August 2009

Pandy

Hi just a quick one , i have a problem with my golf i have had it a nearly a year now and it has been in the garage for about 8 month out of 12 every month it has had new lambda probes ,costing around 350 a trip to the garage so now its cost more than the car so i thought i would have ago myself so i have replaced the throttle body today still hunting it has stopped the car conking out at junctions but still hunts really bad it doesnt do it at start up just about a minute after i put the new throttle body on it was fine for a minute then started again , well basically im all spent out im starting to think it has cracked head or something ? On the diagnostic it come up as too lean on bank one , so changed that 89 pound for part + labour again , please any help would be greatfully received . Read more

Pandy

Hi james cheers for the reply , I will check the relay tomo ,also i have looked for leaks but have found none to date , also i wasnt aware that this one has a air flow meter as it has the air box straight of thr throttle body to the plastic cover on the top , also as this is a long standing problem ??? would the relay affect it cause when it has the probes done it s fine for a few days then it starts again ??????/

autumnboy

Shortly there will be a 50mph speed restriction on the approach and on the M5 Avon Bridge with Average speed camera's starting Sept. 1st for some 16 weeks.

But noticed today that although some overhanging Camera stands are clearly seen with thier yellow colour, but on the Gantry's carrying the Large signs for route directions etc.

There are also these average speed camera's mounted on the gantry, although in Yellow. I thought the requirements of any speed camera that should have a Yellow background boarding etc., not just a yellow cctv type camera with its infrared sensor.

Unless you look up at the gantry you won't see them, until you are about to pass under. Don't be fooled thinking there are no more camera's, I'm ok now to speed up.!!

Shows you must keep to the average 50mph.

Anyone know whats the persentage of error allowed with these Camera's.

Also:
Its a pity they don't have these variable speed restrictions in place all year round on this stretch from Bristol to Burnham to reduce the long long tailbacks which this stretch is well known for in both directions. The money spent in recent years putting in a 4th lane is a total waste and has done nothing to ease the congestions.

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autumnboy

Autumn 2008.
They resurfaced the South bound side of the Avon Bridge.

Autumn 2009.
They are to resuface the North bound side.

Autumn 2010.
Who know's ???

willow

First thing in the morning when I start out for work, there seems to be a twittering, squeaking bird trapped under my bonnet on the left hand side. Curiously, as the engine gets warm after about six miles or so, the noise stops, should I worry?

Any ideas please?
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Pete Mansell

If you can hear it squeaking on tickover, with the bonnet open, squirt a bit of water over the belt/pulley. If it stops squeaking for a few seconds you have pretty conclusive proof of the cause.

bathtub tom

I notice my usual oil supplier (Comma) www.commaoil.com/ have changed their recommendation for my engine oil to 5W-30, from 10W-40.

The handbook recommends 10W-30, 10W-40, 10W-50 for an ambient temperature of -20 to 40c.

It recommends 5W-30 for -30 to 15c.

However, it also states '5W-30 will positively improve fuel economy'.

What's the thoughts of the forum of me changing to the lower viscosity on an engine that's done less than 30K and gets it's oil changed every 5-6K?

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6eworp4

Can anyone offer advice (apart from morale impeachment) or information on the consequences and probable court sanctions from getting caught driving at 120 mph on a French motorway? I paid an on the spot of Euro 750, had my licence confiscated and received a summons to appear before Bernay magistartes in October.

Thanks.

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832ark

I got stopped at approx 118MPH - 100Euro on the spot fine - was in 2002 mind

Attila

Hello,

I have just put down a deposit on a new car (delivery miles only) from Motorpoint. The car is a UK spec import pre-registered in August 2009. As an import it has the full 2 year manufacturer's warranty but no extra year's dealer warranty as you normally get in the UK. I have been offered an extra year's warranty from Motorpoint for £399 and a further year (bringing total warranty to 4 years) for £299. This is only available when purchasing a new car. I am aware that there are quite a few after-market warranties available which I could look to buy later when the manufacturer's warranty is about to run out.

I would appreciate your views on whether I am better off: (1) waiting for just under 2 years, after which I will have a better idea of how reliable the car is and whether extending the warranty is a good idea; or (2) buying the Motorpoint warranty now, taking advantage of the "special rates" available only when purchasing a new car.

Another point: if I were to sell the car, would the addition of the (transferable) warranty help me get a better resell value?

Cheers. Read more

ifithelps

Last time I looked, the Motorpoint warranty looked overpriced, although I didn't look into it in any detail.

HJ has spoken well of Warranty Direct in the past, so worth getting a quote from them.

At one time, they were running a joint promotion with The Daily Telegraph.

I would also contact the manufacturer and local franchise dealer.

OK, you didn't buy the car from them, but you are looking to spend money, so they should be doing their best to make sure you leave the premises poorer than when you arrived.

canard

I am considering buying a Previa that has been miss fueled (petrol > diesel) according the dealer printout. Is this a reason not to buy ie. does it cause long term engine problems ? Read more

Hamsafar

150,000 cars a year in the UK are misfueled.
At least if there is a record of it, they probably didn't just drive it rattling and smoking until they could refill, so at least the paper trail shows a proper remedy was sought.

Quicksilver

I have just purchased an old but reasonably well maintained 1.6i Volvo 440 SE. The mileage is now 54k which looks genuine.

There are a lot of main dealer service stamps in the book but I can find no reference to the cambelt change.

Can somebody tell me when it was/is due and how much it would be for a replacement at a good independent garage?

How easy would it be to do it by myself? Access to the cambelt area looks very restricted!
I assume that the cambelt also drives the water pump? Any history of problems with these engines?

Lastly I notice an auxiliary water pump, (electrically driven) on the heater side of the cooling system. What is this for? The car has no air conditioning and this item looks kind of strange, (to my eyes!).

Thanks for your replies.

Q.
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Quicksilver

Thanks for that.

Does anybody have an idea how much a belt change would be?

Thanks, Q.

Javalin

Hello all,

A quick one I hope! Is there a definative source for flywheel marks for ignition timing information for these cars? (Picture's would be handy) The Bentley ones don't seem to match my car. I wonder if the US/UK ones where differently marked?

Otherwise is it valid to work it out by measuring the cam angle x2 to get the crank angle? (x2 because the cam rotates twice per crank rotation). I.e. measure 12 deg's for a 6 deg BTDC angle?

Cheers,

James Read more

Lud

the cam rotates twice per crank rotation


Er, no. It's the other way round.
bell boy

changing 690,000 window switches,just off to work dear see you in 2139

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8217522.stm Read more

ifithelps

No Hand Signals - it's a Toyota.