December 2000
My car is a 91 1.6 Astra which has covered 76000 miles. I change the oil regularly and was wondering what the difference is between a filter costing £2 from a local motor factor and either a champian filter from Halfords or GM from Vaxhaull. As the filter is only on the car about 3 months would it make any difference? Read more
Can anybody help me please?
I own a 16 year old Audi 80 1.8 GL which after 130,000 miles is still going strong but has started to 'smoke' from the exhaust on acceleration. The mechanic who serviced my car recently said that this is common on old VW/Audi engines and is due to the rubber valve guide seals going hard. He said that it was possible to buy a petrol additive which had the effect of softening these seals reducing the smoke produced. I have not been able to find such an additive in the usual high street shops. Any ideas please?
Simon Read more
When the valve is open the stem is esposed to the fuel + additive.
HJ
Is ther a tool to switch this off if you choose to change the oil yourself, or am I doomed to stick black tape over the light?If so , how much? Read more
thanks for the info
Why has diesel gone up, so that it is now 4p a litre more than unleaded.
This has happened shortly after I have just bought my first diesel car!
Historically, diesel was always slightly cheaper than ordinary petrol, so what
has changed?
Mike Humpherson Read more
I have run a diesel Astravan. and with HJ's advice have changesd the oil every 6 months (millers synthetic) and used thier fuel addictive and it's just run in @ 134k, pity I have to sell it due to needing an auto with decent legroom, maybe I should have run it on Alovera or Virgin Olive Oil! I must admit I am considering LPG next time and eating a lot of beans! Move to France and its cheaper to fill up, and save on the booze! > BC (in UK)honestjohn wrote:
>
> Dear Mike,
>
> The main reason is that diesel is basically the same stuff as
> heating oil. There is a finite amount that can be refined from
> every barrel of crude and in the winter demand for heating oil
> rises. Also, this winter, stocks of heating oil were low. The
> answer is supply and demand, not unfavourable taxation in this
> case.
>
> HJ
In August, my Corsa 1.4 sized up after 24,000 miles with no warning. Vauxhall paid £500 towards the £914 cost of the engine rebuild (it was just out of warranty). John seems to think it might be 'short trip syndrome' (I'm a health visitor). Since I know several other community nursing/medical staff with Corsas I wondered if anyone else had had similar problems. Vauxhall are not willing to accept any firther liability.Not much of an advert for a popular car!
Any comments? Read more
My dog chewed the end of the removable radio panel of my Fiesta. A replacement is about £60, the cost being artificially high as a security measure to deter radio thefts. I'm all in favour of this, but surely if I "trade in" the damaged panel then security is not being compromised, I could buy a replacement at reasonable cost and Ford would have a happier customer. I believe that the actual cost of these panels is very low. Read more
Dear Neil,
Ford's central Oasis computer which can be logged into by any Ford dealer knows you are the owner of the car, so you're right. An exception to the rule could be made for genuine owners. The part plust the cost of reprogramming the chip inside it could easily be made avaialble for £20 or less.
HJ
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Dear Nick,
Never buy a pattern oil filter. You might save £2 and wreck your engine. But do by all means buy a cheaper oil filter made by the same company (such as Fram) which makes them for the manufacturer.
HJ