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• Nissan Note - Metallic chain like rattle. 5 Feb 2013 (Forum)
    I believe the car has a cam belt, not a chain which was my first thought, the oil level is fine, (the car seems to use very little oil), it's done 38k and is not quite 4 years old, a belt change is due 72k or 5 years, so essentially I'll need to replace the belt within a year, unless someone can make another recommendation.
• Ford Mondeo TDCI - Turbo & EGR Valve 21 Aug 2012 (Forum)
  There's only about a 1/10 of the smoke that was evident on Thursday while going through the gears, eg 2nd to 3rd and less now from 3rd to 4th and none going into 5th. Should I do a complete oil change, air filter, oil filter, etc..and possibly get a recon EGR Valve? I've had the car over 3 years now, put anut 60K on the clock, it does my job, the bodywork is in superb condition, the mileage is approx. 600 to the tank ater my remap when I got it from 115bhp to 139bhp....interior is good I've paid for the EGR valve but the company doesn't have it in stock, so if not required I'll ate my £50 back....
• Volkswagen Golf IV - Golf Mk4 2.0 8v - Emissions Fail - Advice Please 23 Jul 2012 (Forum)
   Could do with an oil change but I should think these numbers are too far out for that to make much difference.  May have had slight leak around one of the exhaust connections pre MOT but came back from test with obvious blowing sound and now extremly juddery at idle (whole car shaking).
• Would you buy a- dpf demo car 12 May 2012 (Forum)
  I recently read on the chevrolet forum about a man who bought an ex-demo car from a main dealer with low mileage and the "change oil light" was on, and he was asking how to get rid of it. It was suggested that he took the car back to the dealer, as this is an indication of possible oil contamination. (failed regeneration on too many short demo runs) I have read nothing more on the subject, so assume sorted, but talking to my local dealer the other day, they had an aveo 1.3vcdi demo and the warning light came on and has stayed on, so is now being dealt with.
• motoring 50s-60s style , at low cost (motorcycle) 27 Aug 2009 (Forum)
  " noe I know my old dad used to say "4 gallons and a shot of redex" , (think that was £1?) oils have changed over the years , but this simple solution , used 20 yrs ago on old minis worked for me?
• Nissan - Primastar Van 2004 1.9 Diesel turbo over-revving 29 Aug 2008 (Forum)
  One guy drove the vehicle back and the other gave me a lift back. The dealership are saying that it seems like an issue with the turbo, letting in oil and allowing the engine to burn its own oil. I spoke to the dealer principle/owner himself, who was very helpful. He has promised to get onto Nissan first thing in the morning as the vehicle has done less than 17k and is just under 4 years old.
• My question to an MP regarding Bio-diesel - Reply! 4 Feb 2011 (Forum)
  My constituents are also concerned that the oil specified for use in these engines is a rather expensive synthetic version that is designed to last for 18 000 miles between changes. They believe that the dilution of this oil by unburnt diesel fuel causes a deterioration in its lubrication qualities, leading to a significant possibility of excessive engine wear and premature failure.
• Volkswagen Polo III (2000 - 2002) - 00 1.0 Engine timing 20 Jan 2010 (Forum)
  The AA came as well they said that there might be something wrong with the timing. In the Engine ECU i think that its just not sparking the Engine oil or fuel. what do i do? I looked at this post and i am thinking should i change my Spark Plugs and check out my Air Filter ? http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=38204 Please Help me as i do not want to sell this car
• Vauxhall Astra GTC - What else if not head gasket? 1 Feb 2023 (Forum)
    The car does NOT over heat, it does NOT have frothy oil, it does NOT have white exhaust, it does NOT make funny noises. Only symptom is the coolant pushed out of the reservoir.  My mechanic says he has done the head gasket test but it was inconclusive because the color changed to green i think which is for diesel cars not for petrol cars.
• Vauxhall Corsa C - Clicking noise when releasing clutch 16 Aug 2016 (Forum)
  The car lurches forward and is in general very juddery after changing gear and just isn't as smooth as it has been before. It's a 2004 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2. I've been looking at topping up potentially low gear oil/transmission fluid etc. and from what I understand this car has a cable operated clutch instead of a hydraulic one so some these things may not be applicable.
• Daewoo Matiz 800cc 2001 - Daewoo Matiz no power!? Engine check flashing 26 Aug 2011 (Forum)
   Took to local garage but they couldn't get a computer reading. They said it would most lightly be the coil pack or the head gasket. They suggested changing the plugs, leads and coil pack and a cost of £200!! And they also said they'd carry out a compression test to rule out it being the head gasket. Simply don't have the money to get it done, so I changed the leads but still no joy, is my next step to buy a used coil pack and try that or should I go down a diff avenue (i don't want to waste money i haven't got) My brother who sadly lives in austrailia so isn't here to help, said the spark plugs should be fine as they were only changed in march and to check the oil tank for 'mayo' which indicates it being the head gasket, I've done this and it looks fine.
• Nissan Almera N16 (2003) - Nissan Almera Brake Problems? 25 Jun 2010 (Forum)
   This leads me to believe the following potential culprits:   Warped brake discs Possibly early signs of failing bearings (although this would get louder as the car goes faster)   Discs were replaced 45k miles ago along with new pads. No harsh braking done during this time. Brake fluid changed 6k miles (3 months) ago. Car was in the garage a few weeks ago for an oil change and the pads looked like they had a lot of life in them. However the mechanic did point out some markings on the disc to suggest they will need changing at some point soon.
• 
  Rescue service liability? 30 May 2015 (Ask HJ)
  Hi, a few weeks ago we were in Blackpool to see my niece in a show, as we were leaving Blackpool I noticed smoke coming from the back of the car, considering...
• Hyundai i40 tourer 1.7 active 115ps - Reliability/Economy/Maintenance 3 Jan 2018 (Forum)
      Notwithstanding the above, the car in general has been fault free, and has only had routing servicing... Note... despite the 20k service intervals, the car has an intermediate oil and filter change every 10k. Also note that the car requires C3 spec oil, that is Low SAPS/Low ash oil... vital to prevent problems with the DPF. Good news is... it has a timing chain, so as long as the oil changes are done regularly with decent oil as specified, and the engine isn't thrashed, no problems to be expected there!
• Warranty claim / conflict of interest for garage 31 Jul 2009 (Forum)
  As the car was still within the first 6 months of my ownership I was advised of the obligation the supplying garage have to me under the sale / supply of goods act, so contacted them. They recovered the car and diagnosed the fault as a blown turbo which was changed under the warranty and they had cleaned the various oil pipes which had become blocked over time causing the heavy breathing. They said the technician found the level of heavy breathing to be normal; which surprised me and did cause me some alarm but I was reasonably happy as they said they had tested it for 300 miles and it was not using any oil.
• 
  X marks the mot 17 Jul 2010 (Ask HJ)
  The MoT on my 2003 Jaguar X-Type 3.0l Sport Manual expired on Wednesday. Last week I booked it into an MoT centre in Bath and took it there on Monday....
• 2000 1.25 Zetec Fiesta - 2000 1.25 Zetec Fiesta - What gearbox do I need?? 22 Aug 2016 (Forum)
  I need to get my gearbox changed in my 2000 1.25 Zetec Fiesta manual, and am trying to source a second hand one to replace it with.... I have been told that I can fit ANY 1.25 Zetec engine manul gearbox upto 2008 model, as the zetec engine didn't change for all that time...Is that correct?
• citroen xsara Picasso - starting problems 25 Mar 2014 (Forum)
  hi I have a y reg xsara picasso. first the power steering pump went so change that. then realised the oil had leaked on alternator and broke that so changed that.then key snaped so had another cut and taped chip to it was working fine bought new battery as altenator didnt charge it.
• Ford Fiesta (2000 - 2002) - 00 1.8TD - Potential problems? 20 Jan 2009 (Forum)
  Is this normal? The cam & alternator belt had been (apparently) changed just before I bought it. 3) When driving over 65mph sometimes a 'washing machine on spin' noise comes from the engine. Its not very loud, but noticeable. On investigation I discovered the engine had too much oil, so got some drained, and it didn't seem to make the noise for a few weeks, but now its back.
• Well worn subjects! 24 Dec 2007 (Forum)
  subject will come along and keep it alive! Here in no particular order are my top 20 1. Petrol v Diesel 2. Auto v Manual 3. Oil change regularity 4. Tyre choice 5. Insurance 6. Speed cameras 7. Global Warming 8. VWs are rubbish 9. French cars are rubbish 10. Drivers of (insert car make here - usually BMW, sometimes vans, 4x4s etc) are all crazy fools 11.