Ask a Shiter

[Noel Tidybeard]

I've read that the first series of Eurovan MPV (Synergie, 806, Ulysse, Zeta) was available with the 2.1 12V XUD engine - but does anyone know if they were ever sold like this in the UK? I've been looking for something cheap in the usual places and have only seen the 1.9s for sale so far.

 

Thanks!

OMG there was a Lancia version

[Tayne]

OMG there was a Lancia version

 

 

Lancia par Tayne, on ipernity

 

Lancia par Tayne, on ipernity

[twosmoke300]

As long as the gaiters are secure and intact its a pass. Madness but thats the rules

[drum]

Why do brake discs warp?

I had the discs on the A4 skimmed as they had somehow warped while the car was in winter hibernation. All was fine for about three weeks but they seem to have become warped again! I've ordered new discs but is something causing this that will wreck them too?

[nigel bickle]

Sticky calipers are probably the issue.

[drum]

^cheers nigel, I'll check that.

[mat_the_cat]

Or they aren't seated properly. Crap on the mating surface of the hub (that's not an instruction) means the disc will rub on the pads more at one point, making it thinner. Hence judder - not really warping but it feels the same through the pedal.

[Spiny Norman]

Apologies for dragging the subject back onto computers but I also have a query relating to the power supply on a laptop.

 

Mine keeps flashing the display between battery power and AC mode, and iI've traced it to the wiring at the laptop end of the power cable. The power supply brick itself seems to be OK but right beside the male end of the plug there's a little black cylindrical thing and it seems to be the wiring coming from that to the plug that's breaking up.

 

What is that little device for and if I were fixing the cord would I need to replace it or could I just cut it out altogether?

[burraston2006]

Have you tried asking the children?    I ask mine and they gaenerally know how to sort it!!

[saucedoctor]

That wee thing is a ferrite cylinder or ferrite "choke" Supposed to keep interference down. The wire wraps around it. Not really necessary unless you listen to a MW radio and sit it ON TOP of the laptop charger brick. If you cut it out and do experience problems, you can buy clip on ones for pennies of eBay.

I'd jst buy a new charger. £10 ish on eBay. Make sure it isn't actually the jack on the laptop, though.

[Micrashed]

Ive spotted a French registered moped for sale locally at a price thats very good.

 

Any problems with riding a left hand drive moped on the UK roads?

[catsinthewelder]

Just a RHD headlight (or well shaped gaffa tape) and MPH clocks (drawn on in crayon) for MOT and possibly a NOVA headache.

[Cavcraft]

Ive spotted a French registered moped for sale locally at a price thats very good.

 

Any problems with riding a left hand drive moped on the UK roads?

 

Only if you have a stripey jumper, string of onions and a beret.

[burraston2006]

Need to be smoking a filterless Gitane aswell!

[DeeJay]

And pissed up on Pernod.

[saucedoctor]

Speaking of headlights. Are squinty lamps an automatic MoT fail? One is "TOO FAR RIGHT" (like me) and the other is "OFF SCALE". (also like me, when Chelsea won the UCL)

 

Also - a foglight (OE, separate in lower bumper) with a bust lens (hole in it). MoT fail?

 

Thx.

[wuvvum]

Does anyone know what PCD Talbot Solara wheels are?  I need to take mine off to get new tyres fitted, and I want to try and find something I can put on the car to keep it off the ground in the meantime. 

[M'coli]

Should be 4 1/4" PCD, same as Hillman/Ford stuff IIRC.

[rml2345]

Speaking of headlights. Are squinty lamps an automatic MoT fail? One is "TOO FAR RIGHT" (like me) and the other is "OFF SCALE". (also like me, when Chelsea won the UCL)

 

Also - a foglight (OE, separate in lower bumper) with a bust lens (hole in it). MoT fail?

 

Thx.

 

I think mega squinty headlights are a fail but front fogs/spots are non testable. Not sure if they'll fail it for being sharp though. 

[sheffcortinacentre]

solara/alpine/horizon wheels are 4x100 (simca based)

[bub2006]

This is for the rover lovers. Been looking at rover 800's for a while now but withheld temptation. One thing i have noticed though,the early mk1 high spec seems to have a ford Sierra style car picture on centre console and a trip computer. Did the facelifts ever get a trip computer?

[saucedoctor]

Thanks RML, duly noted.

 

Interestingly, the VAGSHITE I picked up at auction last week was very Russell Howard (as above), but still passed the MOT on Saturday. It even said FAIL against the Headlight alignment section, but they passed the car anyway. I was just wondering. Matters not, it's provisionally sold.

 

The busted fog is on a C Max, but I've since found out that a new one is only £21 anyway.

 

Thanks again.

[mercedade]

This is for the rover lovers. Been looking at rover 800's for a while now but withheld temptation. One thing i have noticed though,the early mk1 high spec seems to have a ford Sierra style car picture on centre console and a trip computer. Did the facelifts ever get a trip computer?

No trip computer on the Mk2/facelifts sadly, nor a "your door is open, look here's a picture' box.

 

Shame - I loved the fact that when you pressed the brake pedal, the computer told you. As if, at the time you were pressing the brakes, you didn't need to be looking at whatever obstacle you might be, you know, braking for.

[spike60]

Thanks RML, duly noted.

 

Interestingly, the VAGSHITE I picked up at auction last week was very Russell Howard (as above), but still passed the MOT on Saturday. It even said FAIL against the Headlight alignment section, but they passed the car anyway. I was just wondering. Matters not, it's provisionally sold.

 

The busted fog is on a C Max, but I've since found out that a new one is only £21 anyway.

 

Thanks again.

On a lot of VAG stuff it's the headlight electric beam adjuster that comes off the reflector, I just did my Polio. Bits are £3 a side plus £3 post from Poland.

[bub2006]

Thanks for clearing that up mercedade. Thought it was peculiar that a later model has less than the early cars. Mind you i own a 53 plate Vectra and they had less things fitted as the years went on.

[AlabamaShrimp]

Anyone know what Ford this radiator is off? No markings on the road but the plastic is dated Ford made in 85. I was given it years ago as a fiesta spare, never checked it until today and it's miles off

 

[chaseracer]

Halfords Advanced tools - any good?  Half price at the mo...

[drum]

Mitsubishi tree hugger advert claiming road tax will be a thing of the past. If everyone buys an eco car, where's the money for fixing pot holes coming from?

[saucedoctor]

I think we're moving towards it going onto fuel in the next few years instead.

[Tayne]

Yeah, cos that's not taxed enough as it is.