Hello All,

I'm having trouble costing out the difference between running diesel and petrol cars. I've run diesels for quite a long time and have always been happy with the mpg.

However, some time ago I bought the wife a used Nissan Almera 1.4 petrol. She's a gentle driver and regularly gets over 40mpg on a run. What it's average is, I don't know. The car has cost us nothing other than routine servicing.

My car is a V. Astra 1.7 td (Isusu engine), which has done 146K miles, but still does around 45mpg on average. I feel like a change. This car has cost me quite a bit in repairs - it needs some shims adjusting at the garage every year, for instance.

Now, the cost of diesel is about 4p a litre more than petrol at the moment. Diesel cars cost more to buy and, I think, cost more to service, even nowadays.

We'll do about 10k miles a year in the next car, whatever it is. Do I buy petrol or diesel looking at it from an economic point of view?

Best wishes, Read more

Hi, just a quick question, just noticed that my 1995 mk1 mondeo 1.8lx is hissing when its idling. The engine sounds lumpy when idling, and idles around 750rpm, which I believe is normal.

I havent managed to isolate the exact location of the hissing, plan to look again in the morning, although it does appear to be coming from just below the distributor area. Im 99% sure its air, as there are no visable signs of coolant loss.

Is this major? Surely a drop in airpressure will just result in low mpg... any thoughts or ideas to this problem? Hopefully its just a hole in a pipe which can be fixed easily (not sure how that would happen!)

Any feedback greatly apprieated, as I plan to travel to Wales in the morning!

Thanks in advance

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We realize that this subject is in danger of being flogged to death but would nevertheless appreciate the advice of those of you who have much more experience than me......also some previous threads have been just a little too technical for us.

My wife I hope soon to do a tour round the West Country and would welcome a voice telling us exactly where to turn without having an argument beforehand!

What we need is just a UK guide at minimum cost and as simple as possible to set up and use. We don't mind whether it is a dedicated unit or a PDA with GPS added. We really don't need a PDA but it's smaller size appeals and if it costs less we'll go for it. Charging from cigarette lighter socket also appeals.

Suggestions as to possible place to buy would be welcomed.

Many thanks. Read more

My Spitfire has poor compression on number two cylinder. 100 psi as opposed to 125ish on the other three.

Not a huge problem at the moment, but does make cold starting a bit tricky.

I understand that poor compression generally narrows it down to head gasket, valve stem seals or piston rings.

Any advice on how I might work out what it is? There's no water in the oil, and no oil leak from the head. Read more

I've been looking for ages for a Mondeo at Blackbushe auctions, and have noticed Mondeos seem to be very cheap at the moment. For example, today a 2.0 Ghia 02 reg with 110k miles went for £3375, and last week an 02 1.8 LX with 50k went for £3800, and a 53 reg 1.8 lx (I think), with about 53k went for £5400. They all had reasonable service history, are all decent colours, the first two silver, the 3rd a sort of 'champagne' colour, and all seemingly in decent condition, with only the expected stone chips and car-park dings.

Any opinions as to why Mondeos are so cheap, for what is a very decent car - is it just over supply, or is there some 'trade' reason?

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