Refine by channel:  Forum (3169)    Ask HJ (1099)    News (93)    Article (18)    FAQs (10)    productReview (4)  

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• Toyota Carina E - How to keep a 15yr old car running 21 Dec 2011 (Forum)
  He owned it from a couple of years old and has been serviced every year / 3000 miles (not by dealer, just basic mobile service) This is my 2nd car, i also have a Ford KA (for day to day) Known issues: Original Cambelt (should have been changed at 60k, but non-interfearance)  Gearbox a bit clunky Drivers elec window doesnt work Temp gauge stuck in middle Boot struts dont open boot, very stiff Havent tried A/C, doubt it will work, but not an issue Economy light on dash doesnt work (probably bulb) Condensation on rear window (put dehumidifier on parcel shelf, not sure if it will work) Planned Maintenance : Air Filter Oil / Filter New spark plugs (not platinum this time) What else should i do?
• Nissan Pathfinder - Automatic gearbox problem 9 Jan 2011 (Forum)
  i was prompt in taking it back to the dealer and explaining what the problem was. he explained he wasnt sure but would sort it. within the 6 months of the warranty...i went back 3 times with the problem and on the last time he said he would change the gear-oil and hoped that would sort it....IT DIDNT. so in Dec 2010 the gearbox seem to fail...there was no drive to the engine...i had it toed to the dealership where i bought it. He checked it out and said after looking at it that he 'wasnt an expert' on automatic gearboxes and it would have to be sent to a specialist.
• Audi A3 - Audi A3 problem 24 Jun 2010 (Forum)
  I have been trying to fix the problem but I am running out of time, money and patience as it isnt a consistent problem. Not sure if it means anything but it has been worse since I serviced it a week ago, I changed the oil & filter, air filter & spark plugs. Sinced the problem started I have checked the coil packs, changed the MAF sensor and the pre cat lambda sensor but still havnt cured it! Any ideas?
• my omega... 14 Nov 2002 (Forum)
  She's now covered a majestic 94,000 miles, everyone feels tight and solid, even the winter mornings and frost haven't bothered her warm little heart! (though I do miss heated seats!) I did do a mobil one change from Kwik fit a few months back and changed the pollen and air filters out of caution, the pollen filter certainly needed it (I can breath now with the windows closed!). I'm sure the exhaust must be on its way soon, as last time I looked on the ramp it did look somewhat corroded.
• Nissan X-Trail (2001 - 2007) - 2004 2.2DCi 7 Turbo's, 3 Intercoolers, what do I d 27 Aug 2008 (Forum)
  But now my extended warranty has left than a year to run, and the car looks like its going to have another replacement turbo and intercooler, what do I do now because Nissan obviously have not really fixed the problem? At just over 54K miles is it acceptable for Nissan to just keep changing the items until the warranty runs out without addressing the underying cause? I drive fairly economically (sometimes get over 40mpg), I fill up with Shell fuel most of the time, I treat the vehicle carefully and I change the oil and filter every 6K miles, not the advised 12K.
• Jaguar XF - Jag XF - update from private owner after 2.5 yrs 26 May 2016 (Forum)
  If I use normal UL then around town drops to 20mpg and long runs struggle to reach 30mpg. annual services are £200 for an oil & filter change plus a stamp, but the air and pollen filters I did myself last year. New pads & disks fitted all round this year - parts from motor factors were ~£180 (they are the same as the S-type it turns out) and a few hours of my time in the summer evenings.
• 
  Ford Galaxy Powershift clutch judder 8 Jul 2015 (Ask HJ)
  Four weeks ago my Ford Galaxy 2010 Automatic began juddering during driving a bit like misfiring. I took to Shaftesbury Ford and the diagnostics said it...
• Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Petrol 2001 - Emissions Warning Light Problem 18 Aug 2012 (Forum)
    When I bough it I took it to a local garage and had a full service - air and fuel filters changed, new spark plugs, oil change.   About a fortnight later then emissions warning light came on.  I took it to garage and they did a diagnostic which came back as an engine misfire.
• Kia Sportage 2017 - Dear Kia 16 Aug 2020 (Forum)
  The sump plug definitely has not been removed but I understand you have this new fangled machine that sucks out the oil leaving the crap in the bottom. Does it suck out the oil filter cartridge out of its housing as well because that doesn't look like its been touched? Before leaving the dealership I dipped the oil as well.
• Ford Fiesta 1.2L Style from 2006 - £1115 service for old car :-( 17 Jan 2025 (Forum)
  This year however, the cost sky rocketed to a whopping £1115 on account of the car needing a new starter motor, one new engine bracket, new suspension spring on near side, headlight beam correcting, 2 new tyres+wheel alignment, oil/filter change - and the MOT itself. The car has 125000 miles on the clock. Felt a bit deflated paying over a grand for a car that's currently valued around the £550 mark. Shall I try and sell it soon while it still has a long MOT (possibly to a newly passed driver),  or wait 12 months then sc*** it to cut further losses, or with all that work done on it now - might it be good for another 2 years?
• Any - Time to sell privately 13 Jun 2021 (Forum)
  It is a 1.8 ES 2012 with nearly 90000 miles on the clock, but it ahead on its servicing and has been maintained carefully fir the 6 years we have had it (extra oil changes/premium fuel etc). It is advertised bang on the autotrader estimate of £4250, trade examples are a good £1000 or more. Thinking we would be happy to see it go around the £3.8-4K mark. The car buying group are offering £3090, if that is helpful.
• Ford Focus - Ford Focus 2015 1.5tdci Blown Head Gasket 27 Jan 2021 (Forum)
   Took it to Dees Of Wimbledon Ford Dealer, and they (without investigation) said I need new engine for £8,000,told them to stick it. Went into local garage and they suggested could be oil cooler, egr cooler, or head gasket. After investigation they changed egr cooler. This stopped all soot particles in coolant, however the air in coolant persisted.  Since then I have replaced the thermostat and water pump.
• Renault Laguna 05’ Turbo Problems 2 Jul 2019 (Forum)
  So please if you have any experience about this car and the turbo problems I would appreciate your opinions, i will get a new turbo and I’ve been told that there is something like a sieve, probably inside in one of the pipes or the hoses that are going in or out the turbo, still not sure where it is, but it doesn’t let enough oil through, because it gets greasy. Please let me know if there is any solution you would’ve think of, thank you!!
• Tiguan 2013, 24,000 miles. 4WD. - Clutch release bearing? 2 Aug 2016 (Forum)
  Our manual 6-speed Tiguan recently had its gearbox removed and refurbed after a hole developed in the casing a spewed oil everywhere. It’s gone back in, and for a few weeks everything felt great again. Over the weekend I’ve begun to feel clutch pulsation on the pedal when its depressed fully – it disappears once the clutch is back past the bite point after changing gear. 1 st and 2 nd gear is a little notchy, shifting both up and down.
• 
  Should I buy a BMW 640d with 100k on the clock? 26 Jul 2016 (Ask HJ)
  I have recently seen a 2012 plate BMW 640d for sale with 100,000 miles on the clock.The car has a full service history, but I am a little worried about...
• Audi A4 SE 2.0 TDI Saloon (143hp CVT) - 2011 Reg - Any Red Flags - Audi Extended Warranty - Go-NoGo 15 Apr 2014 (Forum)
  Hi All, My Audi is coming to the end of manufacturer's warranty of 3 years (End of this month) It has done about 31215 miles so far and I forecast less than 6000 miles per annum My quote with Audi for an extended warranty comes to £512 (0 Excess, Comprehensive, Without Roadside assistance) But wanted to take a general opinion of other Audi owners you had gone through the situation and know better - Is there any common red flags with Audi A4 2011 2.0 TDI 143 hp CVT (Automatic) that its better to cover with the warranty (For the miles I am forecasting and the miles the car has done so far) So far - My car has been maintained according to the Audi schedule and recently undergone MOT (Mar-2014) and a Full service / Oil change as a part of my service plan Any advice would be great Thanks S
• Vauxhall corsa 1.2 - Cold starting problem 17 Apr 2012 (Forum)
  Hi John I have a corsa for my daughter and have a cold starting problem. The parts I have changed are, engine oil (5/40 grade) and filter, coil pack, plugs, air filter, fuel filter and MAF (mass airflow meter) twice and temperature switch. When cold I cannot start the engine, its just revs then dies down and splutters to a stop.
• Ford Fiesta 2003 Duratec - Engine noises 9 May 2010 (Forum)
  Hi,   Recently I have noticed more noise than usual from my engine.   It is a 1.4 duratec with 140K; it has regular oil and filter changes (Castrol Magnatec 5W/30)   Firstly when cold it is very ‘tappety’ a distinctive ticking noise which disappears once warm.
• Citroen Xsara (1997 - 2004) - Faulty brakes - possible skid risk? 10 Sep 2009 (Forum)
  It's the coupe version and due to the lightness of the back looks prone to oversteering anyway. Just wondering whether it's worth getting this valve changed if there's a chance it could do it again. Cheers, Dave.
• Citroen Xantia (1993 - 2000) - 98 1.9T Diagnostic light on when cold,goes off whe 16 Jul 2009 (Forum)
  It was a mess being in limp mode. With air in the diesel, glowplugs not working and was just running bad. Replaced air/fuel/oil filters, glowplugs, changed engine and gearbox oil.Starts first time and runs smooth.Revs quick however not underload. (Limp mode) Found that the instument panel was opened and ABS/Engine Diagnostic/Airbag lights missing.