In October, some of you may recall I raised the question concerning repairs/replacement of V6 (1997) engine which had got corrosion on the block between the head gasket and the block. After alot of anguish I decided to have a Rover replacement (with some allowance from Rover), reassured by the main Rover distributor that any earlier problems with the V6 were now resolved. This was at 59K miles. After (perhaps unnecessary) running in over 5K miles) it has now developed a clatter/rattle coming from the upper engine/cylinder heard area. It's not obvious when starting cold, first thing in the morning but gradually gets noiser. It is less evident when pulling away. It is horribly out of tune and has lost its power.
The distributor tells me that it sounds as if there is a 'screw' rattling, and he has recommended that I take it in as soon as possible.
Obviously, I am not driving it but in the meantime (since the earliest they can look at it is well after Easter), I thought I would check if any of you have had similar experience with the V6.
My concern is that I had done about 1000 miles whilst the noise was not obvious, and it might have developed into a more serious problem. (Originally, I thought it might have just been some vibration rattle).
I expect the work to be done under warranty of the new engine (it was also serviced during the intervening period), but, I would like to pre-armed with as much information as there is available before I have to start the inevitable round of negotiations.
Thanks in antiucipation,
Keith Read more

Hi,

My Omega ('98) has developed an irritating click in the steering over the last few weeks. It dosn't do it all the time and is more of a feeling through the wheel. Initially I thought it was caused by a worn suspension bush but had all these changed today when I had new shocks fitted. Despite being worn, the bush (all 4 in the front suspension) change hasn't made any differencen - to this problem anyway.

So, I guess the next thing to suspect is one of the many ball joints in the steering linkage mechanism - of which the Haynes manual shows quite a few.

My question is, how do I go about pinning down which joint is at fault? Changing all of them will be expensive and a big hammer to crack a nut - although you are supposed to get the tracking etc. done after changing any steering component so I'm after opinions from those of you in the trade/in the know about these things.

Please don't get me wrong, its not a major clunk - just something that is irritating me and I'd rather wasn't there - just like income tax really.

In anticipation .......... Robert Read more

my Wife's Micra is used mainly for journeys of less than five miles. Although she ran the car for six years without any problems, during the past few weeks the engine rev's have dropped when at rest at ATS or junctions, cutting out completely on a round-a-bout on one occasion. When idling in park, over a period of two minutes + when warm, the engine rev's drop, then increase dramatically without any pressure being applied to the accelerator. My local non-Nissan mechanic is at a loss. After changing the fuel filter without any appreciable improvement, he is understandably reluctant to progress further without an indication of where the problem lies. have you heard of similar symptoms? My mechanic has a hunch it may be due to electrical problems relating to the CTV gearbox. Read more

I was chatting to a neighbour this morning who was prepping a couple of his vehicles for a show this weekend (he's a classic VW fan). He was wearing surgical gloves to polish the engine bay of a combi (Ian will know what I mean).

He told me that he'd been using them ever since reading an article where a guy had lost a finger after car polish entered an open cut while polishing his car.

I know that petroleum distillates can cause dermatitis etc. etc. but a quick web search didn't pick up any reference to the lost-finger case.

Is this another urban legend or has anyone else seen believable reports ?

Kevin... Read more

Hi all,
Probably a stupid/ unnessecary question, but anyway. I have a new car, and want it to look its best, so I wash it quite frequently. But, whenever I leave it to dry or even shamois leather it dry, I get left with sort of dusty marks where the water has dried and left deposits. How do I stop this happening short of drying the car with a hairdrier??!

Thanks,

Giles Read more