engine | Ask Honest John

Ask Honest John

Most recently answered engine questions

I refer to you an item in Sundays lifestyle regarding VAG`s 2.0 litre Diesel engines. For the benefit of someone who is non technical could you explain the benefits of the PD engine against the similarly...

Flap jacks

Your Telegraph column of 1st May prompted me to e-mail BMW to question whether the swirls flaps on my 2003 BMW530D engine was a known weakness as reported by you. BMW admits it has modified the inlet manifold...

Sumpting

My son’s 2006 LandRover Freelander diesel seems to be getting diesel into the engine oil. We changed the oil 2 weeks ago, and the dipstick shows more oil now than after we changed it. I drained the oil...

Why is my Nissan Micra's engine so dirty?

I bought a 56 plate Nissan Micra automatic 5-door 1.2 SE with 10,000 miles on it. The car is great, but one thing has puzzled me: the engine is very dirty when you lift the bonnet. I can't understand why.

Unheard of

I have just purchased a new Hyundai i30 1.6 Comfort. The car is fine except for the accelerator, which is very fierce at small openings. This makes it difficult to start smoothly and to drive in stop-start...

With some hesitation

I have a 6 year old Audi TT 3.2DSG, that I have had since new and still very much enjoy, except for one big problem. It stops without warning. At anytime, any place anywhere, the power goes. Also it will...

Eager Beemer

I have a manual 2009 BMW118dSE. From the date of purchase I have noticed that when I slow or change down, as when approaching a turning or roundabout, the engine thrust can still be felt. On occasions...

Goes like a bomb

In March 2009 I bought a used Jaguar XF, previously owned by Jaguar, Brown’s Lane, Coventry. On 31-12-2009 at 39,000 miles, it suffered catastrophic engine failure. The car started to speed up without...

The penalty of overeating

Could you recommend someone who refurbishes engines who could fix my 2006 KIA Sorento 2.5 diesel auto, or supply a reconditioned replacement? The engine overheated and has scored the bores.

Pressure crooked

I have heard that the 2.0 TDi (PD) engine in the 2005 VW Passat has a tendency for the oil pump drive to fail suddenly at around 70,000 - 90,000 miles. Is this a known fault? If so, has it been rectified...