January 2009
I've just noticed on my wifes new insurance docs a couple of clauses under "Limitations as to use" that appear new.
The first disallows "The release of a seized motor vehicle other than the vehicle above".
and the second new one:-
"Use on the Nurburgring Nordschleife" as well as the usual no racing/pace-making stuff.
I'm in favour of the first, surprised by the specificity of the second, unless the insurance co. take my wife to be a girl-racer? Read more
I know I'm stupid but I wonder if anyone could help me.
I have managed to shut the key to my Focus in the bonnet (resting on the battery) and it is the only key that I have so I can't open the bonnet to retrieve it. Is there a way to open the bonnet without a key?
I'm really kicking myself, just thought I would check the oil, put the key down while I did so, shut the bonnet, then 2 seconds later realised what I had done!
Thanks Read more
"This user has requested their profile be hidden"
fredblogs - you'll have to change your forum settings if you want anyone to contact you about this.
I can't help you get the bonnet open without a key I'm afraid, but I've got a couple of suggestions - get yourself over to the ffoc or focusowners forums and try there too and also - I wonder if you could get under the car and reach up that far or use something that would reach (a short length of 2.5mm electric cable that you could bend into shape for example) to knock the key off ?
Hi All
Thanks for all your advice in the past and unsurprisingly I have a further question.
On just starting my 53 reg Mondeo I occasionally have a chugging noise which happens for a couple of minutes and then settles down. Performance seems fine and there doesnt seem to be a specific reason but with the current weather conditions it could be the cold.
NB: My car does have A/C but I dont tend to use it .
If you have any questions feel free to ask and thanks in advance Read more
It has happened to me on restarting after stopping at Mway services, so I don't think it's related to length of time the car has stood idle. Actually, that also rules out temperature-related issues too, which sort of deals with my idea about glowplugs :(
Hi,
I have a Primera p11-144, 2001 Y 2l petrol SE hatchback, 111000 miles. In the last few months the cars fuel consumption has increased fairly dramatically, with no change in driving style. In fact it is probably even worse than that-over my previous 53 mile each commute of including 30 miles of single carriageway, with lots of full bore overtaking etc I used to get around 35mpg. Now over my 25 mile each way commute which is 22 miles of uncongested dual carriageway and motorway I am barely getting 31 mpg when I would be hoping for 37-39mpg.
I am looking in the direction of the catalytic converter or possibly the lambda sensor (there are two on this car).
I don't know if it's telling but emissions at my MOT in 11/2007 for CO were barely detectable at something like 0.001%, at the same place in 11/2008 and 17K miles later they were in spec but noticeably increased at something like 0.107% (don't have print out in front of me).
My car has also developed a whistling/hissing noise coming from the engine particularly noticeable at higher revs (3-4K+) and with increased throttle. Obviously sounds likely to be some kind of air leak in vacuum, egr or induction system but could this be causing the fuel consumption problem?
It's due a full service of air, fuel filters, spark plugs, oil etc possibly HT leads and I will investigate the hissing noise. The distributor cap and rotor arm were replaced 6 months ago.
Does anyone have any ideas of what is likely to be causing this problem given the information above, and better still how to test components? I think I can put the ECU into diagnostics mode to see if the lambda sensor is cycling through open/closed loop often enough but that's about it. Any ideas most welcome, thank you. Read more
31 mpg is too low. I get around 39 mpg from my 2.0 X reg on a similar run.
Check for split or collapsing pipes in and around the air intake.
You can put the ECU into diagnostics by bridging some contacts.
There are Nissan service manuals available that cover this and lots more.
Available here
www.nissanprimera.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13...2
Or on CD from ebay very cheaply.
If you don't find anything, post your problem on npoc.co.uk
Very friendly and helpful members.
Hello
A friend of mine has been quoted £470 (inc VAT)for a cambelt and 100k service on a Focus 1.6. as thi sis a lot of moeny she has asked me to check if this sort of figure is out of line with other's experience. she won't go to an independent so that option is not available. However I winder if people think it is worth trailing around the francvhise network looking for a better deal. Or is that the sort of figure you will have to pay. Seems quite a bit as the car is probably worth less or similar.
Many thanks Read more
Hi
I have got a 52 reg Ford Focus 2.0 Ghia and I got a quote from Benfield Ford yesterday for a cambelt change they have quoted £250 which I think is reasonable. My big service is next year and thats £210 so the figure sounds about right. I have read on some other forums that you are best getting the cambelt changed by the dealership. Maybe she could do this and then get a service elsewhere?
I'm thinking of getting a "safety" parking sensor which in turn is a laser detector. Couple of questions, do these things work? Are they illegal? I've seen one on ebay and think I might get it if it's ok to use. Regards FP. Oh here's the link I found the item on. cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageNam...0
Made make/model non-specific Read more
One local bloke got done under the 'perverting the course of justice', and had his vehicle confiscated by the state.
The argument was that he had deliberately gone out to break the law - ie speeding - and had gone equipped to do so. Not only did he have a jammer, he also had fancy plates which are virtually impossible to read at 30 yards.
They used the same catch-all as the 'going equipped for burglary' law. That and the fact that he had not slowed down at all, but had carried on driving at silly speeds past the trap.
Reported in newspaper here, and just wondering if anyone has actually seen one, that a Russian company is taking Porche Cayenne drivetrains and fitting elderly Kruschev - era Volga bodies to them. Comes out about the size of a Benz S - class after necessary modifications. The Volgarised Cayenne is reputed to be good for 6.7 sec to 100 km/hr, and top speed of 250 km/hr.
As it is not April 1st, and knowing that Russia imports lots of German vehicles both new and used, this could be a useful wolf in sheep's clothing. Read more
The russian internet is full of pictures of this thing. I find the styling at least more tasteful than a real Cayenne.
I've not included any links as russian websites always seem to have "adult" dating adverts and stuff. Google "Wolga Cayenne" if interested - but be careful.
Hi all,
My Escort Ghia X's heated front windscreen only works intermittently on the passenger half. The driver's side always works but with a few lines missing so I assume there are some minor scratches on the inside that have broken a few elements. Nonetheless it de-ices the driver's half in 30 seconds flat. The passenger half however will work fine for two weeks at a time then refuse to work for a few days.
The Haynes manual shows two positive feeds to the heated windscreen, therefore I'm assuming the passenger side's intermittent operation is more likely due to a poor connection somewhere than to a fault with the screen itself.
Before I start pulling bits of trim off, where do the wires connect to the 'screen? Are they at the top inside the roof lining, the side behind the pillar trim or at the base behind the dashboard? I've fixed half a dozen niggly problems on the car and I'd really like to get on top of this one too.
Many thanks for your help,
Dave TD.
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Thanks, I'll have to keep an eye out for those ;-)
hi people.
i think this could be related but 8 months ago when i had my car serviced the mechanic said my droplinks have to much play. I was thinking of getting them replaced but found a new job and didn't need the car so wife used it. Now i have noticed that when i was parking and i turn the steering full lock it makes a knocking noise and i cannot figure out if its going to be serious.
My wife also said it seems the car pulls to one side as well (but i never drove it to verify it)
any ideas what it could be anyone??
slt Read more
My son sent me this - made me smile but I am not sure I would affix it to my windscreen!
NB Image contains a very rude word
Please click on the e-bay link below - which is a sanitised version
Phil
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Me too!
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and probably not if that piece of road is in Germany