December 2010
A question about my sons T reg Clio 1.2 with 85000 miles on the speedo. Driving at over 40 mph it is difficult to steer the car in a straight line especially when the road surface is uneven. He has just had two new front tyres fitted but not cured the problem. Going to get garage advice once they open after Christmas but I think there is/are worn ball joint(s). Can anyone confirm my diagnosis? Read more
What would cause the crown wheel in the transfer box to lock-up. This has caused extensive damage to the crown wheel and the pinnion shaft, all bearings spin freely and are intact Read more
On my 2005 issue handbook.
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Just a passing observation about the number of drivers that prefer to hold their cars on gradients using the clutch rather than the handbrake.... Read more
Modern engines use more fuel in neutral (idling) than with closed throttles (nil used) although there will obviously be more engine braking in gear.
I know. But I have argued in another thread [coasting] that more energy is needed to keep the engine rotating at above idling speed than just at idling speed. Assuming your journey starts and finishes at the same level, all this energy is produced by burning fuel. ...
Hi all, I have a 2006 meriva, 1.7cdti and I noticed a terrible grinding noise when I brake. You can actually feel it on the brake pedal and it's like something is hanging from underneath and digging into the road (had a quick look and nothing is hanging down) Anyone have any ideas? The bearings were replaced October 2009 and new brakes were fitted approx 12-18 months ago
Many thanks Read more
Some pads have a warning layer so when it wears down, it gives the noise you have described.
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Anyone help, replaced altenator a year ago, gen Ford part, battery light comes on and off at random intervals, took it to local garage they replaced it, same problem. The garage now say they think the ECU has a fault but having talked to a ford wireman he says it might be the smartcharging wire is broken somewhere in the loom between the alternator and the ECU, anyone had similar /?
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Take a look here.Especially my response re the 3 wires to the alternator for the smart charge system.hth...
hi need help in choosing a new car,can some one please point me towardss any automatic cars which are fuel efficient and reliable
lexus is 200d/toyota avensis/mazda 6/bmw 320/passat/a4 Read more
I suppose it depends on what you are used too , but one of my daughters had a Jazz CVT and it was rather sluggish at pulling away at big roundabouts & getting into the flow of traffic. It was no rocket ship & fuel economy wasn't good unless you drive like a nun.
Once you were at 65ish there was nothing left for overtaking ! 70 in a head wind was hard work !...
I am in desperate need for some help please! I have a 2004 Kia Picanto with around 30 000 miles on the clock. I recently took it into a garage when it suddenly started juddering quite violently in all gears, eased only by lifting my foot off the accelerator. I was told the entire driveshaft needed reconditioning (all joints on both sides were worn apparently) which set me back £450. On the drive home from the garage the problem occurred again but worse, and I just managed to drive it home albeit very slowly!
The garage now reckon that a crankshaft sensor fault is causing an engine misfire. They say a replacement will cost £200+ with labour since the part needs to come from Kia and will take 2+ hours to fit.
My question is whether I am expected to pay for this? As far as I am concerned their work on the driveshaft was not essential (the symptoms clearly pointed to a misfire! There was never any noise when steering or problems with the gears) and a result of a misdiagnosis. Can I expect them to replace and fix the sensor for free? I paid them to fix my car, which they haven't!
I would be very grateful for any advice you can give me, this is an absolute nightmare!
Kirsten Read more
Typically sensors like this cost ten or twenty quid but are hidden around the back of the engine , maybe under the starter motor.
So £20 + two hours @£90 = £200....
(am an avid reader of Honest John in the Telegraph but this is my first post here - be gentle with me!)
Wonder if any kind peeps can help. For 6 months my previously totally reliable Nissan Micra K12, 2003/53 plate has become totally unreliable. Started in June when suddenly the car started to judder, there was an electrical smell, the engine light came on and turned out it was the ignition coil needed replacing. Got that done, a week later it went again and they replaced it under warranty. A month or so later the car started juddering again but it's an intermittent problem. I would often notice it on cold start going up the hill away from our house, but it would be juddery on gear changes etc too. Took it to the Nissan dealer, they said rear O2 sensor, replaced it. It was fine for a week or so then it started again, they said FRONT O2 sensor and replaced it. A month or so later and same symptoms all over again. Took it in, typically they said it was fine and no symptoms. The next day it wouldn't start at all so had to get it recovered to them! This time they kept it a week and ended up apparently cleaning the points! and they said this resolved the issue 'once and for all'. Yesterday, pulling up to a roundabout car started to judder slightly, pulled away from roundabout on other side and engine light started to flash, car cut out altogether on dual carriageway and I ended up in the snow, alone, on a dual carriageway waiting (and waiting) for recovery. (the same) Nissan garage now says it's ignition coil number 1 (and ignition coil number 2 was the one that went at the start of this issue). That's yet another £200 gone.... Read more
apparently cleaning the points!" I suspect they mean "earth points"
Burning out coils could be caused by a faulty ECU, but the wiring needs checking first & I would replace the plugs, regardless of age and mileage.
Last week I started to develop a clutch problem - then when just driving it a 100yds down the road the transmission light came on and lots of white smoke out the back and loss of power - I assume this is separated to the clutch issue - the engine seems to be 'missing' thought timing belt may have slipped but this is all ok.....Any ideas anyone? Read more
Hi thanks to all that tried to help - turned out to be the crank sensor!!! Happy days only cost 8 quid!!!
Having trouble starting when cold or left for more than half an hour.
Have put new glow plugs in, check glow plug controller. Replaced crankshaft sensor and temperature sensor. Checked fuel system for air leaks - ok.... Read more
hi how did you find out it was starter motor ?
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Managed to find that our local HiQ were open this morning so got them to fix it as it was urgent. New nsf lower ball joint fitted and tracking adjusted for £89. Car drives properly now. Thanks for your replies.