March 2009
Had some discussion some time ago on my one-make classic club forum about the wisdom of carrying young children in old cars without seat belts. I said that, although I would love to take my two 4 yr old and one 7 yr old grandkids out in the Jowett , I just couldn't risk it in today's traffic. The image of a much loved child's face interfacing with a walnut dash and chrome instruments was not one I would like to see or be responsible for. I was electronically shouted down by a couple of members who thought I was depriving the kids of a worthwhile experience. ( the drive, not the accident ) I know their parents wouldn't let me anyway Perhaps a gentle circuit of the rally field at Classic shows is OK.
I did see, however, that the two most vociferous ones happened to live in New Zealand farming country and a rural part of England. Maybe they don't have the mad volume of traffic, speeders, pedestrians and emergency vehicles that we do. Anyone any thoughts ?
Ted Read more
I stopped on the A50 dual carriageway nr Derby at 5am today for 5 minutes breather.
It was typical traffic of that time of day, car van or truck about every 5 to 20 seconds both directions.
I had a bit of a surprise when i realised that some cars going by were making appreciably more noise than most trucks, mainly tyre roar, but the unmistakable harsh sounds of CR diesels under load added to the cars' clatter too, and a thoroughly unpleasant sound it is too.
In comparison most trucks going by sounded 'softer', the tyres making a gentle rumble as against the raucous jarring sound many low profile car tyres make at high speed.
Obviously there is a speed difference, the trucks would be travelling 50 to 55 mph and the cars anything up to 90ish i suppose.
But considering most of the trucks were running the equivalent of 20 tyres (most trailers are now super single's, double width tubeless trailer tyres), i was quite surprised.
The road surface at that section is good smooth tarmac, would have maybe been a different story nearer Stoke on the concrete.
Why are car tyres so noisy? Read more
Well chaps, as usual NC provides an explanation that makes perfect sense, thanks for that.
I know a little about the reason for tyre roar now.
I wonder if the low aspect ratio of many car tyres exacerbates the noise problem, tyres with no sidewall flexing must hit the road harder?
The first time i ever drove a car on low profiles was my friends XR3, i took his family to the airport and picked them up again 2 weeks later, only an hour each way, but very tiring (no pun) with the severe tyre roar that could be felt as well as heard.
Jolly glad to get out of the thing.
Modern truck tyres are designed with specific axles in mind, and its only drive axle tyres normally that have any sort of block effect in the treads.
As NC says correctly most of the truck tyre's tread stays in permanent contact with the road, i never thought about that slapping action as a cars block tread hit the road, explains why off road tyres make such a racket when used on the road.
It may be true that the trucks noise carries further, but it appeared much softer by comparison at close proximity.
In fact WB thinking about it we live about 2 miles from a dual carriageway and its much quieter at the weekend, which compounds your observation, however the weekend bikers are a different problem altogether.
It must be hellish living near concrete road sections, its deafening enough just grabbing a bacon sarnie from a roadside van.
Hi i have a niggeling problem on my 07 plate galaxy ghia tdci,after a short period of time with the tailgate or a door open, when the vehicle is stationary without engine running the low battery warning comes on, time scale is approxamatly 5mins.
the car has been back to the dealer twice and both occasions no fault found has any body any ideas
cheers simon Read more
Many thanks simon
dont know if this in in the right section plz move it if it isnt sorry
just had my car into vxl as it has been running rough for a few months and this is what I got on the printout
alarm
remote key not syncronised & anti-theft warning system datalink no comms code b2955(garage have never seen that code)
engine ecu
road tested to identify fault,rechecked for fault codes,only one code stored p1600 for replace ecu-requires new ecu £587.65 fitted
oil leak from sump
both front drop links worn
nail in o/s rear
lip on both front discs
so had a really good day ......lol
questions
1. so whats wrong with my alarm?
2. is there any other options for a new ecu(other than vxl)?or what is wrong with it I have read there is a fuse to check am I right?
3. oil leak from sump how much is it for a gasket?
think thats it for now thanks guys!
Read more
btt!
I am about to buy a 4 year old Audi A3 with 100K miles on the clock from Autoquake and am considering taking the 3 year warranty offered by the company-does anyone have any advice or experience of this warranty? It seems comprehensive at first glance.... Read more
Swmbo's Touran has just had its MOT and service at the local VAG dealership.
They advised her that the console bushes were worn / cracked and needed replacing at a cost of £220.
The car has only done 16k miles, mainly around town.
What are console Bushes please and how do they impact safety and do they cost £220 to replace?
Thanks
Read more
A consol bush is front suspension arm rubber bush probably. Did it fail or was it a warning? If its a warning then there was not excessive movement but it probably wont pass the next MOT
£220 at a VW garage is about right.
16k miles around town? its those speed bumps thats done it.
crikey..its enough to make you want to go back home :)
Hi
Have recently bought a P (96) plate fiesta 1.25 LX Automatic
first question, does ne1 know where the transmission fluid go's?
I have had a look in the book but it doesnt actually say which is always useful :)
secondly - when the car first starts up in the morning, it stalls whenever it comes to a stop, the revs go to just below 1 and then it cuts out - after about 10 mins of driving it runs fine and it doesnt stall again for the rest of the day, just sort of kangaroo's a bit when slowing down
anyone have any ideas as to what it could be?
thanks alot
leon Read more
Try a "yellow pages approach". Ring em and say " I have trouble with my Auto FIesta". Say no more. If they really know what they are doing, they will tell you what is wrong. This is what I did with the Weymouth guy. If you get a slag off and told they are rubbish, walk away. The best places are well established on an industrial estate, clean neat and tidy tools and benches inside. Don't discount a good tune up first to make sure the engine is running well. I would hate to wrongly diagnose at a distance. But if you get a good idle when in N or P and hot, and it blips well - it prob is the autobox. Try giving it full throttle when idling in N or P and hot. It should only hit 3000 revs with no load, and no more. The engine is sensitive to oil too. a 0/30 or 5/30 (and I would suggest a fuly synth) is right. Anything thicker tends to cause drag and a stall if it set a little minus on the side of +/- revs/mixture.
This Ford engine is like a Swiss watch, compared to the nails of before. But tough as a Rolex!
Come back and give us your reports
Just thinking that out of our three cars, two are starting to rust at an early age.
My A4 has rust starting on the lip of the front wings - its a 2002 and never been in an accident - which is a little worrying. I doubt mine is the only one in the country though.
The other is my MG TF 160 that at 5 years old is showing signs of rust bubbling from the inside out of the drivers sill. This was in an accident when it was less than 6 months old and obviously not repaired correctly by the insurance co. Luckliy I notice these things and its going to need the job doing properly - new sill/qtr panel at considerable cost or a bodge up and spray to sell. I expect if it went to a non enthusiast then it wouldnt last 2 more years without additional drainage holes!!!! Luckily for the MG I am going to have to stump the cost as I intent to keep it for several more years
Ironically, and not surprisingly due to age, our only rust free car is a FIAT!!!
Anyone else have the same luck? Did get me wondering though that someone must scrap cars to rust - either due to poor manufacturing or bad accident repair by tight insurance companies or owners going down the cheap route to protect no claims? Read more
1981 or 1982 not sure exactly, we sold my company Lancia Beta HPE for little more than scrap. It was just over five years old with 120,000 miles on it - 90,000 by me in the last two years. Every panel even the roof had rust. As grumpyscott says "great engine" but everything else rotted, broke or fell off at least once!
I am trying to locate a replacement secondhand engine for a 2003 VW Golf 1.4 16V, BCA Code.
I have an offer of an engine for a Skoda Fabia 1.4 16V, BBY Code.
Any VW experts can confirm if the Fabia engine will fit a Golf?
Nobody seems to know the answer on this one? Read more
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Do these grandchildren have pushbikes?
A million times more dangerous than a ride in car.