 'backwards' through them.
Our Scenic has screw in rear caliper pistons, but conventional 'push back' type front ones. I think this is fairly standard.
Cheers
DP
Nowadays how often should the brake fluid be totally changed?
eg. a family car on average mileage & conditions Read more
Nowadays how often should the brake fluid be totally changed?
"nowadays" is the key word in your question.
See this post by nortones2
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=63...2
The study he links to : www.babcox.com/editorial/bf/bf50412.htm concludes
"... the task force adopted the following in regards to when to recommend brake fluid flushing and has incorporated them in to a Motorist Assurance Program's (MAP) Uniform Inspection and Communication Standards:
SUGGEST testing brake fluid at OE-recommended brake system inspection service intervals to insure copper content is below 200 ppm.
REQUIRE brake fluid replacement if copper content exceeds 200 ppm.
SUGGEST brake fluid replacement at vehicle-specific OE replacement intervals (if they exist). ..."
OK , maybe one of my more silly ideas.
Shortly going to be driving to South of France and back, a distance of several thousand miles. Now I see advertised in car magazines, "clear shields" for exotic cars that are transparent, look just like a sheet of cling film (obviously thicker and stronger) but protect the car.
As much as I love driving these sort of distances, I hate having to try and remove all the dead insects at the other end.
Apart from possibly looking stupid, could I put some cling film on the front of bonnet and bumpers and just peel off when I arrive and take all the dead things with it? How does cling film react to heated metal? Would it melt to it, never to come off again?
Or should I get a life? :) Read more
Reminds me of a nice exchange I heard once.
"What would you do if a bird [goes to the toilet] on your car"?
"I'd dump her"
Hi everyone, I'm hoping you might be able to help me out with something that has been puzzling me for while.
I will soon need to get some new tyres for my car. Ok, so not normally a problem, but unfortunately it is when the size is not standard. I need to get 225/60/14 tyres - my local indy cant get them and the online places don't appear to have them either. I thought this might be the case as I read on a forum a few years back that this size tyre was no longer being made.
So I guess I have two options - either go for a different size tyre, or buy new wheels. I would prefer to go for a different size tyre as I want to keep the original wheels.
So what range of tyre sizes can safely be fitted and does anyone know of any good places to get aftermarket wheels? 205/60/14's seem to be easy to get, would this leave the overall diameter of the wheel the same? (i.e will the speedo still be correct?)
Any advice or ideas will much apreciated :)
Tech details as follows:
Tyres 225/60/14
14x7 with +8mm offset
Stud pattern - 4x114.3m (4.5") Read more
Dulwich - thanks for the recomendation - keen prices and a professional service - almost sounds too good to be true!
The tyre place I normally go to has good prices and they do a good job, but boy are they a miserable bunch!
Its cold, its wet, you`re under the car again looking at the same old oil filter arrangement. You manage to get `The Tool` on and it promptly slips off..
So what`s your history with oil filter removal tools? and which car made you suffer most?
Of course those thin skinned `spin on` cartridges became a problem, while the previous generation just needed a socket.
Spin on filter tools then.
1) Strap type, that took an extension socket bar.. bought late 70`s, disadvantage, needed two hands at the filter often twisted and dropped off.
2) Chain with its own handle. (80s)Most difficult to use with one hand. On wrong way around, crushed filter, slipped on filter...a last resort.
3) Self tightening metal band (90s) never fitted anything.
4) Rubber strap wrench (2002) with own handle. Stretchy, fiddly, moved filter in 1/8 inch increments while stretching 3 inches. ( access angle =3 inches underneath)
5) Sprung one handed Caliper. Waiting to be used. Bought recently in Calais.
Admired category.
Big double handed `Gripper` like a giant mole wrench. worry, access.
Impossible category.
Big socket that fits over end of filter, problem. access.
So what`s your assortment?
NB
The 1.9 D of the Punto car provides a continuing endurance test *flat on the drive*. In the 6th year of DIY, hope for only needing one arm under there now rests with the new `caliper` type at the next oil change. Read more
Must mention the other 'c' word in oil filters - cannisters, with a paper filter inside.
Trying to get the 'o' ring to sit properly on a Minor was a devil of a job.
It faced directly downwards and a smear of grease didn't always defeat gravity..
The steel cannister needed to be done up fairly accurately - too much or too little and it would leak.
Browse
No-it may be in the glovebox or on the fuel filler flap or you may even have to look in the driver's manual.