Roger Blassberg

where is it leaking from? If at the plug end, maybe the lead was damaged when it was pulled off to change the plugs. If it is at the coil pack end, it could be time for a new coil pack. If from anywhere else along its length, again the lead is breaking down and needs replacement. Someone else will be along in a minute to recommend the best leads....... Best wishes RB

Sounds as though your alternator is on the way out, or the drive belt is slipping. There would be no loss of engine power straight away, but your battery will eventually discharge, or at least not be charged properly. Best wishes RB

Yes, my specialist (very possessive, you notice....) has quoted 4hrs labour plus the parts. Not much change out of £250, plus VAT. Will let you know exactly next week. Best wishes RB

I imagine it's the one with a kink in it and a smaller bore branch off to the throttle body. About £60 for the hose (I know, it's incredible isn't it ??!!), and a few minutes cursing to get the hose clips on and off. Plus a bottle of G12+ to top up the coolant system. Best wishes RB

Only in those 3 gears ?? If it's related to engine speed rather than to road speed I would have expected it to be in any gear. Does it do it when the car is revved stationary? Are you sure that it is coming from the wheel/hub? Noises have a habit of coming from somewhere other than where you think. My first guess was maybe a heat shield on the exhaust resonating at certain engine speeds. Best wishes RB

Yes the Bentley manual is worth it. If you are unsuccessful on ebay, you can get it new from Amazon for £85. Beware, though. It is only for the models that were supplied in USA. The VR6 covered is the 2.8 litre AAA-engined SLC model, left hand drive, so some subtle differences. Best wishes RB

At the moment you may not feel that you have. Then, Big Brother decides that something, anything, that you took for granted as your normal, human right, is no longer acceptable (to Him) or can be used as a revenue generator. Too late you realise that you have accepted 24hour surveillance of your movements. We shuddered, shook our heads sagely, when the exposure of the Stasi files showed how the DDR citizens had been spied on from within, how the despots behind the despised Iron Curtain treated their "comrades" in the "workers' paradise". But, of course it could never happen here. This is a free country. Read Orwell (1984) and Huxley(Brave New World). And then think again. How quickly we forget that our freedoms cost the blood of our (recent) ancestors, how easily we let them slide silently away, little by little, under the pretexts of the War Against Terrorism and all the other invented or fabricated crises. "Do as we say and you will have nothing to fear". The Dictator's message down the ages.

err, Roger.......

The version that I read mentioned that several near-misses or minor accidents had occured at the accident site that morning before the ultimate tragedy. I can't imagine why the Police had not closed the road until emergency gritting could be laid down as they would surely have done had there had been, for instance, an oil spill. Yes, we must all be vigilant, but we need all the help we can get and sometimes I feel that we don't get it. Ultimately I believe that there should be more traffic police around to deal with the really dangerous situations which the ubiquitous "Safety camera" cannot handle. These are caused variously by road conditions, badly maintained cars and dangerous driving not necessarily related to speed. The condition of the road surface, particularly on minor and urban roads is absolutely appalling; pot holes are just one example, but the more insidious problem is worn-out, low friction surfaces which become like ice in damp conditions. Tyres and suspensions wear out so much more quickly in the circumstances, which further contributes to the danger. And despite the reasonably thorough MOT test, there is a huge number of badly maintained vehicles on the road. At least 10% of the vehicles I see on my commute have defective lights_ who has not been caught unawares by a car with no offside headlight looming towards them out of the darkness? Oh dear. Ranting again. Best wishes RB

Yes you will need the attentions of a good orthopaedic surgeon afterwards if you try to do it without taking off the column lock. Do give Mike Chapman in St.Albans a call. He's pretty good and a lot cheaper than Wayside. Best wishes RB

Rica, I've looked back through this thread and can't find a reference to a changed ignition switch. Have you done that? It might be worth a shot. It's very cheap and very, very fiddly. Best wishes RB

I can't find a specific reference to the designation 6203-2RSR, but the 6203 bit means that it is the right size and load rating, 2RS means it has double rubber seals. The one I took off was designated 6203 , so the size and load rating correspond with the original. As "Simply Bearings" guarantee that all their goods are of a reputable manufacture, I went for the less costly option. It fits, it works. Best wishes RB

I ordered the 62032RSR, which is sufficiently specified for this application I think - about £3. I will confirm this later. Best wishes RB

I did it over the Christmas holidays and it's straightforward. As GIXXERUK says, you don't need to take the tensioner itself off. Just take out the air box, release the spring tension with an M8 bolt and undo the bolt that holds the pulley itself (it's a left-hand thread). Print off the guide from the Knowledge Base - it is excellent. It's a bit tedious scraping the rim of the pulley boss to get the bearing out, but it is fairly soft material; use a good sharp Stanley knife and wear some thick leather gloves in case it slips. I tapped the old bearing out with a suitable socket, and the new one in the same way. The bearing came from SimplyBearings (look them up on the Internet), for less than £4 including next day delivery by 1st class post. Bearing size is 6203-2RS. The whole job will take less than 2 hours. The old bearing was well-and-truly worn and very noisy; with a new one peace was restored. Best wishes RB

In that case, why not get it done, have the clutch replaced at the same time to save that future labour cost, and you are pretty well back to where you thought you should be. Best wishes RB

So do CCGB members get a discount at VAG as of right, or is it at the discretion of the particular dealer? How much is it and is it on all parts? Just been quoted £57 +VAT for a heated overtaking mirror glass on the Passat - even the parts man couldn't believe it. Best wishes RB

Don't know for certain. Your registration document will show the manufacturer's standard tyre sizes and ratings, and then there will be an homologated list of alternatives. Best wishes RB

Also, you'll need right-dipping headlight units and a bulb in your left-side rear foglight. And a fire extinguisher. And a warning triangle. And a first aid kit which is in date. And a yellow reflective coat, probably a set of spare bulbs. Perhaps a map showing the road to Poland as well.... Happy New Year RB

The TUV (equivalent of our MOT) is totally intolerant of oil leaks. There are also certain modifications, like tyre sizes and speed ratings, which must have a specific approval. Happy New Year RB

Could the flat spot be due to a cracked coil pack? Happy New Year! RB

A larger diameter master cylinder will require a higher brake pedal force for a given system pressure (pressure is force per unit area, so the greater area requires more force to develop the required pressure) and a shorter travel, whilst a smaller diameter will require a lower pedal force and will give a longer travel. Elementary my dear Pascal. Happy new year RB

Great!! Good luck!! Let us know how it all pans out. Best wishes RB

1.Broken compression ring(s), but intact oil scraper ring so no smoking. 2.Head gasket blown. 3.Sticking valve Best wishes RB

Grey G60 (guessing from engine note, no badges) H590 *** with oversized rear silencer and clear rear lenses, middle lane, south bound M1 in East Midlands yesterday (19th Dec) about 3pm. I drew up alongside in LHD Passat and nodded, which you very reasonably took to be a challenge as you floored it briefly and gave me the benefit of much induction roar. Best wishes RB

There was a very bad smell when I saw the bill for replacing mine... Best wishes RB