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• Diesel Servicing 23 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  Am I okay just sticking to the servce schedule, or would my car benefit from a bit of tlc, in the form of an oil and filter change every 6k or so? Is there anything else I need to do, apart from changing the car, to help me in my quest for a form of transport that never fails me? Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
• Nissan Micra 61 plate - 1st gear problem after clutch change 18 Dec 2015 (Forum)
  This wasn't a problem problem prior to clutch change, when I could change down easily into 1st when at low speeds (under 5mph) I know there is a debate about whether you should use your gears or brakes to stop but I was taught to block change down from 4th to 2nd and then change into 1st gear just before you stop, ready to move off again.
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  Does the timing belt in a Ford Focus last the lifetime of the car? 12 Jul 2021 (Ask HJ)
  You have recently given a number of answers on timing belts, e.g. on length of time before fitting a new belt and failures on the Ford Fiesta. I have a...
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  Slow starting Nissan Micra 5 Dec 2014 (Ask HJ)
  My 2005 Nissan Micra (petrol) has been very slow to start from cold recently. It does start first time, but is sluggish until the ignition "kicks in" and...
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  Daewoo Matiz suffering from faulty fuel gauge 11 Nov 2014 (Ask HJ)
  My girlfriend has a 2004 Daewoo Matiz. It's a great little car for what we paid and is in pretty good condition with lowish miles and has been reliable...
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  What are the dangers of buying a low mileage Golf? 22 Oct 2014 (Ask HJ)
  I have been offered a low mileage 15 month old Volkswagen Golf 1.6 Tdi SE DSG by a franchised but non-Volkswagen dealer. The car is £15,000 and has 3500...
• 1966 and all that 4 Jun 2002 (Forum)
  The transmission fluid was changed last year for the first time when the pan gasket sprang a leak and the rear axle oil has never been changed (the Ford manual states this is unnecessary). The car has never had any kind of mechanical attention other than normal servicing beyond one new alternator, brakes, hoses and belts from time to time.
• Daihatsu Skywing/Charade - Sleepless In-Sump-Hassle. 11 Feb 2019 (Forum)
   The blues in question being a very few flakes of what looked like blue paint, stuck to my oil pump strainer, along with some crunchy flakes of what looked like hard varnish (the engine had some varnish before I changed the oil mix recipe), There is no blue paint on the car, though here in Taiwan it’s THE standard colour for light commercials, one of those odd Confucious-he-say things.
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  How can I give my modified Morris Minor better ground clearance? 7 Jun 2023 (Ask HJ)
  I have a Morris Minor fitted with an 1800cc Morris Marina engine and running gear. The heavier engine and reduced ground clearance causes the sump to ground...
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  Volkswagen Golf: Fault code p3008 7 Mar 2014 (Ask HJ)
  My 2007 Volkswagen Golf is experiencing the engine warning light staying on, the fault code I am being told is: P3008 cam sensor signal. I have had the...
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  Head gasket problem 6 Nov 2011 (Ask HJ)
  While driving in France a couple of weeks ago a warning buzzer sounded together with a STOP command and 'engine overheating' display on the instrument...
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  SEAT Ibiza engine failure at 37,000 miles 10 Apr 2014 (Ask HJ)
  My 2009 SEAT Ibiza’s 1.4TSI engine has packed in after 37,000 mile. The car is out of warranty and supposedly out of SEAT's good will policy; will cost...
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  Do you have to have a Hyundai or KIA serviced at a recognised workshop to keep the long warranty? 20 Apr 2013 (Ask HJ)
  I read about the long warranties on Hyundais and KIAs. Do you need to take your car to the dealers to keep the 5 and 7-year warranties? I also read about...
• VW Passat 2.0 TDI 58 Plate - Rough gear change when cold 26 Nov 2014 (Forum)
  I have looked a bit on the net but i cant really find anything other than the engine mounts or the gearbox oil could either need topping up or its the wrong one. Can anyone help shed some light on this please?
• FIAT Grande Punto (2006 - 2009) - First service costs - being ripped off? 1 Aug 2009 (Forum)
  I asked them what they were going to be doing for £194 as I think that is very expensive for a first service and they said they would change the oil/filter, air filter, clean brakes and replace the spark plugs. Why do plugs need changing after 8,000 miles? I have never had plugs changed every year and certainly not after that mileage.
• Volkswagen Passat (1988 - 1997) - 96 1.9Tdi air bubbles in diesel fuel pipe 5 Feb 2009 (Forum)
  I have also changed the engine oil & filter. car is still offroad at present few more jobs to do before putting it back on road weather is delaying as garage is full so have to work outside. Haynes says check for bubbles but not suggestion how to cure them if present!
• VW Servicing 1 Sep 2005 (Forum)
  Offer includes: * Oil Filter change * Pollen Filter change * Full inspection of vehicle which includes brakes, batteries, tyres, exhausts, electrics, hoses and cooling system * Free replacement bulbs (except headlamps) * All fluid levels checked and topped-up free of charge 50% off MOT with full Service Which should I choose?
• Golf IV service - idiot questions 14 Oct 2003 (Forum)
  Are the pads up for a change? Or the discs? - Are there any other major shocks I should expect - e.g. timing belt change. Thanks for reading, DF
• Express Fit 26 Sep 2003 (Forum)
  I know that several people here recommend them as they are main dealer linked and cheap (doesn't happen often), and I've taken my car there three times now. First for a timing belt change (£120.00), second for an oil and filter change (£24.99) and today for a service. The cost was £158.00 all in for their standard service for cars 3+ years old, and: New front offside Continental Tracking Balancing Change of brake fluid In my view that's pretty damn good, and better than taking my car to a back street garage with an element of the unknown.
• Dealer History 2 11 Jan 2002 (Forum)
  I drive my own W reg 1.8 Avensis - cash for car company driver - and have had it dealer serviced according to the book since I bought it from a car supermarket. This was primarily for warranty purposes which expire soon at 60K, a cambelt change is due at 63K for which I'll send it to the dealer also. A major service is due at 27K intervals but intermediate services seem to be little more than a few visual checks and an oil change for £100ish.