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• Ford Focus - Ford focus 2015 onwards engine choices 8 Feb 2024 (Forum)
  Turbo actuators, EGR, Throttle body and ABS pumps all failing and electrical issues. Managed to avoid the dreaded DPF failing but it caused me many an oil change.        
• Honda Accord 2.2 i-CDTi - To Remap or Not to Remap? 10 Aug 2017 (Forum)
  I had a new clutch and flywheel (LUK) fitted earlier this year and all manner of suspension components replaced the year before that. The car gets a full service and oil change every year from a trusted garage that I've been using for years, so the car is well looked after. I love how willing the engine is to rev but feel that it could do with a little extra oomph.
• 1.6l Ford Fiesta TDCI Zetec - Revs fluctuating from 900 to 750rpm every couple o 17 May 2016 (Forum)
  Not sure if this will have any affect but I've recently had an oil & filter change. Any suggestions or advice would be hugely appreciated.   
• 2007 Chevrolet Kalos 1.4L 16v. - Sticky exhaust valves. 21 Aug 2014 (Forum)
  However, if I start it from cold and allow it to idle for three or four minutes before driving away the fault will generally not occur. I flushed the engine with Forte Advanced Motor Flush and changed the oil and filter for Mobil 1 fully synthetic 5w30. This did not cure the problem. Although I can live with it and I know how to avoid it, I would be interested to know if anyone has cured it without removing the cylinder head and replacing the valves, which I don't really want to do.
• Volvo S40 - My old car has been clocked 11 Mar 2014 (Forum)
    Can you do the same at DVLA anyone know? It's also now got a full 12 dealer stamp service history now but I did all the oil change/servicing myself between 2007 and 2013????
• Audi A3 2.0T FSI 2006 - Audi A3 2.0T FSI broken cam belt 27 Jun 2013 (Forum)
  Hi everyone, we were driving down motorway when red flashing oil light appeared (probably should of stopped straight away) anyway was trying to get to service station wife two kids in car  got up slip road around roundabout then car died. AA would not look at it because of red light policy had it towed home, I s diagnostic check going to tell me anything my feeling is i might have a broken cam belt as it was overdue a change, My dilema now is after reading a fair bit about this sought of problem instead of throwing money at this problem do i jusyt bite the bullet and put a new engine in from a write off Audi, Have been quoted £1900 for 2009 engine 30k miles supply and fit with a warranty?
• Citroen C8 - Citroen C8 Black Smoke intermittent 30 Mar 2013 (Forum)
    the anti pollution light wasn't on and there were no warnings. I had the car serviced, oil and filters changed before this trip and i have just had the cambelt, water pump and MAF sensor replaced, but this problem was there before.   Any help would be greatly appreciated,   Thanks Mark
• Toyota Yaris - Yaris With Light Bump/Timing Chain Fail 4 Sep 2012 (Forum)
  I am just wondering is failed clutch and timing belt a steer clear, or is this normal for this mileage and age of Yaris ? Or could this indicate engine problems or poor maintenance eg infrequent oil changes? Is it a risky purchase - and what tell tale signs should I be looking out for, that indicate it might be a troublesome car? Many thanks for any advice.
• Honda Jazz Auto (CVT) 55 Plate - Low Mileage Service Intervals 24 Aug 2012 (Forum)
  It is now due again and we are wondering if we could save some money and only have it serviced say once every 2 years or maybe just have the oil changed each year instead of a service? Any views would be welcome. It will of course have to have an M.O.T. and I have just discovered that Halfords Auto Centres (ex Nationwide) are doing them for half price if you book online.
• Toyota Yaris - Viewing used car tomorrow - opinions/advice? 26 Oct 2011 (Forum)
  Hi lovely HJ folks,  Am going to view this 2005 Yaris tomorrow -  http://www.adtrader.co.uk/greater-london/ealing/west-ealing/cars/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris-1-3-vvt-i-blue-3dr-2005-66-500/58513343_110 I spoke to the owner, he told me: the MOT/Tax is valid until March, has FSH but he doesn't recall having the Aux belt changed. He's not aware of any faults or problems with it using up a lot of oil and is selling as he's starting a family.. What else should I be asking..? Would anyone recommend a vehicle inspection?
• Learning more about cars 29 May 2011 (Forum)
  I enjoy reading about cars and have a good memory for what the vehicles I see on the roads have inside them, and I can perform very basic maintenance on my own car (y'know; bulbs, oil, water, changing a wheel, tyre care, jump start). However, I couldn't open a car up and fix something - admittedly most cars have everything sealed in nowadays so you can't fiddle with it, and there's so much electronic wizardry in there as well.
• VW Passat 2.0 SE Petrol - My 2003 Passat 2.0 SE Headgasket gone? 30 Dec 2010 (Forum)
  The result was that the liquid in the apparatus turned green, which apparently, was indicative of the presence of carbon in the coolant, in other words a head gasket failure. There’s no oil present in the coolant pot and even though the coolant level has dropped by about 30% in 24hours, there are no other visible signs and the engine runs very smoothly.   I spoke to two different garages and they both express doubt that it is a case of HGF .
• 1.6 Zetec 2001 Estate (140,000 miles) - Ford Focus Engine Life 4 Aug 2010 (Forum)
    The car has been very reliable but i am afraid that i might be coming into expensive times taking into account the mileage.  Should i keep and just replace the normal cambelts and oil etc and keep fingers crossed or should i change to a BMW 5 Series with 100,000 miles on the clock as i have heard that these are capable of very high miles.  I really like the ford as bits are always so cheap but then again i look inside a 5 series and think i have reached heaven.
• Vectra C - diesel or petrol Vauxhall? 16 Apr 2010 (Forum)
  So I'd value advice on the above and things like:   120 or 150hp CDTI engine: which trim would prove the most durable:  should the oil change intervals be shortened, etc, etc. And if anyone knows where to buy the cars at their best price, that would be very helpful, too. Edit:  I've just found HJ's review of these cars by scrolling down the page, which I hadn't done before.
• Ford C-MAX - 3yr service due - main dealer, indy or diy? 20 Feb 2010 (Forum)
  However given the warranty is up soon and she plans to keep it until 8 years or more, she is considering going outside the dealer network for the next service. I could easily change the oil & filters and lube the hinges, check the brakes etc. I'd even hang a 99p airfreshener inside for the full "premium" service effect ;-) Only thing I couldn't do is the electronic diagnostic check but hey-ho.
• One month old exhaust rusting. Is this normal? 9 Aug 2009 (Forum)
  Write off the money and just get a Bosil fitted or ask for a back box which actually meats the legal requirements of the roads or a refund? http://tinyurl.com/kpqebt {misleading title changed}
• Mazda MX5 (1989 - 1998) - 1991 1.6 groan from clutch/box when cold 2 Aug 2009 (Forum)
  hi all, my wifes 1991 mx5 eunos, 1.6i manual, makes a funny noise from the box when cold and when clutch is pressed, thing is the clutch was replaced not too long ago and it has only started doing this in the last 2 months, my mechanic thinks its the layshaft bearings in box but how can this be possible as when you press clutch you seperate engine from box? also wouldnt this happen over a longer period of time? ie worn brgs? the box oil has been changed and is fully topped up. My mechanic tends to make rash guesses sometimes so thought a 2nd opinion wud b gud. As i say it tends to only make the wierd groaning noise when cold and wen clutch is pressed, and i dont wanna have to buy another box without being certain, cheers all!
• Peugeot 405 Diesel (1988 - 1996) - 1996 1.9 catalytic converter - do I have one? 8 Jul 2009 (Forum)
  I've had a little look near the engine bay & I can see something 'bolted' onto the exhaust. However, as my 'expertise' begins and ends with changing the oil & filters I don't really know what I'm looking for. I know I'll have to have this checked properly, but a quick word from someone here would be appreciated & might save me from an extra outing to my garage!
• Ford Focus II (2004 - 2007) - 06 1.6 Advice please on buying car ? 27 May 2009 (Forum)
  It appears at this stage that the car did not undergo any service last year (in 08) so you can't really say it has a "full service history." I am worried about parting with my money with this knowledge as oil and filter changes are so important.
• Renault Laguna (1994 - 2001) - 00 1.8,16v engine misfire 31 May 2008 (Forum)
  Renault Laguna 1.8,16v,bought the car knowing the clutch was slightly slipping and engine idle slightly low,since put a new clutch in the engine has been plagued by a misfire that would put any sa80 to shame,changed the lambda sensor(bosch),4 individual pencil packs(the german ones),new battery,oil and filters,compression test (all ok)had a diagnosis test and came back ok,its had timing belt and pulleys too but still the misfire continues to kangaroo hop down the road when under load between 1000/2000 and when throttling on when i a high gear a poping in the engine can be heard,been told it could be the throttle position switch or the ECU thats causing the problem,need to know as this car costing me a fortune and buggin me that i can't get to the bottom of it,any one with the similar problems that may be able to advise,much obliged.