Refine by channel:  Forum (13385)    Ask HJ (5906)    News (1730)    productReview (148)    Article (132)    FAQs (29)  

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• 51-plate Astra G 1.8 16v SRI - Running Problems, Astra G 1.8 16v SRI 29 Oct 2011 (Forum)
    Its in the Mechanics now, had a diags done and came back O2 sensor ???? Would a O2 sensor really cause this amount of problem with the running of the car?  Could the Lambda sensor cause this problem or is it me being dumb are the O2 sensor and Lambda sensor the same sensors?   PLEASE HELP ME...
• Pug 306 - Air in fuel system 17 Oct 2011 (Forum)
  Hi, My car broke down on me this morning, it ran and then shuddered until it eventually stalled. I got it running a few more times but the same thing happened so it was time to lift the bonnet...  I have a clear pipe running from my fuel filter to the injector pump and I could see lots of air being drawn through as I was turning the car over, and even more so when it was running.
• Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 Club 2007 - Exhaust emission warning light 4 Jan 2011 (Forum)
  In a bit of a panic when any warning light comes on I stopped and checked the owners manual(page 86 & 147), which says:- Control indicator for exhaust Illuminates when the ignition is switched on and during the start attempt. Goes off shortly after the engine starts running. If it illuminates while the engine is running, it indicates a fault in the emission control system. The permitted exhaust values may be exceeded. Seek the immediate assistance of a w ork shop.
• 
  Do you have information on the latest generation of runflat tyres for my BMW 530i? 27 Aug 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I read one of your letters sometime ago mentioning the latest generation of runflat tyres. Can you direct me to the latest information as I cant find it...
• 
  Which size spare tyre should I take abroad to replace runflats of two different sizes? 17 Jul 2010 (Ask HJ)
  You have given advice previously about the benefits of using runflat tyres. You mentioned some difficulty in travelling abroad and necessarily finding...
• Ford Escort (1993 - 2000) - 97 1.8 Diesel expert opinion needed please :-) 30 Jan 2010 (Forum)
  I live in Latvia at present and since the weather got to -20c (yes, cold) I am having starting issues. Once started and run for a while, the car performs excellently and starts well all day. Also excellent mpg. I have replaced the battery and glow plugs with new. However, first thing in the morning (cold), on starting, it fires once and then continues to crank for up to a miniute (sometimes longer, thank goodness for the new battery) slowly getting faster and faster and faster until it eventually fires and runs.
• Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - which engine - 1.8 or 2.0? 20 Jan 2010 (Forum)
  We'll go petrol because the mileage won't justify diesel, but I'm not sure which engine to go for. I'm thinking the 1.8 or 2.0 because I know the old Zetec-E engine is a tank of a thing which runs forever, whereas the Sigma (1.4/1.6) can have issues as it ages. The only question is which engine to go for. There seems to be precious little in it price-wise, and the 2.0 would seem to be a closer match on power for the Golf than the 1.8, but equally the car is going to spend a lot of time on short runs (I will take it to work once a week to give it a run), so is the 2.0 significantly thirstier than the 1.8 in urban work?
• Peugeot 406 (1999 - 2004) - 99 2.0 My Pug Runs like a Burst couch! 16 Oct 2009 (Forum)
  I have a 99 2.0hdi 406 with moon miles on the clock(but been well maintained)....just about everything on it has been replaced at some time...problem is now it has started to run terrible!... It would not drive above 2000rpm on the road and when taken home and inspected it would make it over the 2000 rpm via the cable inside the engine bay being being pulled but it is sending out smoke that u could see for miles...sometimes black and sometimes grey...occasionally clearing itself for 30 secs and then goin back to being "lumpy" again.
• Buying a VERY low mileage Focus (07 plate) 27 Apr 2009 (Forum)
  It has a FSH with the book stamped at 12 months (at just under 4000 miles). However, might mileage this low be a bad thing? E.g. car never run in properly, only ever used for short runs etc... I took the car for a test drive and it felt [unsuprisingly] brand new and very tight. There were a couple of points that made me walk away and sleep on it though. 1.
• Hit & run - what is the likely outcome? 27 Mar 2009 (Forum)
  My car was written off in the early hours of last friday by someone who did a hit and run - we did manage to get a partial reg, and was able to complete it when his car was taken somewhere for repairs privately... I passed the complete reg to the police and insurance company and when I got a call from my insurers to say they were going to DVLA check the other car, that it did have insurance on the vehicle and they would contact the other party, I was pretty pleased.
• Vauxhall Vectra C (2002 - 2008) - 02 2.2 SRi Not revving over 3500 revs. 15 Jan 2009 (Forum)
  vauxhall dealer have already got £70 from me today to run a 'diagnostic' on it i will come back with the error code it gave when i pick it up today, but they want up to £189 to run further diagnostics. I told them to shut the bonnet and not to bother. Anyone any ideas?
• Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 2000 1.8 Starting Problem 15 Dec 2008 (Forum)
  Fuel pump Cranking sensor Coolant temp sensor I have a feeling it is something to do with fuel, but not sure. It seems to run fine when its running other than occasional slight (up to 2000rpm) revving coming up to junctions when the clutch is depressed (perhaps completely unrelated?). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
• Audi A4 B6 (2001 - 2005) - 2002 1.9TDi Engine died and won't run right 14 Oct 2008 (Forum)
  He went to recover it and it started eventually but spluttered on and off for 1/2 mile back to his garage. He has apparently left it running for more than half an hour ticking over and has been fine, although driving it under load it splutters and cuts out. I have had it serviced 3 weeks ago - maybe 800 miles or so and it was MOTd on Saturday and done around 15 miles before this - coincidental??
• Volvo V70/XC70 (2000 - 2007) - Good buy or not? 12 Aug 2008 (Forum)
  NJGLeeds ps I do all my own servicing/repair work wherever possible as a keen(ish) car restorer in the little spare time I have left, so the labour aspect of running costs is irrelevant.
• Vauxhall Astra G Petrol (1998 - 2004) - Sport 1998 1.6 sounds like its running on 3 2 Mar 2008 (Forum)
  I turned the car around and headed back home, switched off and back on to check the car was starting ok, which it does fine. I have a feeling (along with my nosey neighbour) that the car is only running on 3 valves, but am not 100% sure. As i stated it sounds similar to a dragster or what i can only describe as what american muscle cars sound like (a low grumbling sound), it smells slightly of burning, although i am unable to ascertain whether the smell is coming from the engine area of from the exhaust, and it seems to have lost a lot of power.
• SEAT Leon (1999 - 2005) - 2001 1.6s 16v - starting problems from cold 19 Dec 2007 (Forum)
  On calling out the AA/RAC they tell me that the engine has flooded. They start the car by keeping the starter motor running until the engine fires and keeps on running. Sure enough this works. What appears to happen is that the engine fires up dies and then re-fires up in 5 seconds and then its OK. I have had the car serviced and the fault is still there.
• Mercedes 190E Misfire 18 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  The car will run perfectly for 2000 or 3000 miles, then suddenly develop the misfire, especially pulling away from a junction. It lasts any where from 100yd to 30 miles, then disappears and runs fine again, until the next time.
• 'Cold' Starting problems. Polo 1993 17 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  t smell of petrol, so I?m quite sure the problem is strictly limited to cold starting and is not present when running. As always, any help is much appreciated.
• Mystery smoke - 1992 rover 827 v6 8 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  Alternatively it could be the car sucking auto transmission fluid up from the box, but wouldn?t this be seriously toxic and also surely it would continue all the time the car was running? Finally could it be the catalytic converter? This looks pretty old and the converter is designed to output carbon dioxide and water, so is this just left over from the last time the car was run.
• Uni Run - observations 21 Dec 2005 (Forum)
  Did the Uni run on saturday to bring dear daughter home for Christmas. Life will not be same for obout a month!! That aside some observations from the trip which is mostly motorway/dual carriageway. Only saw one police vehicle (marked) Traffic was much much lighter than expected for the Saturday before Christmas.