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• MG - BGT 1961 1.8 Unable to start the engine 9 Nov 2009 (Forum)
  After a few years left in the workshop unused, i decided to re mot it. Driving to the garage i tested the brakes to get them warmed up, when suddenly there was this thump thump noise, found out later it was the fan hitting the radiator, i must of put the brakes on really hard because the engine moved forward about 1/2 inch.
• Renault Scenic (2003 - 2009) - Repair and sell....or just sell? 15 Oct 2009 (Forum)
  I have a 2002 petrol automatic 1.8 Renault Scenic (5 door expression+ with 70000 miles). It has the well discussed problem where the brake servo hisses (needing a replacement of the sealed unit costing 200+ and 5 hours of labour to fix). The brake discs are worn and it needs some minor work that I can do myself - one worn tyre, some bulbs need replacing etc).
• Citroen C5 (2001 - 2008) - 05 1.6 Noise from front RHS at all speeds 9 Oct 2009 (Forum)
  Most apparent on overrun in second especially when engine is warm, but is "there" at all speeds and in all forward gears. Recent Main dealer workshop checks exclude Brakes, H/brake ( acting on front wheels),Bearings, suspension, drive shaft. ( visual and external examination only) No oil / fluid leaks apparent. Gear changing is not affected and AFAIK, there is no apparent wear of clutch friction plates.
• Volkswagen Golf V (2004 - 2008) - 05 1.6 Diagnostic Codes explanation 7 Aug 2009 (Forum)
  Any further explanation and idication of cost please (Dealer/non)? There was exhaust work at last Service. 17887 P1479 008, Brake vacuum system, Mechanical malfunction 18320 P1912 001, Brake Booster Pressure Sensor -G294-, Open / short to B+ 18528 P2096 002, Bank1, Lambda correction downstream of catalyst, lean exceeded I've always used a trusted Dealer for servicing so far and seems reasonable faults for age&milesage but see previous fix, below.
• Vauxhall Vectra B facelift (1999 - 2002) - 2001 - Car feels twitchy 25 Feb 2009 (Forum)
  The Vectra has been feeling a bit twitchy for a while now - sometimes in a straight line and sometimes when braking. Some of the points I have noticed are: The car was pulling to the left so I had the tracking adjusted about 2 months ago. It seems better but the steering wheel is sometimes offset slightly when straight ahead; sometimes it is about spot on.
• Turn those fog lights off! 22 Dec 2008 (Forum)
  Another minor pet hate is people in these modern cars with LED rear clusters who hold their car with the brake pedal at lights, use your flipping hand brake, I don't want your bright lights hurting my eyes thank you very much! Yes I caqn see you have a 4.6 litre Vogue, but we both know its leased and you are not keeping up your payments so stop driving like a pratt.
• Nissan Primera (1990 - 1996) - 1995 1.6LX strange noises whilst driving. 17 Sep 2008 (Forum)
  Any advice welcomed so I can perhaps investigate myself before passing the problem to the garage. Perhaps it is not a coincidence that the ABS warning light is on quite often, but the brakes themselves feel ok and don't judder, squeal or anything when applied. Thanks, Nick. slt
• Volkswagen Golf IV (1998 - 2004) - 01 2.0 Emissions light & ABS light on 3 Sep 2008 (Forum)
  It looks like someones tinkered with the engine before me, running a variable fuel manifold and theres a pipe from the small motor for cooling exhaust gases running into the air filter? Also the brakes judder when you're at high speed - it runs smoothly and good when idle when you press the brakes at high speed you feel juddering through the steering wheel. I've now been told that it's possible that the discs are worn and it'll need new pads & discs - this might also solve the abs problem as the juddering might be sending false signals to the new sensor.
• Vauxhall Astra G Petrol (1998 - 2004) - yr?? 1.6 8v kangarooing & stalling. 28 Mar 2008 (Forum)
  All ok with the car up to about one month ago, then the car started to act up as follows.After a couple of miles driving, while braking for a roundabout / traffic lights etc., the engine revs drop down to zero on the rev counter and the engine stalls. After restarting the engine (sometimes with a bit of difficulty) the car then seems to kangaroo for a while then it clears up and continues as normal.
• Vauxhall Corsa B (1993 - 2000) - Brake Master Cylinder - Isuzu type 7 Sep 2007 (Forum)
  Took car in for replacement Master Cylinder today. Garage then 'phoned to say as its the Isuzu type engine, they have to go to main dealers for replacement...
• Bizarre Accident Experience This Morning 14 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  Driving into work this morning I was involved in an accident. I see that the Escort size van that is two cars ahead of me is braking sharply and the car in front of me probably isn't going to stop. I look in the mirror and see a Renault too close for comfort on a wet road and behind him a transit that is going way too fast.
• 205 GTI 1.9 Plagued with problems 16 May 2007 (Forum)
  Its only got 72k on the clock with old MOT's to prove it. Its just plagued with lots of faults. List: 1) electrical problem. NO reverse lights, brake lights (i think they are the wrong bulbs) and when you press the brake when car is off, the off side side light comes on. also when the lights are on (side only) and the car is off. the whole dash instrument panel lights up like a x-mas tree. all gauges read. 2) exhurst spits gases out. petrol and oil smell. 3) engine rattel when at standing and you push the gas pedal (rev the engine).
• advice on purchase 19 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  One owner, history, good price at £2995. All looks straight, panel gaps good, engine pulls cleanly in all gears. Rear nearside brake makes a sort of wooshing noise, but pads look fine & MOT is just a week or so old. It's from a sort of 'dealer', basically selling from his driveway, so no warranty. I'm going to HPI check, and 'dealer' is going to have the electric window switch replaced (intermittent on passenger, non-operative on driver's), and have the brakes checked again.
• Avoiding Pothole damage 7 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  Swerving can create a situation where the front wheel and tire on the car can hit the edge of the pothole at an obtuse angle, which might do more damage than hitting it squarely. If safe, don't brake for a pothole. Heavy braking compresses the front suspension of the car and will have a tendency to force the tire and wheel down fully into the pothole, potentially causing greater damage. Reduce speed if you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance.
• Buying Used - "attitude indicators" 14 Dec 2005 (Forum)
  I guess I'm generalising, but although the women drivers I know are less likely to thrash a car, they're amongst the most likely to have little scrapes, dings, forget maintenance and ride the clutch / use it it as a brake. Hope this isn't too much of a can of worms, any opinions?
• Dangerous Motorway signs 8 Aug 2005 (Forum)
  Congestion Ahead or Q after Junction. the momment Mr or Mrs occasional driver sees these signs they panic and step on the brakes. Im not sure what makes people jump on the brakes for no obvious reason other than they are distracted or cant read the sign. Everybody behind over reacts and the whole road grinds to a halt. I honestly believe that thease signs cause delays beacuse everyone is struggling to read them.
• Primera 99 ABS fault 14 Apr 2005 (Forum)
  It does this whether I'm slowing down or speeding up (I can hear the actuator, and feel it in the pedal if I'm braking). It's particularly bad in slow traffic, as at 10mph it's going continuously! The warning light doesn't come on (except on first turning the key, as it should), and the brakes generally are perfectly OK.
• An interesting drive home. 2 Apr 2005 (Forum)
  I bet they have increased the tyre and brake manufacturers profits no end. The only problem I hade was keeping the prat behind out of my boot! P.S. To the young lady concerned:- I hope your breasts are not too badly bruised by the steering wheel, They must have been rubbing on it to enable you to get your head so close to the windscreen.
• Car car car car car trouble ............ 26 Sep 2004 (Forum)
  The car is a Toyota Avensis GS 1.8 on a 2000+ X plate. Have I damaged the rear axle by having an overheated tyre? Have I damaged the brakes? The manager of the car tyre place "wellied" my car around an estate, doing fast left and right turns, slaloming etc and could not replicate the problem? Any ideas? Have I just bought crap tyres?
• Leon TDI - Brief grinding noise 4 May 2004 (Forum)
  I raised this with the dealership about 20,000 miles ago (approx 8-9 months ago) when I was concerned that my wheel bearings may be showing early indications of wear. They assured me the bearings were ok and it was likely a stone caught between the brake disc and the plate behind it. The sound occurs without braking which has lead me to rule out pad wear - the pad wear indicator has never illuminated and looking through the alloys they seem fine.