July 2008
***** This thread is now closed, please CLICK HERE to go to Volume 8 *****
This is a sub forum to discuss the problems associated with the ever increasing cost of fuel.
This is Volume 7. It will be locked after 100 replies and another volume opened.
Usual rules apply.
Any newly opened threads surrounding fuel costs will be moved in here.
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One of the economy tips given recently is keeping your tank low on fuel to save weight. I was telling someone this, and he recounted that famous motoring old wives tale that "running your tank on empty brings the muck out of the bottom of the fuel tank". Whilst I've heard it repeated many times over the years I've never believed it.
As a teenager my tank was always run on dregs, fuel going in £5 (or less) at a time. These days I run from full to dregs to spare the pain of filling up.
In 28 years of driving in 25 different cars I've never had a problem with dirt in fuel so is it time to consign this piece of "wisdom" to the bin ? Read more
My Shogun has a steel tank that had rusted through and contaminated the fuel pipes.
And I think it *might* have run out of fuel, despite the fuel gauge showing 1/4 tank left. It started running down on power, and then cut out going up a hill....
So, jerry can in hand I'll be trying to get it going at the weekend!
Talking to a friend in the office today and he told that he's managed to get 9 points on his licence in the space of 2 hours! He's had a clean licence for 20 odd years but got caught from the same mobile police camera van on the same stretch of road within 2 hours! needless to say he was a bit upset when NIP's came through the door totalling £180 and his insurance will rocket. 1st one was 38mph in 30 zone, then 39mph and then 41mph in a 30 zone. He won't be speeding again!! :)
I know this has been done a while back, but how many points have you backroomers CURRENTLY got on your licence!...
I'll start.... 3 points (for using my mobile.... won't be doing that again!)
Lee Read more
Goodness knows how, but since passing test in '89 not had a single point. Been pulled over twice- had the riot act but NFA. Been followed at a distance for speed reading a couple of times, but always spotted them before had time to get a reading and gone to temporary mimser mode.
As posted above, and commented on by passengers, I am very observant. Although, the unmarked cars seem to have gone from ridiculously easy to spot to a lot harder.
Have had a lot of fortnights watching the post the though.
Am bit worried about posting this as seems to be tempting fate!
Shouted through a hand held tannoy as a tipper based Transit motored slowly past this PM.
When did you last hear that? Up here in the North, it was around 50 years ago and it was a bloke with a horse and waggon. Yep, exactly as seen on `Steptoe`.
Must be the scrap values.. Read more
>>when I should ave been at skool >>>>
But I attended the School of Life big thyme ; )
Hi
I'm thinking of getting a mercedes 190 (prob 1992 ish model and probably manual) at around the £600-700 mark.
Anyone got any views on things to look out for when purchasing something like this ?
Obviously it isn't going to be in the best nick for that price but just wondering what the major things to look out for might be.
cheers Read more
i have a 1992 2.0 auto 190e. i have had it since new and apart from a new head gasket last year it has been perfect. passes mot every time with no faults. a little thirsty but drives like new.
Hi all,
History: A few years back, about '05 or so my Tonneau motor failed, I took it to a Saab specialist who put a "clip" or something on it.
Problem: The hood won't open. Early last year I noticed the problem, it was just every once in a blue moon, sometimes just driving the car a bit would allow the hood to open. Now, it refuses to open more often than not. It goes up a few inches off the windscreen, then the motor stops, as if the hood is too heavy. However, I notice in colder weather the hood WILL open (just my luck, eh?!?!) and the closing process never fails (and never has).
Any idea what's wrong and how much it'll be to put right?? I don't wanna get raped 1k for a new Tonneau!!
Cheers,
JB Read more
Help. I have a 2003 Volvo XC 90 D5 SE Geartronic, which has done 85000 miles. The car went in for a service to a main Volvo dealer 2nd week of June - the car was in perfect working order but needed new tyres, full service, MOT and other incidentals. Having received the car 3 days later and a juicy bill of just over £2000, the car started behaving eratically. Firstly, it took longer to start particularly in the mornings; secondly the engine would cut out while driving - once while over taking and thirdly after a week it would not start at all. The car was booked back in and we were told it needed new glow plugs plus a gas exhaust sensor - costing £650. We paid that as well after being assured it was a coincidence and that we would not have a repeat of the problem. When we got the car back it started behaving in the same way again and within a week it was taken back to the garage after it would not start - we have now been told that the injectors need replacing. The garage has admitted it was wrong in replacing the gas sensor and will deduct the cost of the gas sensor from the replacement cost of the injectors - which will mean we have to contribute £250 to get some Bosch injectors or another £900 which will get the Volvo ones - which I presume are the same - we will pay no labour charges. Is this a fair enough deal or should we insist on them having to sort the problem out and pay for it as its a strange coincidence that the car should be fine before the service and then all these problems occur as soon as they started fiddling with it. So far we have insisted that we will no longer pay any more money for it as a matter of principle and that we want them to sort it out and give the back in perfect working order. Read more
Did you write to Volvo UK or just phone? If the latter I would recommend a letter stating that you bought Volvo due to....long-lived, reliable cars, etc. ....disappointed in this case....expected better....state what you expect
Don't say that you'll never buy a Volvo again as then they would have nothing to gain from some goodwill.
Good luck!
My Audi A8 3.0 litre TDI is three years old with 29000 miles and it is suffering from severe stonechips on the bonnet.
Audi have checked and say there is no problem.
My previous cars Jaguar and BMW did not have this problem with the same kind of use.
Audi dealership say not their problem.
Has anybody else had this problem? How wide spread is it? Read more
Maybe it's a water based paint thing?
I have a Mercedes with their "nano" paint, which is very hard, but yet it chips very easily, as it's too brittle - I don't get the kind of "starring" around many of the chips that you see on other cars. just little chips of paint come off, so it's obviously not being done by big stones hitting hard. I've never owned a car that chips as much.
I'm getting a cold start up squeak that goes away when the engine is warm. Dealer says it's auxiliary belt.
Will this be fixed by just replacing the belt? If so is it a big job? mAny idea of cost.
Is this just annoying or will it lead to other problems? Read more
ended up being the aux belt and a crank pully. Garage agreed to do it under warranty as it was happening when purchased. They said ~£500 job
Happy ending...good old Stratstone
Can anyone help. I'm getting a periodic loss of power when the engine is cold and under load. This seems to be cleared by dipping the clutch.
Any clues? Driving me nuts and intermitant Read more
Finally sorted by local Garage, faulty Lamda sensor that gave occassional emissions warning light. They were sceptical it would sort this out but when they changed it the problem dissapeared. Cost £160 to get fixed with original parts
Browse
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I doubt it. All due respect but you just can't divorce it from politics. The cost of fuel is a political matter. To put it another way: what is there about the cost of fuel that's not tied up with politics?