August 2024
I have bought a pump from a junkyard which has black sludge in the fluid reservoir. It is metal clamped onto the pump unit itself, cannot be removed for cleaning. The hole for topping up oil is tiny and indented into the bottle making it difficult to empty properly.
I was thinking of using diesel to thin it out to aid in cleaning then washing out several times with fresh fluid, is this wise? I can't really find out much info about viscosity so not sure about using thinner oils to clean.... Read more
Hi there,
We are being bought out of our company car scheme and need to replace my current vehicle (Hilux) with a new (used) car. ... Read more
IF reimbursement was on a fixed per mile basis,as it sometimes is, rather than actual costs, 2CV. You'd be quids in.
Hi All,
As well as every neighbour in the vicinity we all had our cars keyed on Saturday evening, all cars / vans scratched, so no particular type of vehicle/individual targeted. ... Read more
Yes, deterrent is what I'm after rather than catching, given that's probably impossible.
On a related note, local new police office knocked on the door last week - I was away working, but SWMBO answered and he was walking up the road canvassing all the neighbours trying to obtain CCTV, somewhere in the region of 40+ cars were keyed, on what is, usually at least, a busy, but mostly crime free main road in a pleasant suburb. ...
I have a 2012 corsa d 1.2l petrol. Whenever I drive it it runs fine for.sbout 3 minutes after which it doesn't go past 3000 rpm. The car doesn't show any electrical issues. I've run a cylinder compression test and it passed. I installed new spark plugs and cleaned the intake manifold. The car seems to make a loud noise around the catalytic converter but it doesn't produce black smoke which I read is one of the symptoms. I'm probably gonna try to unbolt the converter and see if that fixes the issue. Is there anything else thos could be? Read more
An infra red thermal gun will give some indication of any hot spots in the exhaust system .
Would you expect hotspots to coincide with blockages?
I wouldn't, particularly, (in the abscence of any experience) and I'd think, without experience, or a "normal" system for comparison, IR readings might be hard or impossible to interpret....
This morning had a test drive in a Brand new Suzuki Vitara.
Nice to drive, quieter than the Korando, but seats narrower and after a few miles calf muscles complaining and back and hips too. If it's like that for me, it'll be worse for youngrovergirl.... Read more
I’d say spending a huge amount of money buying a new car every few years is a bit of a waste.
Myself I've tended to buy nearly new end of model cars (Yorkshire price) and keep for about a decade then effectively throw away- that served me well when doing a high mileage. My last Superb effectively cost me £75 / month capital - if you divide the purchase cost (less what I sold it for) by the months owned,
Times have changed and things are way more expensive than a decade ago and in addition it'll rapidly become more an more difficult to buy a new car with an internal combustion engine - could be last chance cafe about now! Once not available used prices may go up re supply / demand etc...
Hi all, I have recently got my driving licence and started looking for a car to buy. I am not fussy about new or used car. I would really appreciate your advice and suggestions. I work remotely so, the car will not be used for commuting to work. I aim to use it after hours for shopping, road trips, holidays within the GB. I haven't got children, or pets.
Thank you for all your suggestions... Read more
Another vote for a Toyota Corolla. Suzuki swace is almost identical, but has a shorter warranty.
I recently had to buy a new set of four security wheel bolts as one had been lost. I ordered them off Amazon expecting to have to change all four bolts, but the new ones were identical to the originals. There does not seem to be any point in having security bolts if the profiles are so common.
Also, the meshing between the bolts and the socket is nowhere near as positive as a normal hex bolt and prone to slip, further devaluing these things. Read more
Lads at my local garage always use a breaker bar to loosen locking wheel nuts / bolts - a few extra seconds work saves destroying the removal key & opening up a load of hassle.
All wheel nuts / bolts spun on finger tight then torque wrench to the correct tightness. A lot of new customers if watching seem surprised when a torque wrench is used. ...
Just trying to make sure I’m not being ripped off, but my coolant is leaking and Mercedes main dealer have phoned to say the thermostat needs replacing (unusual for a car only having done 45k miles they said) anyway the quote for a replacement including VAT and Labour is £700.
Does this sound right or extortionate?
TIA Kat Read more
Our local BMW dealer is pushing £300 per hour , down here in the south.
Hey all, thanks in advance for your time.
Have a 2017 GLA 220D 4Matic and I've got an issue (among many others with the car) that's driving me mad.... Read more
Could it be play in the suspension, perhaps as a result of/associated with corrosion? I'm thinking when you come to rest the suspension is unloaded and "recoils" a bit, with associated crunchies, though I dunno how likey this is.
Hi,
I'm looking to help my mum get a basic reliable car. Problem is she absolutely can't handle anything other than a torque converter that will always hold on a hill. I'm trying to find her something 2020-on, under £15, crossover/SUV, petrol, and reliable but everything seems to be dual clutch. Are there any newer cars with torque converters or do I have to look at something a bit older?... Read more
My 21 reg 1.4 Suzuki Vitara has a conventional tc gearbox and is a delight to drive.
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Got 3 100ml syringes a 3X1m lengths of tubing off Amazon for, IIRC, 6.99, Made in China. Syringes probably OK but the tubing is rather thin walled and semi-permanently kinked by folding, so that would probably need upgraded to be suitable for applying much negative pressure.