September 2008
Hi all,
Something just puzzle me and I cannot find a good explanation for.
Why do diesel engines get quieter and more economical when warm? What is the technical explanation behind the change in engine characteristics?
Many thanks,
G Read more
Can anyone recommend a decent set of aftermarket rear parking sensors to fit the in-laws Volvo V50? There are stacks of them on t'internet and on Ebay specifically, most of which are (alarmingly) cheap, but the inlaws don't mind paying a bit more if it means they actually work.
I have a cheap Ebay set on my S60 fitted by the previous owner, which work well when in close proximity to something, but emit very annoying "random" beeps when reversing in clear space.
If anyone has any experience with specific makes / models, I'd be grateful if you could share them.
Cheers in advance
DP
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cpc.farnell.com/reversing-aids
look here, they sell reversing cameras with screens, or the cheap and cheerful beeping
versions.....
.
when I had my s40 I fitted a pair of cheap stick on sensors. no holes drilled into the bumpers, and the cable fed into the car via the rubber grommet in the spare wheel well, I guess its there for towbar wiring.
when the car was sold I asked the buyers if they wanted it removed as no damage was caused to the car when fitting it.....being a saloon they wanted it left where it was...
.
good luck finding a system you like.
Paul.
v40. (wifes)
gt avalanche 3.0 (mine!!!)
Roof compartment wont open right; this is what happens I open the T bar handle at the front the roof opens the warning light on the dash flashes to say roof open at this point the windows should drop a 1/4 of an inch bu they're not doing it, so I have to do it manually from in the car so I can fold the roof as it should; At this point I press the black button on the driver's door pillar, the caches on he stowage compartment should spring open but they don't. Its a manual roof but the windows and catches are not doing what they should automaticaly must be a sensor or a relay.
shouting amended and some punctuation marks put in. Read more
The roof on my 95 Audi Cab is dead!
When I open the roof latch the windows go down, but when I lift the switch, I just get a click from the boot and absolutely no movement.
I have replaced the fluid reservoir - is there a way of bleeding the system?
I have also replaced both wiring looms going to the boot lid.
Where are the micro-switches and what do they look like?
Any suggestions as to what I can test????
Thanks, Tim
Hi folks,
I'm wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what might be up with my car.
I took a trip from Manchester to Penrith on Thursday, and my car was absolutely fine all the way there.
On the return journey, after about 10 miles, my car began to make a slight grinding noise/vibration noise? when I took my foot off the accelerator at 70+ mph (I'm thinking its when the engine was naturally braking). The noise stopped when I put my foot back on the accelerator or when I put my foot on the break. The vibration didn't affect the steering and none of the lights in the car came on, it just made the strange noise.
I did come off the motorway and was going to stop at a services but when I was doing 40mph or less the noise wasn't happening.
Anyway, to cut a long story short I didn't stop at a services in the end and I did manage 80 miles home despite my car constantly making that strange noise/vibration.
Anyone have any ideas what it could be?
Thanks in advance :) Read more
Hi i have a 1.2 1998 cilo, i recently had a problem like this, just random time driving i would get a grinding or squealing as it go worse, i had to get the drive shaft done, mine was really making the noise after driving for a bit or at bit higher speed, hope you get it sorted, good luck rockstar.
Friend is looking for an executive car which has a low insurance grouping. he has seen a Honda Legend but is put off by the group 17 rating. Any big car out there with low insurance group? he does not mind the make or age of the car, he just want a big car full stop. Read more
just to add about the insurance group thing....
we've just gone down to one car..
used to have a s40 and v40 volvo the v40 being a 2litre xi. the s40 a 1.8i base model.
the v40 was 3 groups higher...
but the insurance company (zuric) quoted us more for the s40 1.8 even though it was a lower group apon asking why???
was told if a lot of people crash the 1.8s people have to payer a larger premium.
the 2litre wasn't crashed as often hence cheaper....
had a similar thing in my younger days...went from a Fiesta RS turbo to a mk1 MR2.
both where the same group (14) but the RS cost more, even though it was worth less....
Paul....
what about an old bmw....after all pop the 518 badge off the back and stick on a 525...
bobs ya uncle....job done....
I drive a M5 (okay a Mazda 5 then). When i disable the alarm the indicators flash once. When i engage the alarm the indicators flash twice. Other manufacturers have a similar setup. Apart from the french cars i have seen. Refering to Peugeot and Citroen. When the owner opens or locks the car the indicators flash as if its gone bonkers. Must be more than 10 flashes. Wont be suprised if you can set your ignition timing using the strobe affect of the indicators. Feel sorry for those who can be affected from flashing lights. My question is why do these manufacturers think that they have to program more than 4 flashes to let the owner know the alarm is on or off?
I know the electrics in french car are so so but don't think that is the reason Read more
When I lock my M6 (okay, Mazda6!) with the KEY, the lights don't flash. When I go to unlock it with either the fob or key, lights don't flash! Try that!
How easy it so do? It is the left side light, main beem works on both but not side lights.
I know on some cars this is quite fiddely but sure about the old MK4.
Thanks Read more
before going for the bulb did you check the fuse as often there are independant fuses for different sides
I have a 2000 KA, recently it has started creaking over speed bumps which someone has suggested is due to worn suspension bushes, i dont know a great deal about cars but when i called my normal garage I was quoted £175+VAT to have these replaced, is that a fair price?
the car is probably only worth about £650 so if thats the case im not sure its worth keeping. Read more
If it is the bushes its more cost effective to renew the bottom arms with both bushes and bottom swivel pins. About 1/2 hour-45 mins a side. If you are keeping the car use Ford arms, if not, pattern arms will generally last a year or two.
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Thanks to all - using a secondary axis was the way to go, and the results keep the boss happy (which was the primary objective) !
Doesn't seem to be too much info on them, other than that they are generally reliable.
I'd been thinking about replacing the Primera maybe, and noticed a 2l auto Magentis, 05-reg with only 28,000 miles, FSH for £2500.
I was thinking about going there and kicking the guy in the nuts by offering £1800, and seeing what happened next.
Are there any specific weak points to these cars? Mechanically I mean, not badge/handling etc, I can make my own mind up on those scores :) Read more
Guy would not go below £2400 -- too rich for me just now -- I'd have probably bought it if he'd gone about another £200 lower though.
Not a bad car actually -- I was pleasantly surprised by the handling. There was no mistaking that this is a big car, it wasn't as keen as the Primera and there was some body lean, but the steering was positive, the engine sounded quite pleasant, it shifted pretty well (as you'd expect from a 2-litre) and the interior seemed well enough constructed; I could find no flexing parts and there were only a couple of very minor vibrations.
What put me off though was that "full service history" -- it had been serviced once, at 14,000 miles, and had had an oil change 1000 miles ago. Could do better TBH. Car seemed no worse for it though.
I may well revisit this model in the future if another one comes up. Very comfy seats.
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The proper reason why they are noisey cold is the fact that as they don't run fuel enrichment cold ( as pointed out by DP) the diesel injection timing is advanced to compensate for a slower burn. Hence this is where the knock comes from is the advanced combustion. As diesel burns slighly slower the timing has to be well advanced.
On the whole the average diesel engine is built in a much stronger & heavier material & often have a larger water capacity & the combustion tempretures tend to be lower hence the longer warming up period.
The only reason economey would improve hot is due to the fact that the engine produces more power due to effienct combustion & sutible timing hot than cold. They do not burn signifantly more fuel cold but need a heavier right foot.
Part of the diesel ( cack noise ) is created by the difference in tempretures of fuel being injected into the engine.
I Doc