December 2001
Could anyone point me in the right direction re information on the carburettor, fitted to a 1990 Nissan Prairie Mk2. There is no Haynes manual for this model but, I understand that the same carb might be fitted to the Bluebird range. Could anyone confirm this ? What I really need is some guidance on setting up and checking the auto choke, ie, the electrically heated bimetallic coil which should (I think) close the choke flap on cold start up. Any assistance would be much appreciated. Thank you. Read more
News item regarding our plane spotters in Greece. They were thought a bit unusual but there's nothing new.
Clearing the roof space the other day and found not only my Ian Allen train spotters books but also a gem.
Its the Grantleigh CAR SPOTTERS record book which cost 1shilling and threepence.
In the inside cover amongst the instructions it says."This book has been designed to assist CAR SPOTTERS in keeping an accurate and descriptive account of vehicles passing a given place.
It then goes on to grimly say.
"It is very essential that entries made are clear and easy to read as they may be of great assistance to the Police in cases where robberies or accidents have occurred and they must be carefully kept for future reference. REMEMBER.. YOUR vigilance may be of the utmost impotance to the authorities"
I have many entries recorded in Oct 1950 including number of passengers carried etc and then I must have got bored with it. There was just to long a wait before the next one came along.
My wife fell about laughing when she just looked at it,she would have been playing with dolls at this time a much more rewarding and important task.
But dosn't it say something of the innocence and difference in life style of today when kids have to have interests found for them.
My wife suggests I should take it down to the local Police station in case it could clear up unsolved crime. My answer was there would be nobody there after 4.0pm. Another thought was this was the precursor to cameras.
Alvin Read more
The Greeks do tend to be a bit touchy about their bases, I believe, having spoken to some locals on Crete last year that it has a lot to do with their fear of conflict with the Turks. They seem to have been at loggerheads for years, particularly since the Cyprus invasion and seem to treat anyone 'snooping' about a bit suspiciously, just as the Met would if someone with a Irish accent parked a lorry up in Whitehall.
Hi
I have posted on this issue previously. My better half's f reg 1989 1050 polo l is still giving her serious jip. Cuts out when coming to a halt, rough idling etc etc.
I have had it in to be looked at numerous times and most of the main culprits have been ruled out. The carb has been reconditioned and seems ok. new carb gasket, fuel filter changed, plugs changed, leads checked, idle up, idle down, advanced, retarded.
I am almost at a total loss and have used up too many favours with my local friendly mechanic. I checked the oil cap tonight atfer more complaints and found evidence of mayonaisse. I understand that this can occur, esp when subject to short runs never getting warm properly, and doesn't necessarily mean head gasket problems (no excessive oil or water consumption).
Can anyone offer a solution? The only other option is to flog it and get something japanese.
Please help as we both have nearly three weeks off together this christmas, and I don't want to be under the bonnet (as opposed to the thumb).
Jonathan Read more
I've just thought of one more.
The OE HT leads on polos do not require the plugs to have the little screw on tops, someone replaces the leads with cheap aftermarket items that do need this little cap resulting in a really poor connection.
Worth a look?
Sorry to anyone I have asked before but does anyone know of a good 4 wheel alignment specialist in the North East? I have searched the web but can only find a few places down south.
From looking on the web I believe that the Hunter machines are the best so if anyone knows someone who has one of these all the better.
Thanks Read more
Phone round all the tyre places, preferably the independents and find one with "Supertracker" laser 4 wheel system. My local independent down in Crawley has one and even I can do my own tracking accurately!!
Seen on another web board... it is of interest how much of it fits this site as well (esp. over the last few weeks) ~R
Words: Tom Holt
To be sung to "Modern Major General" by Gilbert & Sullivan
I am the very model of a Newsgroup personality.
I intersperse obscenity with tedious banality.
Addresses I have plenty of, both genuine and ghosted, too,
On all the countless newsgroups that my drivel is cross-posted to.
Your bandwidth I will fritter with my whining and my snivelling,
And you're the one who pays the bill, downloading all my drivelling.
My enemies are numerous, and no-one would be blaming you,
For cracking my head open after I've been rudely flaming you.
I hate to lose an argument (by now I should be used to it).
I wouldn't know a valid point if I was introduced to it.
My learning is extensive but consists of mindless trivia,
Designed to fan my ego, which is larger than Bolivia.
The comments that I vomit forth, disguised as jest and drollery,
Are really just an exercise in unremitting trollery.
I say I'm frank and forthright, but that's merely lies and vanity,
The gibberings of one who's at the limits of his sanity.
If only I could get a life, as many people tell me to;
If only Mom could find a circus freak-show she could sell me to;
If I go off to Zanzibar to paint the local scenery;
If I lose all my fingers in a mishap with machinery;
If I survive to twenty, which is somewhat problematical;
If what I post was more mature, or slightly more grammatical;
If I could learn to spell a bit, and maybe even punctuate;
Would I still be the loathsome and objectionable punk you hate?
But while I have this tiresome urge to prance around and show my face,
It simply isn't safe for normal people here in cyberspace.
To stick me in Old Sparky and turn on the electricity,
Would be a fitting punishment for my egocentricity.
I always have the last word; so, with uttermost finality,
That's all from me, the model of a Newsgroup personality. Read more
Well, I was about to volunteer to sign off as well, but as the moderator objects.......
As for "if the shoe fits": for a moment there I thought that the lyrics were aimed at me. The shape of the shoe does seem to exactly fit the imprints from the severe kickings I'm continuoulsy receiving.
When I first got my Accord (2000W), I was rather disappointed to find that it only had one rear fog light (even my old Cavalier had two).
A quick look around the rear light cluster on the nearside showed that all the holes where there, only the bulb holder was missing. So, off I went to my Honda dealer and got the right holder, wired it in parallel with the existing lamp and lo and behold - TWO fog lights.
BUT, after having used them today for the first time in anger, they won't switch off! It's not the switch (removing it makes no difference), so at the moment I have removed the fuse.
Moral: don't mess with the electrics of any modern car unless you know what you're doing.
Andy
(PS Any Honda experts out there tell me where the problem might be?) Read more
I prefer the design where the fog lamps are the same as the running lights only brighter and the brake lights are separate from both. I think the Sierra configured things this way, at least until the PCB's in the lights corroded and all the lights come on or short together.
Hello guys,
I have been put in charge of finding a cheap new car for my younger ( 23 ) sister she currently has a H registered Astra Belmont 1.6 which has become troublesome - she is on the last warning from the AA that they will charge her if she has them out again. Also as she lives in London, somebody tries to nick it nearly every night, so it has to go. Question is what would be a suitable replacement capable of occasional motorway journeys, Very cheap to run and insure and which will not attract the attention of light fingered scum ? I am thinking along the lines of: Volvo 340, VW polo saloon, Ford escort diesel. or even a Van.
Cheers
Dave Read more
Diesel D, Speaking as one who offered a response to your enquiry about a cheap runaround for your sister (which was the starting point of this thread), I'm sorry that you had some less than amusing comments. It is my hope that they were, on the whole, sent without a sense of tongue in cheek / intended humour. I agree though that they, perhaps went on for too long and ceased to be unfunny. I would want to be considered unduly sad and twisted myself and the minority of contributors did their best to offer no idea for you, which I hope you found amusing.
Regards, Rob.
PS On the basis that any unnickable car (on an undesirability basis) will need a maintainence fund to keep it going, I'd go for a Polo. Without being too sexist, girls seem to like the saloon versions, which are relatively less abused. £400-500 should buy you a mint one. Change timing belt and water pump, keep eye on fluid levels and it will take several years to kill it. Look after them and they last for ever. No PAS. Disklok not needed, unless perhaps H-reg on facelift model.
I have a '96 Xantia 1.9 TD estate - base spec (and I mean base spec! )
The interior courtesy lights do not seem to have a "off" postion - all other cars that I have either owned or known have 3 settings;
1. On went doors are open / Off when doors are closed
2. Permanently On
3. Permanently Off
The xantia seems to lack this "permanently off" position. They have a two position switch which - switches them permanently on or on/off with the doors opening/closing.
Any ideas ?
Chad.R
PS. the courtesy lights are located either side above the front seatbelt fixings on the door pillar. There are also some reading lights located either side near the front "grap-handles" these are not operated by the opening/closing of the doors and have normal on/off switches. Read more
Just tried it, the alarm still sounds with the lights off. May just be my version of the Xantia, it's the original without the non-return valve.
Lee.
Could some one please explain in lay man terms how does car A/C work? Why does it cost more in terms of petrol costs? Read more
The Labour Party (Bush House Branch) would never allow the Beeb to broadcast anything which cast fun at The Leader and his cronies.
My wife bought a used Fiat Punto about 18 months ago from a Fiat Dealer, she's had no problems with the car but as we're thinking about selling it soon, I wanted to clarify something that's been nagging me ever sinse she bought it;
The car was a "1 previous owner" job, the selling dealer had registered the car in their name after purchasing it - WHY ?
I always thought that the "trade" didn't have to register cars - would they have registered it to get round some tax issue or similar ?
Or maybe it could be to cover up something more sinister......... ?
Any answers/ ideas would be welcome ....... if only to put me out of my misery.
Chad.R Read more
Tomo, which insurer do you use? I have been issued trade plates but cannot find an insurer willing to cover (other than Tradex at ££££ rates) imported cars until they have been registered with the DVLA (and these are full UK spec jobs with CoC's). Defeats the point of having the trade plates to get the cars from port to registration office!
Browse
.jpg)
What sometimes hapens with these is the mechanism gets lubricated, then dirt sticks to t, then it doesn't move. A good clean-up of the mechanism on the side of the carb might help, (and don't lubricate).