TomB

I've just replaced the steelies on my Mk2 (185/60 R14 6J) with a set of Sebrings (185/55 R15 6J). All was well for 200-odd miles, but the off-side front wheel has developed an intermittent grumble. I sounds like gravel being rattled in a drum, but about two octaves lower (sorry, best description I can think of). I've checked the bolts - fine, the suspension - fine and not fouling, the interior of the wheel - fine & brakes (seem fine) and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions? It starts about 30mph (but not all the time), sometimes at 50mph, sometimes not at all. It's not related to the car being in gear (noise continues when coasting), and only ever lasts about 5-10 seconds before going away. Any suggestions as to whet to check gratefully recieved! Cheers, Tom

Some friends and I are departing from York on the Wednesday in a black cab (a Fairway FX4 to be precise). No worries about the cops as it has a top speed of 56mph... Check out the link in my sig for details :-) Tom

Cheers to Billinjah for the Sebrings (and the use of the trolley jack :-)). My Golf looks a 1000 time better now it's not mounted on those steelies.... Cheers, Tom

16vradge, Glad to hear it's still running fine (should do after the new cylinder head :-) ). I really like the look of the 'rado in white for the record 8)

Theres a metallic grey volvo (S60 I think) floating around York Y*55 TOH if my memory serves. He was driving like a tw*t behind me on monday trying to get me to speed by dropping back and charging up behind me. Worst thing is, there was a marked car behind him. I slowed to 20...

Superb, there's just something so special about forced induction & six cylinders. Keep us updated... :-) Tom

I think there may be something in the Definitive Supercharged VR6 thread up top, although if you're stuck, PM one of the people who have a charged VR who's contributed to the thread, and I'm sure they'll be able to help you out. Good luck with it, Cheers, Tom

Valver lumps (at least the 1.8) can be had on eBay for about £120 delivered. Find a local breaker of Mk2 Golfs and enquire (there are a few contacts on Club GTI that may be able to help). Old engine out, and new one in, even at a garage, it shouldn't cost too much to fix, certainly more beneficial than flogging the car in its current state, and less hassle than breaking it. Good luck with it either way, Tom

Good work that man. Despite the fact I've just bought a Golf, I can't help but browse the 'For Sale' section myself... :) Cheers, Tom

Gutted man, I know how you feel, but walking away IS the important thing.

When the one on my Audi got snapped off, I replaced it with a powered arial that sits inside the windscreen, made by a company called Ring. Works fine, but I had to wire in a switch so it wasn't permanently on. Might be worth considering though. Cheers, Tom

On the subject of Peugeot dealers, they make the VW Network look like saints. When helping a mate out with his 306, I could only describe them collectively as the most unhelpful bunch of onanists that I've ever had the misfortune of dealing with. Good luck with it, Tom

tarche2 cheers for the CD burner. Top service! Cheers, Tom

It was superb! The 3 second long 'bleep' from Plato's mouth while he was having a laugh with the camera crew summed it up perfectly! My other favourite part was the tour manager and one of the five talking: GA: We're insured right? TM: We'll have a talk about that on the way home. Classic :-)

Blimey! Take it easy fella & get well soon.

If the 2.7 Nissan engine goes pop, I'll be straight on the phone! Most people seemed to think that we weren't serious, until we showed them the photos! I think I'm gonna take it to the roundabout at the bottom of the Houx Annex on the Friday... :D

Hope this is in the right section, as it's seperate from the CF trip. Anyway, if any has comments/advice or knows of anyone that might want to advertise on the side, please let me know :) Cheers, Tom http://www.taxi.yellowgrey.com

Just keep at 'em. As Storm77, says, letters are a very effective as they tend to go to the organ grinder. Especially true if you use the http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/ Companies House Website to find the name of the director, and send all your corespondence to them... Don't forget the principle of indemnity, which is to leave financially you in the same position you were in before the accident (minus excess). When they start offering you rubbish money, tell them to go out and find you a Corrado of exactly the same spec for that price. You can always (if things get really bad) report them to the Financial Services Authority who may investigate them. Not that I've had something similar happen to me, oh no... Just keep at it, they expect 99% of people to roll over and it may be a fight, but you can get a fair(ish) deal in the end. You should have seen the stink Norwich Union kicked up when Network Rail claimed £12 million for a new bridge that a lorry that they insured had damaged... :-) Good luck, Tom

Despite being expensive for bits, I've always found the Dealership to be pretty good on that sort of thing. When helping a mate with his GTi-6, I found that Pug customer services inspired me to violence with their ineptitude and attitude...

Nice one, cheers Henny, I'll give 'em a call if I find any serious bits need replacing (or to get a meter... :-) ). According to Nissan, it's the same unit as in the Terrano, so filters shouldn't be a problem. Cheers, Tom

I've just bought a Fairway FX4 Black Cab, in which I'm going to be travelling to Le Mans this year (long story). Anyway, it needs some TLC and I'm starting with filter changes all round, however, I'm having difficulty locating bits. I know the engine is a 2.7 naturally aspirated diesel from a Nissan, but I can't find which Nissan. They started using the unit in 1989, so I'm thinking a Patrol or a Terrano, but can anyone help me out here? Cheers, Tom

Citroen AX 1.4/1.5D. 60+mpg and virtually bulletproof, not to mention great fun to fling about :-)

Sorry to hear about that mate. This won't compensate you, but it might make you feel better: We have a hell of a time on the Railway trying to stopy pikey gits half-inching our S&T cabling. One dumb scumbag decided to go one step further though, and try and pinch an 11Kv cable from Tinsley Yard. It was only worked out by the severed hand still clutching a hacksaw that was found near the cable along with the massive scorch marks... I know I shouldn't find it amusing...but I did. :-)

Might be an idea to check the spill pipes coming from the injectors as well, as these are prone to perishing, and p1ssing diesel down the side of your block. With changing the glow plugs, it's a simple, 'one out-one in' job on most engines (depending on how easy they are to get at...). On my Audi, the light comes on but due to a dodgy connection somewhere in the fusebox, it doesn't actually activate the glow plugs. If that's the case, the best (cheapest!) solution is to have a manual override switch wired in. Cheers, Tom

16v, Might I recommend this if you can scrape together a tenner or so? http://tinyurl.com/dtz9m I knew the sum total of b*gger & all about engines and I had a similar problem to you. My lass found this book in a charity shop for a couple of quid, and it's been a most useful resource. I'm not saying that it turns you into an overnight mechanic, however, it does mean that you can understand what someone's talking about when they mention specific parts. It helped me out no end. Good luck with it all, Tom