December 2009
My driver's door won't open with the handle. It opens with the inside lever and all other doors work ok. Turning the key in the lock has no effect.
Any idea? Read more
How difficult was it for engineers to guess temperature difference inside and outside tunnel can make condensation happen?
It is not that we are getting temp like Lapland (-30 C range). It is still just few degrees below zero.
Why they could not run the trains at lower speed (apparently high speed is more susceptible to condensation problem as written in newspapers)?
If nothing else works, why not run steam locomotives?
Health & Safety brigade will shout steam loco will be a problem inside tunnels. But again, London underground was run via steam locos in pre 1900. Isn't it?
Brunel must be turning in his grave! Read more
Non - Motoring - Already under discussion in Chill Out thread - have a look in there :-)
Rob
My neighbour, who is actually a retired mechanic, has turned up on my doorstep with an unusual request. Back along I helped him out with a question about a Jaguar XJ40 he owns so he thinks I am the Oracle. Now he has come across a 'barn find' 1972 Series 1 Silver Shadow that he wants to buy but he tells me its brakes are seized. I told him if he knows Citroens he might get on ok with the Royce but he asked me if there is something like a Haynes manual for the model!
I have put him in touch with the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts' Club French branch but I wonder if there's anywhere he might find such a thing that I haven't thought of?
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"All I tried to do was make the title line a bit intriguing. I don't have an O or A-level to my name but until now I didn't think it showed." :-(
Don't worry - it doesn't. Ambiguous headings are rather fun, and so is misinterperting them - sometimes deliberately in the hope of raising a smile.
Hi, first post - so hello! Just moved to the country and quickly realised the need for a vehicle more rugged than what we've got at the mo' (Jazz 1.4 SE Sport). The need for 4WD seems a priority especially with this snow and ice...and probably mud and floods! Priorities would be 3ish years old (I assume to get best value), good MPG (40+ as I commute 200miles a week), reasonably cheap to maintain i.e not a Roller! Does this vehicle exist? Thanks for any advice PS forgot budget but somewhere in the £6-8K category though preferably less :) Read more
some of us can read through the haze Manatee :-)
Well?
Seems odd that nowt but a 2.0 litre diesel available
considering they do a 1.2 petrol Read more
Hard to say, Skoda seems to be denied a few VAG engines e.g. most 2.0l Octavia diesels get the (imho) awful PD lump with a DPF although the 1.6CR is available for lower powered variants to be fair.
Probably to allow differentiation between the brands? VAG seem to make a habit of finding themselves with undersupply of certain engines e.g. the 1.4TSi 122PD at present, the 1.9 PD 115 a few years back. I guess Skoda will have to wait if brands with higher margins are monopolising supply ?
Falling ice causes closure of the second Severn bridge
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/8426267.stm
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No you certainly wouldnt want to be hit by a lump. It did happen last year. Never heard it happening on any of the other big bridges, Humber,Forth etc.
Workmate setting off- Pajero+Hobby-Ecosse-Boulogne today
20yr old Pajero+Hobby Caravan (24ft) setting off Central Scotland heading for Dover-Boulogne ferry for Xmas in France.
Any comments? Read more
The only weather induced holdups are likely to be in the UK!
Montpellier was 14 deg C this am on its way to 17! Why did I leave on Sunday?
For French roads conditions see my thread
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=81...1
Last 4 days my Vectra will only start with Easy Start.Roughly, anry advice on how long you can use it for before damage occurs?Thanks Read more
Have you tried to fix the problem yet?
Eazi start is not good to the engine it washes the bores.
Has the vectra had a service?
My Grand Voyager is having electrical problems meaning that the windscreen wipers and heating system does not work. This has been intermittent for several months, but not noticeable till the winter. Engine has been slow to start for last couple of winters, and now really bad. Battery failure at weekend when sub zero temps has blown all chances of wipers and heating working at all now!
Can anyone advise if they have experienced similar problems or how to fix? Has been in a non dealer local garage with an electrician looking at it, he got it fixed till the battery failure at weekend which now means back to square one?
Really want to keep car on road for another couple of years, but not if going to have costly problems of this nature.
New to this site, would appreciate some good advice.
Thanks Read more
Hi, Thanks for getting back to me. The blower did work with cold air, now does not work at all. Have had car jump started twice over hols and no power to heater or wipers at all, ditto window and doors actually (which I did not mention in first post). Is this a general electrical failure then or specific to certain parts? I complelety clueless with regards to an auto matters and very much appreciate your advice - escp re the possible recall on wipers (although not sure that all electrical faults apply to that?).
Car is a Sept 01 (51) 2.5 LX version.
Thanks
After all the snow tales of woe, at what point do you say "It's too deep / icy / slippery / dangerous to drive. Read more
I usually take the mutt out at 6-30am but when I stuck my nose out of the door and saw the ice & snow I just kicked him out into the garden instead.
When I put the local radio station on I heard stories of doom & gloom on the local roads - ice, snow, black ice, accidents, and the oft repeated warning of "Don't venture out "etc., etc.
So, come 7-55am I ventured out onto the ice and snow - used my 38 years driving experience, and covered 28 rural A & B miles sensibly and returned safely.
Re: At what point, well - I nearly didn't go, I could have 'dodged the column' but decided to give it a go anyway and all went well.
Some have mentioned the eedyots, others have mentioned the numpties - can I just mention the thicko's as well :-D
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That's great info, thanks.