August 2009

Martin Devon

A good mate of mine needs a Pick-up to replace an ageing Skoda jobby. He carries Diesel so a van will not do. Wants to spend 4-5k and to keep the thing 4-5 years. 4x4 not essential. Any thoughts here?

Regards........MD Read more

Harleyman

The Proton's called the Jumbuck; no idea what they're like but they look quite neat.

Have just read a review and the only real downers were lack of ABS and airbags.

Agree with gb about poor traction in winter; my old GMC doesn't venture out much in salty weather but a couple of sandbags are essential in the back if I do!

I see quite a few Ford Rangers and the like about down here; pretty sure they're Mazda-based and seem quite popular with the water companies, council and the like; might be a worthwhile punt at auction.

jlk

Has anybody seen this new device? Is it easy to use? Who supplies them? Read more

jlk

just an update for everyone i have now had the Smartsteer fitted to my new Cayman S by the guys down at Autochair Ltd and it is fantastic so many thanks again.

tack

Pulling up to a set of red ATS today, I saw a black Focus hatchback with some really ugly rear lights. Looked like the sun glasses an ageing lothario would wear. As I got closer, I saw it was actually a Scooby Impreza hatch'. Anyone else see the similarity?

Subject line made less vague Read more

dieselfitter

On the other hand, the Focus has unquestionably been a success for Ford, so why not be "inspired" by it, when trying to update the old 3-box Impreza? Unfortunately, Subaru fans seem to hate it....

fleeble

Hi

I recently bought a delivery mileage 08 model 300C diesel. Despite it apparently sitting around going nowhere for a year everything seems fine except that the gearbox never lets the engine exceed 3500rpm no matter what you do even using the manual override with full throttle acceleration. Is this normal , some sort of engine protection while its run in or do I have a problem?

Thanks for any help Read more

davecuk

Funnily enough I used to own an s type jag, with the selector in neutral, you couldn't rev it above 3,000 rpm. Some environmentally friendly noise and emissions limiter, by design.

If your car has something similar, perhaps, the switch/wire is faults and the cars ECU "thinks" it's in neutral. The handbook should mention if it has a similar device/rev limiter as the S type did.

ah207

Hi everyone - I'm still on the lookout for a replacement oil dipstick as the one that I had is only partially 'working.' By that I mean the plastic grip crumbled off a while back- so I more or less guesstimate where the stop point should be when checking level.

My question is - how come oil dipsticks simply sit on top or the hole - why don't they actually click or screw into the slot much more snugly ? Is it still safe for me to drive around without the plastic grip holding up the dipstick ? Read more

RobertyBob

Just for a moment there I thought we were going to go down the old line:-

"My dipstick doesn't reach the oil". :-)

R75

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8192748.stm

But is this not what used to be called "Policing", you know where proper Police were allowed out in a car to give out not only tickets but also advice and guidance!!!!

It seems things are somewhat circular!

Hardly a new concept is it!

Hopefully more forces will adopt this approach and drop the poxy speed cameras! Read more

legacylad

I have a great track on my in car CD player thingy...'Blow 'em away' by Chuck Brodsky. Always makes me laugh....very apt.

gwight

Can anyone tell me how to get access to and replace these two components?

It looks like it should be a straightforward job??

However I have not been able to remove the plastic mirror housing and don't want to break any mounting lugs by forcing it too much.

Perhaps I am just being cynical when I think that these parts are designed to self destruct if you attempt to remove them yourself!

Any help and guidance would be much appreciated

Read more

John F

'For people living on the south coast, anywhere west of Portsmouth, the drag over to the tunnnel can be quite painful. '

The above appeared in a thread about a new cross channel ferry.

As an occasional visitor to the south coast area I am astonished at the inadequate infrastructure. At one time a Hastings-Honiton trunk road was proposed but never built.

France, Spain and Portugal have built motorways a few miles inland to service their coastal area - why on earth haven't we? There's tons of room as anyone who's flown regularly over the coast in clear weather will appreciate. Is it still the NIMBY Colonel Blimps and retired city workers who rule the roost down there?
Read more

Sulphur Man

Where does one begin with this.....

1) You're an occasional visitor, yet you're complaining at the lack of a motorway...

nick_fish

Hi, with the recent heavy rain my W plate 406 HDI seems to have developed a leak. I suspect that it might be from the passenger side top of windscreen / door area as the headliner is damp there.
It also sounds as though the passenger side sill is full of water, I can hear it sloshing around when driving.
I was thinking of putting some silicone sealant around the area the water may be coming in, would that be a good idea or should I be seeking professional advice first?

Does anybody know if there are any drain holes that could be block up so the body work is not draining? I've had a feel under the sill but couldn't find anything.

Any help much appreciated as I suppose this will only get worse.

Thanks
Nick Read more

nick_fish

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the advice and the links.
Cheers Nick

commerdriver

Timing belt went on my Son's Xantia at the weekend, while we are still waiting to hear the extent of the damage, I think it might be simpler to look at getting a reconditioned engine.
Last time I did this there were a lot of cowboys in this business.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a place to get a recon 16 valve 1.8 engine for a Xantia please? Read more

bell boy

you need an FER member nothing less will do if you are going full recon route
personally on this age i would be looking for a rear shunted doner vehicle if i had to go the sentiment route