January 2009
Hi,
Over the last couple of days we have become aware of a strange 'clunking' noise coming from the steering on our Punto. I am sure it is the steering because when I turn the steering wheel with the car stationary it happens. If I turn the wheel in one direction it goes so far then Clunk. Turn it back the other way and then Clunk. Only one clunk per turn, ie not a continuous noise. I cannot really describe the noise but it sounds like something has momentarily stuck and then released.
We also hear the noise when driving when going round a corner.
I have had no chance to take it to a garage yet, hopefully today. Anyone got any idea what it might be: forewarned is forearmed.
Thanks Read more
Er....points for endeavour?
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7816511.stm
slight subject line tweak - I thought it was a 6 year old wife !
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The person I bought this car off said the brakes are a bit better than normal, apparently they're the same standard as the Police used to have when they had these Astras.
Great, I thought.
But then I realise that insurance companies want to know about all modifications, including "uprated" brakes.
How can I check which brakes I've got and which I should have?
And is there anything in particular that insurance companies mean when they say "uprated brakes"? Read more
Very unlikely that the brakes would be "uprated" on a vehicle that is only a local runabout.Might just have a set of better than std. pads but I doubt anything else.
Having been stung in the past when buying a used vehicle, I'm not looking forward to tomorrow. I have the ideal vehicle in sight, but have a few questions to clear up.
The vehicle is a private sale - an 06 plate Mercedes Vito panel van, 34K on the clock.
1/. The van has a balance of manufacturers warranty still left on it (10 months). I've been told that it is automatically valid to the next owner and that I dont need to do anything. Is this correct?
2/. The owner has not got the complete service history documents from the last year, but has said I can contact the Merc dealership and obtain all the service records from there. I have been told the van has just had a big "2 spanner" service for which he has the documentation for. I dont have a huge problem with this, but is there anything to watch out for? Do main dealers charge for this information and will they have all the records on computer?
3/. I would like to arrange an independant inspaction, or take a mechanic with me! Are the AA/RAC etc or anybody else for that matter able to this at very short notice - ie ring them up tomrrow morning.
Unfortuanatly, thsi is all a bit of a rush, mainly due to work commitments and this vehicle not likely to be around for long.
I'm also a little scared of buying anything with a "common rail" diesel engine in, but I seem to have little shoice of anything else.... Are these things OK to run on proper biodiesel (have a garage locally that sells the stuff)?
Thanks for any help. Read more
First thing that would pop into my head is why are they selling a perfectly useable van?
I understand with big companies who have a certain way of doing things and updating their fleets, but an individual, well it seems like a real waste selling such a new van unless there is good reason.
I stuck my nose into the local Toyota dealership today and had a look at a new Toyota Avensis Estate - I have to say that not being Toyota's biggest fan I was very impressed. It feels very well built, tight shut lines, a big boot and loads of leg room in the back with the drivers seat set at my position (average) anyway.
It also has an almost flat floor in the back which adds to the roominess.
I really liked it.
If they can make it without any of the usual rattles that Toyota seem to build into most of their cars (which ironically calls into question actual build quality) then it looks like a good buy - also makes me wonder how many Accord owners will be moving to the Avensis now that Honda have overpriced it. Read more
I have a problem with the blower . The digital display shows the blower is full on but there is only a small amount of air from any of the vents and there is not the usual noise from the fan. Starting from the fan off position position 1 and 2 seem to give a little air but increasing the positions all the way up has no further effect. I'm not naive enough to think its something simple like a burned out resistor pack but I can hope, cant I?
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Thanks E,A/CD. Will check it out on my day off ( about 4 pm Sunday afternoon).
Thanks for the complement Bathtub. Thing is with cars that even people who are not mechanically inclined can often shed light on problems simply because they have been through the agony of getting their problems sorted and sharing this priceless knowledge with us all.
That is the beauty of this forum, and why its so rewarding to visit. I have gleaned a wealth of knowledge from it and I hope helped a few people along the way.
PS Anyone heard from Screwloose lately?
Two nights ago on the way home I opened her up in either 2nd or 3rd and took the rev counter round towards 4k. At approx 3.5k the engine momentarily lost power, then surged accompanied by a distinct knocking sound. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw a cloud of smoke or what may have been soot. It was dark so I cannot be sure. his morning I get into my car (garaged) to start it. It only just fired and struggled on what seemed like one cylinder filling the garage with smoke. I gently blipped the throttle to try and coax the other 3 cylinders into life but that didn't seem to do the trick. I drove out onto the driveway and left it to tickover. A minute or two later I got in and drove away and all seemed well. On getting into the car tonight it stated badly again as before but seemed OK once on the move.
No warning lights have come on to give me a clue. Its a 52 plate Xsara HDI 110 with 32k miles on the clock. I've had it four months and until now it's behaved itself.
Any ideas?? Read more
I am Trying to find a glove compartment light/switch assembly dealer prices are daft, I do alot of night driving and the original has fallen to pieces and parts are missing.
I hope someone can help, a bit trivial I know! Read more
I think you will find a new glove box light assy is around £10,or if you can find all the missing parts you will probably need all day to figure out how it goes back together!hth
You win say 20 million, lets say a 15 car garage - what would you put in it? Any age any value and any vehicle. Read more
For daily use:
VW Golf Mk 6 - 2.0 TDI
For occasional use:
Land Rover Defender 110 hardtop.
Jensen Interceptor
Bentley 3-Litre (1920's)
BMW Z3 (not Z4!)
Plus some others - still thinking!
After problems with my renault grand espace iv turbo, I was told this tip from a renault expert. If you ever encounter problems with your turbo you may have to deal with your engine reving all by itself. This could mean that oil is entering the turbo and making the car rev up by itself.
You must stall the engine by putting it in 2nd gear pushing down hard on the break and lifting the clutch ( Please note this advise is for a vehicle in a stationary position ) if you are moving I would pull over as soon as safely possible and then do as I previously mentioned. You probably may know this or would do it anyway but in a moment of panic you may not think of it.
If this message helps someone it was worth it, as a new engine could cost you £8000!!
There is a story of a person starting his car and it reved right up to the limiter without the driver doing anything, and even turning the key off the car still carried on & ultimately cooked itself up.
Please I am no car expert so if anyone can add anything else that could help people please post. thanks
{Shouting in header removed!} Read more
If it's running on its own oil the rev limiter might not have any say in the matter - on Landrover TD4s the advice is to not dip the clutch, stall it in the gear it's already in. Apparently the con rods on TD4s let go at about 11,000rpm. Eek.
Browse
>>It was good thinking. If the child had been killed in an accident the breakfast would have been wasted.
The selfish brat could have got up ten minutes earlier and made his poor mum breakfast, inconsiderate or what? Kids today eh.