I have a 2003 Ford Mondeo ST220 that has been runnung fine (and fully servivced) for many years. However in the the last few months it developed a potentially dangerous fault. On occassions the engine will cut out whilst driving (dashboard lights remain on but engine mangement light remains off) .

Twice the car has restarted whilst slowing down before we came to halt and once the car did not recover at all. Once the car has stopped it cant be restarted for about 30-45 minutes. The engine turns over and the starter motor will engage (tried it in first gear and it pulls the car forward slightly) but it wont fire up into life. Also on three occassions after driving the car fine from cold in the morning, when returning to the car it wont start with the same symptons.... Read more

On returning to my 3-year old Astra Estate at the local supermaket car park, I found a photocopied A4 leaflet stuffed under the wiper headed 'Vauxhall Customer Notice - Important Recall Notice'. It went on ' We have checked with the Vauxhall database and believe that your vehicle is due a manufacturer recall on a specific maintenance or safety issue. This recall work will be carried out completely free of charge. Please contact us on the number below so we can explain the exact details of your vehicle recall notice and book your vehicle in at your earliest convenience' .......... It then gave the correct contact details for my local main Vauxhall dealer.

It just strikes me as bit odd that there should be a recall notice stuffed under my windscreen wiper by someone stumbling across my particular car in a supermarket car park. Even more so considering that my car has been serviced from birth and had its first Mot with the aforementioned local main dealer. They have all the records.... Read more

We read a lot about the weaknesses and shortcomings of dual mass flywheels, especially in diesel cars.

I've often wondered what the problems can be. I think I maybe finding out.

My Vectra 1.9cdti 150, 07 reg, has just clocked about 62,000 miles. Most of these on fast dual carriageway/motorway runs. It's been serviced to book but I have noticed a "bit of a rumble" from the clutch area when engine is ticking over and out of gear with clutch up.

I mentioned it to the dealer at its 60,000 mile service - i just said "I think there is a bit of a rumble", and they say a new flywheel is needed. Quote is about £1,200. Just wondering whether this sounds about right?

Also needed is a new inlet manifold/emissions sensor because the emissions warning light came on recently ("about £320, sir), and a clutch return spring, as the pedal creaks a bit.

Bother.

But silly question as this is, what is it about these flywheels? - not just on Vauxhalls? Read more

Need to replace an alternator on the above. A quick look and it would appear the A/C compressor and its pipe work also has to come off to gain access to the alternator fixings. I am thinking it might be possible to slacken the compressor fixings and hold it off its mounting just enough to give access to the alternator fixing without disconecting any of the pipe work and having to re-gas the A/C.

Anyone got any experiences/thoughts/comments before I make the call? Read more

can anyone please tell me how much acambelt change will cost for my focus 1.6 zetec 2007 Read more