Hi all,

New to the forum - apologies if I spare the introductions for now. I have a 2001 Focus 1.6 with 90k on the clock - got it just over a year ago with 79k. Price was possibly a bit on the steep side, but time was short and I got £250 for my worthless old VW Polo and a year's warranty.

Anyway, at Christmas I had the car serviced and the cambelt done at my local Ford garage. To cut a long story short, the new tensioner failed and they ended up replacing all the exhaust valves along with a few other bits and bobs. So far so good, car was running fine when I got it back.

Since Christmas, it's used 4.5 litres of oil - it would seem the piston rings are shot. Oil consumption didn't seem to be a problem beforehand, but there's no sign of damage to the pistons themselves. The car is currently in the garage with the head off - I've seen it myself, there's a lot of movement on the pistons.

I have been quoted £1500 (or, in other terms, half the value of the car on a good day) for a replacement 'short block' engine, including fitting and VAT by Ford, and a bit less (£1k-£1200) by an independent specialist (using a brand new Ford block). Apparently piston ring renewal is not an option.

My questions are as follows:

1. Is this a common occurence on this engine?
2. Is the price I've been quoted decent?
3. Would I be mad to spend that much on the car given what it's worth?
4. Is it worth considering a 2nd hand engine? Any ideas how much that would cost?
5. Would I be as well to trade-in/flog/scrap the car and get something different?

Really I'm looking for the cheapest overall solution, but don't want to throw money at something that won't last. The guy I spoke to at the independent said a 2nd-hand engine was more trouble than it was worth and would cost the best part of a new engine in the end.

The warranty company don't count it as a mechanical breakdown, so they won't pay.

Thanks for any advice,

Niall Read more

With SWMBO's 1995 306 Sedan on axles stands for it's annual service I took the opportunity to perform a pre-MOT check. Everything seems fine apart from noticeable play in the left hand front wheel assembly. The front right hand wheel assembly, which doesn't bear so much roundabout loading or clattering through potholes and kerbside water, is as sweet as a nut.

With the suspension unloaded, grasping the top and bottom of the roadwheel and performing an in-out rocking motion gives a very slight but noticeable "clonk". Repeating with hands at "quarter to three" gives exactly the same "clonk". The steering wheel was free to rotate so I don't think steering joints are at fault, confirmed by having an assistant rotate the steering wheel whilst I held the road wheel; no play. Likewise I don't think it's the wheel bearing as there is no bearing related noise when driving under any condition or when spinning the roadwheel.

A penny to a pound the fabled inner rear bush on the front lower wishbone has worn.

If it is a wishbone bush, I know that Peugeot only sell a complete assembly of lower wishbone and bushes but motor factors sell the bushes separately. If I purchase the latter, is it an easy job to press the old bushes out and the new ones in, please?

For info, whilst it's all apart I'll replace the balljoint too for the sake of the few quid it will cost.

I think I have deduced the only component that could cause what I describe, but if you have 306 experience and think otherwise, please comment!

Cheers. Read more

Remembering that my car tax expired at the end of this month (ie. midnight tomorrow), I renewed via the direct.gov.uk website today. On there they state it can take 5 working days to deliver the new disc, which in all likelihood means I won't receive the tax disc until after my due renewal date.

What therefore is my legal position? Will I be breaking the law by not displaying a valid tax disc? (even though the DVLA records would show I have bought a new one). Could it potentially cause problems with my insurance?

And before anyone asks, the answer to the two obvious questions are:
1. I forgot to do it sooner!!
2. I can't get to a post office tomorrow (plus I turned the house upside down looking for the MOT cert this afternoon!!)

Help/advice would be greatly appreciated... Read more

Took my boys to the lakes today - nice and sunny, bit of a trip on a boat, lovely day, all in all.
Both I and the 11 year old noticed there were loads of bikers about. Most of them were stood next to the rows of parked bikes, stretching, looking rather sweaty and uncomfortable in their leathers. The few that had strayed more than a few yards from their steeds walked about the shops with a helmet in one hand with curious stiff legged gait, no doubt caused by the trouser/boot comibination they were wearing.
Would it not have made more sense for these couples (most seemed to have a pillion today) to have travelled to the beauty spot by car (maybe a two seater). After all they could have stood next to their bikes in just about any car park, couldn't they.
Incidentally I don't aim this at any particular biker or pillion, it is just a general observation and does not necessarily relect the views of any other reader or non reader of this site, blah-di-blah-blah:-) Read more

My Sister In Laws 2001 VW Polo 1.4S has developed a problem getting into third gear. Its like new with 50k miles. However unless really give it lots of power when changing up into third it refuses to engage. Changing down is a no no and it will engage with double de clutching (not popular in 2007). Is this a gear linkages problem and VAG dealer territory? Or something that can be dealt with by a local garage? I've lent her our old Fiesta for a week to see if I can get the Polo repaired, so all thoughts -as always welcome. Read more