November 2008
Just replaced the lower UJ on a Fiesta 'classic'. Now as I steer, I feel a slight jump where the two UJs seem to not have enough room to turn. The inner steering shaft moves up against the bearing spring a couple of mm inside the column. Do the two UJs need to be in any specific alignment to each other? Apart from the hex end on the steering shaft, there is no restriction on lower UJ fitting. Read more
Lot of fog this morning, so thought I'd spot cars which still have two rear fogs as I cycled to work. Top of the list of design brainlessness - Range Rover Sport; right next to the brake lights. I suppose it's so large it wouldn't notice someone ploughing into the back because they didn't notice the brake lights come on. Also, new Peugeot, although these are quite well separated from the brake lights. Also Mini.
Why does stupidity persist? Is it because these cars are assembled in intellectually challenged English factories?
Anyway, that's three from me - please add to create an HJ blacklist! Read more
M5 Northbound yesterday
Saw 3 grey Audi A8s with blue lights (looked like temporary ones) some had alternate flashing headlights. Travelling where possible up the outside land at well over 70 where they could.
Did not look like police and no marked car with them.
Probably someone important and the emergency was that they had an appointment. Now if speed kills . . . . . . . . . . .
George Orwell was right Read more
I think this thread has discussed all it will. And is getting too personal. So it is locked.
Rob, Moderator
Scratching my head on this one. I own a 2007 Fiat Grande Punto 1.9 Multi Jet Elegenza. Recently a taxi driver decided to pull out in front of me on a dual carraige way, meaning I drove into the side of him, his fault. My car has been repaired, new bumper, wings, bonnet, radiator, washer bottle etc etc. Any how I have now noticed that my average fuel consumption has gone from being about 42mpg down to 35mpg after the crash. The only thing I can think is that when the accident happened all the coolant from the engine leaked out of the pipe that connects to the intercooler. I have noticed a coolant leak since its been repaired, they took it back and re-connected something, but it is still giving bad MPG figuresand also the turbo is nosier now as well. Can anyone advise me please. Read more
Its booked in for Monday to be looked at, I wan to tgo in, and point them in the right direction as Fiat dealers can be notoriosuly bad. It has been back to the repair garage who said something wasnt connected properly which may of lead to the poor mpg. I got it back on the 13 Nov and took it on numerous runs.
Washers keep packing up, change the fuse under the bonnet, fine for a week or so, then pack up again. Is this a 'known' problem?, assume its a connection thing but am I wrong?, suppose the washer pump needs replacing? how easy is it to change the pump?, any clues gladly received.
CBG
Read more
I have been told my axle on my Toyota Yaris is bent beyond repair and will need replacing and have been quoted one thousand pound for a second hand replacement part. This sounds expensive to me. Is this the going rate? Read more
Contact the breakers yourself.
If that is parts and labour to fit it than think about what you are buying - a complete axke with all the brakes and everything fitted will be much faster to changeover than the bare axle.
Having fitted rear disc barkes onto several of my own cars over the last 20 years I always negotiated for the complete rear axle with these brakes fitted as it came with all the right fittings and could be switched over quickly.
Does anyone know if the spark plugs are long life-and if so what is the recommended life of them? Also does the gearbox oil need the level checking at services? If so how is it done and what is the correct oil please?
Many thanks. Read more
First Q, what are the auto versions like? Anyone driven one?
Second Q, ive read several reports of poor customer service - how much truth is there in this? Is it Fiat or just individual dealers?
I ask because someone mentioned the 5 year warranty on these now and since its Fiat backed ( better than a dealer one I think ), I thought it was worth a look atleast - do they really discount them as heavily as most 'target price' claims suggest? Read more
Yes the Blue&Me is a brilliant system and has been on Fiats for years, even on the Panda as an option.
If you haven't yet done it you can now download this....
www.fiat.co.uk/ecodrive/#ecodrive/download
Eco drive, you download it and plug it into your Blue&Me and then it records all driving data and suggests improvements to your driving style to improve your economy. All free aswell (currently available for GPuntos and 500s only)
Hi, ive got a 1998 1.2 petrol clio which has intemittent starting issues. Ive read many posts on this site with the same problem but with different engines etc. Basically the engine cranks over fine on the starter, but when the problem occurrs the engine shows no attempt of starting. After three or four attempts the engine usually fires up. Ive read some posts on this website which recommend replacing the CTS (coolant temp sensor, however this was on a car with the older dizzy type ignition system) and flywheel sensor (Which was off a car wit a 16v engine). As the engine in my car is only 8 valve with a distribuitor-less ignition system i dont know if these parts would cause the same faults. When the engine is running it has plenty of power, no signs of fuels starvation or missfiring. I have also heard of problems with the immobilliser unit, i found this on the car, situated next to the interior light. The immobillisecircuit board did look corroded, however the engine started even when i unplugged the immobliser circuit board, so obviously my immobilliser seems to have no use. Any help would be appeciated.
Ta
Mr. Wolf Read more
You car definitely still has both a CTS and a crank [flywheel/TDC] sensor.
The alarm receiver doesn't sound in good condition; has it's immobilizer function [such as it is] been disabled?
Hi,
Does anyone know what type of headlamps are fitted to 04 model year CMAX TDCI Ghia model. In addition where is the best place to order some (cheapest cost, UK or France) for driving in France.
Thanks Read more
Browse
The Americans "invented" the third brake light as it was visible through the back windows of cars in a line of traffic, and has been proved to reduce rear end collisions. Red indicators, which the Americans have had for decades, aren't as annoying at night as white flashing indicators due to poor orange bulbs or , worse still, indicators set into the centre of brake lights. What a brilliant piece of design work that is!