May 2009
OK I know this is going to shock you, but SWMBO has decided that she loves her A-class but we need a car with a minimum of six seats. We are a family of five and like to go on trips with children's friends etc. So will be looking at the Honda FR-V, but is there anything else I should look at. Needless to say I may be replacing the Outback [sigh] so would like something automatic, good to drive, and quick. Read more
Out in south east Derbyshire yesterday in the National Forest (Conkers centre near to Swadlingcote) and witnessed a striped Spitfire doing a few turns imediately overhead. Glorious sound. Anyone here knows the story? Read more
Ok, Hurricane is at Rolleston on Saturday. Don't have any info as to where else it may be.
This is probably a querie for the "elekie&a/c doctor".
The car I have in the UK is a 'new' Astra 1.7CDTi.
By the time I get back to it, it will have been standing for 6 months. My querie is, if the battery is TOTALLY flat, ie, no response to remote control door opener/alarm disarmer, how do I get into the car to open the bonnet to charge the battery ? I believe the doors are opened electrically (by solenoid) as a result from either pressing the remote or using the key in the door lock.
Sounds a bit like a chicken and egg situation :-)
Many thanks in advance............ebt
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Many thanks for both suggestions..............ebt
Hi there,
I have a Honda civic 1.4 , Manufactured in 1999.V reg. Recently the engine cut out whilst I was driving. It has happened on a few occassions now, and each time when the car is going very slowly( in 1st or 2nd gear), the accelerator doesnt work, and the engine turns itself off. There are no warning signs before the engine turns off, and sometimes it will restart straight away, and other times, I have to give it ten mins before it will start. I called the RAC, and they did a basic check on the car, and said he could't find a fault with it. The only thing he said was the alternator was 14.4,and that was high. Could that be the cause?Does anyone know what this problem could be?
Thanks, any help is greatly appreciated.
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Hi there
Thanks for message, it is a great help. I will go to the Honda dealer , as it seems with further research that this has happened with a lot of Hondas, and after the faulty ignition switch is repaired, it is fine. Is car by car a magazine, as am trying to find the recall notice in the UK by Honda, so i can tell them, and they won't quibble with me. It is dangerous though isn't it! especially if u are going fast, and someone is behind you.
Thanks for your help again
This story was reported in a local newspaper:
tinyurl.com/pqn5qr
I drove across London today, using many bus lanes, legally, and not one sign displayed the word 'only'. Read more
I have never understood why PTWs are banned from bus lanes. After all, if a bike breaks down, it won't obstruct the lane, it just gets pushed on to the pavement.
Ted
Another Bank Holiday coming up in a couple of hours. See if you know the make and model of this rather chubby estate car.
s479.photobucket.com/albums/rr152/1400ted/?action=...g
A virtual glass of malt to the first correct answer out of the bag !
Ted Read more
Ah, well....not many takers on the green vintage saloon.
It is a ( the ) Waldron Wayfarer. Made by Waldron Engineering of St. Helens to the specification of the ' boss ' for his personal use.
Only one was made. The company made all the mechanical parts from scratch but may have farmed out the delightful body.
A miracle, really, that it survived.
Ted
Today my visiting mother-in-law asked for advice on why the low engine oil warning light hadn't turned off despite her adding oil. I suggested that some new VAG diesels had a reputation for using oil until they'd bedded in, but then something she said made me suspicious. We went out to the car and lifted the bonnet. I asked her to show me where she'd put the oil. Seems she'd mistaken the oil filler cap with the PAS fuild reservoir!!!! This had happened over weeks ago! I asked if the steering had felt different but she reported that the car is running fine. The engine still had oil in it so I'm sure that'll be fine, but its the PAS system that I'm concerned about. Obviously the system will need draining but will this episode have caused expensive damage? Is it advisable to even drive it to her local dealer? I've managed so far not to laugh but she's mortified and I'd like to give her some positive advice (hopefully).
Any advice appreciated. Read more
So her boyfriend, without checking the dipstick, put 2litres of oil into the engine
I used to work with a cab driver who, upon taking over a car for his night shift, would fill the tank with diesel and then add 1 litre of oil to the engine.
Every evening.
He may have needed to do this in the 60's and 70's but we are talking W/X/Y reg Octavias here, not know for their vast thirst for oil even at silly mileage.
We only stopped him from doing this by filling the car up with fuel before picking him up, and sending him straight on a job.
I filled the right bottle, but with the wrong goo!
I worked at a place with a dozen red Ford Cargo's, the transport manager only ever supplied proper antifreeze to add to the screen wash tanks. Result - a dozen matt pink-fronted Cargo's which made you cough every time you washed the windscreens.
Dave TD
the car runs 'ragged' at light throttle settings. Is this because the engine is mismatched to the car or possibly dirty fuel injectors, coil pack, lamba sensor or something else
Any advice please
Thanks Read more
hi guys,
question on behalf of a friend who has no computer:
He has seen a 1999 v reg ford mondeo 1.8TD for sale. 131000 miles. MOT til Nov 09. Tax end Sep 09. Asking price £495. No service history is present.
Would this car be suitable for him to drive on a 60 miles daily commute (30 miles each way). He basically looking at cheapo diesels?
Is the mondeo a good car? Any issues to watch out for or be wary of?
Thanks Read more
I bought my one-known-owner 1.8TD MkI GLX estate on 272,000 miles at 5 years old, ran it up to 328,000 miles in under a year and sold it for the same as I paid for it. In that time it averaged 44mpg on busy taxi work, and over 50mpg on a motorway run.
It did eat front wishbones every 30,000 miles or so but they weren't horrendously expensive to have replaced. The fuel pump should be good for around 240,000 miles and the oil and filters need changing every 6,000 miles. I would also drain the fuel filter every 2-3000 miles, as when it's full of water it makes the car very smoky and sluggish.
The only real problem I had with my Mondeo was the breather pipe from the turbo getting clogged up with gunk, but simply taking it off and flushing it with petrol cured that. I'd have another one tomorrow, in fact one of my neighbours has a T-reg on 198,000 miles with worn out glowplugs, I'm just waiting for him to get fed up with it so I can make him an offer....
Dave TD
I want to change from an Renault Espace 8 seater to a smaller vehicle of quality build with 3 individual seats in the back i.e. not a bench or hard seat in the centre. Looking to spend upto £20000 on a 12 month old vehicle (to avoid massive depreciation in the first year). Looked at Ford S max but seats hard. Any suggestions please? Read more
Kia Sedona? Not too bad a drive, I thought, when we had one in the USA for five months.
and you can have 7 seats in an 850 :)
Fiat multipla is fairly small and 6 seats. i'd rather have a volvo.