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• service intervals..can they really be ok 31 Aug 2004 (Forum)
  There is a warning on the dash when the car reckons it needs looking at. Has anyone any thoughts on these long service intervals? I still can\'t get out of changing the oil every 6,000!
• Vectra oily spark plugs 6 May 2004 (Forum)
  I have a '98 Vectra 1.8 which is running a little lumpy. It's done 80k so I went to change the spark plugs and found that all but the plug next to the timing belt were drenched in oil. Doesn't look good to me, is this the head/head gasket? Is this a 'known' failure for a Vectra? What is the likely cause?
• Renault Clio Autobox question 24 Oct 2003 (Forum)
  Is this unusual or am I missing something. Have oil ready, but do not want to put it in blind. thanks, Yoby
• primera servicing 29 Sep 2003 (Forum)
  My primera had its last full service at jan 04 69719 miles , mot in april 04 73603 miles , should i fork out £50- £80 on a interim service or just get oil and filter changed for £20 approx? Also can anyone recommend some replacment tyres, currently on bridgestone b371's 185/65r15 Ian
• 2007 Peugeot 207 1.4 dohc timing belt. - replaced head gasket but now idling at1500rpm 25 Jul 2024 (Forum)
  Hi, I have replaced the head gasket, oil change ect. The runs well but the but it's idling at 1500 rpm.  Fault codes P1158 P0123 P0011 P0010 I have changed the changed the Timing Control Solenoid Camshaft Actuator.
• Nissan Micra 1998 - Difficulty putting gearstick into gear 31 Oct 2011 (Forum)
  It seems to have happened after I changed the clutch cable, I did it myself. There can also be a grinding/rumbling noise when I press down on the clutch pedal. Also last yeah oil came out of the transmission box when the drive shaft was being replaced.
• BMW 318IS Noise! 3 Jun 2004 (Forum)
  This is best described as being like a mini chainsaw buzz and although it ONLY HAPPENS WHEN WARMED UP, it does always do it ie not intermittent. Cam chains have never been changed, nor has tensioner but a \"knowledgable\" friend said it sounded \"more than just a cam chain\"! Could anyone also let me know what oils to change when I service the car - gearbox and diff (I have not changed them in two years) as well as engine?
• Servicing and fuel economy 9 Aug 2003 (Forum)
  I have been interested in comments that good fuel economy comes from good servicing and responsible driving. However, when coming to servicing, what is important to have changed or looked at to maintain economy. Coming to mind may be air filter changes and cleaned, oil change (pistons and rings), changing timing belt on time. What other items need to be taken up at service to maintain economy in the long run.
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  Vauxhall Meriva rattling noise from engine 9 Sep 2016 (Ask HJ)
  I have a 2011 Vauxhall Meriva 1.3 diesel. When driving I get a serious rattling sound from the engine. It is a tinney sound like loose tappets or timing...
• FORD FIESTA 1.4 TDCI - LIMP HOME MODE 19 Mar 2016 (Forum)
  Hi My Car is running a bit sluggish but not too bad except when i go onto the motorway and after a few miles when i try to accelerate the car goes into limp home mode with the cogand exclamation mark warning light on , on looking around the engine i found a carbon like soot under the air fliter box and around the back of the engine , i have since changed the oil and all the filers also tryed a injector cleaner but still no change what should i try next . Thanks
• Ford Fiesta St '56 - Stiff Gears when Warm 7 Nov 2013 (Forum)
    The gears get extremely stiff when its been running for around 30 minutes. I've had the gearbox oil change, which hasn't helped. Garage is recommending changing the gear cables (?), but aren't sure that this will fix the problem.   Any ideas? I am a complete novice when it comes to cars, but don't want to keep trying things (and spending money), until I know what the cause of the problem is.
• Ford Mondeo III (2000 - 2007) - 01 2.0 Won't rev past 4000rpm 19 Jun 2009 (Forum)
  Returns 35mpg on mix of town and open roads so thinking it should not be a serious fault. Air filter looks fairly new and oil recently changed Thanks in advance for your help
• Volkswagen Passat (2001 - 2005) - 2002 130TDi sport - Blowing smoke 25 Oct 2007 (Forum)
  Also the fuel consumption seems worse according to the computer (which was reset following service). It seems to be a little high on oil , could that do it ? I have only done very short runs since the belt change .
• BMW Servicing 22 Apr 2007 (Forum)
  Just bought new shape 2005 3 series with 8800 miles, genuine. Will be coming up to first service, after 2 years. Dashboard computer states oil change needed now (May2005 or 14,000 miles), along with air microfilter. however also has a sign stating front brake pads at 9000 miles. Does this mean check them now or change them. There is no way it can need brake bads, discs and pads visible through wheels are like new.
• Vx Corsa Diesel - Rusty Sump Pan 21 May 2005 (Forum)
  Neighbour has a Vx Combo Van (basically a diesel corsa). The sump pan has rusted to an extent that oil is weeping out through the pan walls. A new pan is £142+vat from Vx. Apparently this is a common problem. I can get a pattern sump off ebay for about £60. What I would like to know is whether any BackRoomers have had any experience of changing these sumps.
• mitsubishi carisma turbo diesel gearbox 18 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  I should like to change the gearbox oil which I suspect has never been changed; the car is difficult to get into reverse, esp when cold, might this help? I know the engine is a 1.9 Renault, the drain plug appears to be at the bottom of the diff (square drive socket) and the filler appears to be a nylon or plastic plug facing front halfway up the gearbox.
• Mazda CX-5 - Car breakdown very soon after service 7 Aug 2025 (Forum)
  I'm not sure about this because an internet search suggests there are various ways to test an injector. They say that no more oil is leaking, that any excess oil on the car's undercarriage would be old oil that was washed out of the engine during the service oil change and took time to drip down from the engine. While it'll be hard to prove without the vehicle being independently inspected, is it likely that the garage is correct on all of the above points, and it is a very unfortunate coincidence, or is anything dodgy going on?
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  My Audi A1 has a strange engine noise - any ideas? 28 Oct 2015 (Ask HJ)
  Would you mind listening to these two clips (if my uploading skills have worked!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA7RIcJ9Tp0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rObzl7M_NrM Background:...
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  When should I change the timing belt on my 2003 Mazda MX-5? 3 Mar 2020 (Ask HJ)
  I have a 2003 Mazda MX-5. The timing belt was changed in 2013 and the recommended change is every five years or every 50,000 miles. It has now done 94,000...
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  Our 2003 BMW 3 Series is consuming a lot of oil - do you know what's going on? 13 Nov 2018 (Ask HJ)
  We purchased (privately) a 2003 BMW 3-Series 1.8-litre petrol automatic in late 2016, with 49,000 recorded miles. It has a stamped BMW Service Record,...