December 2014
Watched the first edition of the James May "Peoples Car" tonight. (Dunno when it screened in the UK)
I generally like James May, and I found the program interesting, but I was hugely disappointed that he didn't resist the infantile temptation to drop that Lada from the helicopter.
This stopped being amusing on Top Gear a long, long time ago, certainly long before they did it with a Beetle. Doing it with cars that, by definition, have historical importance (otherwise they wouldn't be in the program) is indefensible. You are supposed to get that kind of thing out of your system by setting fire to your own, badly made Airfix models when you are, say, about 8.
I don't think it makes any difference that it was a car that was generally despised. and I don't say it because I rather liked mine. I don't like flies, but I wouldn't approve of children pulling the wings off them.
From the trailer, it looks as if there's quite a lot more of this kind of thing to come with other makes. Dunno if I'll watch the rest of the series.
Not big. Not clever. Read more
having a problem with my ford fiesta it wont fire up when its hot turns over ok without fireing up been told its a throttle sensor i have changed crank sensor and cam sensor without any change to the problem Read more
we just acquireda 2002 fiesta 1.3 petrol, would not start when hot, changed this and that sensors- no difference, then..... new battery- problem solved!!!
My heater blower/ fan is making a low whirlling noise on 1, on 2 its louder, 3 even louder and 4 it not bad as the fan is spinning so fast. It is hard to tell where the noise is coming from but it just sounds as though it is in the dash board just behind the radio. Any ideas?
Is it the blower motor?... Read more
The pollen filter is inside the cabin and accessibe be removing the glove compartment
We have a 2008 Focus 2.0l Duratec Auto.
I am trying to find out when is best to service the auto gearbox. It looks like it has never been done and looking through the service literature it doesn't list any shcedule for doing it?
We have a BMW 540 and the gearbox has been serviced every 5 years.
ALso it lists the auxilliary belt as being changed every 10 years or 125k miles. I can't help but think this is too long. It has developed a squeak when cold. It's either the belt or the idler pulley or tensioner. I need to get an idea on this before I "attack" the dealer for some work. ALso does this belt power the water pump as I know the engine is chain cam. I always change the waterpump on cam belt engines at the same time and can not find any listing for changing the water pump on this car?
Finally... The car has an occasional starting issue. SOmetimes when you go to start it ( it can be warm or cold ) it will turn over but the engine won't start. You have to switch off and it will normally start ok the 2nd time or be a bit lumpy for about 10 seconds. We took this to the dealer and surprise surprise ( apparently there's no such thing as a real mechanic anymore ) they plugged the computer in and becausde it didn't come up with a fault code they said there was no issue.
I think it may be the fuel pump or the fuel pump relay. A friend has suggested that I get them to check the fuel pressure at the rail as i can hear the fuel pump prime when putting the ignition in position 2. Could do with finding out before the warranty runs out.
Many thanks for any help you can offer.
Buzz Read more
Hi - After a big Service, my local garage told me that my steering rack is leaking & needs replacing - £570. Is this a good price? Thank you.
(PS Sorry: I posted this in the General forum a few minutes ago by mistake) Read more
Thank you for your help with this. Panic has stopped my brain working, what do I do ......!
I've just had a big Service by local garage & was told steering rack is leaking & requires replacing £570 - oh heck! Is this a good price? Read more
After reading a current thread (in legal section) which highlighted another expensive issue about modern Diesel ownership out of warranty, thought it might be interesting to have a list of reasons to but or not buy modern Diesel out of warranty.
The thread itself concerns the thorny and sometimes expensive (engine and car scrapping in extreme cases, A class MB a prime example) of the difficulty of removing glow plugs or injectors when problems develop.... Read more
Engineer Andy, I really need an estate, budget £1,500 or less.. Might go for an older Passat as these can run on recycled veg oil. Otherwise will see if I can find an lpg estate
Want to sell my car but first must figure out what the mechanic means when he says. The clutch cable won't stay on so it needs a pin? Also mentioned safety switch and lock. IF I buy clutch master cylinder, will this come with the little pins, bolts etc. needed to fix the problem. This is keeping the car from starting. Please help 2003 Cadillac cts 5 speed. Desperately need help... Thank you
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He did say they he could make something to stick in it and make it stay, but since it's going to cost me $300 to fix I said no, because I would rather not have shabby work done on it. I'm going to buy the parts online(cheaper than if he purchased them ) but 1st I'll show him a picture of the parts that he told me and go from there. thank you for taking time to respond :-)
Hello everyone.... Read more
Good you got it fixed. The less teeth the lower the gearing so it should reduce the load on the starter a little.
Just wondering if anyone could advise on what I should offer for this Corsa?
pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=3216...0
Went to see it today and took it on a short drive. Seems mechanically sound, and in good condition. There's a couple of small imperfections with the paintwork, but nothing I couldn't live with. Interior is in decent condition.
FSH and seller seems perfectly reasonable. I want to make an offer, but don't want to be cheeky. Read more
Valued at £1,340.
Browse
They had obviously taken at least the engine and the rear seats out , doubtless to get the car's weight below the lift capacity of the McDonnel Douglas light helicopter.
It would have worked with Clarkson and Hamster in the front seats but as it was it was merely an expensive and mindless stunt that pretty much sums up most of the BBC's output.