October 2009
This was the reason a police constable cited when bringing a prosecution, in a Rowan Atkinson sketch. But the Torygraph carries this morning news that we may be prosecuted for sitting in our cars with the engine running.
For male drivers, I feel driving without wearing a necktie is particularly reprehensible.
What other crimes, at present unpunishable, do posters feel should be include in proposed legislation? Read more
Hi,
Have a pretty huge problem with my car.
Driving home yesterday, I got up to about 50mph in 5th gear and notice there was a loss of power (just as i was joining a motorway). Dropped to 4th and it picked up again and went back up to fifth and had usual speeds/power out of it.
After parking for an hour, I went to start engine. It wouldn't start on first attempt, and i had to rev on accelerator for it to start on 2nd. this got it going but It felt a little more juddery than usual.
As I reversed, there was, what can only be described as thick white smoke gushing from the exhaust.
I turned engine off..... and started a few minutes later. Started fine this time, and no sign of smoke, until I put my foot on the accelerator, then it pours out.
At first I thought this could be a damaged head gasket. but this was changed just over 6months ago.
I phoned around a few garages and some seem to think that the engine has blown.
I can't really drive it anywhere, as too dangerous with the amount of smoke from exhaust.
Just need opinions on what this could be. I'm not sure if it is the engine, as it drives and starts..... or is this me being naive?
Any help greatfully received! Read more
probably not, and seem to be throwing good money after bad with this car at the mo.
thinking either way, gasket or engine, its going to be more than its worth to fix
What happened to the Astra panoramic windscreen that received lots of TV advertising a few months ago? I haven't noticed a single one. Read more
I passed a Passat CC which I am sure had one of these or something similar.
Car was white and had either panormaic windscreen or the sunroof is very close to the windscreen.
I was coming down a hill in the van as it was coming up and the car just looked fantastic.
My new car has a built in Bluetooth connection from my phone to the radio. Quite brilliant to be able to speak and hear as if the other party was in the car. Up until now I've used the Lt Uhura earpiece thingy with my phone mounted on a cradle.
However, the only time I need to touch my phone now is to make a call to a number which is not stored in the memory of the car. Even then it is just a matter of looking it up in the phone memory before pressing the "dial" button.
I've not got around to fitting a phone cradle yet and have been stashing it in the cupholder between the seats. Am I using it illegally if I use the keyboard to dial while it is not in a cradle even though I don't hold on to it or bring it to my ear as the Bluetooth takes over? Can't see how that is more distracting than finding and turning on an earpiece.
With the new car being an auto as well it seems much easier and less distracting to do this than the perfectly legal use of a manual gearbox, earpiece and cradle combination I've been used to.
Will probably, in fact almost certainly fit a cradle anyway but just curious to know if I'm currently breaking any law? Read more
Yeah right - I give you three weeks... And you have to be honest!
Always honest Dave, but one can also be economical with the truth.........
Heh heh.......three weeks eh ? Long time that.
have just bought an 03 c270 cdi today and was having a nosy around it tonight. there is an adjustment near the airflow meter on the left side of the engine bay with a percentage marked on it 75-100% what is this for? Turned it down [anticlock] and it won't turn back up!haven't got a user handbook with the car! Read more
thanks redviper,doctorchris and billpayer for your help!drove the car a mile and the indicator went back to red. im not usually one to fiddle with knobs but used to have an audi tdi with a tuning box fitted and a connection to the airflow meter where the power could be altered via a potentiometer thought this was a similar mercedes factory fitted arrangement lol! have just been called a knob no doubt!
Over 5 months, my Astra Coupe 03 has lost the power steering 3 times while trying to park. The power steering cuts out, the ABS and Traction Control light up on the dash, all electrics cut out for a split second and come back on (including radio), after a couple of mins the power steering then eventually kicks back in.
While all this is going on the engine does not cut out. However if i turn off the engine and try to restart, its as if the battery is disconnected and its completely dead.
If i leave the car for half an hour it restarts no problem (stereo reset though, like battery was disconnected) and could be 6 weeks before it happens again.
Had new battery fitted, alternator checked by 4 different garages and all earth leads checked. Its been to Vauxhall who couldnt find the fault either.
Anyone got any ideas? Thanks Read more
Intermittant faults like these can be very difficult to pinpoint.However ,as you say there is a complete loss of electrics ,I would think there is a problem with the main battery supply or earth lead near the battery.It could even be a fault within the battery lead itself where it is crimped into the battery terminal.hth
Passed the Ford dealership at Brewery roundabout in Romford today. Saw they had a used Citroen, a Mini and another car for sale on the front. Not seen this before.
Are new car sales still struggling that much they have to sell other makes on the forecourt? Does this also mean p/x values are up? Read more
Most of our local dealers sell at least the occasional "other make". Rule seems to be that if it's under 3yo, lowish mileage and in presetanble condition they'll stick it on the forecourt.
When we bought the 'lingo from the local Cit dealer in 2005 I was vaguely tempted by a Kia Sorrento offered at a good price!
OK! head gasket replacement on this my mother in laws car. 2 sets of head bolts so far and at 50 quid a set I don't want any more outlay!! she loves it and doesn't want to replace the thing!! I have followed the instructions that came with the gasket set. and at the 3rd round of torq settings the bolts shear always before I reach the indicated 62 lb.ft. I have used 2 torque wrenches (one a brand new one!) both tested on a analyser and the Engine number corresponds.
Any ideas/help would be so greatly appreciated!!!!!
Kirklander Read more
And the solution was ??? Regards Peter
After modifying road fund licence to be CO2 based the European Commision not being ones to be left out are looking into a Europe-wide carbon tax on road fuel.
Source: www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?id=101455&lk=dm
So you pay a carbon element (no pun intended) on your country specific RFL and now you will pay another carbon element on the fuel which will impact EVERYTHING which is transported by road. Genius ! Pure genius... Read more
Looking at this another way, the EC appear to be saying alternative fuel vehicles are not going to be around anytime soon.
I have a rumbling sound coming from front end, imitates sound like loose exaust or engine sump cover but isnt I have checked! on accelerating only, but disapears if hand brake is pulled up, like something is resonating. the car was booked into a dealer to service and cure the noise they charged me £ 337 and did not cure it, told me to live with it for a while but refused to refund my money Read more
Don't forget that the handbrake on these cars works on the front discs, does dabbing the footbrake have the same silencing effect as "notching on" the h/b?
Could it be a dragging pad (had this on mine but early enough in its life to be sorted under warrantee.
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