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General >> Problems >> Newbie questions...
(Message started by: Penguin on Dec 22nd, 2005, 6:37pm)

Title: Newbie questions...
Post by Penguin on Dec 22nd, 2005, 6:37pm
???

I was just wondering if you could help me out on a few basics:

1) Where (physically) is the auto transmission dipstick and what does it look like? (24v 2.9)

2) I've read all about Z Rated tyres on the website. How would I know if  I have such things fitted - where would the Z be?  And Z as opposed to what?  And if I don't have Z rated tyres am I asking for a collision - since I would be unwilling to pull off what look like new tyres otherwise.

3) If the light above your air re-circ button isn't working would turning off the air system and turning it back on again reset it to ouside air?  And if not is there any other way to find out if one has re-circ other than by waiting to see if the windows fog up? Alternatively is it a quick fix?

Many thaks

Paul

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by mr._floppy on Dec 22nd, 2005, 7:06pm
  Lift up the bonnet and  in the  area below the  Window wiper motor is the  Vacuum pump motor  ( small metal  round  tube  thing  with a  connecting rod )  when the     Air-Recirc.  button    is  activated  the   engine   inlet  manifold   vacuum   should  pull the rod   into  the  motor  housing  thus  closing    the air-circ   flap,     if   it   ain't   working  then  the  flap is always  open.  

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by scorpio_man on Dec 22nd, 2005, 9:15pm
hi there

auto box dipstick is the black one. cycle through the gears with engine running (normal temp). again, with the engine running check the level. should be a reddy brown colour.

hth

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by Highlander on Dec 22nd, 2005, 9:54pm
1) Autobox dipstick is at the drivers side of the engine towards the back near the bulkhead
As Andrew says, it is black and looks just like the engine dipstick

2) The tyre speed rating will be on the sidewall along with the tyre size

eg 225/50 R 16 Z where Z is the speed rating

Speed ratings are shown as a letter eg N, S, V, W etc

Z is the speed rating recommended for the 24v

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by scorpio_man on Dec 22nd, 2005, 10:02pm
http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/tyre_bible.html

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by Penguin on Dec 23rd, 2005, 9:24am
Thank you for all your help.  

I have since found the auto dipstick and I nearly had a heart attack when the fluid came out black...

:o :o

Until I realised that it was the meter on the end of the stick was black.  I took a cloth to it and discovered the following:

The liquid was certainly had a red tint but the general colour was probably nearer brown.  However it certainly didn't smell rancid or burnt. I presume that this okay?

:-/

As to the tyres, original suspicions confirmed some cheapskate has shod my car with V's but they are practically new

Should I

a) Go to Kwik Fit right now and have them all removed immediately for Z's.

b) Get six months use out of them first and change them before I drive to Poland in the summer (as obviously I'll have Z's for the autobahn).

Cheers

Paul

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by Simmo on Dec 23rd, 2005, 9:51am
You should consider the small print in your Insurance policy. If, as is stated,Z rated tyres are specified for this model,in the event of an accident it could become an issue. No doubt others on the site will have a view on this.

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by Dave on Dec 23rd, 2005, 9:59am
Paul,

according to the kwik fit website (www.kwik-fit.com) for my 1996 24v I can use 205/55 V 16 or 225/50 Z 16.

The tyre bible as posted above shows that V rated tyres are good for 150 mph.

Hold on.... yeah my 96 24v has v rated tyres on too, slow puncture optional  ;D

However - putting in a 1998 24v on the kwik fit site shows only Z rated tyres as being suitable so you really ought to have them fitted, the V's are probably just an honest oversight.

Regarding you auto box fluid I was in the same position a few months ago. The box was working ok but the fluid was dark, not smelling burnt. My own advice would be, if the box is working fine, get the fluid and filter changed fairly soon as it should keep the box healthy for much longer.

Cheers  :)

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by Octavian_P on Dec 23rd, 2005, 10:12am
I have H rated tires on my 2.3 Scorp, they are full of cracks (old tires, aged) did run with the car with 125 + miles (200 Kmph +) per hour. Kids don't try this at home  ;D

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by Penguin on Dec 23rd, 2005, 12:56pm
Thanks everybody.

On balance I shall keep the V's until I next need to do the long distance fast stuff abroad (June) and try not to crash it for the time being.

The transmission fluid I shall have changed at the first opportunity in the New Year.

In summary I have to say I like this car immensely because it has enough class and character to have its own online group but (unlike most cars in that category) it doesn't shed oil, smoke, bolts, fuel, water et cetera on a semi-daily basis.  

Cheers and Merry Christmas

Paul

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by Highlander on Dec 23rd, 2005, 3:42pm
buy another set of alloys and tyres for abroad ;)

Im running my 24v on V rated tyres

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by CardinalBiggles on Jan 2nd, 2006, 1:30pm
Evening all I'm a recent Scorpio convert I have a few small problems with mine, Which wouldnt be so bad if it werent for my complete lack of mechanical knowledge.  If any one would be good enough to help  me out then it would make my decade.

1: The horn is disconnected and sadly I am unable to find it so I can't reconnect it could someone point me in the right direction.

2: Occasionally the offside headlamp switches itself off then back on again more annoying than anything once again if anyone can advise on how to fix it.

3: Drivers exterior door handle is a little sticky and has a lot of travel not a problem but I like the car so much i'd like to make it nice and smooth again.

Thanks for your time gentleman please help me.

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by Simmo on Jan 2nd, 2006, 7:49pm
The horn is mounted behind the front bumper. Roll under by the front offside wheel and it should be visible. The headlight could be a dodgy connecter at the  lamp end. Try a squirt of WD40. Do the same with the door handle. Use the plastic tube which comes with the WD40 to direct the spray into the inner workings of the handle. The answer to most problems can be found either on the site or from its members and if you attend one of the meetings{See meetings page) there is sure to be a helping hand. This http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/faultfinds.htm is the first place to check for faults.

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by CardinalBiggles on Jan 2nd, 2006, 7:52pm
Thankyou very much I shall get cracking tommorow afternoon afterwork.

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by MarkFRST on Jan 3rd, 2006, 8:28pm
V rated tyres are hardly bad.. they are rated for 149mph, and to be safe i bet they will take much more than that. Dont think many of you will ever see a true 149mph  :-/
not really much price difference so you might aswell fit z rating, but i wouldnt swap a perfectly good set of V rated, wear them out first.

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by leftofcentre on Jan 9th, 2006, 5:43pm

on 01/03/06 at 20:28:46, MarkFRST wrote:
Dont think many of you will ever see a true 149mph  :-/

 {}Well i have seen 170mph on my BMW R1100s. Abroad of course {}

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by CardinalBiggles on Jan 10th, 2006, 3:36pm
Quick Question how do I upload a picture to my profile I have tried numerous times to do it through my profile but for some reason it's a no go any help anyone can give will be much appreciated

Title: Re: Newbie questions...
Post by Snoopy on Jan 11th, 2006, 7:33am
You need to go into your profile and where it states " prefrences" you have to check the box marked " I have my own picture" which has a box next to it with http:// and after that you put the address of wher the picture is hosted.  say for instance on the anyboard site or your own web space but somewhere on the internet other than on your own computer
the anyboard site is here http://www.anyboard.net/autos/cars/scorpio/index.html but there are loads of sites around that will host pictures for you .
Photobucket is another one here http://photobucket.com/



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