Recent content by luke55

Sounds like the ABS/TC too me. This happens normally on hitting 12mph after start up, but seems to happen randomly and unpredictably if there is an issue (check your ABS/TC light). I am not sure what it is doing but you can feel it in the brake peddle.

Ha, ha... Been there, done that, called the fire brigade :oops: . But you shouldn't need a tow coz you can bypass the HCV. The AA should have been able to do that.

Most cars are more stodgy and sluggish in hot weather, even without air-con. I personally notice that more than the effect of the air-con. It is probably more efficient to leave the air con on with recirc on than drive with a window open. What I find strange is why the air-con suddenly...

I doubt it. For many of the people who do them, these kind of projects are like a disease. Some people like ready-made meals, or to eat out, others will prefer to get their own ingredients and do the work themselves. A puma diesel makes as much sense to me as custard on spaghetti bolognese...

Yes but they normally have higher gearing and more weight which really brings out the non-linear power delivery. Even with the higher gearing, the useable power band is still less. It is true the power is more accessible most of the time, just the torque numbers flatter diesel engines a...

Now that's just wandering into fantasy... :-) I think VAG have a 3cylinder diesel which at least would make an interesting sound. Any new diesel would require a high pressure injection system which I would imagine would cost $$$$. Not to mention the need for a turbo.. I believe the old...

1.6 Ford would be the most sensible. Toyota 2.2 with 180hp@3600rpm and almost 300 lb-ft would be the most interesting would it ever fit. It would wreck the handling having an anvil over the front wheels. And would likely need to beef up the transmission (gearbox from a Transit) to cope with...

If only it could be made so it looked less like a Fiesta and didn't have those ridiculous wheels.

It has supercharger + turbocharge but apparently too expensive to go in the Fiesta. Ford claim it may eventually get up to 180 horses. Fiat already have a 1.4T with 150 horses, but even that is only in the Brava not the Punto.

Slightly off topic, according to data on honestjohn.co.uk the biggest cause of Puma MOT failures is brakes (~25%). That seems surprising to me, as I think it was only recently the MOT rules changed for the ABS related issues.

As part of my extensive pre-MOT preparation I fixed my loose/slack passenger door mirror housing with superglue :-D

Update: when I started the car today the ABS/TC lights stayed until I heard the graunch (self test) sound when the both went out :?

Seems to be an old chestnut this one, but today my ABS/TC light stopped going out as it normally did. Has been OK for over a year, I know coz I always started the car like a diesel, watching the lights come on and go out, if I didn't wait she would struggle to start. Pretty sure I can hear the...

I would take it elsewhere. Sounds like the MOT guy thinks it is a diesel....the "free acceleration" smoke test for diesels had a reputation for snapping timing belts. Personally I thought it was a stupid test. I cannot see how 2000rpm would likely cause an issue for a Puma, assuming the car...

Thanks. I see it is 29/28psi or normal load. Couldn't find that when I search previously. 2.3/2.5 bar is around 33/36psi. I do like the slightly optimistic reference to loads of "more than 3 persons". For the oil my problem is the the reading is difficult - instead of a horizontal line...