October 2008
I have noticed my car has been quite smokey since the oil change. This morning I decided to investigate, I checked the breathers and they are all clear, so I decided to check the level, it was about 50mm above maximum. Is this within the save limits? If not I have done about 10 miles since the change would this have caused any damage to the seals?
I don't want to accuse my mechanic of over filling until I know he has overfilled it. Read more
I need to replace the headlamp glass in my Micra for the MOT.
I've got another unit from a breakers yard so is it just a case of undoing the clips and swapping the glass over, or do I need to use some special sealant around the edges as well?
Thanks. Read more
I've been a member (well, customer) of the RAC for years - never used their services.
This morning, two weeks and three days after buying an 02 plate 156 24 JTD, I'm on the phone to the RAC!
Looks like my alternator has had its day. Looking around on the web, a replacement is an eye watering £180ish.
So, that's that. My RAC virginity has been taken by an Italian!
DB Read more
Every day...Cream Momo leather.....
Having probs with rear demister element not working. 30amp fuse OK. audible click when switched on, rear view mirrors defrost ok.
I don't think there is any power at the connectors on the tailgate.
Any ideas, or wiring diagram maybe ?
Cheers Read more
As some of you will be aware, more recent Haynes manuals now include a 1 to 5 'spanner rating' for each maintenance/repair job.
So how would you rate your own level of 'spanner competence' when it comes to repairing cars?
I'll allow a sixth "what's a spanner?" category, if that helps :-) Read more
Back in the bad old days [ 1950's ] I was taught by Father up to about 4-spanner level, and went up to about 4.5 level in the 60's. From mid-80-'s, I have reduced to about half-spanner by having company cars on fully-maintained leases. I do, however, maintain my multi-spanner rating on the small non-electronic Italian diesel engine in my boat. I do have to surrender the unit injectors to a diesel shop if they need any work.
An exellent article by the BBC's Robert Peston this morning:
www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/robertpeston/
Apparently Hedge Funds have been 'burnt' to the extent of £18bn over the last two days by the meteroic rise of VW shares caused by the proposed Porsche takeover. How gratifying that these parasites are at last suffering along with the rest of us, and how ironic that the losses are thanks to the manufacturer of the Hedgies prefered ride! Read more
What most people seem to forget about short selling is this.
Shorters have to borrow the shares to sell in the market.
Who lends them the shares ? Yes the institutions who get a fee for doing so.
Where do the institutions get the shares from ?
They buy them in the open market with their customers money, your money,pension holders money.
Who wins ?
Usually the shorters when they drive the price down and the institutions when they get their lending fee and as the fee does not form part of your pension investment, they get to keep the lot.
Who loses ? The mugs who provide the money in the first place i.e the lowly worker who hopes to have a reasonable pension after years of hard work, but you can bet your boots that their fund will not match expectations, because the share price will not have performed as well as expected.
Do the fatcats at the top care about your pension ? Does Gordy care ?
NO.
Meeting Henry K for lunch tomorrow.
Expect reports!
He promises to wear a trilby.
Read more
Met HK for a few ales yesterday and some interesting chat.
Thanks HK much appreciated.
My thanks to you Ian. Delaying a working man (at the brewery on the Waterfront, in the sunshine) is dedication indeed.
Thanks for the local motoring mags. I will enjoy the local motoring view.
The watering hole.
dostuffct.com/activity/waterfront/mitchells-waterf...y
Now I am back in the UK I will post my comments re various cars I hired etc when I have read a bit of the past months postings.
Looking down on to the top of the motorcraft battery in my Mondy, there is a small round window with a coloured indicator. I notice it has recently turned from green to red.
There's plenty of fluid in there, and it isn't at all sluggish to turn over. I've also tried trickle charging it overnight to no effect. What does the red indicator mean?
I've had 7 years out of the battery so far, so I suppose I can't complain about the durability of the motorcraft batteries! Read more
Check the Bosch website re the correct battery type before you get a replacement.
The spec changed in 98 for the Mondeo .
Had this 406 HDI since August 2008, Model = Rapier Estate HDI (110), Recently it has had a tendency to switch on the front fog lights on it's own and if I do not switch them off it will also switch on the rear fog light,
The air con is ok whilst in motion but not when stationary (I think that the A/C colling fan is not working) looked at the relays and a gave the terminals a clean but no change. Latest thing is the hazard lights activated when braking heavily to avoid a side road pull out.
Does anyone else have any of these problems an if so is there a root cause or is the loom starting to fail?
Thanks Read more
Is the BSi getting damp?
The rad fans suffer from corrosion everywhere - nightmare wiring.
The hazards may be programmed to do that under emergency braking.
Are you biased against a particular make of car (in your price range), and do you have definitive proof that your bias is justified, or (as I suspect) are you just being irrational? Read more
if I had a Renault I will keep a large supply of coil packs in case I brake down :D
Never needed a coil in 7 yrs with my Scenic. At least, if one fails, you can still drive it.
Plenty available on Ebay cheap.
Ted
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In which case your mechanic is forgiven. 5mm won't do much harm.