http://www.autobanter.co.uk A web gateway with the finest UK car related newsgroups. en Sat, 25 May 2013 09:10:08 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/images/002/misc/rss.jpg http://www.autobanter.co.uk http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56910&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 10:28:51 GMT Will this damn Focus never stop going wrong? First there was the thoroughly
annoying reversing light failure fiasco last year resulting in me clipping
the garden wall with the back bumper and cracking it because I couldn't see
where I was reversing in the dark and now the second thing to break in 12
years has happened.

Popped round to The Gary's workshop a couple of weekends ago to take off the
front M&S tyres and fit summer ones on his tyre changer in the hope that the
winter weather has finally ended. Couldn't find any decent 205/50/16s at the
council tip for the back end so we moved the 50 series Toyo CF1s which had
been on the back to the front and fitted a pair of fairly decent tip sourced
205/55/16 Kumhos to the rear. About 4mm tread left on them and online road
tests seem to indicate they grip well enough wet or dry which I soon
confirmed. Being on the back they won't affect the speedo or the fuel
consumption so I really couldn't be arsed about the tiny difference in size.
However a couple of days later I was leaving a friend's house and the
traction control kicked in at 20 mph and stopped me dead in my tracks until
I pressed the centre console button and switched it off. Thought no more
about it but then it happened again a day or so later and several times
since.

Racking my brains I've now twigged it's the traction control system thinking
that the bigger tyres on the back are rotating at a different speed to the
front tyres and we must be sliding. The difference in radius is a mere 1cm
or 3% which is barely more than the difference between brand new and
completely bald tyres but it seems to be big enough to occasionally trigger
the overly protective skid control system and cut the power completely in
case the idiot driving is about to kill himself.

Ok so I suppose this is not actually the car's fault and I can't really call
it a failure and even more annoyingly the reversing light having been AWOL
for a year has started working again so we're now back down to zero failures
in 12 years which is frankly reprehensible and something Ford should be
thoroughly ashamed of. How the hell do they expect to make any money from
servicing and repairs to plough back into future car development if nothing
ever breaks or even worse the things that do break then eventually fix
themselves again?

I thought self repairing technology was purely in the realms of sci-fi
novels but apparently not. So I suppose I'd better haunt the tip for a while
until I find a set of decent 50/16s to match the fronts or some 55/16s to
match the rears and until then I'll have to manage by switching the TC
button off every time I go out. God it's a hard life.
--
Dave Baker

]]> uk.rec.cars.maintenance (Car Maintenance) Dave Baker http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56910 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56909&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 13:27:49 GMT I went over the auction today looking for a 7 seater. Was surprised to see Scenics going for as low as 6k on a 10 plate. Is there anything wrong with them or are they just a cheap motor? I went over the auction today looking for a 7 seater. Was surprised to
see Scenics going for as low as 6k on a 10 plate. Is there anything
wrong with them or are they just a cheap motor?

]]> uk.rec.cars.maintenance (Car Maintenance) James P http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56909 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56908&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 12:12:31 GMT Wife's TD5 on 02 plate, has had a few issues with the battery going flat.
Yesterday, she went out to it - fortunately on the drive - turned the key,
and nothing. It had been running fine shortly before. I went out with my
meter, and the battery was completely dead. It looks an old battery, so I
figured that it had just finally died. I had one do exactly the same a few
years back on a Focus. No warning. Just stopped.

So today, she went and got a nice shiny new one from Halfords. I put it in
place, hooked on the positive terminal, then went for it with the negative
terminal. There was a bloody great flash, and the engine started cranking,
so I whipped it back off again. Quick repeat, same thing. So I got her to
come out with the key, figuring that it was perhaps jammed in mesh and
holding the main solenoid contacts in, and that if the engine was started,
it would 'fling out' and all would be well. She turned it on. I dumped the
terminal on and it cranked, and started immediately, After a few seconds of
it running and sounding just fine - no whines or graunches or other naughty
noises - I got her to turn it back off, fully expecting all to now be well.
But no ...

The engine stopped running for sure - well, under its own steam anyway - but
there was the bloody starter motor cranking away still. I have since popped
the starter relay (I'm assuming it's the big yellow one marked on the lid
diagram as "SM") and still the starter runs as soon as the battery is
connected. This has got to be a mechanical starter motor issue, right ?
Something that's 'fixable' on one of them, or is the starter motor a
sealed-for-life sort of thing ...?

Arfa

]]> uk.rec.cars.maintenance (Car Maintenance) Arfa Daily http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56908 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56907&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 19:50:45 GMT Hi All,

Well, my heart has triumphed over my head once again and I've bought a Lotus Elise.

IMO the '02 model' looks very pretty in Ardent Red.

Well, the battery warning light came on before I got it home!

Despite charging the battery overnight it let me down on the 2nd day.
Luckily I had stopped for fuel where the discount place I get my batteries is around the back.

But health & safety rules dictated that the technician couldn't fit the battery while at the pumps,
although I didn't mind as he helped me push the car the short distance to where it was ok.

So, the new battery has allowed me to play with my new toy for another day, but I must sort it.

So, my questions are:-

1) Do I have to remove the undertray to fit a new alternator drive belt (which I've bought).
or is it best done by removing the rear offside wheel?

How does the wheel arch liner come off?

2) Does anyone know the best source of a manual - is there a genuine Lotus service manual, or is the Haynes Enthusiast Guide any good?

Thanks.





]]> uk.rec.cars.maintenance (Car Maintenance) http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56907 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56906&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 14:20:13 GMT ....or maybe diff.


Our 1997 1.9 TD Fiat Ducato based motorhome transmission is rather "growly"
under load. On overrun or in neutral, all the noise disappears.

I rather suspect this falls under the category of "not a good thing" but
the question is, "how bad a thing" is this?

Is it a case of

A) They all do that sir
B) it's common in older vans but doesn't mean imminent self immolation. You
could try some different oil/oil treatment product.
or
C) Prepare yourself for a gearbox rebuild.

Which is it?

Tim
]]> uk.rec.cars.maintenance (Car Maintenance) Tim+ http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56906 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56905&goto=newpost Sun, 19 May 2013 16:55:44 GMT hi there, using a voltmeter logger i have taken voltage measurements from both the cig lighter and the accessory socket. for a kia they give 12.1-12.5v when engine is on or off. while engine is running if you turn on headlamps or fan etc, momentarily it will spike up to 13.8 and then go back to 12..5. i guess the alternator might be a smart type which disengages with a clutch if not needed. on... hi there, using a voltmeter logger i have taken voltage measurements from both the cig lighter and the accessory socket. for a kia they give 12.1-12.5v when engine is on or off. while engine is running if you turn on headlamps or fan etc, momentarily it will spike up to 13.8 and then go back to 12..5. i guess the alternator might be a smart type which disengages with a clutch if not needed.

on other cars i tested this on ( e.g. ford, peugeot) i found that with car engine is off you get 12.5, with car on you get a steady 14-14.1v , regardless of if you turn on headlamps etc.

i suspect that certain electronic accessories meant for plugging into the cig outlet might expect 14v if they are intended to work with engine running, and might not work as intended with the pure 12v. i am finding this issue with a navigator which has a internal 12v battery which is charged from the accessory socket.

anyone else observe this? thanks
K
]]> uk.rec.cars.maintenance (Car Maintenance) beerismygas http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56905 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56904&goto=newpost Sun, 19 May 2013 09:27:20 GMT Hi all Anyone know where I can find a master cylinder repair kit for a 1995 corsa b? Ive googled till me fingers bleed but have drawn a blank Cheers Trev Hi all
Anyone know where I can find a master cylinder repair kit for a 1995 corsa
b?
Ive googled till me fingers bleed but have drawn a blank
Cheers
Trev

]]> uk.rec.cars.maintenance (Car Maintenance) Trev http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56904 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56903&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 15:09:26 GMT I do know how to replace them...


http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...reaking-it!%29

But, I've seen poor results[1] from these alternatives

http://www.eurocarparts.com/search/4...90/p/Car-Parts

and

http://www.vwsonline.co.uk/car_parts...-945-511d.html

[1] either brake lights stuck on, or lights completely non functional.



So me third purchase, VW original?

--
Adrian C





]]> uk.rec.cars.maintenance (Car Maintenance) http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56903 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56902&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 08:00:07 GMT Hi everyone, Just after a quick bit of advice please and guidence, My car - citreon picasso 55 reg, has started vibrating/juddering when using first gear to pull away. It doesnt do it on all the other 4 gears. If i put the gas right down this seem to cure the judder so im thinking perhaps more on the lines of some gas valve or something like that but cant Hi everyone,

Just after a quick bit of advice please and guidence,

My car - citreon picasso 55 reg, has started vibrating/juddering when using
first gear to pull away.
It doesnt do it on all the other 4 gears.

If i put the gas right down this seem to cure the judder so im thinking
perhaps more on the lines of some gas valve or something like that but cant
be sure? just wanted an idea before i look at taking it to a garage and
getting stitched up!

Any help most appriciated.

Thanks

Peter


]]> uk.rec.cars.misc (General Car Discussions) Peter Jenkins http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56902 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56901&goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 16:04:41 GMT The display above the radio & central air vents should show clock,
temperature, and the radio settings.

For several months it has only been half illuminated - so one side was
virtually invisible - presumably there are two lamps behind it and one
had failed.

Now nothing is visible so presumably the other lamp has failed.

How easy is it to get the assembly apart to replace the bulbs? Is it
practical for a competent DIY person?

Thanks ...

--
Graham J
]]> uk.rec.cars.maintenance (Car Maintenance) Graham J http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56901 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56900&goto=newpost Wed, 15 May 2013 14:26:03 GMT What size TORX driver is needed to remove the rear screen washer outlet / light module on a 2004 Focus hatchback? Thanks What size TORX driver is needed to remove the rear screen washer outlet / light module on a 2004 Focus hatchback?

Thanks
]]> uk.rec.cars.maintenance (Car Maintenance) http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56900 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56899&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 22:19:44 GMT mk4 golf 1.6 8v 99 auto I have had a weep on the high pressure power steering line from pump to rack for a while now not gotten any worse but I should fix it before it worsens and I run the pump dry causing more pain to my wallet. Can I use anything to patch this pipe or is it best to replace ? I was hoping to put a patch on it of some sorts ? as vw quoted me £137 for the pipe. mk4 golf 1.6 8v 99 auto

I have had a weep on the high pressure power steering line from pump to rack
for a while now not gotten any worse but I should fix it before it worsens
and I run the pump dry causing more pain to my wallet. Can I use anything to
patch this pipe or is it best to replace ?

I was hoping to put a patch on it of some sorts ? as vw quoted me £137 for
the pipe.

Its such a minute weep and i don't even need to top the pas fluid up. I
check it often but only top it up every 4 months or so. So I just want to
patch it if it won't upset the mot guy who noted it down as an advisory,
that said maybe best to replace the pipe. But just wondering whats involved
with that ?

]]> uk.rec.cars.maintenance (Car Maintenance) http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56899 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56898&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 22:19:44 GMT mk4 golf 1.6 8v 99 auto I have had a weep on the high pressure power steering line from pump to rack for a while now not gotten any worse but I should fix it before it worsens and I run the pump dry causing more pain to my wallet. Can I use anything to patch this pipe or is it best to replace ? I was hoping to put a patch on it of some sorts ? as vw quoted me £137 for the pipe. mk4 golf 1.6 8v 99 auto

I have had a weep on the high pressure power steering line from pump to rack
for a while now not gotten any worse but I should fix it before it worsens
and I run the pump dry causing more pain to my wallet. Can I use anything to
patch this pipe or is it best to replace ?

I was hoping to put a patch on it of some sorts ? as vw quoted me £137 for
the pipe.

Its such a minute weep and i don't even need to top the pas fluid up. I
check it often but only top it up every 4 months or so. So I just want to
patch it if it won't upset the mot guy who noted it down as an advisory,
that said maybe best to replace the pipe. But just wondering whats involved
with that ?

]]> uk.rec.cars.maintenance (Car Maintenance) http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56898 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56897&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 19:12:21 GMT Hi all, 3 years ago, I bought a 5 litre container of DOT4 brake fluid. I changed the brake/clutch fluid on my then car, a Pug 206. Unsurprisingly enough, I had over 2.5Litres left. I left this in the garage. The lid was screwed tightly on but of course the silver foil/paper disc has been removed. I now have a VW Golf MKIV estate that I would like to change the Hi all,

3 years ago, I bought a 5 litre container of DOT4 brake fluid. I changed
the brake/clutch fluid on my then car, a Pug 206.

Unsurprisingly enough, I had over 2.5Litres left. I left this in the
garage. The lid was screwed tightly on but of course the silver
foil/paper disc has been removed.

I now have a VW Golf MKIV estate that I would like to change the
brake/clutch fluid on.

Now can I use the DOT4 fluid thats been stored in my garage undisturbed
for 3 years or must I use a new fresh bottle of DOT4 fluid?

Looking forward to your replies,

Stephen.
]]> uk.rec.cars.maintenance (Car Maintenance) http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56897 http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56895&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 07:04:30 GMT I've heard the scheme is going to be expanded, and that retail outlets are not going to take payment for the charge shortly. Have been doing a bit of digging and found you can pay the same rate on any day on a website called http://paythelondoncongestioncharge.co.uk. You can pay many days into the future too, should avoid any of those penalties. .
]]> uk.rec.cars.misc (General Car Discussions) markgiro2013@gmail.com http://www.autobanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56895