Handyman

That's the first time I have heard that old joke for about forty years !!!

Anyone that couldn't see that Nigel Pearson was and is a terrific MAN Manager (able to motivate and get the best out of even a mediocre lot) must be totally BLIND. I am convinced that given time he would have gradually improved the team and the performances. Congratulations Nigel.

Can hardly win any!

First car? An Austin 10 Litchfield Saloon of before the war vintage, though I had it in the late 1950's. It used to amuse me seeing every one trying to start ther old cars on a bitter winters day, my old bus used to start first time every time on the starting handle ( I couldn't afford a new battery then) Had more fun with that old car than many of the much more modern ones I have owned!

I said at the time Nigel Pearson left that I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. The fear I had has been realised. How could anyone be so crass as to dispense with the services of so able a man. Nigel's handling of Leicester has only confirmed my opinion.

Stevo,I have an acquaintance who owns an MOT Station/garage and will put your car on the exhaust gas analyser to check the emissions and also put the car on the ramp to check the rattle under the vehicle. He will honestly advise you whether or not you need a new cat. He said that he would do this for £15. So if it's OK thats all you will pay. I guess he would quote you for a new cat if you need one. PM me if you want to take it further.

Yes. But there isn't one.

Hopefully it will be back soon.

Sorry Stevo, I have been unable to reply as we have been off line since my last post on here. We have just changed ISP's and the transition was far from smooth! I guess you have sorted your problem by now.

And me.

If you go to "a garage" you will pay through the nose. As Ponty said, there are suppliers on ebay. You could always try GSF. Be sure that it is the "cat" as they are not cheap where ever you get them. Get someone who REALLY knows to check it out first before buying any expensive bits that you may not need. I'm not saying that it isn't the "cat" but wouldn't you feel sick if it turned out to be just an exhaust hanger broken allowing the exhaust to rattle against the body of the car. A part that usually costs less than a £1 or two.

What was your first car?

I'm touched by your faith in me Stevo, but airbags and their associated circuitry is not one of my strong points. Well done Sev.

Well done!!! But I wouldn't have bothered with the gasket paper if it wasn't specified by the manufacturer. I suspect it was too thin for that application, although some rigid cam covers used to have thin paper gaskets.

I think Ken Clarke is the best and most able Prime Minister that we never had.

Don't like the "Sharks mouth" grille.

The Prius, as a hybrid, is already out of date. The new Hybrid that can go 100km on electricity without starting the combustion engine, plugs in at home and uses a battery that is safe (Lithium batteries aren't) and cheap to build is here: www.byd.com/

Have to agree with Ponty about the Laguna diesel. Drove one in France and found it to be very economical but also nice to drive. Six speed gearbox, big boot space, plenty of room inside. The only drawback is their reputation for poor reliability. I'm told that the later ones are better.

And you can't plug them in .....yet.

Get in touch with British Car Auctions (BCA)if you want a lot for little money. www.british-car-auctions.co.uk/ Best to go and spend a few hours at one of their many sites. Plenty of choice there and you can browse to your hearts content, until you find exactly what you are want at the price you want to pay.

Try Zimbabwe! (Tongue firmly in cheek)

If it's the coolant temperature your looking at it's a different ball game. This could be something like a lazy thermostat, allowing the engine to heat up too much before it finally opens and allows the engine to cool to it's correct temperature.( A closed thermostat blocks the passage of water to the radiator until it reaches the correct temperature and then should open to let the water flow to the radiator) Thermostats can become "lazy" (slow to open.) There are many other reasons for overheating but this seems to fit the symptoms described. I am assuming that the coolant is topped up and there is no air left in the system.

Did that solve your problem?

In the absence of enough info to make a diagnosis and clutching at straws, I would suggest a check on the oil temperature light sender/sensor. This should be found somewhere on the engine crankcase/sump. If it has gone u/s it could cause the light to come on, without there being a fault. Don't assume that is the case without checking, as over hot oil indicates an overheating engine with the risk of expensive damage.I say this without personal knowledge of your model. The Golf's I worked on were much older models.