Hi Folks
Had my clutch changed about six weeks ago by a retired mechanic whom I've used before; thus far, he's never let me down.
After a round trip of about 600 miles on the new clutch, I happened to notice oil on the driveway; or what I thought was oil. I took a look underneath and immediately below the gearbox end of the nearside driveshaft, on the bottom of the transmission was a quantity of fluid, which again I assumed was oil. I rang my mechanic and told him; he said he'd have a look, and meantime I wiped the transmission clean. Couple of days later he came along, had a look and announced that the stuff on the driveway was grease from the driveshaft which had burned off on my long journey, and that after all this excess grease was gone there would be no more leaks; but to keep an eye on it anyhow.
Week or two later and I'm still getting the occasional drip of what, to my untutored eye looks like oil, and thinking maybe this needs further attention.
Question: is it feasible that the leaking stuff might, indeed be grease? He tells me that he would have replaced the transmission fluid with whatever was in the box prior to the change of clutch, probably with stuff which is red (MTX?); so it can't be that, and it certainly isn't in an area where one might expect engine oil. Could it be that the driveshaft oil seal is leaking, and if so does the Focus take another type of transmission fluid that to all intents and purposes looks just like oil?
Slightly perplexed...not sure how to proceed. Read more

Hi,

I have recently bought a Mitsubishi Delica,now I know its old car 18 years, but the bodywork is in good nick and it runs well. The dealer I bought it from advertises as a specialist in this type and it came with a 12 month MOT with no advisories.... Read more

Hi there, some advice needed if possible.

... Read more

I have a strange problem with my 98 laguna 2.2dt, the car starts well, drives fine on the flat and has plenty of power when you put your foot down, the problem starts when I go to climb the mountain to my house, within about 500 yards the temperature shoots up and the overheat light comes on, the radiator fans kick in as they should but it's still not enough to lower the temperature, I end up having to pull over and wait until the temperature on the gauge goes down to about halfway before I set off again, 500 yards later I have to stop again this goes on until I finally make it home after about 5 stops, there's a smell of hot coolant when I stop with a small whisp of what I assume is steam coming from the reservoir cap but no other obvious signs of leaks.

I have a list of thing's to check including head gasket, EGR valve, turbo,waterpump and I also wonder if it might be an airlock after a coolant change, although it's an old car it's in good condition with lowish milage and is normaly problem free.... Read more

I picked up this car only a month ago, it's under warranty but I need a little help. It starts fine, runs well too for the most part. The trouble is that when I'm driving around either locally or on a run, when I accelerate (usually between 30to 50 mph) the engine feels really sluggish, as if blocked and there is black smoke blowing out of the exhaust. After a short while the sluggishness goes and so does the smoke. Anyone got any ideas? Read more