February 2019
How can I reply to a reply given to an "Ask Honest John" question.
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Hello dear visitors of the forum. I would like to tell you something about the unique development of Russian scientists. Nanocarbon lubricant for used cars to improve the engine and prolong its life. The lubricant is patented and tested in the harsh conditions of Siberia.
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Why would a lubricant - of any sort - lead to increased compression?)
Oil helps seal the piston rings. Nothing controversial (or innovative) about that. I dunno why fine particles would help with that but I suppose they might....
Oh yeah, this is gonna really stem the tide of the losses at JLR... Read more
Going petrol or hybrid, yes, but not moving your range (pardon the pun) further up the luxury/complexity price bracket before you fix the many electrical (as well as mechanical) gremlins is NOT a good idea. Fix the basic problems first, then after they are doing ok, then add the new gizmos.
I clipped a kerb on the driver side in my Ford Kuga about 6 months ago, doing about 25mph. Not enough to seriously damage tyres or wheel rims, had the tracking checked and suspension given a once over by Ford and all is apparently safe and OK.
However....there is a grumbling from the front at around 65-75mph, which I suspect is a wheel bearing, but also there is a low frequency rattly noise from the front suspension over bumps at low speed, but only when the car is fully warmed up. Anyone any ideas? I’m wondering if it could be a broken shock absorber that gets noisier when warmed up? Read more
Hi,
Newbie here - hoping someone can help with this ongoing saga...
The brake pedal on my 57 plate VW Polo started feeling mushy and braking was less responsive. Took it into a local garage to have the brakes checked, and they advised that there was nothing wrong - probably just needed a brake fluid change and bleeding. I had this done, and they called back to say that the brakes weren't holding pressure in the system properly - advised probably an issue with the master cylinder which needed to be done at a VW garage.
Booked into VW garage and outlined the issue, left the car there for a diagnostic. Contacted me to say that the back pipe from the master cylinder was cracked and needed replacing and the console bushels? needed replacing. I authorised those repairs which were done today. They've now come back to say that those repairs didn't fix the issue and everything is pointing to the ABS system which they want to replace for a cool £1300 on top of what I'm already paying them (~£450) and they can't guarantee that this will fix it.
I've got several issues with this turn of events, and I'm becoming more and more concerned that I'm being taken for a ride here:
1. If the ABS is faulty, why haven't any warning lights come on?
2. Why can't VW properly diagnose a problem with a VW car?
3. As far as I understand, they should be able to read error codes off of an ABS module CPU - they claim the only way to diagnose is to replace the parts?
4. Searching round online, there is a propensity for ABS units from VWs this age to have a serious fault that should have been recalled and wasn't? If my ABS unit is one of these models, is there any way for me to get some form of goodwill from VW on this? The fact that "everything points to the ABS unit" leads me to believe that they know in advance this is a dodgy unit.
Can anyone give me some advice here?
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Thanks - I was concerned this was the case. I expected VW to be able to fix it though, and not make a complete pig's ear of things? I guess I'm in for a big argument tomorrow...
Replaced both bulbs and bulb holders above number plate but these lights don't work. One of the bulbs was welded to the bulb holder so I assume a fuse is blown . The owners manual does not show a fuse for this function. Can you please advise? Read more
I think you will find that the lighting circuit is not fused on these. The circuits are electronically controlled with overload protection built in. I suspect the plastic frame of the no plate lamps have overheated and melted , and lost contact with the spring loaded fittings that hold the bulb in place. Once this problem is fixed ,,the system will reset after cycling the lights and ignition on and off.
Hi everyone
I had my clutch done a couple of weeks back and the garage had to disconnect the radio. I’ve been trying since to find a code but haven’t had any luck. Saw a couple of old posts on here with people helping and wondered if anyone could give me a hand? It’s a Ford 4500 radio and the serial number is M004367.
Many thanks
Sam Read more
The correct Keycode for your radio should be:
2152According to the Telegraph a quarter of motorists have taken a speeding course, up a third in the last five years. A decade ago 280,000 drivers took the course, last year 1.2 million. Police can claim up to £45 for 'admin' from each fine, effectively £50 million last year. In 2011 1.5 million were caught speeding with 19% opting for the course. In 2017 2 million plus drivers were caught and 50% took the course. The effectiveness of the courses is questioned by the safe speed campaign group. Hand's up, I've done the course and I'm unconvinced about it's merit. Read more
Frivolous or not (patronising, moi?) my point is that technology tends to overtake legislation, which can make for some curious anomalies. The Renault Scénic and other cars with button operated parking brakes were banned from driving tests (and may still be), as are cars with speedometers not visible to the examiner. As more and more new drivers brought up on automatic lights, wipers, brakes, "hill hold", parking aids and the like enter the roads, drivers' skills sets move on (or move backwards as some would argue) and habits change, which can in turn make laws obsolete or simply unenforceable.
A couple of examples. In Belgium, cruise control is banned during rain - I'd love to see how the police prove that one! - yet the requirement to carry spare bulbs, once mandated in many EU countries, has now lapsed, since bulbs (soon to be a museum piece) are often impossible to change at the roadside.
But there are some good old-fashioned motoring laws that will probably never change. If you drive in Spain, don't wear flip-flops or let your arm dangle out of the window and no earpieces of any kind are allowed.
Daughter's Honda warranty runs out in March, we've just collected the car after some warranty work coincidentally, wiring loom replacement that would have been some £700 all in, and she enquired about extended warranty whilst there.
Quoted £570 for 2 years full Honda extended warranty, yes includes calipers and shock absorbers springs aircon compressor etc with very few exclusions, which seems a fair price, it would be the same price for a basic Civic so for the 300hp Type R it looks almost bargainous.... Read more
Yes, hybrids are included, mind you the hybrid system is so reliable that if I had a thousand things to worry about, it wouldn't make the list. However it does give peace of mind.
Just one important note I forgot to mention, the vehicle must be serviced yearly as per manufacturers recommendations at a Toyota approved service centre....
Hello there,
The driver's side sun visor keeps dropping down. I am not sure if it is the visor itself, or whether it's the plastic cliip mounting near the rear view mirror, or the mounting where it connects, near the driver's door???... Read more
That will be a fault with the visor itself . The friction brake is broken. Will it swap with the left side? If not, then get a s/ hand part.
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I’m sure the reply was either Honda Jazz or Michelin CrossClimates. The question could have been anything. Yes, I’m being tongue in cheek. Seriously though, I have noticed that not infrequently his nibs does not answer the question, but goes off on a hobby horse, albeit one well shod and saddled.