September 2008
Ooccasional violent shake on cold start (exhaust bangs on underside), most of time fine. Audi say engine is running lumpy, and reckon cld be EGR valve flap problem. Any thoughts, pse gents? Many thanks. Read more
Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are to have their say on the way British road signs should look in the future.
The Department for Transport is carrying out its biggest review of traffic signs in 40 years.
It says it wants to use the latest technology to cut congestion and emissions, and improve safety, without cluttering the streets.
Transport Minister Rosie Winterton has also invited highways bodies and road users' groups to give their views.
She said: "Road conditions have changed dramatically over the years and road signs need to keep pace with that change to provide the best information possible to all road users."
The review aims to ensure that out-of-date signs are removed, technology is used to improve traffic flow, more up-to-date travel information is made available and accident rates are reduced.
Reduce congestion
AA President Edmund King said: "Clear, concise, relevant road signs help reduce congestion, CO2, frustration and accidents.
"Confusing signs do the opposite, so we welcome a root and branch review of the UK's traffic signing system."
A steering group will meet next month to draw up plans for the review, which will be conducted next year
Re comments from above.
It says it wants to use the latest technology and..
road signs need to keep pace with that change to provide the best information possible to all road users."
How about the local council using hedge shears to reveal local traffic signs, road names etc.
Ask for interested road users ( IAM maybe to start with?) to provide a running commentary on the lack of, badly positioned, inconsistent, missing, grafittied road signs.
Fix the above first before any wizzy latest tecky stuff.
An example: Unless things have recently changed.
On THe A27 past Chichester ( a busy UK and foreign holiday route)
A good red A & E hospital sign pointing off the road and into Chichester.
That is a good start especially if you are stressed and in a hurry to get there.
Then there are no more signs until you are a few yards from the entrance.
If you ever need to use this route the follow the grinning brown mask signs through all the roundabouts ( towards the theatre) and finally the red hospital sign will appear.
The first requirement - fix what you already have - is not rocket science.
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Cool Hand Luke... yeah... martyr to the cause of the urban motorist...
How should the remake open? Luke drunk and stoned, spraying the lenses of speed and junction and bus-lane cameras with black paint, or blinding them with a pocket laser?
Hello. I would like to spend more time on the moors within a nearby National Park. This, inevitably, means leaving the car unattended, often in isolated off road spots. Local police give warnings and some spots are, evidently, more vulnerable than others, although, perhaps surprisingly, statistically, it's often the ones that are well used that are targeted by thieves and not just quiet tucked away ones. You can put stickers in your windcreen to say there is nothing within - but will they believe you? You could perhaps deliberately run an old car that looks less eye-catching - or does a new car appear more secure (better locks/alarm?) What does a police "covert capture car" look like? Does it have privacy glass, does it have a real or dummy camera visible within (or not visible within?) and do "covert" cars get broken in to? Would an alarm stop a thief in the middle of the moor with no-one around? Should you empty the hatch and uncover it and open the glovebox to show it's empty? Maybe a Group4 prison van would keep them away? It does, now, play on your mind wondering whether your car will be intact when you return to it and before buying another car I would welcome suggestions. I've given it much thought and cannot come up with much.....but please don't suggest getting the bus up there - that's not an option - Pizwell and Babeny are off the route. You might just say take you chances and you may be right.
Thanks in anticipation. Read more
Car thieves are the most transparent badge snobs of all in my limited experience of them. The only cars of mine which were interfered with, broken into or stolen were two Golf GTis and a couple of BMWs. All my other cars have thus far remained unscathed but have come equipped with less emotive badging. Of course my wife had, as usual, to prove me wrong on this theory by pointing out that she had her Astra nicked a few years ago. I contend that you can always find an exception to prove a rule.....
;-)
Hello, just ended a call with our son on the telephone. He told me that he'd bought a second hand For Fiesta & agreed a price for his. This was on the basis he'd bought the previous ca brand vew abut 5 years ago, FSH via main dealer/etc.
The car he bought is the Fiesta ST, 57 plate. He put down a deposit of 1500 pounds via credit card on Wednesday over the phone & wll pay the remainder when he goes to pick up the car on Tuesday. The deal was via phone.
He has decided he can get a lot better deal if he was to sell privately & buy privately.
Does he have any rights to cancel without losing his deposit?
Btw, the dealer agreed to tax his new car for 6 months.
We searched the internet and feel that he has a '7 working day cancellation right.. & the dealer huld have old hm this but did not.
ASAP help appreciated. (I've told our son he has been silly, ut heis worrie that hemay lose the 1500 paid over the phone via his credit card so may be forced togo ahead.
Thanks in advance
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I'm a bit puzzled as to your normal and then erratic English, but in the meantime see:
www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/.../
I live in Germany and work 300Km away from my home and I am searching for advice on what one expect to see following a cylinder head removal?
The story so far
I put the car in to the local Honda dealer for 90K servicing and cam belt change, 30 mins before I was due to collect it the garage phoned and advised me that they had changed the cam belt and that there was "bad noise" from the engine. Subsequent discussions resulted in a loan car (FOC) until the problem was investigated.
They now say they will have to remove the cylinder head and will do this on Monday.
Yes! if you're thinking what I'm thinking then they have mistimed the cam belt and there is damage to the engine.
My questions are - What damage can I expect to see? following the cylinder head removal and what possible damage can I expect not to see?
Any advice and suggestions would be appreciated!
Xam Read more
Xam
If the valves have hit the pistons, there will be witness marks in the crust on the piston crowns.
It it was running OK, but just noisy; then they may get away with it....
Potentially; valve, follower, cam, all sorts, could have suffered.
Have just had a truly shocking encounter with a bus, that has left me absolutely fuming. Close to home I came along a stretch of road, my carriageway was clear, but the opposing carriageway had a line of parked cars (as is usually the case). As I was about half way along the row of parked cars saw a bus coming down the unobstructed railway bridge at the end of the straight. I know the driver would have seen me from experience, as was high enough to look over the row of cars. Nevertheless, without slowing down he pulled into the opposing carriageway directly into my path. Luckily I was able to stop in time, and he squeezed into the a gap just big enough- but took some time to get in.
The thing that amazes me, once past the gap he squeezed into, there were about 3 cars on the opposing carriageway- so had he stopped then- would have had about 10 second wait for me to come through. Instead he had a much greater delay with having to shoehorn in bus into the gap. I really dont know if he expected me to reverse for him, or go into someones driveway, but if the former I would have had to reverse past about 10 car, through a chicane, another car and then go round a blind bend backwards.
Got home, and phoned the company. I wont name them here, but as we have 2 bus companies in Weston Super Mare, should point out was not the second bus company with the orange buses (forgotten their name). Was trying to stay calm, and was polite, but was fuming- unfortunately had the wrong number, so have sent my complaint via e mail. I just cannot believe the arrogance, ignorance and total disregard for the safety of passengers and other road users. Am well aware their driving standards are appalling, but this truly has plumbed new depths for me- pulling onto wrong side of road despite oncoming traffic.
Although I wasnt able to get the bus number of registration as was preoccupied by it approaching me at speed, I am severely tempted to report this to Police, as with driving standards like this it is a public safety issue.
Can probably tell, nearly 2 hours later and I'm still fuming. Read more
I just wish we had buses. If we did I would accept any standard of driving from their drivers.
Driving home on the motorway this week the timing belt went, the speed was about 70mph, when the AA man turned up, he said that on 95% of cars the timing belt would damage the engine but was confident that this was not the case for a Fiat Punto.
I spoke to the local garage who said that the AA man is talking rubbish and that damage would have been done to the engine. Who is right? The AA man said that he was a mechanic for 18 years before becoming a AA Patrolman, so unsure who to believe. I don't want to be charged for work that does not need to be done on the engine.
Any advice on this? Read more
Its unfair to criticise fully without looking at the engine in detail, but........
If its a freewheeling engine (my info agrees with screwloose) then that means the pistons/valves/head should not meet under any circumstances (no matter how many head gasket failures ) and therefore the answer you have been given sounds wrong.
In reality, even in a freewheeling engine, damage can happen.
With the figures given its no reason why the engine shouldnt start, even if its performance isnt right.
I suspect a tooth out on the belt maybe? I dont feel comfortable with what you have been told!
Like much new legislation (HIPS spring to mind) it looks like they have jumped the gun again.
The extended and very much reduced number of centres has caused a six month delay to the introduction on the new, extended, off road motocycle test that was due to start at the end of this month.
www.dsa.gov.uk/News.asp?id=SX6AAA-A782F5E8
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No, you weren't imagining it - it was in this week's Motorcycle News. More than £70m has been spent because of these stupid eurocrats who wouldn't let us do the test at 30mph.
Madness...
TJ
Hi
Could anybody please help me find the cause of my 2001 110 hdi estate not having any power until the revs hit 2800 when the power kicks in and it drives fine. It recently had a new fuel pressure reg fitted by dealer (3 months ago) and a new walker exhaust 2 weeks ago. If i am doing 70 in 5th on a motorway and try to accelerate it will not get above 80 without me dropping into 4th and putting my foot to the floor. Once it hits the 2800rpm power band in any gear the car suddenly picks up and she,s off. as long as i keep the revs up hi it drives fine . but its just not right and its also thirstier when driven like this.
Any help and advise will be greatly appreciated (I havent had it on a fault code reader as yet )
Cheers Bigun
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Hi Screwloose
Sorry its taken so long to get back
Took car into dealer and they told me it was air mass meter????
£212 later car is back to normal
£117 of the bill was for putting on diagnostic (seems steep) but I am very happy as the car is back to normal.
cheers
Bigun


if I need to buy the part, who/where's the cheapest supplier, pse ?