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• New engine failed after 9000 miles, where next 21 Oct 2017 (Forum)
  We had an issue with our car last year that resulted in the manufacturer paying up to have a new engine fitted; the car was, at the time, 9 years old but had a full service history and the engine failed with a known issue (crankshaft failure, not admitted by the manufacturer though, but very well documented). The local dealer sourced a short engine block, new cylinder heads, timing chains, oil pump etc, and built the engine up using the original external parts, sump, oil pickup, etc. We got the car back in June last year. In March this year, having covered 9000 miles on the new engine, the engine suddenly developed a severe rattle over the space of a couple of minutes and had to be towed back to the dealer; they diagnosed failed big ends due to a lack of oil, making various claims about the condition of the oil and refusing to accept any repsonibility for the failure.
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  Berlingo gearbox whine 7 Mar 2016 (Ask HJ)
  My 2010 Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6HDi has developed a gearbox whine. This has happened right after it had a new clutch fitted. The garage has drained...
• Oil Filter tool Augmented suffering. Your Car? 19 Jun 2008 (Forum)
  In the 6th year of DIY, hope for only needing one arm under there now rests with the new `caliper` type at the next oil change.
• Vauxhall Astra G Petrol (1998 - 2004) - 00 1.4 Leaky waterpump, possible HGF 12 Oct 2009 (Forum)
  Any advice would be much appreciated....other than 'drive it off beachy head'....i couldn't do that to the environment...tho admittedly there'd be little oil left in the sump to contaminate the sea due to the leaks ;-(. Do i: a) change the header cap in the infantile belief that everything will be fluffy bunnies after...and while i'm at it, hang out my stocking for father xmass?
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  Should I have an engine flush at every service? 30 Jan 2020 (Ask HJ)
  I have just had a reminder for my Corsa 1.4T third year service and MoT from the dealership. It came with recommended TLC like bacterial cleanse at £24.95,...
• vw polo tdi engine noise during change 26 Oct 2004 (Forum)
  Hi Again, thanks to all the responses to my previous query about oil for my tdi. I ended up getting quantum from the dealer, not cheap but at least I know for sure that it meets the spec. I've noticed a noise coming from the engine when I change up through the gears, noticeable when the engine is warm.
• Ford Focus - Ford Focus Mk2 - VVT Camshaft Pulley 8 Dec 2024 (Forum)
  It's purely curiosity and to help my decision on repairing it or not. I did want to drive the car for a few more years - hence paying for the two leak fixes and oil change. Your thoughts are welcomed and apologies for the essay. Thanks.
• Vauxhall Astra life 2007 petrol 1.8 hatchback - Difficulty starting car in morning 9 Feb 2019 (Forum)
  I had a problem starting my car in the mornings . The mechanic noticed that the rocker cover gasket was leaking oil and the oil could be leaking onto the plugs & that could be the reason why as it wasn't giving enough spark , and the battery was tested and found to be weak. I changed the gasket , spark plugs & battery.
• Ford Fiesta - Fiesta lacking power and shuddering 16 May 2016 (Forum)
  My fiesta 1.4lx 54 plate has recently been under powered and juddering under acceleration. I took it to be serviced (plugs/air, oil filters/oil), when the mechanic noticed my core plug had worn and was filling spark plug area with water. I had core plug replaced and car serviced (car drove home fine), the next day however, same problem.
• Service price disparity 1 May 2016 (Forum)
  Whenever I buy a car I like to have a service done shortly after purchase, unless I have evidence one has recently been carried out. I obtained three quotes  from independent garages for a full service including oil change, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs and pollen filter for 2003 Focus 1.8. 1. The local garage recommended by two neighbours that I have already been to a couple of times. £182.12 inc VAT.
• ford focus automatic 4 speed 1.6 year 2000 - Automatic 4 speed gear box problems? 14 Mar 2013 (Forum)
  I have checked the oil level in the gear box, its ok,there are no oil leaks and all the fuses  i think.. It seems to change gear going forwards ...the two lights stay on all the time the engine starts ok and it's not over heating ..and runs great  what can this be any ideas...thank you Marcus
• Mitusbishi & Others - Diesel Particle Filter removal 30 Sep 2012 (Forum)
  Have just had my car returned from the main dealer because of sooted up DPF and engine management light, Prior to my breakdown , Had done abt 120 motorway miles. They changed the engine oil and filter after regening the DPF, apparently the oil was corrupted and had been running above the fill level. They also tweeked the engine ECU with an update. So I come to the crunchpoint: I am seriously consdering a DPF removal , I have been told by an expert that it is not part of the MOT, but smoke emisssion IS.
• Chevrolet Captiva - servicing diesel engine 18 Mar 2012 (Forum)
  as follows, lady buys car from a large national chain not a franchise, car is imported!  car bought june 2009, first serviced december 2010, first service, possibility oil not changed at service at main dealers despite this beinh a requirement of the service schedule)  next service missed, car did only 14000 miles in 2 years and 8 months, engine fails due to oil lubricity @20% only, (contamination???)
• VW PASSAT SPORT TDI 140 - oil pressure and turbo 15 Oct 2011 (Forum)
   W e have a vw passat sport TDI 140 have just heard from the garage that the turbo we had fitted wasnt the whole problem we have been told that...
• Suzuki Grand Vitara LWB (2005 - ) - 08 2.0D Recall or Service Damage to Sump? 11 Dec 2008 (Forum)
  He was also told there was recall work on the 'pipe between the turbo and the manifold'. When he got home , after a 30 mile journey,oil was dripping on to the driveway and the oil level further dropped, off the end of the dipstick, overnight. No leakage pre-garage visit. Garage retrieved the car and subsequently reported the sump was cracked.
• Audi 80 14 Aug 2003 (Forum)
  The transmission makes a slipping noise when changing gears (automatic). I appreciate your responses.
• Notchy Gearbox - Ford Galaxy 22 Jul 2002 (Forum)
  The vehicle is fiited with the VAG 6 speed gearbox which is very pleasing to use once the car has warmed up, usually over a distance of 4 to 5 miles from cold, unfortunately, until then I find that the gear change from 1st to 2nd tends to 'grate'. I have tried adding an additive to the gearbox oil but it has made no real difference.I assume that the reason for this is that until high revs have been achieved,then the gearbox oil will not have reached all parts of the box?
• Oily Probe. 25 Mar 2001 (Forum)
  I have just e mailed HJ about my Probe - 94 24V 67K miles - which seldom gets used as I work in London and commute. I checked the last couple of services and the plugs had not been changed so i decided to look. easier said than done, they live at the bottom of very deep holes and I do not have the right tools, however the bottom of three of the plug cap "tubes" had oil on them?? The car does rattle initially on first start up after a week but goes quiet immediately.
• More on water in the gearbox 20 Mar 2001 (Forum)
  In early '99 I successfully (so I thought) drove it through about 50m of floodwater up to bumper height, avoiding a collection of locals who were offering to tow me through using assorted tractors and 4x4s, and not for free, either. This is the only time it has seen serious water. At 72,000 miles (last week) the dealer changed the gearbox oil and reported getting a quantity of rusty water out of the gearbox as well as the oil. He says it must have come in through the breather on top of the gearbox. There have been no ill effects until yesterday when gear selection became really difficult after a 40 mile run.
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  Why is there no acceleration from my BMW 5 Series? 19 Aug 2019 (Ask HJ)
  I have a 2006 BMW 525i and there's a problem with the acceleration. The car idles fine with no noticeable odd noises coming from the engine. When I press...