December 2013
Hi,
I'm looking to pick the collected hive mind of the Honest John forum about what car I should purchase! I've never owned a car in my life (I'm getting close to 40), so I feel waaaay out of my depth. However, I am an avid reader and have been consuming copious information from this great forum and other sites, trying to get myself up to speed. I'd really appreciate some guidance about which makes and models I should be going for.... Read more
In The news.......
Four police officers have been sacked for their alleged part in a car-buying scam. ... Read more
I see nothing inherently worng with this unless the vehicles specified were completely unsuited to the police work they would be put to.
My reading is that they were far less than optimally suited to job in that they were over specc'd and considerably more costly than they should have been. There must also be doubt as to whether the disposal process was done transparently and in a way that got the best price for the force....
Hi
I bought an S type Jaguar two weeks ago, the first frosty morning we had I started the engine and pressed the three buttons to clear front and rear screens,the blower started up inside and the screens cleared, I had left the engine running for about five minute's then blue smoke started blowing down from the front right hand side of the engine (as you look at it) , it had a strong smell like plastic or rubber burning. I turned the engine off and had a look and it seemed to be blowing down from which looked like a vent hole on the right hand side behind the front valence. Started the car again and it seemed to have stopped, tried it today with and pressed the same buttons and it did it again but not so much blue smoke this time.
Please can anyone shed any light on this.
Rasher Read more
Could the drive belt be slipping on the air con compressor-it will turn freely until the clutch pulls in- is the belt loose or damaged? Just a thought
Ive recently changed mounts and bushes due to knocking including rear subframe mounts, front bottom ball joints, drop links, track rod ends and drivers track rod. Theres still an annoying knock over bumps not very loud but noticeable.
I cant feel any play in anything else but clearly something has gone so what is the most likely culprit?
Cheers Read more
Could be the bottom engine mount. That's a swine to replace becuase the driveshaft needs to come out, so many 306 and 307 owners (myself included) go for a Powerflex bush instead.
Apologies if this one has been done before but does anyone have any experience of the fuel system additives you can buy. I am mainly looking for one to clean the system. To be honest I have no problems with the car and it has just been serviced and passed its MOT. I just thought a good clean of the system might be the correct thing to do after 10 years of motoring using a variety of petrol types - e.g. Supermarket and the odd Shell V Power etc. your thoughts / advice would be welcome. Cheers
Read more
I'd be happier with Exchange of Views or Discussion than Argument!
Would a crank shaft pulley from a focus 1.6 petrol fit on to a 1.8 diesel? Read more
Doubt it, totally different engine.
Just buy the correct part and fit it.
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone knew how much a new sump would cost for a Ford Focus? It would seem the D*CKHEAD who owned the car before me has had the old sump welded where he's grounded it on a speedbump probably, because of where it's wleded, you can't pull the sump plug/nut out.
Any help would be greatly appreciated :)... Read more
Apologies, didn't read it properly, I entered 2.0. but didn't look at what came up.
Hi all,
... Read more
Decision time. Any views on whether for similar money I should go for the SL350 or the SL500? Is the SL350 that much more reliable? Will I regret not having a V8 to listen to?
Thanks Read more
"£60k cars unfortunately have repair costs to match, and i wouldn't entertain a car of this type unless i had the reasonably local services of one of the excellent make specific indies dotted about the country...main dealer bills are staggering."
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Has anyone experianced corrosion on the doors of their 2003-2006 A3 8P hatch.
Mine is showing it in three places on one door, its where the plastic strip is bolted to the door. The corrosion seems to start around the bolts, the front and rear ones are visible. Just had mine inspected by an local dealership who took measurements of paint thickness and pictures and has prepared a report for Audi.... Read more
Just googling it throws up a fair amount of similar problems - here's one where its a bit more advanced than yours perhaps -
Browse
If you buy an Avensis with FSH, you would be very unlucky to have any trouble. I sold my 1.8 Avensis earlier this year after 2 years and my dad has owned his 03 1.8 model for around 7 years and nothing has gone wrong except for the fuel filler release motor.
Extremely reliable, economical, and easy to live with workhorse.