August 2008
Evenin' all
SWMBO's Zafira has developed the usual wiring fault where the leading edge of the rear door chews through the loom between the B pillar and the door connector - central locking and speaker have stopped working on OSR door.
Having already done this on the NSR door it was a real pain trying to solder the wiring with the door still on, so this time I'd like to remove it. Haynes just tells me to punch the hinge pins out, but I can't see how to do this, given the curvature of the door skin there's nowhere to locate a punch and swing a hammer. Is there an easier method? Read more
I went to a historic car rally recently and saw a Model T Ford. The car looked like it had just been discovered in a barn so shabby it stood out from all the pristine, done up to perfection other entries. The owner had the bonnet open to show the engine and I could hardly believe what I saw. In place of the HT leads was rusty barbed wire. The engine actually ran as it was driven to the site. Just thought it might be of interest. Read more
Model Ts were meant to be like that, I think - go on forever as long as they could still be botched up.
I'd love to drive one and have a go at that two-speed gearbox with the foot pedal change. My grandfather said it was once reckoned you could drive a car or you could drive a Ford Model T - but rarely both.
i romoved my instrument cluster yesterday to replace a blown bulb. when i put it all back together my speedo, rev counter fuel and temp guages have stopped working. All mt warning lights are working and my mileage is displayed but not advancing as i drive... does anyone have any ideas o i forgot to mention it still lights up when i turn my headlights on. Read more
thanks for your help have ordered second hand cluster will try again when it arrives
My Mazda 323TD (90k miles) has started running rough recently hestitating and surging at low speeds. Today I felt a distinct lack of power pulling away from stop. Runs okay at higher speeds. When revving at c2k when staionary there is first blue smoke then black from the exhaust and the engine stutters then runs okay above 3k revs. Engine has been regularly serviced. Still on original exhaust - could this be on its way out? Any ideas most appreciated.
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Turned out the problem was down to a dirty air filter element. Lifted out the old filter by chance and although it was only replaced in March (7k miles ago) it had collected a lot of crud and dust. Pity the mechanic in the dealership didn't think of that before me. Could have saved me £60 replacing a fuel filter unnecessarily.
Gives more meaning to the phrase, "Blind Drunk" don't you think?
Afternoon all, i've just joined and looking for some help.
I'm unlucky enough to own a face lift vectra on a T-plate, which i believe has the x18 xe1 lump. The coil/dis going across the head with no leads.
Anyway, the trouble i'm having is, that when i'm in neutrel and revving the car around 2k revs, it seems to be missing. The EML is on, but the car still drives pretty good, no missing whilst driving, lurching etc. Only seems to miss whilst revving in neutrel! I've read loads of threads and posts about re-earthing the maf etc, about egr valves, but both of these seem to be working fine. I have re-earthed the maf though just incase. I tried my neighbours egr valve and the problems still there, and when i disconnect the maf with the engine running, it dies down almost cutting out, so it must be working?
I've checked and cleaned as many breather/air pipes as i can, stripped and cleaned the throttle body all to no joy. I've checked the plugs which are coverd in black soot/carbon, which i thought meant a lean mixture? The filters are both good and clean,and new plugs recently.
Any ideas whats wrong as it's driving me nuts! And need it done asap for the dreaded M.O.T comming up..
Cheers all
mike Read more
Doesn't the paper-clip method have a clearance function?
Not that I'm aware of, but mentioned over on vauxhallownersnetwork is to disconnect the battery for ½ to 1 hour.
Heard on the BBC World Service that Toyota were going to bump up their prices due to the price hike of raw materials, and that 'the more popular models including the Prius' were going to be affected. The report went on to say that this would likely be followed by other major manufacturers.
I've had a look on the BBC website for confirmation, but can't find anything as yet.
Looks like the perfect storm for the car industry - falling sales, increasing prices and the Govt 'encouraging' people to ditch post 01 large cars, thus extra cars on the market I suppose.
Peanut. Read more
Re: why links to The Times aren't allowed:-
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=62...0
Hi. I need a tyre soon for my Mondeo Zetec, and I think another 2 are on the way out soon. The car has alloy wheels and the tyre size currently on the car is 205 50 R16. When I searched for a tyre on various websites some sites mentioned that another recommended size is 195 60 r14. This is the size as on the steel rimmed spare. These are much cheaper tyres. Can I put this size on my alloy wheels (I realise I would have to change all 4 tyres) or do I have to stick with the other more expensive size? Any help appreciated.
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I would also consider Vredestein Sportrac 3 tyres which I think should be available in your size. They are a very good tyre that seems to do well in independent tests but are priced below the premium brands (but they are certainly not a budget tyre).
I had them on my last car, a Focus, in the 195/60 r15 size and was impressed by them - cost £50 a corner all in. They are a wet weather biased tyre but are also a good all rounder. When I changed my car, they had done nearly 20000 miles but still had between 4 and 5 mms of tread left, and they were on the front.
I'll be going on holiday shortly and need to book a hire car. I need to get two child seats (one 4 year old and one 1 year old) in the back, and still have room for an adult in the back seat.
I'm about to book a standard 5-seat Scenic (non-Grand), and just wondered if there will definately be enough room in the back for the adult in the middle with two child seats on the outsides?
Thanks for any advice. I really don't want to have to book a 7-seater as these are far more expensive where I'm going.
Or are there any other mid-size hatches/saloons I could do this in - i.e. an Almera, Megane or Astra for example? It doesn't look possible in my Stilo, but you never know!
Cheers. Read more
Pretty sure they do on the standard Scenic - on my Dynamique trim one they did.
My girlfriend is getting a new car on the 1st- group 8 insurance. Her Golf TDI is currently a group 12.
She phoned up to see how much it will cost, looking forward to it being a bit cheaper. Well no, it's an additional £64!!!!!!
For some reason a mini cooper D is a group 12 in their books, the adviser basically told her that the insurance group varies from insurer to insurer.
I never knew this??? As far as I was concerned a mini cooper D is a group 8, and should have been cheaper to insurance or at the very least the same price, not more!!!!!!
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My experience from Direct Line was that if you tell them that you'll be swapping ins. cos at the next renewal, purely for charging an admin fee for changing vehicle/drivers etc, they will waive it.
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If you can't find one locally, then look on the Draper website. tinyurl.com/2z7w5p