May 2010
In today's Sunday Telegraph, HJ warns an X-trail owner that if he buys a spare set of steel wheels for winter tyres, he'll need different wheelnuts than those for the standard alloys.
I have an X-Trail with standard alloys, but the spare is steel. No extra nuts were provided (I've had it from new) and I'm pretty sure the nuts fitted when I had a puncture and fitted the spare. So is the "spare" steel wheel different from the "base model" steel wheel? Or is it OK to use the "alloy" wheelnuts temporarily on a steel wheel.... Read more
I am looking at a 307sw 2ltr 110bhp 03 reg. the body is in exceptional state but on test drive it didnt impress (compared with others driven same model) . could it just need a 'clean out' or something similar to return performance, or might it be something mare serious. it has a tow bar which the vendor INSISTS has never been used. any advice welcome thanks. Read more
Hi
Please can someone advise I would like to replace my pollen filter in my car can someone tell me if access is in the glove box or under the steering wheel?? Also has anyone got any idea on the procdure to do it... Read more
The pollen filter is made up of 2 plastic "frames".You should be able to slide apart the 2 parts.hth
Have an odd problem with this. Left hand sidelights not working and centre console heater controls not illuminating. Seemed simple enough, they are both on the same fuse. Replaced the fuse and sidelights now ok but not heater controls. and as you drive the horn intermittently sounds until the fuse goes again.
Any ideas?? Read more
Hi Elekie, how are you doing?
Fault turned out to be the wiring harness behind the left hand headlamp had chafed through on the air con pipe and was shorting the sidelight wire and intermittently earthing the horn,
Good afternoon, I have owned a 55 plate Nissan Almera and feel the car has been a bit of a let down and has not lived up to the high expectations I have had of this make of car, although a few people have told me the same. Firstly two months after I bought it the gearbox had to be replaced- luckily under warranty- and then last year at service time the brake discs had worn so badly they needed to be replaced at 25,000 miles. Now it seems the air conditioning isn't doing its job properly and I am not going to fork out more money for this. Basically for all it always starts, is fairly comfortable, does over 40 mpg and is good on long journeys, these faults have annoyed me big time- not helped by someone deciding to scratch a smiley face into the bonnet late one night in a car park.
I am seriously thinking of replacing it with something different, maybe a diesel, as I don't want yet another round of bills in the autumn. My choices would be a Citroen C3 HDI- a friend has one and says it does 65 mpg and the road tax is only £ 35- a new shape Skoda Fabia TDi, which has all the attributes of the Citroen but is possibly better made, or a Seat Ibiza, which I have owned before and was largely reliable. Also on my list would be a Mazda 3, SEAT Leon, Kia Rio( which I've heard are excellent value and have a long warranty), Honda Jazz, Vauxhall Astra, or Peugeot 207. I am planning on spending about 7k before trade in so what would you chaps recommend I go for? Read more
I am narrowing my choices down to a Ford Focus or Fiesta( plenty on the market but most are sold locally by a franchise with a poor reputation, may have to try a non franchise), Honda Jazz( pricey but worth it), Mazda 3( nearest dealer 40 miles away but a good buy), Vauxhall Astra, SEAT Ibiza or, because the warranty is good, a Kia Rio or Hyundai i30.
It seems to be an accepted fact that earlier petrol-engined Corsas suffer camshaft failure and that tightening to recommended torque of the camshaft bolts at routine servicing is a sensible preventative measure to avoid this problem
Does the same problem and preventative measure apply to the 1.4L Corsa D? I have searched the forum for advice but found none. The only routine servicing mentioned for this car in the camshaft and valve area is 4 yearly adjustment of valve clearances and 10 yearly cambelt replacement.... Read more
its only the petrol engines that suffer you are safe with a diesel,Regards TB
I have a VW Passat 2005- 1.9 tdi. Ever since I took it for a service, when I start it it starts fine, and then cuts out after a few seconds and comes up with message ENIGINE FAILURE _ GARAGE and the glow plug light is on. Then when I start it again it is fine. Sometimes it takes a few attempts - what is this - it is really annoying as it always takes a few more time when I am in a rush.
Please help. Read more
The timing belt on my Xanti 2.0 HDI is nearing renewal.I would normally change the belt myself but having read the Haynes manual the job is best done with the electronic tensioner.Is this absolutely necessary?
Thanks for the reply, i've replaced Discovery,Mondeo and Citroen bx belts before but this will be the first i've done on this car, so the use of a "special" tool has made me wary.
I rode in a Ferrari 250 GTO once - it was reckoned to be worth about £1 million at the time.
It was uncomfortable and very noisy - and not even a nice noise either from inside - very 'boomy' exhausts. Sounded great from outside though. Read more
The 250 GTO isn't a 250 GT SWB. I think you'll find it's the successor. Rob Walker's was a 250 GT. It eventually ended up in the hands of legendary Bentley Drivers' Club supremo Stanley Sedgwick. He certainly didn't 'baby' it.
hi , my focus 1.6 mk2 2005 has stiff steering on idle but fine when revs are raised i guess it is the pump any ideas on cost as the ford dealer i contacted was useless kept telling me he was a qualified vauxhall mechanic !!!!!!! this was the workshop service manager so i really doubt i be going there , any help or advice would be great . thanks Read more
Have you checked the power steering fluid level?
It depends if the taper and the shape of the seat on the bolt is the same for the alloy and steel wheel.
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