Hello all,
This is my first time on a internet forum so sorry if i make any mistakes.
I have a Mondeo on a 98 with a V6 duratec and up untill last week i have had no problems, then out of no where she starts to over heat, not a rapid rise in temp but a slow increase untill the fan kicks in, which has no effect. I thought head gasket, which i have changed (Needed a de-coke anyway) still overheating, checked thermosat which is fine. I have read that water pumps are poor on these engines any ideas anyone as i am out. Read more

As i'd enquired about the new Vauxhall Insignia before its launch, the nice people at Vauxhall sent an invite to test the Insignia at a "top secret test site" aka Millbrook Proving Ground, just off the M1 north of Luton.

We arrived just in time, were escorted across to the central area where a large display of Insignia (Insignias?) were parked to one side, and escorted into the pavillion to check in and then avail ourselves of (very nice) food.

We were called in to the briefing and a couple of Vauxhall Bigwigs were there, enthusing about the Insignia. They teased us with a look at the Sport Wagon Tourer version on the podium, but sadly didnt get to look around that one - prototype and very much off limits.

We were then split off into smaller groups where Emma enthusiastically showed us around an Elite hatch in Pannacota. Goodies like adaptive headlights, flexride, 4x4 - all very interesting (not). We were then briefed on the rules when driving the cars - and we were off.

We got outside and they ran through the specs of the different cars. Silver cars were the 1.8 petrols, pale met blue 130 diesels, dark met blue 160 diesels, black cars were SRi Turbos and there were a few grey cars which were 2.8 Turbo 4x4 Elites. Sadly didnt get to drive a grey car though.

My first impressions - nice car, rear space is limited though, ingress and egress is compromised due to the aerodynamic styling. The rest of the interior is good, the dash is clear and its easy to get comfortable behind the wheel. Oh, and it has proper indicators at last. The first car I drove was the poverty spec 1.8 model - no idea what spec as it didnt have a badge! Ride and handling are good, but goodness its slow - around Millbrooks Hill Route it struggled, had to use 1st gear at one point. On the banked circuit it was nice and smooth, just a bit of wind noise - possibly from the rear windows spoiling it.

Next car we grabbed was a 160 diesel auto - much better on the performance front but it seemed to hunt through the gears on the hill route. Road noise and windnoise was better than the 1.8, but maybe the SE spec gets more insulation.

When we got back with this car, all the decent stuff (SRIs and Elites) were out, so out in one of the competitor cars that they'd laid on. Audi A4, BMW 3, Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord, VW Passat - all there for you to compare to the Insignia. Chose a Mondeo petrol for giggles as we'd never driven one before. Very small mirrors, the annoying heated windscreen but a lot more driveable than the Insignia petrol.

So, a good day, topped off by some offroading in an Antara SUV - very capable vehicle!

Would I buy an Insignia - yes, nice car, but it'd have to be an estate. Oops sorry Sport Tourer ;)

Tony Read more

My 1998 Fiesta (1.3 Endura petrol engine) has been producing even more engine noise than usual - it now makes a sort of mild roaring noise in a particular band of engine speeds. I've had a look under the bonnet, and there seems to be an air duct (I think) that runs from the air filter enclosure to a smaller kind of filter assembly directly above the radiator.

The air duct is flapping around loosely, because the foam washer that fits between the duct and the spigot at the top of the radiator has fallen to pieces. Would this account for the noise? Can anyone tell me what specific parts I should ask for at my friendly local Ford parts desk? Is it just a new foam washer I need, or is there something else that holds the duct in place that has fallen off?

Here are some pictures:

tinypic.com/view.php?pic=16898uh&s=4

tinypic.com/view.php?pic=zl3fpl&s=4

Thanks
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I've replaced the Sony CD/radio in my car with a JVC model KD-S621; plugs on back are identical but whilst both CD and radio work OK the electric aerial does not.

Can anyone shed any light on this please? Read more

Tried the Fiat 500 and Skoda Superb ones on Safari on Mac, but no dice, the page takes ages to been shown as loaded, but there is no PLAY to click.
In activity, I see...
vss.khoosys.net/resources/flashembed-0.31.pack.js - timed out Read more