My old Escort has covered 52000 from new and is mainly used 10-12 times each month usually for short journeys, after about 12miles it developes an erratic misfire, also sometimes the engine races away without the throttle being touched plus frequently cuts out when the accelerator pedal is released. Various mechanics have looked at it, changed the plugs and leads etc, checked electrics, all to no avail.
It is now suggested that the ECU may be at fault and should be replaced, if this is done will the new unit require reprogramming to the car by a dealer, I am told that the coil unit will have to be replaced as well as part of the ECU system.

Recently the car has started to show the symptoms within a few minutes of driving from cold and is becoming dangerous to drive. I don't know whether the erratic running is caused by ignition or fuel problems

Can anyone help with any ideas which will be appreciated, otherwise I scrap the vehicle at the end of the month

{subject header made less vague by including a brief summary of the question being asked} Read more

I have a Renault Clio 1.5 dci 2002. Today whilst driving down the M4 at a steady 70-75 with the car driving as normal, i suddenly felt a surge of power and heard a small bang,looked in my rear view mirrow and a large cloud of black smoke has been left behind me. After this the car seemed to run ok, even though i was taking it very easy. Any ideas as to why the car would do this? Read more

Hi

I'm interested in buying one of these - probably a 316i, 318i or a 320i. Just wondered what are the points to specially look out for? After looking at two cars the weak points seem to be:

1) Overheating leading to head gasket failure
2) Rust round the rear arches.
3) Sticking sunroof switches and instrumentation problems.
4) Lumpy idle from cold, including hesitancy on revving the engine - my 1992 Toyota doesn't do this!

Would appreciate any advice/comments! Read more

I consider myself immune to road rage (breath slowly, count to ten, I hope you crash you - ) but when people block the ENTRANCE to a petrol station... not just to get a pump on the "right" side of their car, but in order to hedge their bets before joining a queue. They also, at my local sainsburys, cause a queue on the actual road which is dangerous.

This I believe is a growing trend. It ought to be stamped out and the offenders punished.

I always give them a good blast on the horn, after I've made sure that there's no-one in their car bigger than me. {SNIP stereo typical comment removed} Read more

Please help or point in the right direction. I have 2003 Micra and require all new tyres (well actually 3 out of 4 - but thought it best to replace all 4)

I'm literally spoilt for choice - just too many options and it is starting to hurt! - At present I have narrowed the choice to four tyres but I do not know of a comparison site or indeed much about tyres as this is the first time I will have had to buy them!

Bridgestone B391 - as supplied with the car £200 all-in
Bridgestone B250 - £200 all-in
Firestone F590 £177.08
Michelin Energy Saver £170.24

The above are the best prices I have found (online or other) for the chosen tyres. I'm not even sure if they are suitable and which are better -obviously manufacturers have their claims and dealers have their own agendas etc.

This isn't a plea for the best price/cheapest tyres, but a request for choosing the correct ones - basically does anyone know of any reliable and independent review sites?

Apologies if I've put this in the wrong section, but this seemed a logical place.

Steve

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