January 2010
Hi everyone, looking for a bit of help if possible. Had a problem with a friends van yesterday. When I came to move the van, it went into gear ok but it felt like the brakes were binding on. Raised the rear of the van and both wheels rotate freely. Raised the front of the van and the near side wheel rotates freely but the off side wheel will hardly turn at all. So removed the brake caliper on the off side, still only a small amount of movement. With the van still on axle stands, started the engine engaged first and released the clutch - near side wheel takes up the drive but the off side wheel still won't move, even when the engine is revved. I'm thinking it could be gearbox or driveshaft related. Anyone have any ideas please. Read more
I may need to travel from Heathrow next week. It would be an early flight and then returning late the followinhg evening, if the cold weather keeps up, I guess I may need to be prepared for delays on the roads.
To save a bit of time I was considering booking valet parking there (I have picked up people from Heathrow before, and so parked in the short stay, but have never done any long stay parking there), because I think that I then drop the car right at the terminal, with no need to catch a transfer bus. It is about twice the price of the standard parking (about £57 vs. £28 for standard), but I am a little flexible on price as it is a business trip.
I just wondered if anybody had had any experience of the valet parking, whether there is anything to consider, whether it is likely that my car will be in safe hands, and if it really is much faster than the standard parking.
Any input appreciated.
Thanks. Read more
I ended up paying £65 for 36 hours.
I know that I could have gotten it much cheaper by pre-booking, but I didn't think that was too bad for short stay at short notice.
I'd have expected a month for that.
Clk Sec :-)
All the FWD cars I have seen, have their engines on right side of engine bay and gearbox on left side.
The layout doesn't change between LHD & RHD cars.
Does it not differ the dynamics of LHD & RHD cars? Read more
I'd always assumed it was because most countries are LHD and cars are mostly driven alone. The weight of the driver sort of balances the engine.
Old Pandas used to have a spacer under the front RH spring for the UK market.
We have a good manual, front wheel drive 1.8 estate which we have had for several years and are very pleased with. With luck and a sense of timing we have managed to avoid difficult driving conditions until this year. Would we be better changing to a 4 x 4 equivalent or simply getting 4 winter/snow tyres? We have no desire to go off road. Thanks for advice from people who have experienced both scenarios
{post amended - no need to SHOUT!} Read more
I think the reason the x5 ect struggles in snow is due to the wide tyres fitted, rally drivers in snow use skinny tyres, along with 4 wheel drive.
Winter tyres make sense, but how many people have space to store 4 tyres?
I bought a A4 1.8T Quattro Avant,back in 2000, that car proved to me, that 4 wheel drive was worth having for all the year round motoring, it would literally launch itself at round about etc, no wheel spin, no traction control.
It wasn't that great in snow, mainly due to the 245/45/17 tyres.
Both the xtrails i have had, have been great in snow, most of the time it runs in front wheel drive, with auto selected, 4x4 selects on demand.
Don't knock the modern 4 wheel drive, as some one above said, the future is a motor for each wheel, that is 4 wheel drive on demand.
Hi, Still looking for a cheap/reliable family car. Have seen a Mazda Premacy (Atlantis) that's 10 years old with FSH for £1000....but it has 112k miles on the clock.
Should I be concerned about such a high mileage (I'll obviously have a good look at the history if I go for a drive)...or just cautious about it?
Other than Tax at £205...it doesn't seem bad and the reviews are all looking good.
Any other advice?
Just need a push in the right direction!
Many thanks Read more
Hi
Is the Atlantis the 1.8?
We've got the 2 litre sport and its a great car. The only downside for me is that the legroom is a bit limited if you're over 6ft and the seats are a bit small too.
Otherwise these are good cars and never had a problem with it mechanically. Bodywork can be a bit easy to damage too.
Check cambelt was changed at 52 and will probably need doing again shortly at 104k (about £200 job with the belt kit).
Hi my daughters 1.2 petrol clio dynamique starts fine but after about a minute coughs and splutters and sounds like its missing or fuel starved. is there a sensor controlling choke or similar that might cause this? once warm it runs fine and indeed if you let it run and floor the throttle a few times it clears but she is about to take her test in it and i dont want it to conk out. the local garage put a diagnostic on it but coulnt find the fault. help
{yr and engine info added following email confirmation} Read more
I don't think this will be a cold/temp sensor problem.More likely to be a fault with the electronic throttle body flap sticking due to build up of gunge on the housing.Access often requires removal of inlet manifold.hth
Would you buy a vehicle if it smelt of animals? (I don't mean kids - lol)
i would not as you could never get rid of the stench, especial if animal was allowed to mess the car or the animal was large - the dealers may mask the smell but it comes back.
.*******
animal lovers may disagree with me, but trust me, check out your new purchase if it has animals in. Read more
Friends of mine have miniature horses (smaller than Shetlands) roaming their grounds (saves on lawn mowing). When they need to see a vet, they fold the seats down in their Freelander and manoeuvre the horse into the back . . . . . (seriously).
looking to buy a second hand van, semi hi-top, 2k ish prefer transits as ive allways had these, but would like some suggestions , feeback about similar sized vehicles. Read more
Renault Master for me.
getting fumes from under the car don't smell like exhaust fumes they come in car when parked up and when people get in the car with it being a taxi this is alot. had the car to vw and many other garages they can smell it but can't find the problem. Read more
There are two duck bill rubber water drain bungs in the bottom of the plenum chamber which can cuae a blockage and flood the plenum chamber and cause water ingress into the car. However some garages remove these, incorrectly, to overcome the problem and that causes fumes to enter the chamber. To the top left of the chamber is the Pollen filter air intake and this may be your problem. The bungs can be seen from under the car either side on the gear box if they are there. If you use re-circulate and the smell is less that that would also point to this being the problem. Regards Peter
New Fiesta 1.4 Zetec 5dr with metallic and Bluetooth, approx £10800 to pay after scrappage etc.
58 plate Clio Dynamique 1.2 TCE 5dr with metallic, approx 10k miles, approx £7700 to pay after trade in etc.
£3100 difference, how much more will the Fiesta be worth in 3 years when they are 3 and 4 years old respectively, more certainly though not £3100 more.
Any thoughts?
Read more
Thanks all not fully decided yet a 7 year old TT has been added to the list.
Fiesta, TT - same sort of thing I suppose :-)
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To be honest. I think I will remove the off side driveshaft tomorrow. That way I can check the driveshaft. Also I will see if the gearbox output shaft turns with the driveshaft disconnected. Like I said, it's a bit of a puzzler this one.