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• Accord Diesel Service 17 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  I was asked if |I wanted an emissions service for it - £19.99 + vat, and a brake check with the wheels off - extra again. I refused these, on impulse, as I have paid quite a bit for a service which has basically been an oil change. I'm amazed that a service does not include removing the wheels for a service for a Honda. When my Omega was serviced I was always asked for the key for the wheels. I haven't done a huge mileage - 17,000 - and that has been long journeys, mainly to France each year.
• Mazda 323 - 1.6 Noisy engine at startup 29 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  I'm not too worried about it but it sounds like a set of castanets! Any recommendations of having an engine flush when the oil is next changed? Would an engine flush sort these kind of issues? Otherwise, I guess it's down to the local Mazda dealer one morning, leave it there all day and return in the afternoon and fire it up.
• Endura e, filthy tappets 5 May 2006 (Forum)
  Just did an engine flush, oil and filter change yesterday. After that we took the rocker cover off and set the valve clearances. The rocker gear looked horrible. Black and cokey. I didn't expect it to look like new (it has done 96k) but I wasn't expecting that.
• General: longevity of a turbo (in an MB) 27 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  It is clear from what I've read so far that, although such devices are essentially "fit & forget", regular and rigorous general engine servicing and oil changes are essential to getting the most out of them; the record looks pretty good in the case in question. Any clues on replacement cost would also be welcome, as well as views on the wisdom of installing a reconditioned system (in an exchange deal) instead of a brand new replacement.
• VW Polo 1.6CL Engine Problem 25 Feb 2006 (Forum)
  All of a sudden, the engine felt like it was braking, then as quickly as it happend, it went back to normal. Made it back to Brighton from there no problems - temperatures fine, water level fine, oil fine. Then last night driving along Brighton sea front, 30mph, 3rd gear, about 2800rpm, and the same thing happend. Any ideas what it could be? The brakes are due a change, but I would be seriously suspicious if they have some kind of warning system on them that activates them for a millisecond (which is the feeling it gives).
• Vectra Di Clutch Judder 12 Jul 2004 (Forum)
  I'm just wondering what could be causing this. Could it be the clutch on its way out? Someone else has mentioned it could be a small oil leak which has led to the take off judder. Any help advise greatly appreciated Thanks in advance
• '93 Polo Crunchy Gears 2 Jul 2004 (Forum)
  It had not done it for about a week until yesterday in the same scenario. All other gears are OK, if a little noisier than other polos. Had the gearbox oil changed 5000 miles ago for 75w/90. (total milage 101000) What could this be? Something expensive like a worn clutch or 'box or is it just a cable out of adjustment? Roberson
• MGB Overdrive and pinking problem 22 Jun 2004 (Forum)
  When hot overdrive fumps in on overrun and light acceleration.Reverse becomes inoperable. The overdrive is engaged in all gears and it kicks in wihtout moving the switch. The gearbox oil has been changed. The car only covers less than 2000 miles a year. Any advice greatly appreciated. Cheers Peter
• Lexus GS300 2nd hand 11 Dec 2003 (Forum)
  He is one of the best practical engineers I have ever worked with and know that he has looked after it well, oil changes at 5000 miles etc. Question is; what is it worth and what problems can I expect. All the best folks Bill
• Longevity - How long do you keep yours ? 25 Nov 2003 (Forum)
  A quick trawl of neighbours and relatives reveals that most of them are rich enough to buy a new car every couple of yrs or so and chop it in, or they're on company cars - ditto. Why on earth would they bother treating the car with kid gloves , changing oil, coolant, brake fluid etc. Of course this may well be done for them under warranty etc. So, how long do you keep yours ? And do you look after it to prolong its life for you, or for someone else in the future ??
• Vectra di smoke. 11 Oct 2003 (Forum)
  Secondly it's not noticable during the day, and therefore not serious. Thirdly have yet to notice it when starting from cold. Fourthly it's due an oil change (7k since the last one) and this will be done this weekend. To my question - is this anything to worry about? Or should I just keep an eye on it for now? Kind regards, Cyrill666
• Selling a good but 122K Mondeo Dsl Est 21 Jun 2003 (Forum)
  The mileage is honest and the car meticulously serviced by Ford throughout its life, all backed up by invoices etc.,with 5K oil changes since its 90K service. It's the CD and aircon model. It's in good condition, with full MOT and does not look a high mileage car. I advertised it high at £3250 and had people to see it through my local paper, and have reduced it to £2900 in the Auto Trader and had no response.
• Air Filter woes 7 Feb 2003 (Forum)
  OK - I decided to get my car serviced on the cheap and got a Kwik Fit oil change - which was fine - and bought an air filter out of Halfords. Alas the air filter was about 2mm too big (Halfords patter part just the wrong size) so I had to put the old one back and the air filter 'box' in my old Japanese hatch needed a fair bit of pushing and shoving to get the filter back in.
• Wot! No Bleeding Screws? 16 Oct 2002 (Forum)
  In every vehicle I've ever owned or worked on there have always been bleedscrews in the cooling system (usually in the heater exit pipes and maybe the top hose feed to the water pump as well) to assist you in bleeding all the air from the system when replacing coolant. I've just bought a 1990 Toyota Corolla for SHMBO and am about to change the oil and coolant as a precaution. Checking both the vehicle and the Haynes manual I find no mention of bleedscrews. Haynes just tells me to drain and refill the system. Question - What wonders of hydraulics have Toyota used to achieve this?
• mazda 323f? 27 Aug 2002 (Forum)
  Hi I am looking at changing my car (present K reg Citroen ZX 1.4 Avantage which has had a whole heap of problems - shot driveshafts, oil leaks etc.) and am considering an older 89-94 Mazda 323F, probably 1.6GLXi, as I have always kinda liked the styling of these cars.
• Carbon dioxide and melting planet lies 29 Apr 2002 (Forum)
  Some have known for a long time that the global warming myth was politically inspired and now we have the proof. It should be noted that 76 countries voted against the chairman, not just the USA with it's oil company friends.
• astra probs 8 Oct 2001 (Forum)
  I realise this is half me getting used to it (its a lot faster than my old car), but its definitly slower. Also when i start it its very lumpy for the first thirty seconds or so. I've changed the plugs and leads with no effect. Also, since I bought the car (6 months ago) the engine has begin to sound a lot clunkier. I've been recommended by a mechanic friend to put some thicker oil in since the engine is getting on a bit now.
• 94 Astra Convertible 27 Mar 2001 (Forum)
  It's got the 8 valve 20l injection engine, has 32000 on the clock and we will probably do about 4500 miles a year of mixed driving. I've already had one query successfully answered about the soft paintwork and intend keeping the oil changed with semi-synthetic every 6 months. As well as the mechanical side is anyone aware of any companies offering a rustproofing service, I know cars are better protected nowadays but I remember from a MGB in particular what can happen when the dreaded tinworm takes effect.
• Ford Focus Mk1 99/T 1.8 petrol - Badly reduced fuel economy 1 Feb 2015 (Forum)
  I'm not totally sure if the drop was sudden or gradual but I'm really noticing how often I have to fill up now. I've eliminated things like tyre pressure/condition and despite having a small oil leak, it seems to make no difference whether the car is a Max or Min oil level. One thing I haven't changed for several years is the fuel filter, but despite a friend suggesting it as a possible cause I can't really see how it could cause the car to use *more* fuel??
• Mazda 6 Diesel Estate - Mazda Mazda Mazda oh dear 24 Dec 2013 (Forum)
  Thinking i was unlucky with that one decided to buy another one from a main dealer in September 2012 with just short of 80,000 how wrong i was - a year later with just short of 90,000 on well december 2013 whilst driving the DPF light started flashing and the engine management light came on so quickly booked into main dealer garage £ 500 later for an oil leak Rocker cover gasket, DPF regenerated, Oil and filter change etc etc (even though it had one in August) then a day later the engine started whining so booked in again. They dropped the sump and hey ho the crank is damaged how much £ 3,000 to replace and rebuild the bottom end for a car that is only worth 2k The Mazda 6 Estate is a great car to drive, comfy etc but seems that the engines are really no good.