Neil B

Got a 1.6 8V Golf (SR I believe, so AEH engine code) and can't seem to see what to line the camshaft sprocket timing mark up with. Anyone got an answer please, save me having to go buy a Haynes for such a simple task? The pip on the sprocket is easy enough to see, and the crankshaft marks are easy to see, but not the mark the camshaft sprocket lines up with...

Cheers!

03 plate 1.2 Fiat Punto Active (60hp) isn't cold starting very well, and wanted opinions. When cold, the engine is VERY slow turning over, and the dash lights fade, and sometimes it will even reset the clock, like it's REALLY struggling to turn, then it will suddenly spin up fine and start.

The battery is new and fully charged, the battery leads seem to be ok (have tested resistance), the cam belt and alternator belts aren't too tight (that's the sort of way it acts though), the oil is the right grade and right amount, etc...

Is it likely to be a worn starter that's shorting or something (they're expensive so I don't want to do trial and error really), or perhaps the leads are higher resistance once the current starts flowing, or do think there might be other reasons?

As said, the battery is new and definitely fully charged (and the right size!), it's just as if it weren't powerful enough like something is sapping it's power before it can spin the starter up properly.

Just rebuilt the engine on a friend's Corsa, so obviously had to disconnect the battery, and now she can't remember where she put the code card!

Serial number is GM020521389035 if anyone can help please? :)

Ok, so I'm sure we've all done it at some point, not been paying proper attention, or using the laptop (stupid touch pads) and accidentally hit "thumbs down" when meaning to do a "thumbs up", or vice versa...there doesn't seem to be a way to remedy this, and while it's not really terribly important, I do feel a bit bad that I've given a TD when I meant to give a TU!

With the IAM once again sticking their stupid stuck up noses into bikers' business saying that all bikes MUST have ABS, I was wondering on the consensus regarding general safety features.

Personally, I think the more protection offered to car drivers, the more dangerous they become to other road users - cyclist accidents went up when seat belts were made mandatory (proven!), when SIPS came out people became more inclined to pull out of junctions without properly looking, air bags and ABS mean people are far more inclined to tailgate, all these stupid "SUV's" mean people think they can belt around at 40mph in the snow and ice, and the silly "blind spot warning light" in some door mirrors mean people pay even less attention when changing lanes or moving position!

I would rather see half of the "safety features" BANNED because half the drivers now don't even understand how to really drive a car, and any failure of these safety nets and you can pretty much guarantee an accident!

Right, so the government here (hence specifying UK!) is planning on making it illegal to OWN rather than just drive an uninsured car. That's great, perfect, all the little kid's running round without insurance will be caught nice and easily...BUT, what happens to those of us who have a second car as a project? Something that's not seen the black of the road in 10 years of restoration, and wouldn't get all that far even if it did? We would never dream of driving it without insurance, but don't see the point of insuring it to sit in storage, or on ramps.

I know that politicians make things up as they go along without engaging a braincell between them, but this has to be one of the most ill thought-through ideas in a while, surely? Unless insurance companies offer an extremely low-cost "0 miles" policy (perhaps some do?), then surely this is going to cause so many problems it's untrue?

I think, personally, that we're just going to end up with kids driving cars insured by their parents (hence it wouldn't be flagged up as uninsured), and people with a legitimate reason being held accountable. The same idea as the gun amnesty - all the criminals kept theirs, and a load of collecters with antique muzzle-loaders which couldn't kill an injured beetle even if the owner did know how to fire it, handed in their little piece of history to be melted down!

Opinions and thoughts?

Why do some women seem to want equality, but only when it suits them? Call me a sexist pig, but if you want the "same pay for the same job" (I have no problem with this!), then what gives you the right to complain when you're asked to work until the same age? Since forever, women have retired at a younger age than men in the UK, and so far all attempts at having them match ages has been met with shock and protest!

Same with sports - women's tennis lasts 3 sets rather than 5, but they want the same prize money? Sorry ladies, but equality is all or nothing, you can't play the "but I'm a girl" card when you feel like it, then protest "women are just as good as men" the other half!

Basically, I'm looking for a female point of view on this....

I'm don't mean people getting upset when you're really nasty to them, because that's understandable, but when you just tell them the truth, albeit maybe with less tact that they might have appreciated, they have a big sulk and call you a jerk. I've seen it a fair bit on Y!A lately with people asking REALLY stupid questions about REALLY stupid things they've done / plan to do, then someone has a sulk and reports you when you bring this stupidity to their attention.

I know they aren't as common as Ford or GM, but there are enough of them around, and enough common faults being asked about, surely?

My girlfriend adores lilies and their scent, but doesn't think there is a perfume which shares it. Does anyone know of one which really does smell of lilies?