November 2012
Hello. I'm looking for some advice here. My volvo 940 went in for it's MOT 2 weeks ago and passed. 2 weeks later and car wouldn't start so called the AA out. Firstly battery is dead and needs a new one. Noticed ABS pump leak, needs a new one. Even though i had filled up the oil prior to MOT it was bone dry. Dash light indicator hadn't come on. Refilled the oil, started engine and it was pouring out grey smoke. He said possibly seals gone in turbo and was going to be expensive. Also coolant level dropping, another repair. He gave me the impression the cost of repairs compared to value of car was not worth it. Basically...scrap it! Any advice please?!! Read more
The paint on the roof of my 2009 Ford Focus seems to have developed a case of paint acne. Some of the paint has flaked off/melted and exposed the primer underneath.
I have contacted Ford Customer Relations and am waiting for their reply. Has anyone else had this ?... Read more
Was the car new when you bought it, if it was used there is a good change it has been badly repaired, if that is the case you will need to find who did the wwork and take it up with them.
Ford paint is covered for 3 years but excludes bird damage. You need to clean any off immediately. I place wet kitchen roll on it and it wipes off with no damage after a few minutes.
Hello
I want to change my Focus C-max 1.8 petrol Ghia
Not sure what its worth 54 plate 76k
Why I am changing it ?
I don't require all the space and would like to go down to a saloon or hatch back
Mazda 6 is an attractive proposition 1.8ts
I don't have a huge budget probably the cost of the C-max in part ex
I only do about 8 to 10k a year mileage so I don't think diesel would be beneficial
I would like some suggestions on cars I should be looking at 1500 to 2000k
Is we're I think the c-max sits in current value
Any help please
Read more
Not to fussed about the space issue as I would like to downsize anyway
2 Adults 1 child and small dog...
I have noticed a rattle/knock when starting and switching off the engine. The rattle doesnt last long (a couple of seconds, or 4-5 knocks).
The knock isnt there all the time. i.e yesterday it happed every time I turned the engine off, and then it stops altogether, and comes back again.... Read more
Could be the DMF but it could equally be an engine/gearbox mounting or the exhaust hitting something.
Been trying to find out what causes it to happen ( so I can replicate when I go to to the dealer. After a bit more investigation, seems to occur when the engine is hot (quiet when cold). No noise when the bonnet is up outside the care, but heard by the person in the driver seat, seems to be on the drivers side but cant pinpoint it further. Think that the DMF is on the other side, so less likely to be the cause. ...
My 205 is struggling on cold starts at the moment- they have been getting progressively worse and now the cold has arrived here in Hythe, Kent, it really isn't pleasing. Having replaced and checked plugs a while ago myself and checked obvious things like battery, I started to wonder if it was inlet valve seat regression resulting in poor compression as detailed in other posts on here, so took it to a garage in Ashford in Kent explaining what had happened and what I suspected. I'm less than pleased that they didn't appear to listen at all and charged me £110 for changing 4 glow plugs (a job which even takes a non pro like me less than 10 mins). Obviously I couldn't prove that what they had done wasn't the issue until the engine had cooled down. Hey presto this morning...still the same problem. How much of a job is it to do this oneself (assuming I have feeler gauge, micrometer, shims etc)? Alternatively, if anyone knows of a reliable local garage who could do this for a reasonable cost I'd be very grateful for the tip. Read more
Belt change and valve clearances set for a shade over £200. And my lovely Peugeot starts like a dream again :-)
Excellent. But those starts won't be very cold ones just now ....
Has the UK switched over to winter diesel yet? Read more
Has the UK switched over to winter diesel yet?
It changes on 16th November....
Hi
My Clio has definately done well considering we've got it to 140K miles now but looking to keep it running for as long as possible. I've currently got an issue though when the engine is warming up. It is fine once at mid level temparture.... Read more
Thanks for the quick reply. I'll get a replacement coolant temp sensor to start with then, and then maybe a full service is needed.
...
Ok everyone will have an opinion but thats why I am asking the question !
I have a car which is worth about £3400(private) but I am finding it difficult to sell so I am looking at a cashback option for a cheaper car but I must admit ( except for the mondeo ) I wanted something a little bit different and smart looking... Read more
Early Celicas (pre-2003) with the 140hp engine had issues with piston ring design which led to excessive oil consumption. I guess the same problem might affect earlier MR2s as these have the same engine. The 190hp Celica and post-2003 140hp models were not affected.
The Merc engine is supercharged and from the 'rusty' era so probably worth avoiding....
Want to buy Dodge Caliber Diesel
I have read HJ review and looks quite good
I like the chunky look and it's different
I understand the diesel has a VAG engine so seems quite bulletproof
Are there any scary stories I need to be aware of also any vital checks that need to be carried out prior to purchase .
Going to use my Focus C-max in part ex don't want to spend more than £5000
Any advice welcome Read more
nice to know they've stpped up from the leaf springs on the Corvette
A generic coil spring is just a cheap, off-the-shelf substitute for a properly engineered traverse leaf spring!...
Been talking to my niece, whose friend's Astra's engine blew up last night due to lack of oil and they had to be towed 130 miles home. When I thought this was an old car, I was shocked to hear this was a 60 plate, which had recently had a full service, and apparently the engine blew up a year again due to lack of oil. This clearly is pathetic on a 2 year old fully serviced car and now the dealer is saying that her friend has to pay for the second engine, even though it was not his fault. Two engines in two years and now a massive bill for a replacement engine from Vauxhall is not acceptable in this day and age and surely an engine should last more than 10,000 miles. I have advised my niece to ask her friend to make a formal complaint to Vauxhall and also to the dealer who does not have a good reputation and is also breaching the warranty by making him pay for a new engine.
Anyone else experienced such rotten luck with a new shape Astra as even an FSO from the eighties wasn't this bad? Read more
Time for your neice to seek legal advice, search for one with specific experience in the motor industry. In the past I've seem posts from such a person, but I cannot point to the exact instance.
The worse that can happen is being told there is no case to answer, so there is nothing to loose.
Browse
Cheap as chips to buy, find yourself a mechanically sound one and make one good car out of the two (rebuild whichever is easier), weigh in whats left.
One of the simplest and most durable cars ever made and comfy as old slippers, we sorely miss our 940td estate and have kicked ourselves for years for selling...my sis still runs it, nothing fails and it refuses to rust or die despite constant neglect....