August 2008
Hey all,
I'm a student doing a study on young drivers aged 18-23 on the subject of risky behaviour.
I'd really appreciate it if you filled out this quick survey for me, so I can do some awesome science and figure out whether we are a nation of psychopaths driving ourselves to oblivion.
Only takes about 5 minutes.
Click the following link to start: www.my3q.com/go.php?url=pippinz/76016
Cheers! Read more
Hi Guys
Haven't posted anything here for a while. Anyway my exhaust starting blowing recently and it sounded like a diesel/sports car. I went to a couple of places to get a quotation and they all quoted different prices.
Kwik Fit- wanted to change the whole exhaust, and quoted me £350.
Another local garage quoted - £90
Finally a garage quoted £30- the cheapest price
The problem was with a small gasket that needed to be replaced, however this FINAL garage mechanic just put a clip on it and tightened it so that it would stop blowing and it worked.
So there you go from £350 to £30, almost 10% of the cost, WOW
ALWAYS GET A QUOTATION, DO NOT LET THE MECHANICS PUSH YOU with their Sales Pitch.
All the Best Read more
Hi,just bought a festa 1.25 ghia on an n.Remote tailgate switch inop.Spoke to local dealer who said change switch or control unit in tailgate.Guess what neither has worked!!However i have now noticed rear wiper is inop too.Anyone got any idea?Cheers
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Also try cleaning up the sprung contacts brass/copper make sure that the springs spring.
Agreed. WD40 and wire wool does the trick nicely. The contact pad on the tailgate sill is usually corroded and sometimes full of rubbish.
Cheers
DP
there is alot of engine heat entering thru vents into cabin when car is stuck in traffic even on a mild 14degree day.i have to put air con on. does anyone else have this problem? Read more
Snipquote, and txt language substituted for proper words!
what do you mean heater flaps and where are they?
Hey one and all,
I recently fitted set of KYB Excel-G shocks all round, wishbones, droplinks, rear ARB links and had 4 wheel laser alignment done. Knocking-clunky noises are gone but still riding quite roughly. Seems to have tough time even coping with a level road. No doubt it's handling bit better and feels more positive and firm but there's still a lot of annoying 'shake' throughout the cabin (and the driver!) most noticeable over bad ground. It's gliding over speed bumps nicely though.
One thing I noticed is the upper mounting cup (under bonnet) has a slight gap between the rubber ring and the body - most noticeable on the passenger side. Would this have any negative effects and would replacing them help? Also, during the alignment the guy never adjusted the rear toe setting. Does this need to be adjusted or how can I check it?
Thanks for your expertise fellas.
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You think it might be something to do with the bearings?
Handles good but just know it should feel better. Seems to be so few garage services out there that can advise you on this kinda thing. So I don't even know where to go.
When I passed my test in1982, aged 17 I wanted,(could afford) only certain cars, I really wanted a Vauxhall Chevett 1.1, Fiesta but ended up with a 1.0 Allegro -lucky me Read more
i cant really remeber when i passed my test in 1997, I do recall drooling over a VW Golf GTI at the time though - however I bought my A Reg 1.3 Astra MK1, in pastel blue I kept it until it reached 160k and if i could have it back i would! (but a nice new engine and a decent paint job)
My 1997 Merc E200's gearbox (four speed) is doing some funny stuff! In the mornings if I drive off from home she will hold 1st gear and thump into 2nd and sometimes from 2nd to 3rd too.
So, I usually idle in D1 for 10-15 mins and shift to D and drive off and 99% of the time she will shift smoothly.
My airmass senson failed three time withinn a year and the authorised dealer has replaced the last two as guarantee parts. They kept saying that the box was ok but the airmass kept sending the box into limp home mode. They have checked the box, upgraded the software and 're-taught'the box. Now they say that the box is slipping and that is blowing the mass sensor! They seem to be running some trial and error method here! I have changed the oil and filters with original parts three times to no avail.
Latest fault codes read as follows:
EGS Fault Memory
030, Altitude factor from motor electronics implausible. CAN
126, Sporadically Altitude factor from motor electronics implausible, CAN
HFM Fault memory Stored faults
010 Hot - film air mass sensor B2/5 - // -
My air mass was changed, that was the third time.
Any professional advice and suggestions, please?
Kind regards,
Cherian Read more
The obvious thing to have a look at is that the electrical connector on the gearbox hasn't leaked. What happens if it does leak is that ATF (containing iron filings and other nasties) wicks up the wiring loom, and floods the ECU. Mayhem follows!
The quick way to check is to unplug the ECU, and check for any sign of oil.
If there is any oil in there, you *might* get away with a good cleanout of the ECU, but, your more likely to need a replacement.
There is a modified connector which is available for the gearbox to prevent this happening.
Got a car on SORN ready to go back on the road, not worth a busting lot so only need 3rd party cover, but do need to tax it at the start of next month. I can drive it legally on my everyday car policy 3rd party clause (as this car is not registered to me) but have I got to insure it separately just to buy a tax disc? Or can I take my main policy to the PO and be allowed to buy my expensive little circular beermat (aka tax disc)?
And if I do need another insurance, where can I get a cheap short term insurance good enough to tax with? Read more
DOV will not cover you to tax it. Owner and registered keeper are not necessarily the same. If you have some title over the vehicle then you are the owner and are not covered under DOV. Is in the smallprint.
Not so long ago insurance certificates only had the name of the Policyholder on it, no registration numbers. Open to abuse! Similarly eveything is on a database now and checks can be easily made by th PO.
While it remains legal to use our cars for pleasure, some of us will continue to do that.
;-)
We "discovered" West Kirby today on the Wirral. Lovely clean beach and pleasant wee town. Free parking on the prom. Tide was way out and we were able to walk over the sands to the "Eye" islands. Could have continued on to Hilbre Island but decided to return to the town beach for our picnic and a spot of kite flying. The marine lake was staging a dinghy race and some impressive windsurfers. The Wirral country park a short distance away looked like it was worth a visit some time especially if we bring the bikes next time to explore the coastal trail.
Chidhood memories of walking barefoot for miles on wet clean sand seaching for shells and stuff were reawakened today and we can honestly say we have not felt so refreshed for quite a while.
Highly recommended for anyone within reach tomorrow.
Where have others been this weekend or are planning to go to tomorrow to celebrate the end of our great British um....."Summer" ? Read more
Stayed local. Doing 2000+ miles down to northern Italy and back in a couple of weeks, so sparing the driving at the moment! :-)
***** This thread is now closed, please CLICK HERE to go to Volume 19 *****
***** This thread follows on from VOLUME 17 *****
Another thread for commenting on rare, unusual, old or just plain daft cars etc.
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Mini Clubman estate, R-reg, bowling along quite happily at about 55mph on the A690 dua carriageway near Durham City.
It had two rear side-hinged doors - now there's an innovation someone might like to copy.
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Late teens psychopath no, immortal yes.