TomB

I've found the performance on Veggie diesel MUCH better than on conventional (not tested, RR'd etc. but it feels a hell of a lot more responsive). Sorry, I can't help you with the blending question I'm afraid, but let me know how you get on! Cheers, Tom

I run my Golf on it (see sig :-)) and have previously used it in a Passat & an Audi for a total of about 4 years with no problems. There are however a lot pf different fuels under the moniker of biodiesel.... Most of these are a 5% blend of vegetable oil & 95% normal diesel which can run in any car with no problems (IIRC it's the standard mix in France). The stuff I use is available commercially at 80p a litre from a supplier in York, and is a mixture of 80-85% recycled vegetable oil (takeaway waste), 15-20% ethanol, and 0.5-1.3% Catalyst (sodium hydroxide I think), which again can run most cars (even Common Rail and PD) with no problems at any time of year. You can run older IDI engines on almost pure vegetable oil, but as has been said, you may need a heater system, second fuel tank etc. so your Pug will be fine if you want to mix it up with normal diesel (or make your own vegetable oil/ethanol blend). PD & Common rails are a different matter however, and use of straight vegetable oil will destroy the injectors & fuel pumps, although a slight blend is fine. If you'd got the time & space, I'd recommend making your own, there are plenty of guides on t'interweb, but here are some links that might be useful if you want to buy some: http://www.rixbiodiesel.co.uk/locations.htm http://www.biofuels.fsnet.co.uk/biobiz.htm http://www.veggies.org.uk/biodies.htm http://www.biodieselfillingstations.co.uk/ Cheers, Tom

That's very helpful, thanks Henny & everyone else. Looks like we better make sure it's spot on for the MOT then :-) Cheers, Tom

I've just been given a Mk2 Golf as a freebie, which has been stood in a pub carpark for 18 months. I've given it to a friend and it's been recovered to his driveway where it currently resides. It has no tax (SORN), no insurance & no MOT, so a couple of questions: Legally how do I get to the MOT station to get it tested with no tax (for which you need MOT & insurance)? How does one get insurance when the car has no tax or MOT (as won't the lack of these invalidate any insurance)? Is it going to need to be trailered/towed on an A-Frame to the test centre, then stay there until tax and insurance can be obtained? What's the legal status on towing this car without tax etc? Sorry for the 20 questions style, but I know there are a couple of people knowledgeable in this are on the forum who might be able to help :-) Feel free to reply by PM if preferred. Cheers, Tom

I'll add one to the list...p1ssed morons. There's a little section of York known by the police as 'Suicide Square' as it's bordered by late night clubs from which issue whole showers of tw@ts who are too drunk to see straight, straight into the path of oncoming traffic. Should you have the audacity to remend them of your presence by correct application of the horn, they run towards you screaming abuse and shouting "cmmon then!" 1000kgs of car meets 100kg of moron. I win!

Looks like a fat golf on steroids. I'm not a fan.

[sensible Head On] I'd recommend starting with a 1.8 16v tbh, as it's only insurance group 15 (same as the Mk2 GTI 16v), and mostof them are old enough, that you can now put them on Classic Car Insurance on a limited miles policy. [sensible head off] Whatever you get mate, enjoy & I might see you at the next Squires Cafe meet (look for the tatty diesel with the rusty rear valance :-) ). Cheers, Tom

Hmm... Driven: A Griffith 500 or a Caterham 7 (probably the TVR, but the Caterham just felt bonkers) Top Speed: A lowly 135mph on the continent in my old 2l 16v 'rado Owned: The old 2l 16v rado :-)

My dad used to have an AC ACE when he was in the RAF. He set a personal best time of Edinburgh to Lincoln in 4 hours including stops. This was before there were those pesky speed limit type things :-) They are beautiful cars, kit or no, and a good spot! IIRC I read an article in Classic Car Weekly which stated that there were only 48 Selby Cobra's left. Probably something to do with how damn dangerous they are!

When you're running the engine to get the airlocks out, a gentle squeezing of the hoses can help as well (preferably before they get too warm :-)). Make sure you steer clear of the belts and fans though...

Good work that man! Nice to have a runabout :-) Has the Audi gone? Tom

Sorry to hear about the car, but pleasing news about the licence :-) I'm glad you caught up with the guy that hit you, was he extremely apologetic for trying to do a runner?

I'm no expert on these matters, but I'm pretty sure that Henny is running a standard block that's somewhere around 1950cc.

I know it's a golf...but: Fitted new arial (although it's not connected yet...mutter mutter) Fitted new nearside wishbone (having to shear out one of the ball joint bolts and Dremmel out the other two) Fitted new header tank, as the old one was full of clart.

Not that far away in York, but it'll depend on which route you take (AVOID the A64!). PM me if you're going to be passing, and I'll send you my number, as I'm around on Saturday. Cheers, Tom

I got given one about a month ago, which is now owned by a mate (and he loves it!). I've always loved the looks of the Mk2, and find mine good fun to drive, easy to work on, and the parts are SO cheap! :-) Enjoy!

Just to not be different, I reckon you should just leave it as is. At least you don't need to be worried in case of slight dings, stone chips etc. and you'ver spent the money on getting in running right, so you know that the mechanicals are sound. Anyway, you've got nothing on the rear valance on my Golf which is half rusted off! :-)

Yum, Spitfires are ace cars! 8) I used to have a 1.8 16v and it was relatively reliable on a day to day basis (if you except the engine going pop on one occasion :-) ). About £1500 will get you a good one, but if you fancy one that needs some cosmetic attention, they're available for under £1000. Apart from what's in the buying guide, check for the usual (blue smoke, oil in the header tank etc.) and I'd recommend getting insurance quotes through classic car places (Lancaster & Footman James are good) as you can slap in on a classic, limited mileage policy for less than most places will quote you. Welcome to the forum! Tom 8)

I've just remembered though, be prepared to queue through the centre of Rouen, as it goes from open road to traffic jam almost immediately and with very little warning! We were crawling though the centre of town for about 45 mins watching Caterhams overheat :-) Cheers, Tom

It is indeed completed, as I was driving down it approximately 2 weeks ago on my way down. It's a lovely bit of road and nearly all dual carriageway (handy if you're in something as slow as I was...) Cheers, Tom

I've done that before to a Black 3dr Mk2 GTI that used to belong to my neighbour. She used it to go to a farm where here horses were kept, and so it was always covered in mud, and I washed it when I did my 'rado. The upshot of it however, was that when she came to sell it, it was offered to me for the cost of the outstanding tax (£80). Completely standard on BBS RAs, an absolute dream......... .....but I'd bought my GTD 1 week before because I thought she was never going to sell it, so it's now owned by a friend of mine.

It could be something that's gone wrong in the past and just left clart in your header tank. How fresh is the oil? I only mention this because the one in my Golf has a lot of black grease in it from a previous failure and it had me similarly worried...

See my latest post on the website below for advice... :-) Seriously though, as everyone else said, bray 'em with a stick of persuasion....

Full European Breakdown cover here! 8) I think we're gonna need it judging by the current state of the cab... I'll swap the wheels over when I get a moment, as that's a great idea that completely passed me by... :oops: Come on brain, in gear :-)

Hey man, how's the old girl running? Not given you any grief I hope? I did think it might be the bearing, but it's not a constant grumble that disappears on cornering. I'll break out the jack once I've got my taxi sorted tonight! Cheers, Tom