April 2007
I've managed to put a 600mm crack in my windscreen (from the inside whilst carelessly loading long lengths of wood) and I've been pricing up a new one. From Autoglass: £791. (Fitted). From a one man band on the local industrial estate £126 (genuine OEM screen, includes fitting).
I don't understand how Autoglass can get away with such a huge mark up.
As it happens the screen is covered by my insurance, so it will cost me £75 for the excess, and the Autoglass sales person insists it will not affect my NCB or renewal premium. The sales person also told me that the insurance company will probably pay 'well over £500'.
I don't get this either, the insurance company are happy to shell out over £500 and not get this money back through higher premiums. I only pay £175 a year fully comp.
Surely there's a catch some where? And if Autoglas are really making that much money on each screen, what are my chances of getting them to contribute towards the excess? Read more
Hi all,
My 2003 TDCi appears to have problems starting the engine.
Upon turning the key, the dashboard lights appear normal. The next thing that happens is that I hear a metallic whirring noise that persists until I turn the ignition off. This can occurr a second or third time. Then eventually the engine fires up as normal with no extra lights on the dashboard.
I can't yet tell whether it will only do it on a warm or cold engine or both, but I would guess that the temperature of the engine is unrelated.
My guess is that something from the starter motor is not engaging with the engine and this therefore does not turn over. I hope that its a simple re-greasing job.
Any help will much appreciated.
Red Baron Read more
my mum n dad used to have a ford mondeo 2.0tdci on a "53"plate and we had problems starting it ...it would start one min then the next it wouldnt ...we had it put on the diagnostics and it turned out to be a crank shaft sensor ... the part cost about £20 + labour so its not a major problem
I've noticed a fuel additive called dipethane - www.dipetanedistribution.co.uk - the distributor makes great claims for both diesel and unleaded vehicles, but is it really any good? Read more
I don't know about Dipetane, never heard of it !
Some months ago many backroomers decided to treat their fuel with Acetone (myself included), and most reported improvements in performance and consumption.
Does anyone still use it ? I don't !
Back in this thread: www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=42666
LeePower said "I hope it aint the early 4 pin type of Peugeot lockers, They are real fun to get off!"
My step-son has a Pug 306 with what appears to be these 4 pin type locking nuts. Apart from getting someone to drill them off (£80 for the 4 in a nearby tyre place) what other options do we have?
Ta Read more
These are some of the easiest (similar to Citroen) and only take 10 minutes to remove all four at http://lockingwheelnutsremoved.com/
Quick Q chaps.
Am at daughter's and she has just had probs with above car. She commutes 50 miles per day, mainly motorway and she does not hang about. Her '04 Clio has done 65k and had a new EGR about 18 months ago. The other day it suddenly lost power on the M11, dropping from 80 mph (oops, I mean 70mph) to 40mph. She got to hard shoulder, called RAC who came out, could find nothing wrong, restarted it and she carried on. On return commute, all went well until final mile or so when it repeatedly stalled at roundabouts, traffic lights etc. Next morning it drove OK to dealer, who could not find a fault (or fault code), next morning they took it for a longer drive, with "computer reader" plugged in and diagnosed an EGR fault. On inspection they said it was "all clogged up with carbon". So, EGR has been replaced - cost of £270.
So,
a. Does this diagnosis sound reasonable? (Should an EGR fail every 18months/30k?)
b. Does £270 sound reasonable - seems rather a lot to me, but then I know nowt about it!
c. Is this a regular occurrence with 1.5DCi engines? I don't like the thought of my daughter commuting up and down M11 every day in a car which suddenly losses power.
Sorry, not as quick a Q as I anticipated!! Thanks for your patience!
--
Phil Read more
>Phil
I bought a 3 year old Yaris diesel 13 months ago.
So far the only problem I've had was a nail in a rear tyre and the Toyota service was cheap £110 ish and excellent. Plus an average 58mpg : mainly urban driving.
Can highly recommend: nice brakes as well especially in the wet: ABS and brake assist: often have both working in bad conditions.
(I drove a 1.0,1.3 and diesel and the diesel was the fastest, nicest to drive and quietest at speed...)
madf
Right then. Hello there.
Me and a friend of mine bought a 1997 Mondeo from Auction. It came with the V5, keys, etc. No signs of it ever being stolen or tampered with.
We have just noticed the fact that the VIN plate is... missing!!!
I do have a few questions;
1) Is there any legitimate reason why the VIN plate would have been taken off?
2) The V5 number does match the number on a sticker by the doors, but I hear there is another plate on the floorpan somewhere? Does anyone know roughly where it is so I can check it?
The only thing is that the car used to be owned by a leasing firm. Do you perhaps think they would have taken the VIN plate for 'safekeeping'?
Replies most appreciated! Read more
I've not had a chance too yet, the car is parked several miles away. I will do though asap. Thanks again
My wife has received an NIP, her car was caught speeding by a fixed gatso, we know the road and use it very often so we know the camera location hence are surprised to receive the NIP. However assuming it is correct in that an offence was committed (i.e. the camera calibration is not erroneous or someone local has not cloned her number plate) we have an issue - we cannot be totally sure who was driving at the time of the offence.
In this regard the NIP states:
"What to do if you are not sure who was driving during the alleged offence. It is the legal responsibility of the vehicle's keeper to nominate who was driving at the time of the alleged offence. However, if you are having difficulty establishing who was driving you may contact the Camera Processing Unit and they will check if the photographic evidence can be of assistance"
However .....
The supplied leaflet "Speed and Red Light Detection Your Questions Answered" says "
...... a Conditional Offer is an alternative to prosecution in court whereby you pay a fixed penalty and have three penalty points put on your licence. The full penalty .................... is a fine up to £1000, 3-6 penalty points ....................... to accept the Conditional Offer you must accept that you have committed the alleged offence ................................. if you dispute the allegation or require more evidence you will need to ask for a court hearing".
Therefore .....
If my wife does as the NIP suggests and contacts the Camera Processing Unit so they can check if the photographic evidence can be of assistance in identifying the driver, will this automatically lead to the Conditional Offer being voided and therefore a court hearing as the leaflet "Speed and Red Light Detection ............" seems to indicate?
Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated ??
----------
On a more general note it seems totally wrong that they can impose a penalty for an "offence" for which they only have provided limited evidence and in effect expect the vehicle keeper to provide the missing evidence which may therefore may result in them incriminating them self.
Furthermore the two statements "It is the legal responsibility of the vehicle's keeper to nominate who was driving at the time of the alleged offence." and "to accept the Conditional Offer you must accept that you have committed the alleged offence" seem to be designed to intimidate the vehicle keeper into paying the penalty and accepting the points even though the evidence provided is incomplete, and the complete evidence may be inconclusive, with the threat of a larger fine, perhaps more points and a court hearing.
----------
Regards.
Read more
First of all let me make it clear that I do not doubt Mr and Mrs Cheddars integrity for one moment.
What we have here is a modern system of automated crime detection and a flawed method of trying to enforce it. The SCP has a photograph of a car which is breaking the speed limit. From its numberplate they have assumed that it belongs to Mrs C. They have sent her a form(172?) asking her to confirm her ownership of the vehicle. I cannot remember the exact wording of the form, but if they are asking her if she owns the vehicle with that numberplate then the answer has to be yes. If they are asking her if she owns the vehicle with that numberplate, on their photograph, then the answer has to be a maybe.(It could be a clone). The "evidence" supplied by the SCP is inconclusive. It may not even be Mrs C's car.
Mrs C is obliged to fill in the form, honestly and without perjuring herself. If I remember correctly, and it is 8 years since I have completed one, then the fact that you have to fill it in makes it inadmissible as evidence (a confession obtained under duress and threat of prosicution which is contrary to some part of human rights legislation.). If she therefore says, quite honestly, that she cannot remember who was driving, and the matter goes to court, then the only admissible evidence are the indeterminate photographs.
In my opinion, a conviction on this alone would be unjust.
If the camera had been two pairs of eyes in a patrol car then the problem would not have arisen.
Have a very slight blow in my exhaust. Around the back of the box. It's only audible on start up but it can only get worse...
I remember my Dad always repairing his old Cortina exhaust with special putty. Is this still a worthwhile job? I see Halfords do a 'kit' for £15 which is probably quite a few quid less than a new back box. I expect it isn't too difficult? How long could I expect a repair to last? Read more
Personally I find prevention saves a lot of money. A wire brush off of any rust and a coat of heat proof paint make a conventional system last years At least mine last >10 years so far...
madf
Hi there,
Any advice on getting rid of dog smells in the car. We bought it about a month ago and it had been fully valeted (extremely well!) but the dreaded smell of dog has returned..... So far I have used serious amounts of Febreze (would be worth taking out shares!) and been leaving windows open when I can.
Please help!!! Read more
>>Most supermarkets sell Neutradol products>>
The Poundsaver type stores usually sell them even cheaper than Tesco, Morrison's etc - some currently have Neutradol aerosols with 33 per cent extra included for just 99p and the sachets for around the same price.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
B-I-L is looking to get one of these cars. They have a static caravan that they go to regularly taking dog, bikes etc to it as well as any furnishings etc reqd.
He really likes the Berlingo but is open to suggestions as to pros and cons of each one. He will definitely be wanting a diesel variant.
So any input that anyone can give would be appreciated. I know there are some several happy Berlingo owners here, what do you like, why were they better than the competition. Should he be looking at the older 2.0 hdi or the new 1.6 hdi?
What about the Doblo , looks to be more powerful in the 1.9JTD variant and used prices (which he would be looking at) seem to be a bit cheaper than the Berlingo?
Can you put the seats down easily and lift a couple of mountain bikes into the back without taking wheels off etc?
Any advice, thoughts, ideas are much appreciated.
Read more
hi ive got a 53 plate 2.0 berlingo and it strugles 2 go over 70 i got it second hand it also realy lacks power and cant overtake anything do you think its restricted? if so how? apart from that a great van my mate has a doblo and i prefer berlingo 45-50 per gallon it seems however i drive
Browse
.jpg)
Exactly. Windscreens can vary from completely plain pattern parts of dubious quality and strength from dubious sources
>
>>>>>>>>
bit of sand
bit of wire
bit of heat
what have you got ?glass
very expensive
all this bonding and strength thing sometimes is a bit far fetched even down to the piffling adverts on the radio where the customer has a little crack
yes they do add torsional rigidity to the shell but so does shutting the tailgate on a trip to the dump