October 2009
Got a astra 1.6 8v ,about six weeks ago it broke down ,i did know about a oil in water so thought it was head gasket ,went in to local garage spent £800 including cambelt,head skim, new thermasat,pipes ,was told maybe will still get little oil on water as maybe in system.
got worst and 2 weeks later got the full mayo now in water and useing a lot of oil ,so went back in to garage and he has had head off again and saying the head is ok and it must be the block cracked and now need new engine.
Is it some thing the garage guy should of seen or it it just bad luck like he has told me Read more
I hope I can get some good feedback on this subject.
My wife has a 2002 BMW 1.8 SE. It has been a good buy with few problems or unexpected costs. Mileage 60,000 .
I am thinking of trading it in for something newer and more economical but after reading of all the problems with diesels I will probably stick with petrol and go for 1.6-1.8 Focus or Astra. However looking at the prices you dont get a lot for your money. I will pay cash but not a lot- £8000 -£9000. If I change this car now my wife will be having it for a LONG time.
Should I just keep the BMW?
ANy idea on what it is worth- standard car with a few small scratches.
Just had a service and new front brake pads and new rear shockers fitted. I use a BOSCH approved garage and find them very good.
thanks for any feedback
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many thanks for your messages.
My wife likes it and doesnt really want a Focus so I think we will keep it for a while longer.
Anybody here with any knowledge of these bikes ? I have some photos to post if so. Read more
I did briefly own a "Talisman Twin" in the sixties, can't really remember much about it, just one of those cheap bikes of the day.
When i lived in Birmingham i worked for a few months at King Dick tool in Kings road Tyseley, near my home. Excelsior factory was just up the road. Other nearby names were Lucas and Girling.
The area was one big manufacturing area in those days, so many sadly gone now.
The whole area smelled of suds oil !
BBC pictures of M1 under construction:
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8328179.stm
Radio 4 documentary 'M1 Magic' (30 mins), available for 6 days on iPlayer:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nfqz6
'In 1959 there was no speed limit, no central reservation, no crash barriers and no street lights'. Sounds like fun :-) Read more
Progress in Norfolk?, I don't believe it!
Does that mean it's coming to us in the Fen sometime soon?
Pat
My totally reliable estate has suddenly expired and had to be towed home - not a pleasant experience . It came to a halt with smoke emanating from below the steering wheel and further investigation showed that the visible wiring is all fine so feel that the ignition switch is the problem. My keypad is dead but some electrical items still work such as lights heater blower &radio. I have been told that this switch is now obselete but even if I obtain one from a scrap yard I will still need a Peugeot garage to make it recognise the keypad security system which adds greatly to the expense . I would be grateful for any comments since apparently Peugeot rapidly upgraded this security system to one without a keypad . The switch for this later model without the keypad is easily available but not compatible with the older model. Read more
I think that the only reason the later switch is not compatible with your car ,is that the wiring is slightly different.This should not present a problem to any good techie who should be able to adapt the connections.As far as I recall,the ignition switch has no security recognition with the key pad so a s/hand unit should work fine.hth
Is it time that the UK starts to drive on the right? (Like the rest of europe) A controversial question I know what do the backroomers think? Read more
when leaving the ferry abroad i tend to stop for
ten minutes have a look or a coffee just to get used to the system
instead of rushing accidents are in a small corner.
I chant to myself "Keep right, look left" The only time I nearly came a cropper was in France. On a fairly quiet road, I crossed the road to get petrol and forgot I had to cross back over after re-fuelling. Luckily it was quiet!
I booked an automatic car for our holiday.
I chose an Auris, out of interest, which happened to have an automated manual box.
It did not have the conventional P on the quadrant.
Instead you had to select R or a drive position on the quadrant else it was in neutral.
I did a RTFM to find out what was the proper procedure(s)
Select E ( auto) M ( manual) or R ( reverse)
"Do not turn off the engine until 1st or reverse is engaged properly and completely.
Parking the vehicle without a gear engaged may cause the vehicle to move result in an accident"
I discovered the problem very early in the hire. I rolled to a halt on an incline, switched off, removed key then of course as soon as I took my foot off the brake I needed to jerk on the hand brake.
I am used to driving manuals and autos plus an interest in cars.
Any hirer with an "autos only" license could find themselves in trouble especially as the common switch off, take the key out and do not apply the hand brake is routine.
There was of course no up front bold warning about this non standard operation of the auto gearbox.
I am not aware of this situations on other gearboxes.
IMO it is a very inappropriate vehicle to have on a hire fleet.
So drivers with an auto only licence beware what you hire.
I did give my feedback to the manager and will be writing to the country boss.
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>>>.I still never use the box to slow down if I'm in a manual.<<<
But (and we've covered this ground before) boxes and clutches are more expensive than brake pads, so it makes sense (economically speaking) to brake with the brakes :)
Already discussed here:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=79109&...e
I read the following in the Toyota user manual of the car I hired on holiday.
"Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an accident.
I share this with you out of interest knowing the subject has been flogged before.
( exits stage right rather quickly) Read more
Any suggestion that LFB is necessary to retain control in
an automatic low speed is nothing more than conjecture and opinion.
So how, in your opinion, do you disengage the drive on automatic if the car surges forward whilst manoeuvring in a tight space on bumpy ground?
There's a hump to get over so you give it a bit more gas, and once over the hump the car surges forward as the torque converter slips a bit less. In a manual you simply press the clutch (which your left foot should be covering), but in an automatic there is no clutch. It's all covered at www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=15
i have a blown head gasket as the water dissappears and the oil level is rising. How much would it cost to replace the gasket and do all the necessary head skimming , new head studs etc and how long would it take to do or is it something i can do myself. I have had this car from new and this is the first problem i have had. Read more
I agree with the above - give him a ring. I am using them to do my TF service in the spring after nothing but positive feedback I have heard!
I would think with a cambelt change you will be looking at £400ish. Not bad if its the only bill you have had in 7 years!
Browse
Is the mileage genuine have you checked?
Take it for a second opinion what have you to lose?
Another engine fitted it will be running for the sake of £450-500, you may have been bitten but not burnt!