June 2025
Anyone watch this programme on Channel-4 (9pm Sunday) where four carefully chosen driver types and four others drove remotely 8 cars or vans into an unexpected HGV and trailer which crossed the 'reservation' ? All done on the runway at Cambbeltown, which is 2 miles long. Purpose was to examine how it happened, and what determined the damage. Read more
Can't ever recall the Backroom being as bad as this. Pretty much a pointless exercise trying to read anything. Or to log in.
Yes, I did post this, but it took ages and ages.... Read more
Fine here on Chrome.
When it was slow last week I used Firefox and that was OK
Please can someone let me know the correct spark plug gap for these special (expensive) laser iridium spark plugs I have bought for my daughter's 2010 Renault Modus. The plug type is NGK ILKAR7A7 91432. The electrode tips look less robust that normal plugs, so any advice on adjustment would also be great - many thanks :-) Read more
Thank you so much! You were right about info on the box, though - I should have looked. No actual torque setting but the diagrams do suggest hand tight + one half turn. The sump plug has a copper washer - I nearly missed it when it fell into the oil with a quiet plop when I wasn't looking. I found that the sump plug needs a square 8 mm key, which will fit into a 10 mm socket to turn. I found that the ideal length is 25 mm. Many thanks for your help and advice - it is really appreciated :-)
Its common to see old traffic signs re minor roads but this one in Surbiton (junction of Brighton Road and Victoria Road) has remained on a major A-road for as long as I can remember. Is it the sign that time forgot since the 1950s or are similar signs still to be found everywhere? Read more
Until recently there was an old 'services' sign half a mile north of Keele services in the Central Reservation intended for traffic going south.
Included an icon for a1960's style fuel pump and a couple of other old style wot nots. ...
Just acquired a 54 registered Jazz CVT for newly qualified daughter to get some driving experience in.
It’s got a slight judder when taking up drive, that I’d like to cure/diminish.
Consensus is that a fluid change would be the first port of call. The level is OK on the transmission dipstick, but the fluid is more an engine oil colour than the red I’d expect.
The problem I’m having is getting a garage to do it - even after I’ve explained that it’s a routine procedure. Two local garages so far have declined to do it.
Am I missing something here? What trap do they think they can fall down?
If need be I’ll do it with a suction pump via the dipstick tube. Read more
As a follow-up, just got back from having the CVT fluid changed and additive added and all the judder has gone.
Despite the car have receipts for everything, I couldn’t find any trace of a transmission service since 2014 - 79,000 miles ago. Recommended interval is 25,000.
The fluid that came out was not pretty.
I’ve not put genuine Honda fluid in at the moment - it’s got correct spec generic CVT fluid. The plan is to run that for a month or two, let it perform a flush, drop it again and refill with the gold plated Honda stuff.
There was some accumulation of swarf on the magnetic drain plug.
To add to the Jazz aircon issues elsewhere, my 2012 Megane 1.6dci has decided to stop supplying chilled air.
It had been parked for a few weeks, but the A/C was working when I got back to it. Later that first trip, it stopped working.
Just had it successfully gassed, no leaks. But still no A/C. The compressor is apparently fuse 22 under the bonnet, but having removed the cover to the fuse box there’s a second, seemingly impenetrable, cover before I can get to the fuses. Small screwdriver blade and prise it open?
Will it have thrown any codes to anything other than dealer level diagnostics?
I’m guessing the next stop is the pressure switch, but that looks like a job from below?
Looking for inspiration, really.
These figures mean anything to anyone - 1drv.ms/i/c/17e69ccba74524e3/EWMP_3npRK1FhtVZgII1c...A Read more
Thanks for your help. It’s about to get parked up again for a few weeks so I’ll worry about it next month.
Hi my wife is currently driving a seat Ibiza 2009 1.4. The cigarette lighter has stopped working and she's been using power banks I finally got time today to have a look at it The fuse had blown so I've replaced the fuse however even with a new fuse I can't get any power at the socket I've managed to get the socket out of the dash and test it and I can't seem to get any kind of current can anybody suggest something please Yes I replaced the fuse and turned the ignition on before I tested for current and couldn't get anything thank you Read more
I can't get any power at the socket I've managed to get the socket out of the dash and test it and I can't seem to get any kind of current
Be careful with VAG cars of this age they usually have permanently live 12v sockets (not affected by ignition switch) so you might blow another fuse pulling the socket out live. To further fault find you'll need a multimeter to check live and earth feed....
Hi Folks,... Read more
As an interested party. Someone who lost a brother through a "functioning alcoholic" who drove while on medication to "assist" with that persons problems and they critically injured a family member who needs lifelong care.
Anyone who is in the above circumstances should not be allowed to drive till they are clear for at least 5 years, and then have an alcolock fitted to the car....
A friend was driving to work. He was hit by new driver with a P plate. The partner in the car, suggested to pay direct for repairs, rather then claim on the insurance. Is this a good okay? No estimate obtained to repair. I think they are waiting for a quote from my friend, to decide what to do. The damage is bumped and body work.
I have told my friend, he should inform insurers, but does he need to provide details of the other vehicle/driver?... Read more
Unless both parties have a signed agreement on final settlement, even after verbal settlement and paying off others' damage, one can still go via insurance!
So best to contact insurer especially if you are not at fault.
Rather than resurrecting the old 'Which Boiler' thread I thought I'd start a new one. I've been told a 15+ yr old Ideal Mini C24(Kw) a weepy auto air valve replacing and also the gas control valve is 'not working fully' - and also needs replacement. It is also in 'poor condition'. Cost - £450. Dilemma is repair or replace? It's in a tiny modernish house with one bathroom, three small rads and two larger ones. I am minded to replace, but quotes have been north of the £2k mark!
The C24 is still apparently widely available for only around £800 including a filter. I am happy to pay £800 for the component parts and the time to assemble them into such a brilliant working machine delivered to my door. However, I am not happy to pay a gas fitter more than £100 an hour to come and drain, flush and perform a simple non-emergency like for like exchange, which according to Google should take no longer than 4-6 hrs, e.g.a day's work - or less if experienced and competent. (my benchmark - locum day rates for GPs are c.£6-800). ... Read more
You may find a demand for sc*** boilers due to the high metal content which may also include copper and aluminium. In many areas just leave a boiler, oven, etc in the front of the house and it will be gone before the day is out.
The bit that our local recycling centre have problems is building waste - hardcore, plasterboard, slabs, tiles etc. It won't burn, won't rot, can't be upcycled or recycled - just goes to landfill.
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quite, in practice her Prius could easily been seen and avoided, hitting that was for dramatic effect, and the chap driving the big pick up would most likely have not hit anything at all had it not been for the dust.