My sis owns a 04 plate vw sharan 1.9 tdi and she noticed it wasnt picking up speed so she gave it to the dealership for a look over and they've come back sayin the turbo's gone and quoted a price of roughly 1300!

firstly - could it be anythign else? is it worth sendin the car to a local garage to see what they say?

2ndly - is the price range for fittin etc right?

finally - could it be done cheaper and just as good elsewhere? Read more

Our 52 plate Toyota Corolla 1.6 VVTI 37,000 miles has developed a vibration which is rpm dependent, and is loudest under light load and when the engine is up to full working temperature. It is centred around 1,600 rpm and disappears 100 rpm or so, above or below 1,600. The engine runs quietly with the throttle closed, under gentle throttle sounds normal as rpm increases, but produces this intrusive rattle as it goes through 1,600 and then is sweet all the way to 6,000 rpm. With the throttle pedal half way down or more, it is almost non-existent. It is much less noticeable when the engine is cold and it flew through the emissions test with flying colours at the MoT. Performance and fuel consumption are good (although the best torque is found much lower in the rev range than I would have expected from a 16valve Toyota).

The best way I can describe the sound is that it?s like a sheet of thick plastic which is picking up a resonance.

Under the bonnet, the noise seems to come from around the plastic inlet manifold. I took this off, expecting to be able to dismantle it further but it?s a sealed unit. Underneath I realised the exhaust heat shields all twang & vibrate, so I damped these using high temperature silicone and damping blocks. Quieter it was, but the root cause is still there.

Would anyone have any suggestions please? Would an injector cause this sound?

Many thanks, John Read more

SWMBO has a new model Leon which some passing swine has broken the rear light on.

Does anyone know where you can get Mk2 Leon parts from that isn't a main dealer?

It needs a new near side inner rear light (the one in the boot lid)

I tried my local GSF but they weren't able to help. Read more

The rediculous design of this car has an engine mounting right in the middle of the timing belt loop.

Now the car has had the TB snap and I'm thinking I will just put a new belt on and see if it starts. If it has problems internally these will become apparent very quiickly, and I know that starting it could make things worse, but tbh if it has internal damage then it will be getting scrapped anyway so it's no big deal. If it works then we'll be happy.

Can anyone tell me any pointers about the process of fitting the new TB and what I should do regarding the engine mount, is it just a case of suppporting the engine, removing the mount and fitting the new belt?

Thanks very much Read more

Here in leafy Bucks the authorities have odd attitudes to roundabouts:

a) They put advertising signs on them, facing the approach roads. Why risk diverting drivers' attention away from negotiating the hazard safely?

b) Some of the roundabouts are high and planted with flowers. Pretty, but with the result that when approaching/waiting to enter (or crossing an entry/exit road as a pedestrian) you can't see what is coming round - sometimes not until the vehicle is almost upon you.

Oh, and on the subject of vision and visibility, there are those roundabouts that have thoughtfully planted greenery that obscure your RH vision until the last moment...

Pah! :-( Read more