November 2021
Looking to potentially replace my current Ford Escort with a Toyota Carina E 1.6. I realise that the Carina is old hat, but they seem to have a reputation for great reliability. Does anyone have any experiences of them? Anything to look out for specifically? What is parts availability like (does it share a lot of its parts with the Avensis)? Will parts be more pricey generally than a Ford? Many thanks in advance, Alfie. Read more
No High Beams
Both bulbs probably didn't blow. Could be wiring or a relay (though none is shown on the circuit diagram I have) but its most likely to be a failure of the "Multi-use"" steering column stalk switch unit, which seems pretty fragile.... Read more
Turns out if you REALLY force it to what feels like pretty close to stalk-breaking point (tested on the least good off-car spare only so far) you can get fore and aft movement of the stalk.
I'm thinking some lubrication might help, but I'm a bit leery of spraying stuff with a solvent carrier on it after contact cleaner seemed to embrittle the plastic on the first one....
….as long as it’s decent oil?
So I’ve done an oil check on all the main sites including Castrol, Europarts etc. and every one seems to recommend a different grade for each of our family cars! Read more
Thanks. I’ve bought a litre of VW 0w-30 504.00 507.00 and will use that if any of them need topponung up.
My daughters car had a flashing oil light. Stopped checked oil level and when restarted all seemed to be well. A couple of days later it happened again.
Research shows that these engines are developing an issue at higher mileages and age, 75,000 miles in this case. Debris is accumulating on the oil pump pick up sieve and blocking it.... Read more
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhM9DGw6m-Y
Looks like a fairly conventional strainer, though apparently part of an oil pump with new improved planned obsolescence in that it can't be dismantled....
One sees plenty of criticism of the DVLA over the time they are taking to do things, so I just wanted to recount a 'good news' story reinforcing a point that's often made here about NOT posting anything to Swansea if you don't have to. My wife sold her car on Wednesday last week; we completed the change of ownership details online the same day, and had the acknowledgement and refund of VED within 4 days. Read more
...93-hrs!
What do I win?...
As far as I know Churchill insurance will cancel your policy if you install a hardwired dashcam since that counts as a modification, something that they don't like.
If it is not hardwired it is an accessory and so not a problem!!!!!!! Read more
The epc light came on whilst driving up the m6 on Sunday. It has come on few times since but intermittently. It’s not the type of journey the car is used to. No sign of any restricted running or limp mode. Hasn’t come on at all today driving locally. Took it my local garage today who plugged it into whatever they plug it into and no errors were recorded or faults found. Do I need to take it to an Audi dealer for a more accurate diagnosis? It’s a 2017 model with 30,000 on the clock. Thanks. Read more
Thanks for replying. Not sure what tests they did to be honest or how sophisticated their equipment was. I assumed they’d just find a fault code. I’m in North Staffordshire.
Hi All
Does a fault with my Ford Focus Heater Blower give a fault code that can be picked up by a diagnostic?... Read more
This is a basic manual operation system . There is no diagnostic code system for this . Simple checks and test should identify the fault . Speed resistor and fan motor are the usual problem areas .
Browse
One of the toughest cars ever made, I favour it over the later Avensis both to drive and as a cheapo runner but it is very old now so rust will be well into most so get under it for a good look. Well worth preserving a good example but when shopping on a tight budget don’t limit yourself to just one make or madel. I've seen these with half a million miles up and still running sweetly. The pick was the lean burn 1.6 petrol in my opinion, it was nippy yet would exceed 50mpg easy enough and would run forever if looked after.