December 2008
Came to polish my Jag xtype last night (2005, 110k miles) for the first time and used a polishing buffer machine with some autoglym polish. After buffing it up the paintwork is not silky smooth and glossy - more of a slightly rough feel to it. Could this be due to the cars high mileage and probably lack of polishing previously? The car was an ex fleet car so i doubt anyone has ever polished it, though it is in very good condition. Read more
I am looking to by a used, New shape S 320 CDI has anyone seen them at auction yet and how much are they going for ? Read more
Many thanks.
Drove down the M6 this morning, through the roadworks around Jn 5.
The width restriction on the outside lane is 6ft 6inches.
Just checked the Ford Website and the current Mondeo is 6' 10" wide overall - when are we going to see some enforcement of the width limit ? ? ? ?
How many of you know how wide your car is?
I for one didn't but having checked the Octavia is 0.3" under 6' 6" overall. Read more
Do width restrictions apply the same as speed limits? You can exceed them, but penalised if caught.
There's one near me, but I get the impression it's policed by the kerbs. If they're 6' 6" apart, vehicles are often widest at their DOOR mirrors.
Hi
Anyone got a mondeo like mine First registered June 2003, but engine built Oct 2002 according to engine number.
Can anyone tell me what their idle revs are.
Haynes manual to 2003 says 950. Haynes manual from 2003 says early engines 950 and later engines 750 ?? What is an early and late engine. Mine idles at 750 which feel too slow.
Thanks
ITman Read more
Thanks for that
Mine tends to stall sometimes aproaching roundabouts especially if I have to brake sharply.
It has been much better since I changed the EGR valve. £185 wow!
I am sure that when I first had the car it idled at about 800/850, but since the injectors have been changed/cleaned it now idles at 750. Maybe this is right.
My car has Smartnav built in which was there when i brought it. I have never used it as i have a Tomtom. Ive just checked on the subscription pricing and its £109 a year. What are people's view on these systems? Are they better than a Tomtom? My system does not have any screen so it would only be voice guidance.
Read more
I thought smartnav was being phased out or discontinued. Smokie will know - he has (had) it.,
Hi All,
I have a 2003 Fiesta Zetec and recently the acceleration has become a bit erratic you hit the accelerator for some power but only delivers power a bit later, it does not happen all the time but seems to be increasing, any ideas would be much appreciated a it make a very sluggish drive.
many thanks
{removed all the repeated words in the subject header as the compulsory choices take care of make/model, yr and engine details} Read more
Hi all
I hope someone can help. I recently had the radiator changed as I had noticed the coolant levels were reducing very quicky and I wad advised there was a leak in the radiator. Since then i have noticed that the car seems to be "coughing" when I am driving esp in higher gears. It feels like it is sort of jumping and it feels resisitant when I accelerate. Also whereas I could turn corners in third gear before, doing so now makes the car judder and it feels like it isn't picking up speed. I didn't have these issues before so can only assume it is the change in radiator that has caused this.
Is this something anyone else has experienced and can give me some help with?
Thanks in advance
Siba Read more
I changed the CVs on my daughters Micra less than a couple of years ago. I now see the new boots are starting to split.
I got the new CVs and boots from a large, local independant motor factors (they've got at least a dozen liveried vans, so I presume a lot of garages use them). They're not the cheapest around, but I've never had problems with them in the last thirty-odd years.
I've taken one CV off and checked it's fitted correctly. Also the boot. I don't see what can go wrong. The CV was 'clicked' over the circlip. The boot clips were fittted over the grooves at either end of the joint/driveshaft.
Any suggestions?
I've done a forum search, and seen the suggestions for silicone grease et al.
I've taken the car out, and can't make the CVs click on full lock in first and reverse.
She's probably changing the car in a few months. I thought I'd change them and cross my fingers that they'll last.
I wonder if Rattle wants to buy it? ;>)
Read more
Hi Guys,
I have a 1996 Escort 1.8 Turbo Diesel (50,000 miles) that?s really struggling to start in the cold mornings.
Basically its taking to the 3rd or 4th attempt to get turning over fully and its very (engine bouncing out the bonnet stuff!) rough until I put in plenty of revs and let it idle for 20 seconds or so. Plenty of smoke belching out the rear end too.
Any ideas?
Had the glow plugs replaced 12 months ago on recommendation of guys on here (since done 10,000 miles) and installed a new battery. It also had full service & MOT only 25 days ago at local garage in Edinburgh.
Found a similar thread here:
passionford.com/forum/showthread.php?t=208532 and bits and pieces online relating to other cars with similar problems.
How do I check the glow plug relay?
I?m useless with anything mechanical but can give it a bash.
Thanks in advance! Read more
Don't mind me saying, but unless you either take out the glowplugs and check them individually, or, diconnect the link wire and test them in situ individually you can't really tell whether they are all powering up properly or not.
To check properly, i've always pulled them out and tested them with jump leads to actually watch them heat up and glow.
From the OP's description it sounds like he's firing up on maybe 2 and the other cylinders are dragged kicking and screaming into life some seconds later, hence all the smoke.
i used to keep an old ammeter for this sort of thing, if i jerry wired it into the glow plug circuit i could see the total current draw, and if i took out 1 plug to test i then new exactly how much current a good plug would draw, my only trouble its one of the many tools that buried somewhere since our move.;)
Edit, i don't think its the glowplug relay, as it probably wouldn't start at all this weather, but i'm usually wrong...
Hello all,
I have recently been reading the article on the EGU failuers and thank goodness it has solved a problem i've had for four years.
Since fixing this fault i have a new one that i was wondering if anyone knew what the problem could be and how to fix it?
The problem is that whilst driving in the rain twice now the car has shuddered a few times, then there was a loss of power then the engine stops.
On lifting the bonnet and restarting the car i noticed that a spark was travelling from the top of the ignition coil (Replaced only two months ago) and the rocker cover. I feel that it was doing this rather than moving down to the ht leads then spark plugs.
A quick spray of WD40 in that area and that solved the problem, until it rained again.
Please help?
Anthony
Read more
Did you fit a genuine vauxhall coil pack or a cheaper pattern part (powertrain/intermotor). The internal insulation is breaking down possibly due to a high resistance lead or faulty plug. Suggest fit new (genuine) lead set, I know they aren't cheap, clean and dry the coil towers and fit a new set of plugs. If the tracking continues then the coil is at fault.
Browse
There are some great video's on youtube of Claying and how to apply it etc.
See below for the product which I used. Sound isnt great but you will get the idea.
uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yfEfLGL59GI
I used Meguirs but I think il find a cheaper alternative next time. Car looks A1 now, (i did spend 5 hours on it!)
My girlfriends dad even commented on it today and said it looked like the bodywork was made from glass, and he is into cars about as much as im into needle work!