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  Water pump failure on a used car - what are my rights? 14 Feb 2015 (Ask HJ)
  I recently bought a 2007 MINI Cooper from a dealer with a three month warranty. Within a few weeks of ownership, the car suffered a water leak and I’ve...
• Skoda Fabia - Lifetime Components 3 Feb 2015 (Forum)
  I understand some of these items may be  "Lifetime Fit"  e.g. petrol filter, gearbox fluid, power steering fluid, engine coolant. Is there an official VAG statement as to what constitutes  a "Lifetime Fit" for each component ? Having done my own servicing in the past, I'm aware that, on average mileage, things like petrol filters might be good for a couple of years use before needing replacement (I used to replace mine yearly).
• Vauxhall Corsa C - Diagnostic Problem Not Showing 3 Dec 2014 (Forum)
  Took car to a garage for a diagnostic and it showed gear box problems next day son went a journey of 3 miles again car struggled on inclines and on return home he found the coolant bubbling. He ran number on his warranty they came out and also diagnosed gear box problem they towed the vehicle away. Yesterday the car was taken to a garage used by the warranty they state the fault is not registering but thye can see it as a problem so they asked the warranty if thy can carry out further tests and they not sanction this.
• T Reg Ford Focus 1.6 LX - Ford Focus Speedo stops working in the heat 15 Jul 2013 (Forum)
    The speedo kept dropping out at times, but only when the weather was hot.  The temp reading on the dash was normal, coolant levels normal, oil level normal, and again, no loss of power or engine management light, just the speedo and mileometer.  So, I replaced the VSS again, this time the part only cost me £12.00 and it came with a lifetime warranty.
• Ford Focus - Starting Problems 10 Dec 2012 (Forum)
  Hence I was recommended to change the Glow Plugs, so I did and it was improved slightly for about a day or two. I did have a slight coolant leak, which I was advised was internal, so on the premise that a potentially cracked head gasket could allow moisture in I used Steel Seal to stop the leak, of which I can I highly recommend. This still has not solved my problem.
• VW Golf - Bought from a dealer and have a problem or two 27 Sep 2012 (Forum)
  My old car was part-ex for about 50% of the cost of the new one, 50% paid in cash. First issue was that the car was losing/using coolant. He replaced the radiator and all is well now on that front, though obviously it's taken a while to make sure it's still not leaking. I've been aware of a bit of a rattling sound coming from the underside of the engine once or twice, and now on closer inspection it appears to be all the time at idle, it just depends on whether you're next to a wall etc as to whether you can hear it.
• Volkswagen Polo III (1994 - 1999) - 1998 1.4 Overheating Radiator Cold 21 May 2009 (Forum)
  My S reg 1998 1.4 VW polo cl started over heating last week out the blue never overheated before this I emptied the whole coolant system this weekend and refilled on a hill as not to get any air lock in the system but after leaving it for a while on idle noticed the fan is not cutting in checked fuses all good (doesnt overheat at this point) after idling it high (2500 - 3000)revs with the heater on hot the temp got up to a steady 90 degrees but still not fan cutting in and still not overheating I then took it for a road test and found that the heater warmed up fine and still didnt over heat got back home lifted the bonnet to check radiator fan cutting in which it wasnt and it overheated again.
• Ford Fiesta (2000 - 2002) - 2001 1.3L - heater problem 31 Jan 2009 (Forum)
  I've seen on the internet that people seem to have problems with OVERheating after fitting a new valve; why? I haven't tried bleeding the coolant to remove any airlocks; will try tomorrow. Any suggestions? I'm ready to drive this car into a canal tomorrow if I don't fix this problem once and for all! Thanks, Simon.
• Daewoo Nubira (1997 - 2003) - Myriad of faults 16 Nov 2008 (Forum)
  It has had a few non-terminal faults for a while now (which I simply have not had time to fix) but I think the latest one has the potential to tip it over the edge. 1) Momentary drop in revs when the gas pedal is pushed while the car is cold. I believe this to be the coolant temperature sensor. 2) Air idle control valve is u/s -- car revs too high, and cleaning it off isn't really working any more. Cost for a replacement is around £140 due to being a Daewoo rather than a Vauxhall -- tsk.
• Renault Safrane (1992 - 2000) - 1995 2.2vi overfuelling/rough running on start 10 Nov 2008 (Forum)
  If you switch off and try again it may start perfectly OK, but more often the revs slowly creep up to 1000 to 1200 and the rough running gradually smooths as the revs increase over a period of about 4/5 minutes. I have fitted a new idle valve and coolant sensor and checked the ECU connections, but no improvement. There are a couple of connector blocks under the ECU and I am thinking about soldering the connections in these, just in case. One of these is for the injectors.
• Warning: Passat's Can Flood 21 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  I recently discovered the carpets on the driver's side were saturated, the heating system worked ineffectively and the engine temperature gauge fluctuated wildly from normal to the red zone. (The coolant level was normal & the fan working). Further rainfall caused there to be 1cm of water in the F&R footwells. The VW dealer immediately said the problem was likely to be due to a blocked pollen filter which caused rainwater to be diverted straight into the car.
• Low trade-in value being offered... 16 Jul 2004 (Forum)
  Of course, if you look at my other recent posting, you\'ll know that there is a teensie problem with the car (i.e. either the head gasket or the heat exchanger could be knackered, causing a constant coolant fluid leak - or it could just be a loose pipe in the depths of the engine somewhere - no loss of performance of the car) so maybe I\'m best just to take the £4k and run?
• Keep the bonnet shut!! 18 Mar 2004 (Forum)
  On non executive cars: Low brake fluid indicators are normal. Electronic dipstick is available e.g. Renault Scenic. Low coolant / overheating. Yaris has no temp gauge just blue thermometer on start up and red if things overheat. Batteries sealed for life but charge indicator obviously standard. Low washer bottle contents warning e.g.
• Mk5 Escort problems 24 May 2003 (Forum)
  I know it's a difficult one to deal with via a forum but I was wondering if there was a common fault on the mechanism? The car seems to have a low coolant level as well, but she has already arranged for a tame mechanic to give it the once over for any work that needs doing and there was no sign of mayo in engine when my Uncle inspected it, so hopefully that'll turn out to be something innocent.
• Fiat Punto diesel 2 Nov 2002 (Forum)
  Recent radiator by the previous owner and full of antifreeze, so I diagnosed it was probably a failing thermostat. Years ago I used to take them out and test them before replacement, but you always lose some coolant, so I just decided to swap the thermostat. With £5 in my pocket (the Peugeot one was only £4) I popped down to Halfords. My suspicions were aroused, when they didn't start it, and weren't really willing to get one.
• Daewoo radiator. 12 Jun 2001 (Forum)
  I had my first taste of a Daewoo the other day, a '95 Nexia stranded at a guys house with coolant "pouring out of the bottom as fast as he put it in the top" as it was reported. Turned out he had noticed the car overheating and limped home the last few miles with the engine "feeling funny". Of course my first try was to re-fill via the header tank, I have never seen such an effective straight through passage of water in a cooling system.
• 
  Could you publish my positive experiences with Warranty Direct? 30 Nov 2013 (Ask HJ)
  We have had Warranty Direct cover on our Citroen C6 for two years now. During that time we have had cause to make, I think, three claims, the latest after...
• 
  My Fiat Ducato camper broke down in France - is it the dealer's fault? 29 Jun 2013 (Ask HJ)
  I bought my Fiat Ducato 2.3-litre campervan three years ago when it was two years old with just over 5000 miles on the clock. Last October we came back...
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  Which small car could replace our increasingly-unreliable 2006 Ford Fiesta? 8 Jun 2013 (Ask HJ)
  We have a 2006 Fiesta 1.25 petrol Zetec 3-door that we have owned for six years. It has broken down twice in the last year (a plug of some sort let water...
• mondeo 2003 tdci 116 hp - mondeo diesel issue log 20 Dec 2011 (Forum)
   reason the seals are weak symptom :pedal will descend overnite   => replace  - loss of coolant reason the stupid design of the engine cover front edge  will rub on the overflow pipe and will cut it  causing  sudden coolant loss = replace overflow pipe and cut off the corner of the cover - irregular idle and loss of power the air mass sensor will get dirty and give a poor reading => clean with brake cleaner   - the engine will smoke ( black  not white )and idle poorly. loss of power => the bypass recyling port on the egr valve has gone oval and is letting recirc gasses through all the time  => replace or clean out with brake cleaner and a wire brush - diesel fuel  on the top of the engine ( may also have a flashing glow plug light ) reason possible rubber pipe crack, or in my case wear in the seat of the hp  injector lines where they mate to the injector body, you can see the tracking in the line base : amazing !!!