May 2009
So what is this about Opel apparently being in a financial crisis, but Vauxhall not? This is being used as a reason to keep the UK factories open (at least by the lazy journos at ITN).
So, the question must be asked, if Vauxhall are doing sooo well in relation to Opel, why don't they break off and go it alone? Read more
snip
Just a note to warn everyone as I couldnt find any feedback about them anywhere so went for it - the Turbo went on my Renault and so consequently needed a new engine - found a part finding web site added my details and got a text back from this company letting me know they had the correct engine code etc for a reasonable price - but surprise surprise the engine that was shipped out wasnt the correct one - not even for a model in this country same story for the second engine they sent and now they are refusing to refund or pick them up luckily enough bought them on the old plastic so it should be ok, I know it says not to name and shame but its true so not defamation
: ) Read more
I agree but on a forum like this you get an idea. I would never buy an engine anyway without hearing it running and knowing the history of the car. Still a useful source though.
Following a cam belt failure at 88k miles with the consequent expected damage to the cylinder head I have been advised by my garage that they have experienced piston ring collapse in a Zetec engined Mondeo after replacing the cylinder head. They have advised me that there maybe a 50/50 chance of this happening in my Zetec engined Focus.
Has anyone heard of this problem?
Are the piston rings ceramic or steel?
If they are the former I suppose this could happen but if the latter I find it difficult to believe.
Your comments would be appreciated. Read more
Piston crown damage can narrow the ring slots leading to (usually) top ring breakage.
Piston rings are made of plated cast iron and are very brittle.
659.
i have a ford mondeo 2.0 tdci 6mt and when cold there is a mis fire only on idle and first thing in the morning it does not like going over 2500 rpm as if it is running out of fuel.
i have changed the fuel filter and the air filter and had the injection pump union replaced as it was leaking but none of these have made it better.
please help Read more
If you try and do that on the later electronic versions you will put the glowplug light on plus you are shoving the filthy diesel fumes direct to atmosphere instead of recycling them not very people friendly.
Hi
I've now done 46K from new in this Passat TDi130 Highline. Rear pads were changed about 8K ago, but the fronts are still going. Can I rely on the dashboard warning to prompt me to change them, or should I shell out £120-ish and get them done now anyway?
Thanks Read more
Useful - thanks. I'll leave it for a bit and see what happens then. Certainly seems to be some meat on them yet as far as I can tell, but I'm no mechanic.
Checking tyres found them needing topping up,turned on ignition to be able to plug electric pump into cigar lighter socket,completed tyres then showed my wife around,oil,washer bottle etc.
Some 4hrs later thought did I turn off ignition,answer on checking No I had not,the battery was completely flat,dash lights no radio had gone into SAFE and will need recoding,the only charger I had was a .06amp trickle one I plugged this in and left it overnight to my surprise the following morning ie after about 15hrs the car started perfectly and my wife was able to drive to town (7miles) to shop and everything is ok apart from of course the radio still on safe until recoding.
my queries are I am surprised there was enough drain from ignition on only,and that the trickle charger was able to put enough in to start up,it is the original battery 2003,do you think I need a new battery?.
Commentst please,
ndbw Read more
Car electrics and circuitry don't like great lumps of electricity from relatively unsophisticated battery chargers being put through them. From the year dot it has been good practice to disconnect both battery leads before charging - particularly on a fast charge. Disconnect earth lead first - reconnect last.
Modern trickle chargers / conditioners e.g. www.hamiltonclassic.co.uk/acatalog/CTEKChargers.ht...l are designed to be left on all the time if car is in storage and without the need to disconnect battery from car but they have specialist circuitry in them to prevent damage.
mt dmf has failed and i have been told that it is possable to fit a solid one but speaking to ford they say not has any one fitted one off these or should i just fit a new dmf and new clutch and not to forget a new release bearing
{corrected year from a previous post of yours found via a forum search} Read more
Removed following a complaint about a very yesterday bit of ethnic stereotyping
Volvo have been working with SimBin a Swedish gaming company to create a free to download game for Volvo as written about this weekend in the Telegraph.
It is to promote the new Volvo S60 due next year giving the opportunity to 'drive' the car around a pair of tracks. They have also included some previous model Volvo's to drive too.
The Game is ready for download at tinyurl.com/q7b7po (Volvocars website)
The download is 588Mb and requires the following hardware to run, minimum 128Mb graphics card though 512Mb is recommended and 2Gb RAM is also required. XP or Vista though support of Vista is limited.
Mods please remove if you think this inappropriate for this forum. Read more
I don't normally play games on my PC but ran it maxed graphics (I have an HD3650 card) and with the 5.1 surround sound I thought it pretty impressive for a freebie.
Just need to get a steering wheel now as driving simulators are a bit of a handful on a keyboard.
I am not sure if it?s a characteristic of the power steering on this car but the steering wheel doesn?t ?self-correct? all the way back to the straight ahead position when you turn a corner. At low speeds if I turn the wheel a little left or right and let go ? the car will continue to turn, even if I accelerate.
Its also very light when on the motorway, which means I find myself constantly making tiny steering adjustments when travelling straight.
I think this car has electric power steering, and not having driven a car with it on before I?m not sure if the above is a problem or a characteristic. Can anyone help?
(Car was bought 3 months old from a main dealer and is regularly serviced at a main dealer.)
Read more
Yes, the tyres are wearing evenly. Its been the same since it was purchased about 4 years ago with 8k on the clock. I drove it recently which reminded me of the issue.
This more general to any car than just a Focus but I want to know the exact steps to paint plastic, and which products are the best to use?
Thanks Read more
Plastic primer and paint with plasticiser added.
Are they already painted or you want to paint old bare ones?
sq
Talking of cars Rattle you been at my 'Oil'??
Best regards....MD