September 2009
Does anyone know how much a spare key from a main dealer would be and how long would i would it take to order one?
Thanks. Read more
Happy lunchtime all,
I work for a small coach company and yesterday I had to leave work early as a I started with a migraine. Initially, I just had blurred vision (mainly in my left eye) without any other symptoms. This led me to believe that it was a recurrence of something that happened a couple of years ago when the vision in my left eye went blurry for about twelve hours. Despite thorough investigation by a opthalmic specialist, no cause was found.
Anyhow, I initially informed my boss that it was blurred vision. I got home and shortly after my head exploded and it became obvious that it was instead a migraine - the blurred vision was the 'warning'. The blurred vision stopped almost as soon as the migraine proper started.
Today, the migraine has gone and left me feeling a little dizzy. I informed my boss that it was, in fact a migraine and not simply blurred vision and that I would be fit to drive on Monday morning but he has said that he wants me undergo medical tests and to obtain a report from my GP stating that I am fit to drive a PCV before I can start back. I've rung the medical department of the DVLA and they say that I'm fine to drive a PCV and have made a note on my records.
Is migraine a notifiable condition? Can my boss still insist on these tests and reports even though the DVLA say I'm ok to drive?
Thanks in advance.
PS to the Mods - not sure if this'd be better off in the "I Have A Question" thread. Feel free to move it if necessary. Thanks. Read more
A severe migraine can produce symptoms of partial vision, confusion and disorientation that render you temporarily unfit to drive. I get them very occasionally and shudder to think what would happen if I got behind the wheel in that condition - worse than a drugs trip (I would imagine).
Hi
Berlingo diesel DW8. Drives OK at low speeds and drives OK if it's pushed.
However, around mid revs the engine seems to lack a little power. It feels like a flat spot, is this normal?
Of more concern, if driving down the motorway at about 50-60mph and you ease off the power the engine feels very "jumpy". Under load it doesn't do this though.
Someone suggested engine mounts but these look OK. Any other ideas? Read more
Hi there again Guppy. As regards to your "jumpy" drive at 50 to 60 mph on acceleration only, on the berlingo this is an indication of worn drive shaft (inner) velocity joints, (its possibly a blebbed tyre also so try a diagonal wheel change first)..a lot of people point the finger incorrectly at the engine mountings and its true that the mounting nearest the gear change at the g/box is VERY soft and can sometimes cause "tramping" of the power unit which is a design characteristic. The surefire way to diagnose this "jumpy is when it starts to do it next time,as you accelerate throo the "jumpy "zone... put your hand on the gearstick and if the gearstick is rocking backwards and forwards....you shafts require changing.
I ask the question after watching one of the Motorway Cops programmes.
The patrolmen are following a driver they suspect of drink driving, but the narrator says they need a reason to stop him.
One of the policemen spots the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, which, we are told, is the reason they need to pull the driver over.
Is this right, or was it just going through the motions for the cameras?
If anyone else saw the programme, it was the guy who had recently run out of petrol and who eventually blew just under the limit.
Read more
apparently racist attitudes are rife in certain parts of the uk, this happened just up the road from me,
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1059780/Black-far...l
Timing chain on my Nissan Almera got stretched so I agreed to paying £530 for it to be replaced but just got a call from garage saying the "variable valve timing hub" ceased up which caused the timing chain to stretch in the first place.
Fitting a new variable valve timing hub cost £830. Do anyone know what a variable valve timing hub is?
Has anyone seen this problem before?
Thanks Read more
I've done some digging and using the Nissan parts catalogue: nissan4u.com/parts/ I've come up with the fact that both the 1.5 and 1.8 versions of the engine (QG15DE and QG18DE) have the same part number listed (13025AU000, alternate: 13025AU00A )as a 'Sprocket-camshaft, intake' on the inlet valve camshaft. See tinyurl.com/my3asn and tinyurl.com/lx4n8v
What I previously thought was some electrical connection, is presumably the cam sensor.
I guess this 'Sprocket-camshaft, intake' works in the same sort of way as a steam engine governor and moves the camshaft relative to the drive cog, dependant on engine revs.
I hate to think what disadvantages it introduces, bolting a lump of metal weighing a kilo to the end of a camshaft.
I've not used the main dealers for servicing for a while as the rates for labour were getting huge. What do they charge in your area and which makes are the highest/lowest for labour charges? Read more
The labour rate for Skoda, at our VW group main dealer in Marbella has increased sharply in the last couple of years.
It is now 46.70 euros + VAT @16%. This comes to 54.17 euros per hour, which I reckon is now on the high side. (Around £46.30, depending on the £/Euro rate).
The consolation for me is that in the same workshop, using the same mechanics and working on broadly similar cars, the VW rate is about 9 Euros an hour more!
Phaeton & Toureg are +8 or 9 euros onto the standard VW rates.
There ARE advantages in being the VW group's poor relations!
My wife can't cope with the automatic handbrake on her C Max Ghia and has difficulty using it for hill starts She wants to change the car even though she loves everything except the handbrake. Does anybody know if I can change the brake to manual by disconnecting the electrics, fitting a "normal" handbrake lever and changing the centre console -hopefully from the dismantlers. It seems a better option than changing a very good car. Thanks.Mike Read more
Ok, thanks for your answers
Lp
Hi
I have come out to the car and my car wont turn on (Y-reg focus) i think its the immobiliser because its just ticking and the light above the clock flashes with every click - how do i reset it or start the car?
thanks Read more
The head lights test is a bit poor. My dads car had this same problem and I checked the lights and they were full brightness and the battery was reading 13 volts. My mechanic managed to push start it, fitted a new battery and its started instantly ever since.
But by doing those tests I was convinced the battery was fine.
sorry if this has been asked before
about 12 mths ago i bought a parts washer , just a table top one , i also bought the fluid , from machine mart.
the fluid is water based , and apart from cleaning your hands , about as much use as a ,,,,,
need to replace the fluid , but in an economical way, the machine holds 10l
reading on other forums the concoctions they use , i,m after suggestions?
quite a lot of people suggest a mix of parrafin and diesel ,
which i can locate from local garage , what do you think?
i am just washine off moptorcycle gearbox/engine cases etc
PS I,m not a greeny , so i,m not bothered or even DONT want water based
thanks
alan Read more
Where does it stop though I saw a advert the other day for a major
American computer company that has 3 letters to its name. where by they said that
a car will be able to tell the mechanic what?s wrong with it BEFORE the
fault has even occurred.
I suppose modern aircraft have vastly more electronics, sensors, monitors and safety features than any car. That doesn't mean they're foolproof. Leaving out the spectacular disasters, it makes interesting reading to take a look at the CAA online incident reports. Bits fall off, systems fail ...
I ask this as I had a conversation with one of my chemicals suppliers who told me that they were asked if they could replicate a solution that they were sold as traffic film remover ( used as a general pre-wash by most drive-through car washes ).
This car wash place that made the request had been getting this stuff at 60p a litre whereas normal TFL is atleast £1 a litre if bought in bulk. The pre-wash that I use works out at £2.80 a litre for comparison but mine is non-caustic, kind to animals etc etc.
Anyhow, this solution was sent off to head office to decipher what it was that they got so cheaply. Turns out it was caustic soda and water.
Now I dont know about anyone else, but I think that is just a little bit scary and yes they are still using it and apparently, several other of these car wash outlets in my area use the same supplier. Obviously not gonna name them, but I did think it was worth passing on a bit of insider news id heard as I thought it was quite shocking!
Even worse, apparently they use some acid for cleaning bricks on car wheels!! Its priceless stuff it really is. Im so glad I didnt relent today and use the one I was thinking of using as it was one of them, so I had to do the msises car myself :-( teach me for being lazy that. Read more
It's easy to get mixed up between hydrochloric and hydrofluoric - the symptoms are vastly different though. Even well diluted the latter is nasty, bone eating stuff.
A bit like the China Syndrome, but though limbs.
Hi there, we bought a 2nd hand C3 which annoyingly only came with one key, We tried to to get another key but the dealer wants £175 inc vat to get a new one,
Now Word Of Warning if you are thinking of getting a Non Genuine key, the car dealer who sold us the car got his 'mate' a car locksmith to get a programmable key, got the codes from Citreon and proceeded to cut and code our key, his first attempt made our original key useless, would not open or start the car, his 2nd attempt got our original key working again but the new spare will only start the car, it will NOT lock all the door, very annoying and looks like we will have to pay the extortionate amount Citreon want for a new key, note to self, never buy a car with only One key!