Hello everyone, thought it was time to introduce myself (after lurking around the forum for a week). I have just bought a Micra K11 as a second car, just to use to get to and from work and nipping to Tesco etc.
I have been into Jap cars for nearly 6 years now, my other car (which is sorn off the road at the mo while I do some bits and bobs on during the winter) is a Mazda while the wife drives a Honda. So we are both well into Jap cars big style.
I choose the Micra because 1 it's jap, 2 the reliability factor and 3 I luv the look of them. Also gotta admire the running costs as well. For a small car it seems to have lots of interior space, with nice big windows allround.
The car has covered just over 77,000 miles and came with a fair bit of history, but the last owner said they had never changed the cambelt and I can find no record of it in the history. So I would like to change this as soon as poss, first question is is this a hard job to do. I have changed a few cambelts over the years but you always seem to come up against something new on different cars. And is there a tech guide anywhere that I can use for guidance, all advice gladly excepted. I can pretty much do all the other basics like plugs, oil etc.
I have only been driving the car for a week but I have noticed the engine runs very cool, I realise it's been cold this week but could there be a problem?, or is it just a trait for the Micra?. I will change the thermostat at the same time I service the car, again is this an easy job or should I look out for any problems?.
Just 1 more question is there any places you people recomend for parts new or second hand?. The reason I ask is I need a few minor bits of interior/exterior trim etc to get it looking tidy again. Only things like wheel trims etc. On the subject of wheels as I can never seem to resist the temptation to mod what are the most popular sizes for alloy's and just how big can you go with out rubbing issues etc. Sorry that was another question.:doh:
Thanks for reading my long intrduction and I will keep reading this well organised forum for info etc. Best regards Leigh.
I have been into Jap cars for nearly 6 years now, my other car (which is sorn off the road at the mo while I do some bits and bobs on during the winter) is a Mazda while the wife drives a Honda. So we are both well into Jap cars big style.
I choose the Micra because 1 it's jap, 2 the reliability factor and 3 I luv the look of them. Also gotta admire the running costs as well. For a small car it seems to have lots of interior space, with nice big windows allround.
The car has covered just over 77,000 miles and came with a fair bit of history, but the last owner said they had never changed the cambelt and I can find no record of it in the history. So I would like to change this as soon as poss, first question is is this a hard job to do. I have changed a few cambelts over the years but you always seem to come up against something new on different cars. And is there a tech guide anywhere that I can use for guidance, all advice gladly excepted. I can pretty much do all the other basics like plugs, oil etc.
I have only been driving the car for a week but I have noticed the engine runs very cool, I realise it's been cold this week but could there be a problem?, or is it just a trait for the Micra?. I will change the thermostat at the same time I service the car, again is this an easy job or should I look out for any problems?.
Just 1 more question is there any places you people recomend for parts new or second hand?. The reason I ask is I need a few minor bits of interior/exterior trim etc to get it looking tidy again. Only things like wheel trims etc. On the subject of wheels as I can never seem to resist the temptation to mod what are the most popular sizes for alloy's and just how big can you go with out rubbing issues etc. Sorry that was another question.:doh:
Thanks for reading my long intrduction and I will keep reading this well organised forum for info etc. Best regards Leigh.