http://www.honestjohn.co.uk Honest John forum en-gb Thu, 17 May 2012 02:25:51 +0000 Copyright: (C) www.honestjohn.co.uk 5 hjforum1054243 Thu, 17 May 2012 01:19:59 +0000 If I decide to argue it, what avenue should I go down? The dealership have already said that it's not covered under their warranty after I rang them on the day it happened. Would I have to take legal action? If, so what do I quote? Sale of Goods, in that it is not of satisfactory quality? I have done some googling and it is always split 50:50 between people who say something like, "yes, under SoGA you effectively have a default warranty for six months, go and fight it!", and those that say, "nope, this wouldn't be a go-er, tough luck". confused. Motoring discussion harryfox Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96153 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96153&v=t&m=1054243 hjforum1054242 Thu, 17 May 2012 00:42:33 +0000 Softopdriver, you've been a member of the forum for some time, so I'll assume that you're just being helpful, and that this isn't your own business. Motoring discussion Avant Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96129 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96129&v=t&m=1054242 hjforum1054241 Thu, 17 May 2012 00:38:33 +0000 If so (s)he isn't getting it - link removed. Legal matters Avant Legal matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=92470 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=92470&v=t&m=1054241 hjforum1054240 Thu, 17 May 2012 00:33:51 +0000 Toyota Verso or Mazda 5?  I don't see anything in your criteria that rules out an MPV. Go Japanese and petrol-powered for the best chance of reliabilty. Motoring discussion Avant Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96160 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96160&v=t&m=1054240 hjforum1054239 Thu, 17 May 2012 00:24:18 +0000 I doubt that you'll need to remove it. The best trick is to ignore the advice about buzzing the hell out of the engine to try to burn soot off. The only way to raise exhaust gas temperatures on a diesel  is to load the engine. This means using the highest gear possible. Happily, this also gives the best fuel economy. You don't need to short shift, revving whilst accelerating is fine. Good luck. P.S.  You can easily test for fuel dilution in the oil with a blotter paper test. Simply press the tip of the dipstick onto a piece of unwaxed white card. Don't allow the part of the card with the oil spot to touch a surface for at least twenty minutes (use a roll of sellotape or similar prop to suspend the card horizontally). Fuel dilution is manifested by a distinct halo around the edge of the oil spot. Put a drop of fresh engine oil onto  another card for comparison. If fuel dilution, excessive oxidation, of lack of soot dispersion is present in the used oil, the difference is obvious. Technical matters unthrottled Technical matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96065 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96065&v=t&m=1054239 hjforum1054238 Wed, 16 May 2012 23:00:25 +0000 I have, but I'm pretty wary of cars over about 80,000 miles. Most in my price range tend to be the 2.0 VTECs, which aren't economical on town journeys. Motoring discussion GavoTheSane Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96160 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96160&v=t&m=1054238 hjforum1054237 Wed, 16 May 2012 22:46:55 +0000 Have you thought about Honda Accord Tourers? There are few under £6k. They will be fairly old or high milage but if anything can cope with that, a Honda can.... Motoring discussion likerocks Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96160 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96160&v=t&m=1054237 hjforum1054236 Wed, 16 May 2012 22:37:32 +0000 A friend of mine with a Mazda 6 2.0 diesel had dpf problems within 600 (mostly motorway )miles of purchase - from new! - followed by numerous visits to the dealer, All OK now though. The best diesel DPFs seem to be the closed coupled ones which usually achive passive regen. Technical matters Big John Technical matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96065 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96065&v=t&m=1054236 hjforum1054235 Wed, 16 May 2012 22:27:01 +0000 My lift share has a 1.4hdi207 and yes it is not a ball of fire. Seems to have  poor turbo lag - Was much worse when new! However:- Winds up very well to motorway speeds  It's one of the most refined small car diesels i've been in Always achieves 60+ mpg On a 2009 doesn't have a DPF!         Motoring discussion Big John Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96145 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96145&v=t&m=1054235 hjforum1054234 Wed, 16 May 2012 22:03:01 +0000 I'd try to knock down the price on the 2005 to cover the cambelt and pump at least a little bit. Motoring discussion GavoTheSane Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96161 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96161&v=t&m=1054234 hjforum1054233 Wed, 16 May 2012 22:00:59 +0000 I am looking at two cars. Both Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDi diesel estates. Number one is 2005 with 85000 miles. It has full service history, most with Skoda. But needs a cam belt change. Asking Price is £3,400. It is a private sale. Number two is 2002 with 11000 miles. It has full service history. It will have a cam belt/water pump change in the price. £2,495. It is a dealer sale. This is the make and model I would like. How do I choose between them?   Motoring discussion Hopeful! Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96161 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96161&v=t&m=1054233 hjforum1054232 Wed, 16 May 2012 21:59:47 +0000 thanks for your responses guys ... albeit almost universally negative. car pick up has now been delayed until monday due to new rear shocks identified during service. understand the DPF oil dilution issues (agree that Mazda messed up with this) but am not too concerned as most of my driving is going to be on the motorway with 4 - 6 100m+ journeys a month  -  however i will be keeping a close eye on the oil level. my thoughts are that if the DPF plays up on my car i will have it removed using the specialist services readily available these days  -  not too concerned about passing its future MOT,s as online experience suggests this is not a problem in a clean running car. any opinions etc you have on this would be much welcomed though ...  Technical matters trevb Technical matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96065 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96065&v=t&m=1054232 hjforum1054231 Wed, 16 May 2012 21:53:29 +0000 I was looking for one without a DPF. Motoring discussion GavoTheSane Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96157 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96157&v=t&m=1054231 hjforum1054230 Wed, 16 May 2012 21:47:58 +0000 Please please please read my horror experience of the Megane iii 1.5 dci with DPF. You will find the threads somewhere on here. I truly hope for both your bank balance and sanity you choose a different car than a Megane iii dci with DPF, you will live to regret it if you do buy one. Motoring discussion Carole4X4 Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96157 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96157&v=t&m=1054230 hjforum1054229 Wed, 16 May 2012 21:43:46 +0000 I'm after a family car, under £6k, that is efficient for town journeys, good on the motorways, and has enough room for the current, rather hefty generation of rear facing car seats. Must be able to seat a 6' tall person in the passenger seat with the baby seat behind it. Can't have under floor storage, must be reliable and have a large boot. If it's a diesel it can't have a DPF. Hit me up with your suggestions. The only car that fits most of those criteria at the moment is a Renault Megane Estate 1.5 DCI, or a Peugeot 307 SW 1.6 HDI, but I'm rather scared of those with reliability side of things (and with the pug the DPF). I can't seem to find anything else. Help! Motoring discussion GavoTheSane Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96160 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96160&v=t&m=1054229 hjforum1054228 Wed, 16 May 2012 21:38:22 +0000 Please could you advise about a problem I'm having on my 1999 Toyota Corolla. It started during gentle slow braking with steering on RH lock even in dry weather. The abs seems to activate as there is the familiar grinding noise and it is felt through the brake pedal. The problem has now worsened; it now appears on LH lock and straight ahead but still only at slow speed and gentle braking. The braking effect still seems to be effective and not diminished Many thanks Technical matters kfb524 Technical matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96159 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96159&v=t&m=1054228 hjforum1054227 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:34:40 +0000 Whilst I wouldn't touch a warranty with a bargepole, I cannot see how a failed head gasket can be considered 'wear and tear'. It is not a serviceable item, Head gaskets can fail due to overheating (which is misuse on behalf of the driver) but that doesn't fall under the catagory of wear and tear! Legal matters unthrottled Legal matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96140 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96140&v=t&m=1054227 hjforum1054226 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:33:13 +0000 Prices on 19th April here http://www.drive-alive.co.uk/fuel_prices_europe.html   Motoring discussion Armitage Shanks {p} Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96106 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96106&v=t&m=1054226 hjforum1054225 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:20:56 +0000 Suspension bits are difficult to argue on a 90k car - dealer can just argue parts have worn through age and mileage and/or you drove it into a big pothole. If the engine had blown up you'd probably have good cause for a claim but springs, tyres, brakes etc. are very difficult to argue out. Motoring discussion pd Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96153 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96153&v=t&m=1054225 hjforum1054224 Wed, 16 May 2012 18:58:35 +0000 Try an e-Bay search. There are pictures of everything available and so you'll see if anyone is selling the seperate sections of the bumper. Sometimes, the new items in manufacturers' packaging from e-Bay shops are cheaper than the second-hand stuff. Technical matters MrEckerslikefromRamsbottom Technical matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96025 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96025&v=t&m=1054224 hjforum1054223 Wed, 16 May 2012 18:30:55 +0000 approximately three weeks ago. ....... Everything was fine until last night ..... the driver's front suspension coil shattered and took out the tyre and ABS cable too .....mean the car was of 'unsatisfactory quality; under the Sale of Goods Act Yes. If the car (even a 7 year old 90,000 mile Peugeot) has this type of failur after only 3 weeks you should be able to request a repair, refund or replacement Good luck Motoring discussion bonzo dog Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96153 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96153&v=t&m=1054223 hjforum1054222 Wed, 16 May 2012 17:59:33 +0000 'Specially with diesel. Motoring discussion unthrottled Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96145 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96145&v=t&m=1054222 hjforum1054221 Wed, 16 May 2012 17:57:08 +0000 Sadly, Bobbin's runs on essence which, if I recall, is even more expensive in France than it is in Blighty. Motoring discussion unthrottled Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96106 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96106&v=t&m=1054221 hjforum1054220 Wed, 16 May 2012 17:53:21 +0000 Also, if you are driving a diesel, wait until you get the other side before filling up. Last week I got diesel at Euros 1.39 at the Ouistreham Esso Station ... Motoring discussion veryoldbear Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96106 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96106&v=t&m=1054220 hjforum1054219 Wed, 16 May 2012 17:12:37 +0000 OP, don't worry yourself unduly about high mileages on the clock.  You need to be looking for good examples which have been well cared for and had proper maintenance on them.  Look at taxis as a guide to which diesels can take that much driving  - a diesel is a good idea for you as your p.a mileage merits it.  I echo the Skoda suggestion.  The Octavia is also a good bet.  You wouldn't have to worry too much about DPF issues as your mileage is enough to burn all the deposits off and regeneration shouldn't be a problem for you. With £5k, and the DPF worry out of the way, the world is your oyster.  The Honda Accord is a decent comfy cruiser, and a Mondeo would also be nice to drive.  Lots of different trim levels too so you can find something to suit.  £5k gets you around an 07 plate. Motoring discussion Bobbin Threadbare Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96156 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96156&v=t&m=1054219 hjforum1054218 Wed, 16 May 2012 17:03:32 +0000 I bought my car from a very small dealership.  He didn't try and make me have finance either!  I just googled 'car dealerships in xxxxx' and looked on Google maps for where they were.  Then you can go on their websites and look at their stocklists. Motoring discussion Bobbin Threadbare Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96149 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96149&v=t&m=1054218 hjforum1054217 Wed, 16 May 2012 16:59:04 +0000 Don't always assume the smallest engine in the smallest car is the most economical. True indeed.  Motoring discussion Bobbin Threadbare Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96145 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96145&v=t&m=1054217 hjforum1054216 Wed, 16 May 2012 16:59:01 +0000 I have a Vauxhall Meriva B 2011 that isn't under warranty. The airbag light was on so I sent the ECU away to have the crash data cleared - but it was lost in the post. I bought a new ECU new from Vauxhall but I think this has to be re-programmed to the car. This is where I get confused with what to do next. I took it to Northern Motors to re-program but they want to charge £2000 which is way too much. I'm not sure what to do now. Does anyone know of a company that could do this? Technical matters Richybrown79 Technical matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96158 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96158&v=t&m=1054216 hjforum1054215 Wed, 16 May 2012 16:51:15 +0000 Assuming the engine pulls normally once running along, i'm thinking towards a loose or bad connection at the stop solenoid mounted on the fuel pump, could be being triggered by pulling away, when you fiddled about putting the glow plug in you might have disturbed it, there could be a break anywhere in the loom. I'd try putting a temporary feed to the stop solenoid from the battery (inline fused for safety) and see what happens, very basic short circuiting the ignition system. On CAV pumps it was possible to remove the stop solenoid (can't remember if Bosch the same), remove plunger and then put the solenoid back on again, we did that on a mate's Orion when his solenoid failed till he could get a new one, it proves failure one way or another. If you do remove the plunger you will have to stall stop the engine or loosen the filter bleed valve to stop. Some of these pumps had problems when water entered the system through years of neglect, lets hope it isn't pump on the way out, good little car those worth the effort. Technical matters gordonbennet Technical matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96087 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96087&v=t&m=1054215 hjforum1054214 Wed, 16 May 2012 16:50:01 +0000 Thanks, SouthendRunner. It seems that the Autotrader Quick Sale has only been running for a month or so, so I guess that explains why I've not been able to find any reviews about it, ot Transpact. Motoring discussion Mr Brightside Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96146 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96146&v=t&m=1054214 hjforum1054213 Wed, 16 May 2012 16:48:47 +0000 2009 I believe. However, I had have two Clio 106 1.5dci's with and without DPF and have no problems with either. I do not even notice the DPF on the new Clio. Motoring discussion paulas99 Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96157 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96157&v=t&m=1054213 hjforum1054212 Wed, 16 May 2012 16:21:34 +0000 Does anyone know what year they started putting the DPF in the 1.5 DCI engines? Is it possible to tell which cars have a DPF and which don't? Motoring discussion GavoTheSane Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96157 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96157&v=t&m=1054212 hjforum1054211 Wed, 16 May 2012 16:13:13 +0000 You called the mobile mechanic out therefore you will have to pay them. Getting Halfords to foot the bill could be difficult since there was no official recommendation, it was the mechanic himself. Did you not sniff at the tank before calling anyone out, petrol smells very different to diesel. Think you will have to put it down as a lesson learned unless you take Halfords to court. Motoring discussion thunderbird Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96154 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96154&v=t&m=1054211 hjforum1054210 Wed, 16 May 2012 16:12:06 +0000 Change your car : you are achieving what you can expect on low mileage journeys with stop start motoring. 16k miles in 5 years = 3 k miles a year. So you are doing negligible mileage and doing your best to ruin your engine.   Does it get serviced at all? And if yes, how many since new? Technical matters madf Technical matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96155 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96155&v=t&m=1054210 hjforum1054209 Wed, 16 May 2012 16:07:34 +0000 m Once started Glow Plugs have no effect on running whatsoever. Don't watse your money. You need to find someone who understands diesels instead of just throwing parts at it. Technical matters thunderbird Technical matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96087 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96087&v=t&m=1054209 hjforum1054208 Wed, 16 May 2012 16:04:00 +0000 Thanks for replying Peter, sorry for not replying earlier visiting Huddersfield. The filter was one of my first thoughts so i changed it earlier. Everything is pointing at the glow plugs i will be changing these at weekend, fingers crossed. Thanks Stew Technical matters Stewy J Technical matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96087 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96087&v=t&m=1054208 hjforum1054207 Wed, 16 May 2012 15:57:47 +0000 The key is as you describe.....the back door has now started to spin.....with the spare key it is doing the same...........I assume peugeot are now going to take some money off me?? Technical matters daview Technical matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96141 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96141&v=t&m=1054207 hjforum1054206 Wed, 16 May 2012 15:28:01 +0000 First generation Skoda Superb 1.9PDI with the 130BHP engine. Good economy, performance and without the DPF/DMF issues and other complexities of later diesels. Capable of high miles if correctly serviced. Also, being a big car, very comfortable on motorways. You wouldn't have to spend your whole £5k getting a good one. See HJs Car By Car Breakdown for tips on this model and also what to look out for on the 1.9 engine. Motoring discussion Jase Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96156 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96156&v=t&m=1054206 hjforum1054205 Wed, 16 May 2012 15:16:37 +0000 One piece of advice to anyone thinking of joining the NHS salary Sacrifice car scheme is to take there quoted delivery times with a pinch of salt, there simply not true. I ordered a car nearly 3 months ago and was told 3 weeks delivery if I ordered a golf. I’m still waiting despite promises that it would soon be with me. I cant help thinking that if the company didn’t have a monopoly with regard to the NHS, they would provide a much better service.  I’m not alone in this; a colleague ordered a car in November 2011 and waited until April this year, not what I would call a fleet solution. Its worth bearing in mind if like me you need a car quickly Motoring discussion kek Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=83574 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=83574&v=t&m=1054205 hjforum1054204 Wed, 16 May 2012 15:16:19 +0000 One of those things i'm afraid when a spring breaks, sods law says the tyre that got damaged was good un....springs best changed in pairs, the ns tyre maybe you should have noticed before this happened. PSA group cars do seem to have a habit of ripping tyres apart when springs break, i believe C3 was known for this, there might be a modification in the form of a cup to prevent the bottom of the spring from getting to the tyre, but couldn't tell you exactly what's involved. Motoring discussion gordonbennet Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96153 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96153&v=t&m=1054204 hjforum1054203 Wed, 16 May 2012 15:12:11 +0000 Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE Hi,   Looking for some help on the 5K challenge, the £5k is the total I am looking to pay.   Looking for a decent vehicle to do over 35,000+ miles a year that is both reliable and fuel efficient. I would be the only passenger mainly motorway driving, old car was a petrol 1.2 which was costing me tons on fuel so maybe a diesel. Advice on what maximum mileage I should be looking and age would be great total newbie!!       Thanks in advance Motoring discussion AVB Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96156 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96156&v=t&m=1054203 hjforum1054202 Wed, 16 May 2012 15:08:50 +0000 Hi, i have a A3 1.4T sportaback on a 57 plate- done 16K miles.  Since i have had it i cannot get any decent mileage out of it. It is mainly used for town driving but even on long runs i can only get about 28mpg out of it at best. Putting so much fuel in it!!. im running it on normal 95RON unleaded. Any help or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks- Russell Technical matters russell audi A3 Technical matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96155 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96155&v=t&m=1054202 hjforum1054201 Wed, 16 May 2012 15:07:25 +0000 Hi everyone. I'm trying to find an email address to send this letter. Hello, I am writing to you today regarding a problem I have encountered !with your Halfords Auto care garage that recently opened in Wokingham. So the story goes, On Monday the 7th I go to my local Asda store and fill up my CDTI Vauxhall Vectra SRI 150 with diesel, I then drive the 4 miles to home, go to work in the morning of Tuesday 8th and after work I drive home, 60 mile round trip. Wednesday 9th, I go to start my car and it starts but is chugging a lot and blue smoking with no revs at all, it eventfully stalls. I drive to work in the wife's car and arrange with the Halfords garage at the top of my road (Halfords Auto care) to look at the car and give me a diagnosis. At 1pm I get a call, the mechanic (Alan) says he is 100% that the tank is full of petrol!! I ask him to check the receipt in the centre console in the car, he does so and it clearly states "pump 2 diesel" at which I'm very confused but he assures me its petrol in the car and that he !had taken a sample from the tank on a new dry rag, put a flame to it and it burst in to flames and so confirming it is petrol. Slightly dangerous in an environment such as a mechanical garage I thought! So I go to Asda and start !complaining about their fuel but I'm told by the manager that there was no other complaints at all and that it wasn't possible to have petrol in the diesel pumps. I now return to the Halfords garage Alan again assures me that it's petrol and that's it, no way it can be diesel. The guy (Alan) then recommended a friend of his who could remove the petrol and replace it with diesel fuel as Halfords couldn't do this. I took the phone number from him and thanked him for his time. The guy also never charged me and said not to mention !Halfords to anyone as he would get in trouble for recommending his friend, unknowing what was to follow I agreed. I called the number and the drain down guy came out after paying £175 on the phone. The guy was very nice and came out within 30 minutes and started the process of removing the petrol. I asked for a sample to go in to a new petrol can as evidence so I could take this up with Asda head office, he agreed. About a litre went into a brand new petrol can and after many sniffing tests we poured some on to a rag and took a lighter to it, I just had to see with my own eyes to believe it. Would you believe it, no flame up concluding that it was in fact diesel in my car after all! I took a sample from the fuel filter as well as the tank and it's diesel for sure, it was even yellow in colour! The drain down company refused to refund ANY of the £175 despite only coming a couple of miles to my address and spending 10 minutes taking out a litre or so only. The car has since been to my usual garage and repaired. The fault was a faulty cam sensor and a crank shaft sensor which has now been fixed and the car is running perfectly on the original tank of diesel. After many phone calls to the drain down company they have now agreed a £75 refunds. I have also spoken to Steve at your Halfords Garage regarding Alan and Steve offered me a £100 discount on a service but to be frank after Steve told me all the mechanics looked at my car and all agreed that it was petrol and not diesel I've lost all confidence in Halfords Auto care and don't want to take up the offer. I do however still want another solution, I'm £100 out of pocket and I'm afraid it's down to the incompetence of your staff, I don't mean to be disrespectful but how can an !entire team of qualified mechanics not tell the difference between petrol and diesel?? I'm very disappointed in your garage and I hope you can sort this problem out and !return the money I have lost during !what has been a very stressful time. My car registration should you need it is X** AJL Also my phone number is 07909****** Regards have I even got a leg to stand on do you think? ! Motoring discussion neil1523 Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96154 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96154&v=t&m=1054201 hjforum1054199 Wed, 16 May 2012 15:01:14 +0000 Hi, I recently bought a Peugeot 307 HDI 55-plate with 90K miles from a trader in south Wales approximately three weeks ago. Everything was fine until last night, with four people in the car, the driver's front suspension coil shattered and took out the tyre and ABS cable too. Having eventually gotten it to a garage for repairs, they insist that the other side's coil needs refitting as well. They also mentioned that the nearside tyre was illegal and should be changed. I was assured that the car came with a three-month warranty, however looking back through the paperwork, the only mention of this I can see was "Warranty: Axle, Gearbox and Engine" handwritten over the top of the invoice for the car by the trader. Is this normal? Would this breakdown in your opinion mean the car was of 'unsatisfactory quality; under the Sale of Goods Act? Is their "warranty" legal? Do I have any other rights? I know suspension coils do sometimes just 'go', but it really is disappointing and concerning that this should happen so soon after buying it, especially with 3 of my colleagues in the car at the time! Thanks for any advice, H Motoring discussion harryfox Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96153 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96153&v=t&m=1054199 hjforum1054198 Wed, 16 May 2012 14:54:03 +0000 HELP, I have replaced the timing chain on my sons 1.3cdti & after a while the crankshaft oil seal started leaking, I have now replaced the seal twice making sure the cover was correctly located on the dowels (thinking this must line everything up), after reading a Haynes manual I notice mention of a centering pin tool part no. . EN 46775, but no one seems to sell it, vauxhall or motorfactors, & I cannot see it mentioned on any help forum. The only other mention of it is on the Ruville website. obviously many of you will have done this job, what am I doing wrong?, thankyou for all advice. Bill Technical matters xluvyou Technical matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96152 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96152&v=t&m=1054198 hjforum1054197 Wed, 16 May 2012 14:44:45 +0000 I've used Transpact.com, and they seem quick and efficient. I was asked for proof of my identity, which was a pain,but that seems par for the course with financial companes (same as PayPal, but better than banks). Set up took just a matter of minutes, and the money was paid into my account when the transaction finished in less than five minutes. They are FSA authorised and regulated - you need to check as there are a lot of spoof escrow service out there. Check on the FSA online register that Transpact.com is the real-deal (I did, and it was). Motoring discussion SouthendRunner Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96146 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96146&v=t&m=1054197 hjforum1054196 Wed, 16 May 2012 14:40:04 +0000 is the toyota rav4 2.2 dcat xtr diesel a 'turbo' diesel? Yes it has a turbo, but watch for the other major issues with the 2.2d engine. Motoring discussion dervdave Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96150 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96150&v=t&m=1054196 hjforum1054195 Wed, 16 May 2012 14:40:02 +0000 ebay auctions might not be for you, but ebay classifieds are just the same as any other advert, you go and view and negotiate. Take all precautions as you normally would, many traders now advertise there, as well as some small time traders pretending to be private sellers. Motoring discussion gordonbennet Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96149 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96149&v=t&m=1054195 hjforum1054194 Wed, 16 May 2012 14:36:23 +0000 I never thought of trying ebay. It looks like you pay the seller direct, not via  ebay. I'll add ebay to my current list of used car sites: auto trader + gumtree   Motoring discussion mikem004 Motoring discussion http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96149 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96149&v=t&m=1054194 hjforum1054193 Wed, 16 May 2012 14:27:13 +0000 I was driving down the motorway and all of a sudden noticed the car was juddering or jolting somewhat like it was loosing power momentarily. This has happened a few times in the last month but the problem seemed to clear itself up after a minute or so. This time though the engine system fault indication light came on. As I was nearly home i carried on but the engine seemed to lack power. From what I could gather from pulling away at lights etc that there was something wrong with the turbo as it wasn't pulling with any power. There was no limitation to the number of revs (i.e. under 1500rpm) that others haved suggested can happen if the car decides to go into "safe mode" almost. I left it a little while and started the car a little later and it started fine and the light has gone out. I went out and everything seemed to be working fine and the turbo was now back and active. I blasted it down the motorway and again, there was no indication of any of the problems from the day before. I was wondering if anyone has any previous experience of this? Could it be the clutch is on the way out? Something to do with the turbo? Fuel filter? Technical matters davenpearsall Technical matters http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96151 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96151&v=t&m=1054193