June 2014
Hi people, this morning I was stopped by a traffic officer whilst on road test as part of a PDI on a brand new unregistered Mini.
He said I was committing an offence by not displaying a number plate even though I was displaying a valid pair of trade plates front and rear.
Does anybody have any thoughts on the validity of this claim as this would have big ramifications for moving new/unregistered cars around.
The online info on trade plate usage does not seem to clarify this position clearly
Many thanks in advance for any help
Darryl
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Its time to trade in my 2007 X3. We are both golfers so boot size is important. Should I stick with what I am used to or consider something more economical? Read more
What does one do again?
Chuck the skittles into the pints of flat beer, singing poor quality songs?
I'm looking at buying a 1.8 TDCI 2006 Ford Focus. Anyone know if its a cam belt or chain?
Cheers Read more
This engine has both a chain and a toothed drive belt.
I finally took the plunge and bought a nearly new Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi on Friday. I am generally delighted with the car with the exception of road noise at speed - it's absolutely awful. A few people have suggested that this may in part be due to the tyres which are Hankook Ventus Prime 2's.
Many on the Hyundai forums have recommended Conti Premium Contacts as being a good way to reduce this but I'm sceptical. Whilst I'd accept that certain tyres will reduce noise can I expect such a significant difference so as to justify the £300 ish it will cost? Or is that just marketing hype and I have a noisy car?... Read more
Its funny because I was considering the i30 at one time and thought that they seemed to be one of the only people shunning the big wheel fashion and actually putting on a tyre with a decent profile. For this reason, I always thought they would have a good ride. However, I suppose you can have a comfortable ride but still noisy with it.
I'm looking to change my car, but I'm coming across different manufacturers that fit 6-speed gearboxes into the models with the larger engine. Smaller engines managing with 5-speed.
I would imagine a larger capacity engine with more power and torque should need fewer gears, not more.... Read more
My last 3 turbodiesels have had 6-speed manual boxes, with varying degrees of success in terms of drivability and economy.
In the Passat B5.5 PD130, the ratios were quite closely stacked to fully exploit the 'torque band,' although the engine was very flexible and didn't really need 6 gears. However, It did mean that 4th gear was shorter than in the 5-speed gearbox variants, making it great for single-carriageway use, as at any speed above 35mph you had big overtaking grunt instantly available without needing to change gear. 5th was useful for long-striding economy on dual carriageways and 6th reserved for motorways....
Hi all, I am looking for some advice with regards to an 08 model Citroen C5 air con system. The air con was not working so I took it to an independent garage to have it checked and re-gassed. On checking the system they told me that a pipe coming from the condenser had split and had to be replaced but this was aluminum and had welded itself to the condenser and couldn't be removed, the condenser therefore also had to be replaced. I got this work done for £430 picked the car up on Thursday evening, everything was working okay and on Friday morning the car was parked in my rive and I heard a pop from the engine area and all the gas then escaped from the air con system. I returned to the garage and they checked it again and told me that the air con pump was producing too-much pressure and popped the hose again. They have now quoted me £700 for replacing the air con pump. I have queried with them why the system could not be pressure tested or something before hand and was informed it is trial and error and they would not have known about the problem with the pump until the condenser was fixed in the first place. I Have checked with a local Citroen dealer and they told me they never heard of a pump doing this and I have booked it in with them for diagnostics test before deciding whether or not to replace the pump.
If anyone has any experience of this any help or advice would me very much appreciated. If Ihad known the cost to begin with i would have just put the window down but I am out £430 and nothing has been fixed.... Read more
So,the story so far.An indy a/c garage has replaced the condensor and a pipe.The car drove away with the a/c working.We now have another split/burst pipe but not the one that was previously replaced.The a/c pump cannot cause a pipe to burst.but the fact that new parts have been fitted puts pressure on any weak point in the system.I would suggest get the damaged pipe replaced and the gas pressures tested to make sure the system is working within spec.Is this an aluminium pipe that has split (probably from corrosion)or a flexi hose?
Thanks for the reply, it's an aluminum pipe that has split this time, so going to get it replaced to see how things go.
I have a Mark 1 Ford Focus bought new in 2001 with a 1.6 petrol engine and Automatic gear box with 43000 miles on the clock, yes 43K.
Passed MOT no problems but garage has suggested Timing Belt should be replaced, due I think to age rather than mileage.
Can anyone give me any guidance about the adviseability & cost of have a replacement timing belt fitted? Read more
Thank you skidpan for your reply to my query.
The belt changing info came from the sevice book supplied with the car,but as there there is no voice like that of experience hte old belt will stay on....
Hi my old Focus which I wish I never got is costing me money again.
The firs time was after Id had the car for less than a year on a long drive up to Scotland I noticed the SatNav stopped charging because the cigaret fuse had blown & then after a while everything lights etc drained & died. The roadside call out guy jump started me & I just say got to my destination before it died again, which I now know isnt exactly safe on these cars due to the stupid Smart Charge thing. I then had a Wiring Loom & Alternator chucked in this time which seemed to work ok for a while.... Read more
This is the procedure for testing smart charge systems.
7. Voltage comparison test with 3-pin connector connected.
- Switch on dipped headlights and heated rear window, and run the engine at idle.
- Watch for 20 secs then record the voltage output across the battery terminals.
- If the output is not between 12.5 and 15.5 V, and /or is unsteady (ie. varies by +/- 0.2V) replace the alternator and re-test the charging system.
- Switch off the headlights, heated rear window and engine, and proceed to the next step if the output is steady and within range.
8. Make sure the ignition is off, then disconnect the alternator 3-pin connector and be certain that it is held in a safe position.
- Run the engine at idle, switch on the dipped headlights and heated rear window.
- Check that the output is steady by observing for 20 secs, then record the voltage output across the battery terminals. Switch the engine off.
- If this output is the same as the one from the previous test then the alternator is running in default mode and needs to be replaced. Re-test the charging system.
- Go to the next step if the output is different.
9.Ignition off load test. Re-connect the 3-pin connector, with the ignition off.
- Measure the vehicle key off current load between the battery ground cable and the battery negative terminal using an ammeter.
- The alternator is ok if the current is below 2 Amps.
- If not, disconnect the alternator battery positive connection and re-measure the vehicle key off load.
- If the current dips below 2 Amps, replace the alternator and re-test the charging system.
Hi.
Looking for advice please.... Read more
But the important thing here is all these oils were rubbish compared to the fully synthetic long life oils that are used today.There is no reason why 20,000 miles on these high spec oils would be an issue, my last BMW has an oil change every 2 years and never missed a beat.
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In case it might help anyone, my Range Rover Sport (2006) would always have a flat battery if I left it unused for more than about one day.
To cut a long story short, it was finally diagnosed to the upper tailgate window release catch. It was completely corroded. It had turned to white powder inside and had stuck in the live position.... Read more
Many thanks for taking the trouble to let us know. Much appreciated.
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