December 2024
A 15 minute listen telling the tale of the very beginnings of the VW emissions scandal -
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0022ssm?partner=uk.co.b...e Read more
Pehr Gyllenhammar, who has died aged 89, was a international business leader as the long-serving head of Volvo and later chairman of the UK insurance group Aviva.
Chief executive from 1971 and chairman from 1983 to 1993 – Volvo’s cars maintained a high reputation as a symbol of Swedish manufacturing quality.... Read more
Hi all.
I never been good at all those parking signs on the road so I just wanted to clarify something and I need your help. ... Read more
Thanks for your answer. You've been correct. I just received an email from council to clarify that matter. Cheers
Hi,
I have a 2006 Ford Focus LX 1.6L Petrol car (112k mileage).
I have an EML showing a code (I don't know what the code is) indicating the VVT Camshaft Pulley for Inlet Camshaft requires replacing. I would like to understand if what I'm about to mention has caused it or if it's just coincidence.
In 2018 (85k mileage), I started noticing two seconds of loud clackering (for want of a better description) engine noise most times I started the engine. After six months of this, I though maybe the cambelt is on the way out (I have no idea what I'm talking about, though) and booked the car in for its first cambelt change along with the water pump too. Once the job was done, the clackering noise was still present. The mechanic stated it was just the oil pressure building up on an old car. I also had a full service at this time too.
Fast forward five years to 2024 (112k mileage), I've just had a power steering leak repaired, prop-shaft seal leak repaired, and a engine flush and oil change. Within 40 miles of collecting the car, the EML came on and the mechanic (different garage to five years ago) stated the fault code was suggesting something with the Camshaft (I didn't quite understand it). He said maybe it is due to the engine flush dislodging some sludge (the car's last oil change was in 2019 and it had be SORN for 2021 and 2022 so sitting still) and that is now blocking areas (i.e. solenoids). He cleared the code and said come back if the EML comes on again. 100 miles later it did. The mechanic said the same fault code showed. He took out the two solenoids and two other components in that area, and all were free of sludge. For this reason he doesn't feel the engine flush or oil sludge has caused the problem. The mechanic feels the Camshaft pullies were showing signs of failure in 2018 when the start-up clackering noise started (I had explained the history of the car's noises in case it helped). He suggests it's just coincidence that the EML showing the Camshaft pulley has come on within 40 miles of an engine flush, power steering leak fix, prop-shaft seal leak fix.
I trust these mechanics and they certainly know better than I do, but I just don't believe in coincidences of this sort.
For my curiosity, do you have any understanding if the three pieces of work has caused the VVT Camshaft Pulley for Inlet Camshaft to fail to the extent the EML is now on?
Could it be the repairs have made the car more efficient, increased engine pressure which has caused old, worn pullies to finally malfunction?
I'm trying to understand if there is a connection because I'm now in two minds whether to repair the car or not. If I repair this Camshaft pulley, which includes another cambelt replacement, then will this repair cause another part of the car to fail.
This question isn't looking for ammo against the garage. It's just one of those things and not their fault. It's purely curiosity and to help my decision on repairing it or not. I did want to drive the car for a few more years - hence paying for the two leak fixes and oil change.
Your thoughts are welcomed and apologies for the essay. Thanks. Read more
Do not top up the oil over the maximum mark . That could easily cause more trouble. Ask the garage what grade oil they used . The oil light monitors pressure, nothing else.
Hi all,
First time poster, apologies if I miss anything that may be mentioned on the forum rules.... Read more
If you buy a Civic it has magic seats. This gives flexibility for kids’ stuff and offers a low sill if you want, on occasion, to use that space for dogs.
Searching the internyet for a Yanmar 1GM10 manual, seems Haynes are now co-branded with Clymer, the American not-quite-so-good equivalent.
I'd guess a takeover, though could be a merger. Probably reflects a shrinking market, especially in The Yook.... Read more
In the 1960-80s cars were simple - the parsimonious and/or competent could fix their own cars. Unlike now, a decoke would be needed every 10-20k, and all components (steering, suspension, motors, etc etc) failed with depressing regularity.
Most jobs needed no more than a basic tool kit courtesy of Halfords + the odd special (eg: ball joint splitter)...
Hi, wife has got a galaxy mk3. Starts up in the morning and drives, after about 100mettes goes into limp mode. Stop the car, turn off and restart and is fine the rest of the day. Next day exactly the same. Only seemed to start with the recent cold mornings. Any clues before getting it diagnosed. Thanks for any ideas. Sparky 100. Read more
Stop this random checking of stuff.
As much fun as it is, it's almost impossible on modern stuff....
I need a tyre inflator for my VW Transporter van. The tyres need to be around 55 - 58 PSI. My old Michelin inflator did the job though occasionally would blow it's fuses. No real problem, I just kept a small stock of replacement 10A fuses. Mostly it just topped up 4 tyres from 48 ish to 55 ish every couple of moths or so. It has now packed up, and this model is no longer available.
Most of the inflators now on the market are only rated up to 40 or maybe 50 PSI. Some larger one look better but take 15 Amps so won't suit my van that has a 10A fuse on its 12V socket, though I suppose I could power it off my car that has a 20A 12V socket but sometimes we don't have the car with us when out campling.... Read more
www.paddockspares.com/da2392xs-double-pump-hd-port...l
I've had this one for years, it'll blow most cig lighter fuses so comes with croc clips connecting direct to battery, check and compare the LPM figure if you can find that figure on other types, will inflate a typical car tyre from flat to 30psi or so in a minute or less....
The DriveScore app from Clearscore seems a good way to check how well I drive. Has anyone managed to get lower insurance by using the app? Read more
Never used it myself and don't feel the need to either, partly because of my age and partly because I drive in a fairly sedate manner most of the time.
Looking at reviews on Trustpilot, it certainly appears that people are getting lower priced insurance through having a good score, though not everyone. ...
Is this the silliest thing ever.
Taxi with fairy lights up a pillars along top of windows and across top of rear window, multi-colored and twinkling away.... Read more
Re the lack of police, I'd assume this kind of thing could be enforced semi-automatically via CCTV/speed camera stylee remote sensing, plod participation free, so the offender just gets a picture of their illegal lights through the post along with a fine....
Browse
Presided over the best period in Volvo’s history in my opinion. From the tough as old boots Amazon, brick like 144, 240, 740 and 940 all of which could do huge mileages and run your family around in safety for decades to the later 850 series that was every bit as much a drivers car as a BMW 5 series yet retained Volvo's legendary longevity and safety.
The merger with Renault could’ve worked well as it offered Renault a premium brand and access to larger engines with granting Volvo access to smaller engines and platforms. As long as they retained their individual quality unlike Nissan did with their merger/takeover with Renault.