My Non Turbo Diesel 205 has a noise from the front Brakes. I replaced the calipers 2-3 months ago and now after about 10 miles, when going in a straight line they sort of whistle. If I just touch the brakes or turn the steering wheel a little in either direction it stops. My guess is that the pads are touching the disks, but why, and only in a straight line, it's driving me nuts? It's not worn down pads. Read more

Hi All,

This is my first post on this forum but I've read through many in my search for suggestions to an "overheating" problem with my petrol Focus. Last night on the way home from work the temperature gauge shot into the red and I had to pull over several times, switch off the engine and wait for it to cool before proceeding.

A wee bit of background. Over the last week I've noticed that the heater is not blowing hot air (we've had some uncharacteristically mild days up in Scoltand so unusally not had the need for heat!). The fan has also been kicking in more often than usual and for the last couple of days it has been on constantly for the hour long, 10 mile commute across town. Then as I mentioned the temp gauge went to red.

My knowledge of car engines (especially for anything controlled by ecu's) is very limited but I'm willing to learn. Any suggestions on checks I can undertake and signs to look out for to determine the cause of the problem and possible fixes would be appreciated.

In other posts (mikej, same car, similar problem without the "broken" heater factor) I picked up references to head gaskets, radiator blockage, coolant factors, temp thermostat but to be honest I don't know where to start.

Any help appreciated.

Many thanks
Mike (H) Read more

I have 2 cars A Volvo C70 T5 Auto and a VW Bora 1.9TDI Auto.

I drive 38 miles each way to work so 384 miles week.

I've driven both cars to work for a week and worked out the average Fuel Consumption for each

The Volvo 35mpg and the Bora 47mpg.

Doing my sums it will cost me at todays fuel prices £553 a year more to drive the Volvo to work over the bora.

But here is the rub, I brought the volvo before the fuel prices went silly and paid £4500 14 months ago.
I brought the Bora to replace the Volvo for £4500 about 2 months ago.

I've been trying to sell the Volvo since then and had no luck and just a few bites offering silly prices (£1400!) ... so if i sell it now i will loose £3000 on it..

So I'm Selling the Bora, It would take almost 6 years of driving to get the money back on driving a more econimical car. !!....

So for anyone thinking of getting rid of there nice big comfy car and getting something smaller / diesel / more econimical. Then Don't, You'll be worse off for a very long time!!.

On the other side of the coin if you are changing cars, Buy a nice big comfy one, there has never been a better time. They are going for peanuts. Read more

Just wondering, with the increased petrol costs traffic jams etc, - does anyone still just get in the car for the sake of it and go for a drive somewhere for me the greatest way to "chill" is to take my car out somewhere some good tunes on the CD player and drive off for a couple of hours through the country ( i dont go tearing through at great speed) I just like to drive and the feeling it brings, I dont get the same feeling driving to work becasue ive got work on my mind but after work i just think about the pleasures of driving my car - but i feel more and more guilty with constant reminders of air pollution, high petrol prices, and road space (but at the same time it does not stop me)

Anyone else feel the same?

Ste Read more

Hi,
Hope you can help.
Just had my car MOT'ed it failed on the 'Offside front velocity joint being insecure'.
Got the garage to fix it so it would pass and now I have a leak from the steering fluid.

I took the car back and now they say that the hose (which in rubber and 2 aliminium parts) has to be replaced at a cost of £135.

Having looked at the haynes manual I have a feeling that they either damaged the part when they did the original work or they didn't put a new seal back on. Does this sound likely.

I had no leaks before this happened.
Many thanks
Kat

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