November 2000
After I have taken my car to a car wash,yes I know I'm lazy!, the windowscreen is coated with wax and smears whenever the wipers are used. Do you know of anything that I can use, either in my washer bottle or to wash it with, that will get rid of it and stop the smearing. Read more
I'm trying to find out average monthly running costs for used (1-3 years old) cars -
any ideas where to look?
Car Mags are very good for data for new cars (insurance, pence/mile, depreciation,
service costs) but I'm looking for similar data for used cars.
I'm about to change jobs and will give up a company car for a cash allowance -
£400 per month after tax. My wife's Renault Megane (1.6RT 5dr) has just reached
3 yrs old and has cost £310 per month for 6k miles/yr.
I'm contemplating a used Audi / BMW / Merc but want to do my sums before
even looking around forecourts or small ads - but where can I get the figures? Read more
Fleet News gives some indicative prices for monthly costs broken down in terms
of miles per year (10k, 15k, 20k, ...) and then the pence per mile figures for
depreciation, fuel, maintenance, and so on.
They also give Residual Values for a variety of makes/models/specs in the different
sectors. These can be used to guestimate any further depreciation of nearly new and
used vehicles.
The Road Tests are also well written by people who appear to enjoy driving.
www.fleetnews.co.uk
Some time ago there was an article in the Moroing Telegraph supplement re servicing of aircon units. I took my car to the local dealer and he was totally unaware of the need to service the unit. Finally I got it serviced for £80 at another local dealer with an aircon servicing unit. He stated that most people are unaware of the need to service the units and that a service at least every 2 years was a good idea. Read more
What can they do a aircon unit that costs 80uk pounds .
Honest John uses the correct procedure
.After all in most euro boxes the AC is no more than a domestic fridge .
regards Andy Bairsto
dear honest!
i have a 1990 audi 80 coupe 2.3e with a cat.(ke3 jetronic fuel injection)the car has just started having a problem. after aprox 2 hrs driving.its power suddenly drops off the fuel compsion meter seems to read a greater fuel consumption and the electric fuel pump at the rear seems to speed up(increases in noise)
any ideas?
dave holl Read more
Dear Dave,
It's not unknown for these engines to need a new set of hydraulic lifters at around the age yours is. New timing belt and tensionar at the same time, of course.
HJ
i own a peugeot 406 2ltr glx saloon and was wondering if anybody else was suffering from very poor fuel economy 18.4 mpg around town?i get low 30s on a motorway run at 80-85 mph the car is fully peugeot serviced and runs very well. how much difference will turning the a/c off? the car has covered 55k miles Read more
Dear Derek,
On Monday I could have bought a 97R 406 GLX 3.0V6 manual with 76,000 miles for £3,600. So yes, the price is right. Whether the deale ism right depends on whether you are prepared to suffer a loss of £2,000 in the short time you have owned your 406.
HJ
As I drive about 10000 miles a year, is a 1.6 petrol car a better bet than a 1.9 diesel. How many miles before the extra cost of diesel fuel/car cost made up? Read more
I live in Germany and last week Autobild magazine ran a test of six cars
one diesel the other petrol .Having taken into account all fixed costs it would
need in the region of 25000km to break even and to think that you have had to
use smelly diesel I stick to petrol.
One other point many people use Aldi cooking oil to run thier diesels .A 100000km test
test by the above magazine proved no disadvantages and it even smells better,
Also many petrol stations in Germany sell Bio diesel which is sunflower oil and is sold at amuch cheaper price than normal diesel
regards Andy Bairsto
Dresden
Germany
I have a K reg Peugeot 205 3 door. The driver's door is jammed shut. I have removed trim and can remove key lock of the door but it seems that it is the actual lock and not the key which is jammed or worn. Any ideas how to release the door lock so that the door can be opened?? Read more
In the Car by Car breakdown it mentions that some Fiesta engines (CVH) need regular cam belt changes whereas others (push rod) do not. How do I know which one my wife's 1995 1100 (one of the last of that shape) has ? Read more
Dear Chris,
The 1100 is a pusrod engine with a timing chain.
To tell the difference between 1300s, the CVH has a flat camshaft and lifter cover; the pushrod engine has a taller, domed cover.
You can also remove the oil cap and look underneath for pushrods and old fashoned narrow rockers. While a timing belt is almost always located under a plastic cover on the opposite end of the engine from the gearbox. No such cover on a pushrod engine. But just to confuse matters, Land Rover diesels and ford 1.6/1.8 litre diesels have both a timing chain AND a timing belt. Chain from crankshaft to fuel distribution pump. Belt from pump to camshaft.
HJ
Has anyone had experience of sudden power loss which clears after stopping for 2/3 mins.
This has recently happened twice on the motorway and once on a roundabout on leaving a motorway - on that occasion the engine auto diagnostics warning light came on briefly - since then the light has come on again several times accompanied by erratic engine revs (up to 2000 with foot off the throttle).
The car is under warranty and is going into a dealer in the next day or so but my experience of dealer diagnostic efforts is not good so any external advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks. Read more
Car now well - garage pronounced there was a fault although diagnostics indicated system was ok.
New coil box and ECU fitted.
I service my own cars and motorbike. Recently I had to top up my Ford Escort 1.8 turbo diesel with engine oil after a service. I didn't have any diesel engine oil left having bought 4 litres instead of the required 4.5. Could I use ordinary engine oil providing it is the correct viscosity? There was nothing on the can to say that it can't be used on diesel engines. Read more
Dear Steve,
In an emergency, yes. But long-term, especially with a turbo diesel, it is advisable to used turbo diesel specific oil.
HJ
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If you have a dishwasher, the best way of getting wax and grease off the screen
is to use a spoonful of dishwasher powder dissolved in a cupful of very hot water.
Use this on some kitchen towel to scrub the screen, leave it on the screen for
half an hour or so, then rinse off thoroughly with a hose or watering can. I am
careful not to get any on the paintwork, as I suspect it would damage the paint.
Also, avoid getting too much of it on your skin or clothes, and especially avoid
splashing it in your eyes.
This method is the only way I have yet found of removing the grease that builds
up on the screen on a long motorway run.( I think it may be unburnt diesel from
truck exhausts, anybody else know what it is?)
Mike Humpherson.