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• Driving in Cyprus - any experience? 14 Dec 2007 (Forum)
  Like to hire a car there, but Lonely Planet and Rough Guides say that condition of hire cars there are "appalling". And recommends that you take the car for a spin and test the brakes before committing hire! This gave me a heart attack almost. Is the situation so bad??? From the net, hiring cost seems reasonable though. Also they have a weird system of providing car full tank of fuel and then expects you return them with as little fuel as possible!
• 1.6 Zetec S Focus Cambelt Problem!! 22 May 2007 (Forum)
  Hey Guys and Girls, Bit of a puzzler! I was braking hard up to some traffic lights on a 60Mph road when my engine died with a short grinding sound. The engine did not restart and i thought it sounded like a cambelt break. But when i took of the oil filler cap, i could see the inlet camshaft rotating.
• Honda Prelude ABS light 21 Apr 2007 (Forum)
  I know that parts can be expensive so i don't want to commit myself to the car if it is going to cost me a fortune. The brakes seem fine etc but the car has been sitting for 2 month. It also has a new cat, front pipe and centre box. Any advice would be greatful.
• What max budget? Repairs to my Fiesta 3 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  I am taking her in tomorrow for a service but I suspect the following may need doing:- 1) Curing a rattle from the camshaft area, as discussed on another thread oil change should help or fix this. 2) Brake pads 3) Valve clearances checked 4)Tappets adjusted 5) New oil, filter and plugs. How much would this cost me? Is spending £200 on a car I have just paid £400 for stupid? The car runs fine, there is a few spots of rust but I have repaired the worst bits, the rest of the body is spotless and so is the chassis.
• Honda Accord ABS (pump faulty?) 24 Jan 2007 (Forum)
  Just noticed that a wire near the pump was disconnected - reconnected it - abs light goes out - but the abs pump seems to make a grinding / loud ticking noise for approx 30 seconds, then the light turns on again. Brakes otherwise fine (obviously ABS is not working). Am I right in thinking the pump iteself is faulty? If so, can any garage change a pump (if I find one from the scrap yard)?
• New car warranties. 20 Jan 2007 (Forum)
  I have a 56 plate astra when i need it's first service vx want £156.00 to change the oil & filter and check the brakes etc, (no other parts fitted)!!! my question is : can i service the car myself and sign the service book using vx parts and keep all receipts? will the 3yr warranties still stand? i am a time served mechanic so no probs here but just no longer working in the motor vehicle industry to get it stamped. i know i can use an independent garage but there not much cheaper and all they will do is the same or will i just have to bite the bullet and cough up my brass??
• A sad day - Primera eGT RIP 5 Jan 2007 (Forum)
  I was wondering, in between the sobs, whether or not I should have offered to go halves with the cost of work needed just to know that it was still on the road. It needed new brake pipes and a little welding to pass its MOT. I know you shouldn't get sentimental about old cars but I really did love that Primera and its engine was still like new even after 120k. Just feeling that a good car should still be around.
• X Reg Mondeo - Handbrake stuck on! 19 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  Hi Guys, Got up this morning and drove to work as normal in the Mondeo, when I got out of the car at work I noticed a really bad burning smell and saw steam coming off the rear drivers side wheel, upon closer inspection I noticed that the brake disk had started to groove a little. A friend in work had a look and said my handbrake isn't fully releasing for some reason? just wondered if anyone else had ever had this problem and is it expansive to sort out :) Thanks Lee PS its a new shape mondeo X reg onwards and has done 46,000 miles.
• 106 1.1 hub problem 24 Oct 2006 (Forum)
  My sister has just bought her 1st car a 106 1.1 (Y reg) I did a service on it at the weekend and came to check over the brakes. I started to take of the wheel nuts and metal fillings followed. I think that the wheel nuts have been tightened on with an air gun and must have been cross threaded. 2 out of 4 nuts have gone but my main concern is the hub itself.
• Brave or Stupid? 18 Aug 2006 (Forum)
  Somewhere in MidWales this 1974 MGB GT in absolutely A1 nick decides to pull out of side road in front of me forcing me to brake and then takes off at full pelt. I was already driving with "great gusto" so I carried on in that style and it was obvious that he was out to teach me what a real car can do.... I wiped the floor with him over the 20 or so miles we were together, OK on the straights they just don't corner as quick as the Legacy but my point is that he was giving it everything in a car that's over 30 years old and I suspect is his pride and joy - is that brave or stupid?
• seized caliper (Honda Accord Tourer) 1 Aug 2006 (Forum)
  Have developed a noise from rear of car - on peering into look at the brakes have noticed one completely worn down whilst other looks new. Is this uneven wear likely to be due to a seized caliper and does anyone know if it's a big job to fix. I'd also be interested to know whether this is likely to be covered under a manufacturer warranty or likely to be fair wear and tear - the warranty document (as always) is somewhat unclear.
• Replaced the Bandit 30 Jul 2006 (Forum)
  Test rode it for 45 miles yesterday morning and loved the riding position, the engine, the noise, the ride quality, the screen, everything. It's even got a fuel gauge. Luxury. Despite the Bandit needing tyres, chain & sprockets and brakes, got a reasonable trade-in. Pick it up August 8th. Chuffed to bits. Texted no. 2 daughter this evening "I did buy a motor bike today. Mum v. cross" Says it all really. :-) Hawkeye ----------------------------- Stranger in a strange land
• Tailgated-Whose fault is this? 1 Jul 2006 (Forum)
  Saw someone yesterday who was driving yesterday at 60ph(with her 18 year daughter) on an A road,in the middle lane when she was apparently aggressively tailgated by a young chappie driving a BMW. After touching the brakepedals lightly a few times to shake him off,slammed the brakes for a second longer causing the car to crash into the back of her Vectra!!!! Dont have any more details apart from no injuries to occupants, but was interested in knowing how the long arm of the law would look at this, and would be interested in knowing whose fault it would turn out as?
• 206 - Track control arm bushes ?? 30 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  Which would have failed the MOT. They again need to be changed as I noticed they were split when renewing the Brake pads and the MOT is not due for another 6mths. They were supplied by a National Motor Factor. The originals were in a far worse state when it failed its first MOT, so the OEM's are no better. The question I ask, would Poly bushes last any longer ??.
• How can you tell ? 22 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  Or does he just trust their reputation ? The car drove well, but he has to return it so they can correct some brake judder. I'd be grateful for any thoughts. As I have limited mechanical knowledge, I always deal with local people with solid reputations to protect.
• ABS warning light, '92 Honda Accord 12 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  After a couple of hundred yards it came on again. I've checked the connections as best I can, fluid levels are ok and the brakes seem to be working normally (as expected). The car had been standing for a couple of weeks unused beforehand. Is there anything else I can check before handing it over? I'm hoping it's a failed wheel sensor rather than the pump or brain because although it has 113k on the clock it is in excellent nick and is a useful runabout that would be sad to give up on because of a giant bill.
• Rover 214 ?accelerator cable problem 4 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  Hi I wondered if you guys could help me I have a rover 214 (1997), today the car seemed to have very high revs (approx 3000) when the clutch was pushed in and this went down when the clutch was released, on further investigation it appears that my accelorator is being kept on (the pedal does not appear to be pushed down any more than normal) as I could drive around the village using gear change only and braking. is this the cable sticking or some other fault and is it likly to cost me a fortune to get fixed, thanks guys Jim ps excuse the spelling, I have been up since 5.15this morning and need to sleep
• VW Van T3 - problem to front wheels 29 May 2006 (Forum)
  My VW Van T3 (1987 make) made recently a metallic squeaky noise in connection with a 'klong-klong' sound. This happened especially when turning right. But what puzzled me most was that one moment the brake pedal could be fully pushed without any resistance (and little breaking action), but would come back on normally after a couple of meters drive. Not sure what could be wrong, I cancelled my trip and returned carefully back home.
• Trailer wheels 29 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  The backplates have a single cylinder, and there is a square section adjuster opposite. I have not yet been able to get a drum off to try and identify the brake shoes. Many thanks.
• More local lunacy ... 19 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  When officials finally stopped the fully-laden bus and arrested the driver, they found it had, among other things, defective brakes and a bent chassis and axle.