March 2012

Eco-Dubs

Hello all,

I have a rather confusing fault with a Micra.. The ECU went pop recently and after having it reconditioned the car drove fine for about 5 miles before the engine light came on and it went into limp home mode. Since then I've replaced the throttle pedal (fly-by-wire) and throttle body, re-synced them up but still to no avail! - It just won't rev past about 2.5-3k. The fan also seems to have stopped working for some reason!... Read more

Collos25

I would check that the timing chain is ok a stretched or worn chain could throw up the faults described and it seems like a common fault on these engines.

mcros

Opinion/advice please on whether my MX-5 - 4 years old in May and with 16700 miles from new - REALLY needs a 48000 mile service - incuding replacement of brake fluid and rear diff oil change this year ? It has had Mazda main dealer service in accordance with manufacturer schedule thus far - including 37500 service a year ago when it had 11000 on the clock. Read more

gordonbennet

1litregolfeater i'd be really concerned at leaving the braking system so long without a fluid change, far better to discover you have damaged seals in the master cylinder on your driveway that when trying to stop when going down a long hill when the filthy water in the fluid boils.

I have had total brake failure many years ago due to poor fluid in a Wartburg, not my car, luckily the handbrake was very good and brought the car to a decent halt, a trouser browning moment indeed.

ZANESUE

I have just viewd a skoda octavia www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012104553...p

... Read more

balleballe

I assume the two you're talking about are diesels?

I've never driven the 2.0d avensis - but apparantly they have clutch problems?...

frogmarch

hi my abs and tc lights are on permanately read codes and came up with right hand speed sensor so checked wiring and connections on both sides and tried to clear codes but came up again could it be both sensors gone or actual abs module thanks Read more

dieselnut

It might be that both front sensors are failing.

Everytime you turn the steering or hit a bump the sensor cables get twisted & bent. Eventually the wires start to break inside the sheath & become intermittent. As soon as the ABS detects a break it switches off & brings up a fault light. When you switch the ignition on the next time, the wires will possibly have continuity again for a while until the next bump/turn.

Grobtutor

The car has covered around 9000 miles from new when purchased in June of 2011.

On two occasions when starting from cold the engine failed to start on the first turn of the key. Turning the key again the engine does not fire and simply churns. This is very reminiscent of a flooded c arburretor. Keeping the key turned and depressing the accelerator fully eventually starts the engine. It then runs and starts normally.... Read more

ChannelZ

Just after turning off the ignition but before the engine stops turning, press your foot on the accelerator. That'll clear the cylinders of unburnt fuel.

It's a symptom of the EGR valve pumping half-burnt exhaust gases in to the cylinders. My Mondeo does the same, if the engine's not hot, it's difficult to restart. Either unplugging the EGR (and living with the EML) or putting the foot down after turning off the engine stop it happening.

bikboks

I have a 2002 Ford Mondeo Ghia 2.OTDCi 130 S-TRONIC type 04-22 with automatic transmission.

Does this have a cam belt or chain? What is the recommended mileage life for it and is the replacement straightforward or does it entail a major engine dissembly? Read more

skidpan

Does that also apply to the 'X' type?

Yes

keymoo

Hi, I need a small car to get me 6 miles to my local railway station for commuting to work. I would like the car to last 2-3 years and cost no more than £2,000. I'm after something that is reliable, cheap to insure and run, and don't care about style or performance. Any suggestions? Read more

Bromptonaut

Get a bicycle, it will tone your thighs and bum, not to mention the aerobic stuff.

Your local station must have lock-up lockers with CCTV, and they seem to live in mediaeval times, unfortunately....

Douglas Denny

Horror story. Any ideas / explanation welcome.

I don't want to sound arrogant but have reasonable engineering skills (have a lathe, milling and grinding machines, welding equipment etc) and have done automotive work on own cars and family since at father's knee when he was repairing his Morris 10 scraping-in the big-end bearings using engineer's blue.... Read more

Douglas Denny

Hello FP.

I have _had_ to move on - no choice - found another engine and am fitting it. Mistake has cost me about £300 in parts and another second hand engine. As you say learn and at least check with the 'normal' twist method next time as a safety check and do not allow myself to go slacker than the 45 degree twist criterion....

Rob_vRS

Hi

My diesel Fabia has problems starting in sub zero temperatures, but it only seems to be when it hasn't been driven the day before. This doesn't always happen, just every now and again during winter and I've always manged to start it but it can take a lot of cranking.... Read more

Rob_vRS

Thanks... It's the 2005 model Fabia with a 1.9 PD 130 engine.

Phaeton

Just changed clutch on Renault Megane 2005 DCi but now do not have a pedal, goes all the way to the floor with little or no resistance. We suspected the M/C so put a new M/C on & vacum bled, ezi-bled & traditional foot pumping method. But still not getting anywhere, anyone any ideas?

... Read more

hardway

There is an old bike mechanic trick that may work,a decent sized syringe filled with brake fluid.,clear the air out like you see Dr's ontv do an connect to the bleeder and slowly plunge the syringe,master cap off,

Theory is the fluid and air in it are pushed UP and back through the system into the master ,never seen this fail,some bike master cyl's are really small and bleeding can take for ever.