Had the cambelt done on a 1.6 focus, 04 plate. When changing the cambelt on this model, would you expect the pump to be done as well, given the engine layout? Garage have said they only did the belt as waterpump didn't need doing even though I did say do it to save a later job? Not sure of the layout under the bonnet, does this sound right? Read more

This is a nice looking car and becoming a familiar site on Spanish roads, I do hope the build quality has been improved, I used, as a car transporter driver, collect Fiats from the docks and the build quality with poorly fitted trim etc. was terrible.
Nice looking car the saloon but not for everybody. Read more

The new Subaru Levrorg has a 1.6 litre petrol engine that has more torque than my 2.5 litre Outback petrol engine, 250 ft lbs against 235 ft lbs, at a more suitable engine revolution range and almost as much power, 170hp agianst 175 hp, again at a more suitable engine rev band. Is there something I should know ? Whether it will last as long or cost squillions to service only time will tell. Read more

Good Evening All

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Hope I may get some help here, bit of a catch 22 situation. I purchased a Ford Focus 04 plate on Satruday from a dealership. Had test driven it, checked history, mots, even had the dealer do the cambelt prior to picking up. No problems so far. Car comes with 6 month warranty. All was well on the 3 mile drive home and initial run about. Having driven it 20 miles the next day, a knocking was sounding from the wheel. Only on slight turns and more noticeable when drving the car from the initial start up rather than once driven for some time, however it has since been sounding intermittantly at higher speeds. Best way to describe it is the wheel seems to meet some resistance when turned to 11 o'clock / 1 o'clock and takes extra effort to turn, especially when steering left. It also sounds when turned full lock to the left.

Today I have taken back to the dealer who put it down to lack of fluid in the power steering pump which he said he'd refilled (I wasn't convincd this was the issue). They wouldn't put it up on the ramps to have a closer look or inspection, even though we did ask. I took the car round the block with a mechanic driving and to be fair, no more sounds at that point. Mechanic advised to give the car a good run over the next few days to see if the problem returned. I agreed to continue using it and said I'll be back if the problem retruned. 2 miles up the road, same knocking, just as bad if not worse than before! I then took it to two independant garages locally who have both confirmed that there is a fault based on the knocking sound, but neither can tell with certainty what it is without taking the car in properly which I'm reluctant to do. The first garage said probable failure of the steering rack, second said unsure but possibly the UJ or related to the rack. Mechanic at the second garage said the fault will almost certainly get worse over time, but the amount of time is unknown.... Read more