August 2010
I currently have a V-Reg Vectra with bucket-type seats. I am looking for a replacement car that has the seats a bit higher off the ground to allow my disabled wife easier access into and out of the car but not so high that she can't get in. Any thoughts on a) what car would be good for this, b) how to "try out" a car first and c) which type of car (auto / manual) would give the smoothest ride / suspension so my wife doesn't get car sick. Read more
I seem to remember reading recently that scrap car prices had jumped to around £200.... Read more
scrap car values are decided by many factors which are unable to judge dircetly so we must contact the best scrap car dealer for that.
Help
Live in France and have a 4 year old Focus Ghia 2 Litre TDCI. When it was 3 years old the ESP System Fault sign came up. Knowing nothing at all about cars, went straight to the Ford Garage that services the car to be told that the part alone was 1700 Euros - they told me to write to Ford for assistance as something so expensive should not go after 3 years. Well, no response from Ford. Shall I shut up and pay up or fight? Am told that it's safe to drive as ESP is just an additional safety measure.... Read more
I have a Focus ST with exactly the same issue and potential cost - my local garage tell me they have replaced 10 of these units in the last few months. There is an issue and you need to speak to Ford in France or wherever you bought the car (UK?) and ask for help. They need to know about the issue from anyone affected so they can do something about it. Good luck!
I was driving south on the M1 today, and had pulled out into the outside lane to pass a long line of cars in the middle lane. About halfway through the manouevre, I could see a VW Polo approaching from behind at a real speed - probably getting on for about a ton. I was doing 85, which is a bit faster than I'm usually comfortable with on the motorway.
The Polo gets right up behind, by what feels like a couple of inches off my bumper flashing his headlights. I can't pull over, as there are cars on my nearside. I chose not to go any faster as I was already going as fast as I was happy with, but pulled over as soon as I had passed the cars in the middle lane (there were quite a few, but I was getting past them at a good pace). I don't normally get bothered about people who want to travel faster than me, I'm quite happy to let them pass. What really got to me today was what happened next. The Polo passes me, then pulls into my lane and brakes hard in front of me, almost causing me to run into the back of them, so I had to swerve around them. The driver in the Polo then floors it and is off, thankfully not to be seen again...... Read more
"That suggests that the car was a stolen one driven by joyriders"
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i have fitted a 405 dturbo to my 306 dturbo after the last engine packed it in . the engine is from a 1995 dturbo 405 and the car is a 00 306 van . i am using the lucas pump off my previous engine with injectors too . in conjunction with the 405 engine im using its own manifold and garret turbo too . the wiring is from a 306 straight diesel slightly modified to run a dturbo . the engine sounds fine running and all but it has no power what-so-ever . when i remove the pip going from the intercooler to the fuel pum and place my finger on it at the intercooler there is only a small amount of air flow , anyone know whats wrong ? we have trien playing with the actuatot too but no luck . Read more
I think your best bet would be to fit a mechanical pump, I'm sure there must be plenty about for not to much money, one from a Xantia or ZX would do, preferably Bosch but an early Lucas would do. If you fit a Bosch one you will need the injection pipes as well.
Hi guys.
I bought a new 1.6TDI Octavia, with the new common rail engine, in March. It has settled down to a routine ~57 mpg over mixed but consistent motoring on Esso diesel.... Read more
Ta for the link. Must do some more research, as I suspect someone must by now be doing a kit to remove these.
I know that mpg figures can vary over a journey significantly, but I was talking over a full tankful, not a journey. And based on brimming the tank and measuring the miles, not relying on the computer (which coincidentally is agreeing with a 10% drop)...
This problem occurs only in hot weather and mainly when the engine is also hot although occasionally when it is only warm. In the July French heatwave it got to the point that the following three stage procedure had to be gone through every time I started the car.
1) Go through starting procedure, lights on fascia go out, starter motor spins, engine will not start, switch off.... Read more
Now theres a thought. Could be the difference between French and English diesei I surpose. I generally buy Supermarket diesel but in France I check the pumpsin detail first to ensure that I am not making any obvious mistakes. Do the French put bio in their 'gaz oil'?
Evening,
My car has recently developed a rather interesting problem. I am more inclined to believe it is the diff rather than the gearbox but i shall run the symptoms past you to see what you think. ... Read more
It is under warrantee, take it to the dealers. Regards Peter
Hi,ive recently bought a 2003 mini cooper with a noisy power steering pump.its a suprise that thiers not a lot more comments / information ,on the forum about this issue.as it seems that every mini made between 2001 and 2007 seems to have the same problem.
What im looking for help with is . Has anyone ever removed a mini ps pump , is it a diy job and whats involved.... Read more
And you can get a really good feel for how good they are from the fact that they've resorted to spamming internet forums for trade.
The poster who's spamming had a different user name last night, 'ecu-repairs' which just happens to be a sister site to the one he's promoting, i've made a note to avoid those companies in the future....
I am regularly passed, as I drive home from work along the A14 towards Suffolk, by a motorcyclist who peels off onto the A14 heading towards Norfolk. Riding a big silver fully fared tourer with matching panniers, he travels serenely along at the legal limit wearing a white full face helmet with a blue and white chequered band around its base, reflective over jacket with blue and white chequered band around the waistline and dark leather trousers and boots. As he approaches he looks like a police motorcyclist. I am convinced he is just a commuter as there is no other sign such as aerial, siren, radio etc; fitted . Has anyone else seen him? Is it legal to 'pose' as a policeman? Any comments? Read more
I haven't commuted along the A14 for over 4 years since I reitred so I wonder whether the 'policeman' is still plodding along on his Deauville.
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I'd really want to try the car with the person with disabled issue, even if it was part of a test drive, before committing thousands of pounds.
My Mother, later in her life, had serious mobility issues and walked, or rather shuffled, with a frame. ...