I see that someone (in Saturday's Telegraph) has had the temerity to challenge HJ's advice about the frequency of oil changes (a braver man than me, evidently!).

The fool goes on to suggest that his Skoda Octavia is fine with its oil changes at 20,000 miles.

What I should like to know is:
a) who is this character, so we may avoid his car when he finally parts with it?
b) how much oil will be left to change when the engine starts to wear (any day now) and it starts consuming the stuff?

I remember when 1000 miles/pint was considered negligible... Read more

I have just purchased a 1999 V-plate Mondeo TD but I am finding it difficult to start first thing in the mornings, the engine turns and seems to splutter but cuts out, this will go on a good few more times as I crank the engine when finally it will spring to life and fires up very much like a flooded engine with plenty of smoke from the exhaust...

Once running it clears itself and runs perfect and clean, its also worth pointing out that through the rest of the day it doesn't seem to be a real problem to start only on the initial start up in the mornings..

I have just fitted new champion glowplugs without any benefit. I have also noticed on the Diesel pump their is 2 cables one of which is the accelerator and the other seems to go down to a module below the battery, this cable doesn't seem to work from cold or when ever the car is placed in reverse, apparently this could be a system that picks up the revs when reverse is selected or a waxstat? either way I havn't got a clue...

One more question is when the ignition is first turned on there seems to be a noise comefrom the pump for a couple of seconds like a selenoid running, but in my mind it doesn't sound quite right and is there such a thing on the pump called a cold start valve?

The car has done 94,000 mls and has been regulary serviced, Any suggestions would be much appreciated!!!

Many Thanks

Tony
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My 1998 1.8LX 406 (40,000 miles) has developed a high pitched whining noise when the clutch is on the point of engaging. It goes as soon as the clutch is fully engaged and the clutch is working OK. I am surprised there should be any clutch problems at this mileage.

Any ideas what is wrong?

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According to an evironmental programme I heard recently, it takes the entire output of a small power station just to keep the UK's traffic lights running.

If we changed to LED lights, available for years, the consumption would be reduced to a small fraction of that currently required, and costly maintenance would be reduced to a miniscule amount owing to the extremely long life of the LED units.

Singapore have, apparently, replaced all their old traffic lights but our 'Kyoto committed' lot haven't because there is no incentive for them to do so - local councils 'get the electricity free' (in other words, we pay for it) so do not have to even consider the cost, not even when installing new sets of lights.

Another splendid example of 'joined up government' ! Read more

my daugter runs a 1989 metro which has done 51000 miles. the engine seems to run on after being turned off, I assume it must be carbonised up. Does any body out there recommend a decent addictive or cleaner. Also the suspension needs pumping up , do I have to take it to a main dealer for this, or is there another way of doing this. thanks.
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