November 2023
Do the clutch switches show correct operation of pedal down and released? There are 2 switches on the pedal .
First time visit to USA, observed following (motoring related) differences compared to UK/EU.
- Cars can turn right (equivalent to left in UK) in red lights. This felt unsafe for pedestrians as cars were moving at the same time while pedestrians were crossing (in New York City).
- City speed limit is 25 MPH or 40 km/h in Canada. This seems better than 20 MPH limit UK towns are adopting. If 30 feels too high and 20 feels too low then 25 MPH feels just about right.
- I knew undertaking is normal in USA but I didn't know HGVs can travel on fast/outside lanes!
- While there are many European/Japanese cars - the American made cars were massive! I have seen American cars on movies but in flesh they look lot larger.
- Honking is normal in NYC - much more than in London.
- No roundabouts but only intersections. Although internet says some US cities are now building roundabouts.
- I didn't really understand what Americans use pick up trucks for. There were plenty everywhere and none was carrying any stuff in the rear loading beds.
- Some American made cars have red rear indicators - instead of amber. Why?
- Lane discipline is poor (compared to UK/EU) in interstate highways.
- Amtrak trains were good. Seats were spacious and comfortable even in coach class (economy class). In future I'll use Amtrak again.
- USA is not as cheap as people want us to believe. Barring fuel prices, NYC is horrendously expensive on everything, compared with London. Middle America is not that expensive though.
<< ....which brilliantly illustrates the fundamental problem of the American lifestyle, now visible and aspired to by billions of cell-phone-owning huddled masses globally. Even if the above (usually oversized) vehicles become EVs, that's still a huge carbon footprint. >>
And how many vehicles occupy your garage /drive /other parking space, John ? It's not that many decades since the notion of the 'family car'. My family had no car until - I think - about 1954. After I married we had one car until the mid-80s. Then the kids started learning to drive, which called for an elderly Mini at about that time. They now live elsewhere and we could manage with one again ; the other museum piece spends most of its life in the garage.
My 2019 Peugeot 508 Blue HDI 1.5 has been horrendously unreliable this year despite only just reaching 48,000 miles. It has had two rear suspension arms replaced and brake pads plus discs replaced at 40,000 miles. Then in September 2023 when exiting a roundabout, the car totally cut out with what was diagnosed by the RAC as a ECU failure but later investigation when the garage eventually accepted it some weeks later was a snapped timing chain and a whole new engine.
Luckily I had a Peugeot extended warranty which agreed a replacement engine but on removing said engine the garage said it need a new clutch too! It never felt on its way out. The biggest shock is the bill which is being quoted at £1200! An incredible amount of money and I know of no car outside a Porsche 911 that will cost so much. To further irritation, they are replacing the battery at £175 and the robbing swines at Peugeot breakdown assist charged me £96 for a 2nd tow as the dealer was shut at the time!
Peugeot have declined any goodwill and have said it is a pure wear and tear item. They also reckon their extended warranty is through a third party company, so my complaint lies with them, not Peugeot!
Aside from not buying another Peugeot, what other options do I have to address this awful service and situation? Been off the road for 2 months now and driving around in a dire Citroen c3 “courtesy car” out of pocket. I bought the car with cash from new but now must ponder if a lease may be better in future to give them greater responsibility. Read more
I checked the price this morning, clutch kit, flywheel and bolts is about £1550 (parts ONLY!!!) so not sure where they got the £1200 from.
My Fiesta is just coming to 10 years (50,000 miles) and Ford recommend change the cam belt. If the water pump is driven by the cam belt should the pump also be changed? Read more
If it’s the 3 cylinder ecoboost engine , then yes , needs water pump. I’d get a quote if you’re going to main dealer . It’s probably going to be about £1k job .
£1k is cheap for a Ford main dealer to do this job last time I enquired.
Hi, I'm getting confused information from the van itself and two garages I've taken it to...the injectors were replaced 18 months ago, a month ago it stuttered when going through 3rd into forth, fourth into fifth, STOP light flashed on then immediately off...I had it looked at, told it's driving fine, but when diagnosed the reading says injector no.1...but the van drives fine again to a degree and STOP light not come on, I feel it will if I get up to 60mph however, but reading injector issues, it's not misfiring, it's not leaking, no noises, starts great everytime...so i dont get it...I have bought a decent reviewed cleaner and additive to mix into the fuel tank...any input off you guys be greatly appreciated Read more
Diesel?
Genuine or pattern injectors?
Hi all ,
Car has been fixed so my question is about the repair.... Read more
Not clear from your description whether you still have an oil leak or not.
If not, fuggedaboudit. It probably became loose because your Black Hand loosened it....
Hi everyone,
... Read more
I’ve fitted loads of aftermarket cruise control systems to cars with conventional cable throttle systems. There’s no specific kit for your car , so a universal system would have to be used and tailored to work on your vehicle. Is it worth it ? Probably not for the amount of work involved.
Especially, as I've found recently, when some things go wrong on an older car, secondary issues mean that a big bill could ensue. I think it's best to keep the money set aside for such an eventuality or to put towards a replacement car, one which comes with cruise as standard.
Hello
I wondered if a new formed hose is still available for our classic Pug. I would rather find the right profile than bend a straight hose around onto the pump. Another old one will likely be as hard and leaky as I have presently. Would this be a common hose for all 306s ?... Read more
Have a look on this site.
having a problem with intermittent heater blower. done some research and it seems quite common. replaced rhetostat , ad hey presto worked for a few days. have now narrowed it down to dodgy wire in this loom, at this connection . somebody else had the same problem and fixed it by probing the black wire [ earth ] to the body and it fixed it. should i try that. the connector looks ok Read more
It could be the connector that attaches to the motor . Very poor design but still difficult access .
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Indeed - mine also suffered from the water pump problem. It was situated high up on the slanting block and would surreptitiously leak through an aperture in the block. I can't remember if there was a coolant level warning but if the level dropped too much the head would overheat with CHG failure and possible head warping. Fortunately this never happened to me as I caught it early and replaced the pump. Otherwise it was reliable mechanically - rust was its undoing. ...