April 2011
In moving home my keys have been lost for my roof bars. Has anyone got key no 29? I would be prepared to pay good money for an original, a copy or a loan of a key. Read more
Decided to treat the old van to some new rear brake shoes. Everything was going well but when I came to dismantle the shoes on the nearside I broke the metal spring thing that holds the self-adjusting pivot arm in place and also what the top spring attaches to. I bought a new spring kit with the new shoes but it doesn’t include this sodding part! Any idea where I can get one from?... Read more
hi all
iv jus joined the forum and was hoping someone can give me a few pointers..... Read more
Hi all
Posted yesterday about the loss of power steering on my 306 and got a few replies (thanks Neil). Took it to local garage today and it seems that the tensioner, which was supposedly replaced by the cowboy that sold me it, has come loose, resulting in a slipping belt and intermittent loss of power steering.... Read more
The crank pulley that drives the auxillary belt is of sandwich construction of metal & rubber. They often start to disintegrate & go oval. This puts a vibration into the tensioner & can cause it to come loose or fracture.
Get the crank pulley checked first.
Hi, I have just purchased a 2010 Honda Civic 1.8 petrol and we hope to keep the car for 5 + years. What are the backroomers top tips for looking after the car and preventing corrosion\wear & tear?
Thanks ... Read more
Use whatever fuel it asks for, but please not redex! Petrol is a good solvent and will 'clean' the injectors in normal use.
Either the car pings on 95 octane or it doesn't. If it doesn't, then 97 Octane is no use, if it does, then it needs 97 octane all the time. An occasional tank isn't going to leave a nanolayer of intelligent molecules on the engine. Supermarket fuel got a bad rep because it used to contain a lot of sulphur. The sulphur attacked certain types of aluminium engine blocks. Nowadays, the sulphur is limited to very low levels in all fuels....
Can anyone recommend me a decent rear 2 or 3 bike carrier for a mk1 focus hatchback? I want to spend £60 max and don't want a roof one unless they're a better alternative.
Would it be better to get a low mount one as the lights on a focus are quite high up ie. above the number plates? But the bikes would obstruct the number plates anyway even if it was clear of the lights - didnt think about that!... Read more
i have a G reg land rover defender, it turns over fine but wont start off the key. when i bump start it, it fires up straight away. the glow plug light comes on with ignition then goes out as it should and i have changed the plugs. Read more
I would say the problem is most likely no power to the glow plugs, connect a meter between any glow plug terminal and earth, turn the ignition to the glow plug position and check for voltage, you should have around 11 volts for about 15-20 seconds, if you don't the relay is probably at fault.
Any mechanics out there that live near Birmingham Airport that can do repairs on my ford escort.
Its an old car and I can't afford garage prices £45.00 per hour. I will pay a mechanic to do the work.... Read more
you will probably find its the rear wheel cylinders leaking which are easy to change so as said why not give it a go yourself,you have to do better than the fast fit places around
2007 Suzuki Swift
Two problems: (1) The spark plugs (original makers fit) are extremely tight , so I have not attempted removal as I am afraid the tops may break. Any suggestions?... Read more
I know one is meant to change plugs on a cold engine but try running the engine for a little while before removal. The aluminium bore should expand a bit faster than the steel plug which might make removal easier. Sometimes trying to turn clockwise (ie tightening) can actually help break the seal.
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Just wanted some thoughts on an issue I have with a two and a half year old MX5 which is still under Mazda's warranty. A few months ago I noticed a growling noise on idle just after start up from cold and when the revs had got back down to 1000 and under. This disappeared when the clutch was depressed but reappeared when the clutch was released. It also disappeared after the car was warmed up. I suspected a noisy gearbox bearing, possibly the main shaft which I think stops turning when the clutch is depressed. The Mazda dealer eventually agreed there was a noise but said it was nothing to worry about and Mazda wouldn't dismantle to investigate anyway! I've never heard such a noise on any manual car I've had, some with very high mileages, so I don't know if this is unique to this car. I certainly don't recall hearing it when the car was bought from new.
The noise has got louder and I'm even more concerned there is a problem with a bearing, which if is the case I want sorted out in warranty. To try and alleviate any fight with the dealer I'm thinking of taking it to a gearbox specialist first to confirm that what I'm hearing is an issue. If they confirm I can take it back to Mazda with some sort of backup. Any views on whether this is a good approach, or should I take it straight back to Mazda? Luckily not having to claim under warranty before in the past, if the dealer disagrees there is a problem what recourse do I have in these situations? Read more
Have you checked the gearbox oil for quantity and quality?
Browse
Apparently not (they were my first port of call) hence my desperation!