September 2011
Read moreIs it possible to regrease seized rear caliper sliders without taking the pads out etc? Any information is greatly received. Whats the best way to get seized sliders out of the carrier? Any hints or tips?
Followed a Jag down the A12 this morning. Dark blue I think rather difficult to see the vehicle behind the vast cloud of grey soot/ fumes he was trailing. I followed it for ten miles all the time he was trailing a big plume. Quite oblivious to it as well. If that was unburnt fuel he must have been getting godawful mpg.
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A pressure group in the town I live in is campaigning for a 20 mph limit throughout the town. I've heard this is happening in other towns too. Also the government is handing over more responsibility for speed limits to local authorities, which could also add to wider adoption of 20 mph limits.
I'm not against 20 mph limits where they make sense, like town centres or through narrow villages, but blanket 20 mph zones across towns seems a bit drastic.... Read more
Police have better things to do than enforce stupidly low speed limits. There are some areas where 20mph would be too fast but others where in a 30 limit you could do 45 odd and cause no problem to anyone (i dont do that, obviously, of course not, never) thats why blanket speed limit of any sort across any town is pointless. Just leave it as it is, you wont solve anything with speed limits and camera's we should be encouraging people to use their brain and judgement not just brainwash them with 'drive under the speed limit and everything is safe.' Where i live its 30mph but theres some times and roads where that'd be way too fast so you use your brain and slow down obviously.
I prefer engineering solutions to camera's and signs solutions. Most in town car-to-car accidents i reckon are due to people pulling out of blind junctions when you cant see a thing until you're out, instead of slowing everyone down or putting a camera somewhere why not trim the hedges or stop granting permission for people to build 7 foot fences outside their house if they live on the corner of a junction so as you can see whats coming etc, that sort of thing....
When I try to restart my car after a short journey and stop (after visiting shops, say), the ignition lights come on, low noise, no engine sound, and no power. I have to then press the accelerator hard and the engine bursts into life
Car is one year old, bought from new and recently serviced by a Ford dealer. The problem was mentioned to the Ford Service Dept. Thet had heard of the problem but could not suggest any solution other than a software upgrade. The probblem still persists post the service... Read more
This is about my girlfriend's car, Ford Focus 02 petrol 1.6 zetec 100bhp, 105k miles
It seems to struggle to start (4-5 seconds) when turning the ignition the first time. You stop the engine straight away and turn the ignition again, the engine starts instantly.... Read more
It's a problem that my car seems to suffer from. Diagnostics have come to no avail. I'm begining to wonder if it's an ECU problem after searching the internet, however, I have no mechanical knowledge, so would discuss it with someone who has a level of competency, something I sadly do not.
When I use premium diesel I get better mileage and the car runs better.. I have heard it is a waste of money but the 1.9d is so slow I like the extra performace.. Any comments?.. Read more
Those that have an avensis (old shape) - what are your opinions on the car?
Is the 114bhp adequate for a car this size?... Read more
If it's been serviced properly, oil change every 9/10k from memory, then it should be fine, Taxi drivers don't use them for no reason.
Cambelt might be due, IIRC it's around 100k on modern Toyota's...it probably won't be a cheap belt change, but Toyota's workshops are usually very good and priced fairly, it's something i'd be wanting the MD to supply and fit....
When towing a horse trailer (empty weight approx 1000Kg) the temperature gauge fluctuates rather a lot, depending on gradient of the road. For example: yesterday on M5 between Bristol & Tewkesbury where there are no steep climbs, the needle got more than half-way between normal and the red sector when climbing, but comes back to normal during descents. There is one hill locally (approx 1 in 8) where I always have to pull in & let it idle for 5 mins before continuing. I am gentle with the right foot, yesterday on M5 I was doing around 50 to 55 mph.
This issue only occurs when towing an empty or lightly loaded horsebox. No more than 1500Kg. The towing limit for the vehicle is 3300Kg & I've not tried loads of this weight for sufficient distance to show a problem.... Read more
Many thanks for these suggestions. I confirm there's no coolant loss. It just gets blown into the overflow tank when she gets hot but goes back to the rad afterwards.
I think hosing out the fins & flushing the rad core might be a good start. I would prefer to remove the rad & backflush it, but with oil connections to the rad as well as water, it's not quite so simple. It will have to be done in situ.
I have a 2003 megane 1.9 DCI, big ass type. It has a probelm after an engine change (old engine had a bent rod) , The car will start straight away on the button everytime but after 3 seconds or so it dies. During that 3 seconds you can rev it freely etc as thopugh it were ruinning fine. Watching live data it doesnt seem to lose crank signal or fuel pressure, it just stops as though the ECU were requesting it. there are no fault codes etc coming up.The flywheel and sensors etc are all original to the car, timing is correct and there are no leaks or air in the fuel system. Read more
Only seven years old as well. Reminds me of diesels from when i was a kid where every touch on the accelerator gave a plume of blue fog.