September 2012

420 Turbo Diesel

HI,

I am looking at buying a secondhand Hyundai I30 Diesel,not sure whether to go for the 1.6 or 2.0.Can someone tell if they both use timing chains as opposed to Cambelts please?... Read more

alicante

HI,

I am looking at buying a secondhand Hyundai I30 Diesel,not sure whether to go for the 1.6 or 2.0.Can someone tell if they both use timing chains as opposed to Cambelts please?...

fredthefifth

Hi, my daughter drives a 55 plate Citroen C3. Yesterday she phoned me up to say that on a journey the brakes went funny, felt like there was a tennis ball under the brake pedal and they wouldn't work properly. She managed to stop and called the AA who fiddled around checked a few things but couldn't find anything wrong. They test drove and  brakes were fine. Daughter continued her journey without incident. Been ok since. Car is a basic 1.1 petrol and I think the brakes have servo assistance. I'm telling her to get them checked out she agrees but is worried that could be an open cheque. Anyone got any suggestions please?
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gordonbennet

Fred, been thinking a bit more...yes ok you wags it hurts..;).

Get your daughter to run the engine whilst stationary to build a full vacuum in the servo, then swtich off engine and whilst quiet get her to pump brakes a few times and hear/feel the servo emptying, then she'll know exactly what unservoed feels like and what sounds, if any, accompany the servo assistance, hopefully a gentle hiss with each pedal press that diminishes to silence as the vacuum goes....

Drivethru

Oh dear, had new tax disc a fortnight and today I forgot to put it on. I was in town and have gone past a camera that I think checks for tax dodgers and I was also parked on street. I read where traffic wardens can fine you the same as a parking fine and nothing has happened with that. I was just wondering if anything could happen via the camera. The new disc is safely in place now! Read more

Bromptonaut

Found the renewal letters for both my cars neatly filed in a draw with copies of heat magazine! Panicked, went on line and bought them both, 9th of the month, Saturday afternoon, after post office had shut, it went through fine, fingers crossed we don't get in trouble......

You'll be fine. The system issues penalties based on a report run 28days after due date (ie late Sept for 31/08 expiries). Chance that an automatic camera might have caught you but you'd be very unlucky indeed for that to happen AND it be enforced where disc had been bought before receipt of FPN.

american pie

My Meriva is struggling with getting up hills. There seems to be a loss of power and the revs on car are high. The clutch does not seem to engage properly either. Is the car supposed to be this slow?

I have not had the car long - a month and it is a big worry, as we had the same model before but 2005 and never experienced these problems. Read more

american pie

Thanks for your message, any idea of how long the clutch will last?

motorprop

I thought I'd pin this as officially today our car ceases to be ' Brand New ' with the 62 reg out.. Will mourn for a day

Took delivery in Mid May 2012 and now have just 2200 miles on clock , the car having been delivered with 350 miles on readout. This one is the 20d 4 cyl 184 bhp 8 speed auto box M Sport.... Read more

gordonbennet

''I think the Japenese car makers are falling behind in some repects to the Koreans now.''

The Koreans have certainly raised the bar, Toyota are fighting back with warranties and their customer service and the way they stand by their product is still unbeatable, the Germans are years behind in long term customer care but have the right image for those who must have so have no trouble selling....

Midas Mk1

Hey All,

I've currently on the research stage of my latest Uni project , inwhich is to look at ways of improving a daily journey, of a persons everyday commute - whether that be walking, in a car, bus, train etc.

Im looking for peoples opinions on the subject, the aim of the project is to make a product or development of transport to make it a good commuting daily journey.

Any suggestions for 1 + 2 would be greatly appreciated. :

1. The bane of my journey to workplace / education / etc is..... (walking, bus, train, car)

2. My Daily Journey could be made better by.....

On average how long do you spend per day travelling?


Thanks in advance for looking, any reply is much appreciated

Sam

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University Student

Its ok for some i guess.... Im a 3rd year student at Salford University currently undertaking a RSA design award project, the brief is about the favourite journey of the day - "The Daily Commute" and so for those that havn't got this privelage, Could you please show me your views and opinions in this short questionaire? Many Thanks, Appriciated! freeonlinesurveys.com/s.asp?sid=0yeb662kqthm1ou125...3

Pearsonsmith

Hi

Done diagnostic and it's come up with manifold inlet pressure sensor, which I've been told is the map sensor, can anyone tell me how I can test it with a multimeter, so I can confirm that it's def this before I replace it.

Thanks

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elekie&a/c doctor

More info would be a help.Model year/engine size/petrol/diesel?Map sensors don,t give a lot of trouble.It is usually a problem elsewhere that flags this code.hth

unthrottled

Full marks to the CEO of the British Credit Hire association, Martin Andrews, for attempting to defend the indefensible.

"If the CC concludes that the at-fault driver's insurer should have control over the not-at fault driver's claim, motoring consumers could find themselves in a lose-lose situation. We could see premiums soar as insurers try to make up losses as they are forced to pay out for replacement vehicles; (my bold)... Read more

TeeCee

Premiums are higher in the UK than in the US-probably the most litigious country in the world combined with a poor national driving record and more powerful cars! This can't be right.

IIRC, the US has the base option of "State's Insurance" which provides the legal minimum required cover at a very basic price. This puts a floor under the market which the commercial offerings have to compete with. If premiums go up dramatically, more people opt for the basic, government, offering and they lose market share. It's therefore in their best interests to contest excessive claims (litigation works both ways) and keep costs down....

twowheelsorfour

Any Help Please!! Apologies for a long entry but I wanted to give as much info as possible.

I've had the C5 for 2 years. It's been a good car. In France this year, during a particularly hot spell, the engine suddenly started hunting. One second at walking pace then suddenly a great burst of acceleration then slow again. The engine management light came on on the dash. The RAC arranged for it to go to a large Citroen dealer who diagnosed the problem as the accelerator pedal potentiometer and promptly changed the pedal. I picked the car up and the problem returned within 10 miles.... Read more

jonmac

Trying toy help out a friend whos 03 reg, 1800 petrol,115000 mile Mondeo Graphite is giving him grief.

When he starts up and the engine is cold the car is running fine When the engine gets hot he starts to lose powerand the engine seems to stutter. He stops car swicthes off the engine starts up again and the engine runs fine for another few miles and then the same thing happens again. He was advised by his local garage to take it to a Main Ford dealer who would have the correct diagnostic equipment. All they could say was it may be the fuel filter which they changed. Needless to say on his way back home the problem re-occured.... Read more

jonmac

Thanks for that tip I will pass it on to him