So that's another £100. That's half way to a half-decent Mk2 MX-5, that is.

Also, Meaty's new Celica is chain-driven. Cambelts are significantly cheaper to produce, but apart from that I reckon most manufacturers stick to belts because they need replacing and therefore people might bring them into the dealerships to have it done. Chains aren't as noisy as they used to be.

From what I've seen more like half way toward an MX-5 that could easily end up being just as much of a money pit. MX-5's past a certain age are valued entirely on their condition and anything less than about £1000-1500 is highly likely to have its share of rust or other problems.

Oil pressure light is a different kettle o'fish, especially if you keep driving after it comes on.

Hmm, oil light came on this morning so I had to get some oil to top her up. Presumably all the cold weather has caused the engine to burn more oil.

It shouldn't be burning oil at all really. You shouldn't need to put in more than a couple of glugs every 10,000 miles (although checking it more often is wise!)

Keep an eye on it. Once they start drinking oil it's usually not long before this happens:

My Mk V golf was delivered with 36 miles on the clock and that even had a litre of Castrol in the boot ready for a top up (admittedly this is likely to be because it was new). There's a cubby hole and strap built in to the (right hand?) side of the boot specifically for your litre of topping up oil. I think it's normal*[/size]

Some TDis, yesterday:

That's what would happen if JC was allowed near one.

'Get a 360' seems to have a slightly different meaning here, as an italian sports car would probably be out of the 'affordable zone' for most of us here, and wouldn't be much good for lugging surfboards around.

Say hi to Kovacs.

I take it you went for the £10 battery from a scrapyard option

If the engine is that difficult to start you probably need to change the glowplugs.

Anyway, now, buy a good set of jumpleads and get the car started. Then check that it's charging properly, and take it for a little run to charge the battery again.

OK, for jump-starting a car, connect it to the other car, allow the engine on the other car to idle for 10-15 minutes, then attempt to start your car with the other car still running.

If it still sounds sluggish or the jumpleads begin smoking, stop and wait another 10-15 minutes.

If it's turning over fine and fast but still refusing to start, you have another problem, so stop.

If it still sounds sluggish or the jumpleads begin smoking, stop and wait another 10-15 minutes.

Say hi to Kovacs.

I take it you went for the £10 battery from a scrapyard option

If the engine is that difficult to start you probably need to change the glowplugs.

Anyway, now, buy a good set of jumpleads and get the car started. Then check that it's charging properly, and take it for a little run to charge the battery again.

hi, did swap the battery nad pit the old one on charge..
It sounded like a short, and the stater motor did not want to turn over,

Three tries and the babttery was dead again..

OK, for jump-starting a car, connect it to the other car, allow the engine on the other car to idle for 10-15 minutes, then attempt to start your car with the other car still running.

If it still sounds sluggish or the jumpleads begin smoking, stop and wait another 10-15 minutes.

If it's turning over fine and fast but still refusing to start, you have another problem, so stop.

It did not sound liek it was turning over.. like it wanted to but did not.

I put the original on charge last night so it could be ok to try today.

What's the way you do it?

Well, let us know how that turns out.

Either: there's a problem with the car

Or: the new battery was completely flat to start with, which means it will never be as good as it should be and you should definitely take it back.

A multimeter (even a £5 maplin one) would be a bit help in figuring out what's going on.

A multimeter (even a £5 maplin one) would be a bit help in figuring out what's going on.

Failing that - a quick test. Turn on the headlights. Turn the key to start. Do the headlights dim only slightly, dim a lot, or go out completely?

Failing that - a quick test. Turn on the headlights. Turn the key to start. Do the headlights dim only slightly, dim a lot, or go out completely?

This instruction for MaliA...

What's the way you do it?

Start good car, wire batteries together, rev good car, start second car.
Wait a bit if it is still flat.

I reckon it involves liberally splashing petrol around, setting it on fire (for coolz), then push-starting it with a crane.

:metul: LET'S OFF ROAD

All VAG 1.8s have problems with their coils. Bosch have run out of letters they've done so many revisions. Dunno about the ones on the 3.2 I think Cavey had though.

My car is ready, apparently. The garage guy sounded exasperated and/or exhausted on the phone.