On my 406 HDi,there is a tick tick tick noise,coming from the top of the engine,behind the black plastic cover on the block.

My local garage,used a Snap On stethescope,to listen to it,and found the location of the noise.It only happens when the engine is idling,and once you let the revs rise,it disappears.Tbe infamous bottom crank pulley is ok,and until he starts to strip it,he can't be precise as to what it could be,only a theory.

The timing belt was changed only 17k miles ago,so a deteriorating belt due to mileage,it would appear,is not an option.

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My Mazda MPV 2.0 diesel is now almost 3 1/2 years old. The dealer offers a fixed price servicing schedule which is IIRC, something like £250 year 1, £180 year 2, £250 year 3 etc until year 5 at which a cambelt inspection/change? is due and this takes the bill to something like £500. My car has done low mileage (<5k pa) and is now out of warranty and I'm wondering about the value of these services, especially if certain parts like filters, plugs etc. aren't actually being changed due to the low mileage. When it gets to year 5 presumably they will inspect the cam-belt regardless of the low mileage and since this will be time consuming and included in the price is it going to be worth getting the belt changed regardless of whether they claim it is necessary or not? Would it even be worth considering delaying the cam-belt inspection/change for a while? I will check what the garage's policy on this is but am wondering what your thoughts are.

Cheers as always! Read more

A driver who successfully challenged the accuracy of a police speed gun has told of his relief at overturning his conviction. Brian Wiltshire, 48, was yards from his home near Caton, Lancaster, when he was clocked at the roadside travelling 39mph by an officer using a hand-held device.

He was adamant that he was travelling at between only 25mph and 29mph in the 30mph zone and contested the reading. The conviction was overturned after technical experts explained laser guns could return faulty readings if the equipment was not set up properly.

The decision by a judge at Preston Crown Court could pave the way for similar challenges from speeding motorists. Mr Wiltshire was driving home in his M-reg Escort nearly a year ago when he was pulled to the side of the road by officers using a LTI 20/20 laser device.

Facing a £60 fine and three points on his licence, the designer clothes shop owner pleaded not guilty to the offence before magistrates, but was convicted last June.

He refused to accept the ruling and took the case to Preston Crown Court last week.

A judge allowed his appeal after hearing expert evidence that laser devices can give faulty readings if they are not aligned properly.

His lawyers argued he had no case to answer because the officer operating the device had not done the correct checks beforehand.

However, Judge Andrew Woolman indicated the ruling did not set a precedent and will give a full ruling on his decision on a date yet to be fixed.

Mr Wiltshire said he felt vindicated following the appeal ruling. He said: "I was stopped in a built-up area at a time when the schools were finishing for the day and I was certain that I was going under 30mph. I tried to speak to the officers involved and tell them the equipment must be wrong but they weren't having any of it.

"Although the judge has not explained his ruling I believe it shows that such laser devices can be wildly inaccurate."

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "We remain confident with the use of the equipment and its reliability. In this instance the case was lost because an officer failed to carry out an administrative function."

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Hi,
I'm pretty useless when it comes to understanding diesel engines, so I hope somebody may have some ideas to help me.
I bought this car 6 months ago as a tow car with 126,00 miles and FSH, but there are a number of points that are a nuisance/worry and I really can't afford the expense of toddling off to garages without some understanding under my belt.
The car starts fine every morning. Then, after about a couple of hundred yards the revs will drop, and upon pushing the accelerator, drop a good lump of blue smoke and then shoot off as if to make up for lost time. I assume this is valve stems/seals. But the other problem is more concerning; at any time, when pulling off from a stand, the engine will suddenly drop revs and will need coaxing back to life with the accelerator - usually in the middle of the carriageway; this time jumping forward with a plume of black smoke. Upon investigation of the service history (yes, I know, check before you buy) the car had been filled with petrol sometime shortly before the sale. any ideas what damage could have been done? also, when towing my caravan, if I put my foot down too hard on the motorway the glowplug light comes on and the car drops to a crawl until I pull over, stop the engine and restart.
I've tried Wynns fuel tank cleaner and injection cleaner (for diesel) which I've always sworn by, but no difference
Thanks in advance
Stuart

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BUT does this model have a charge relay by the bonnet release pull or is it just the older 4 pin plug alternators that have this??? Read more