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• Hyundai I20 - Hyundai I20 Oil Leak 13 Oct 2022 (Forum)
  EDIT -  The garage are selling it with an MOT which looks like it has just been done according to the MOT Check Gov website, the cause of the leak looks to be as below, not being a mechanic I'm not 100% sure how serious this is and how they would repair it, can someone help me out here? Oil leaking excessively from engine front timing cover (8.4.1 (a) (i))" I'm hoping it's nothing serious as the car is a decent price and ticks all the right boxes, but I'm willing to walk away if it's serious. Thanks in advance Adam
• Toyota RAV4 - MOT - Lockdown Rust? 19 Mar 2021 (Forum)
  The mechanic, a local (trusted) independant, still has the opinion that Japanese vehicles are more susceptible to rust, though also put the deterioration down to lack of use as this year, due to obvious reasons, its only covered 3K. Apart from a couple of months in the summer parked on grass at the caravan, it's stood on tarmac.  l know it's a 15 year old car, but anyone else have any experience of this or agree with the opinion of the mechanic?
• Be very careful when driving in Virginia 1 Nov 2020 (Forum)
  By these figures, you would have expected 1.3 crashes. Now, I appreciate that Stateside drivers, road and cars are somewhat different to ours: "In November 2000, Mr. Grazinski purchased a brand new 32 foot Winnebago motor home. On his first trip home, having joined the freeway, he set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the drivers seat to go into the back and make himself a cup of coffee.
• Corsa c 1.2 - Vauxhall Corsa c 1.2 coolant loss 22 Jul 2018 (Forum)
  Does this sound like your typical head gasket failure or could it be just the timing chain cover gasket that has failed? Can a leaking heater matrix cause water to mix with the oil? There is a stain on interior carpet that looks a rusty colour. I have spotted a small leak at the top of the water pump.
• SEAT Alhambra 1.9 2001 - Time to Change 13 Sep 2017 (Forum)
  Been a fantasic vehicle & the PD diesal engine is still going strong, coming up to 300K. However, the rest of the car is starting to show its age & come next spring it will be time for a change.  l know these things are subjective, though l would be glad of peoples opinions & recommendations as to a replacement.
• Budget camper van or similar 14 Aug 2017 (Forum)
  This would be a 3rd car /van, so overall low cost important.  Cheers all 
• SEAT Ibiza ST - Service actions - advice/opinions 21 Jul 2017 (Forum)
  What about the lipped discs - does this mean they need replacing too? I was in a rush when collecting the car so didn't get chance to ask them but am conscious that, whilst I trust this place to an extent, its in their interests to recommend extra work. Greatful for any thoughts.
• Rover 75 non start 27 Oct 2015 (Forum)
  I went to start up and all I got was a clicking noise coming from the engine bay. I rang my breakdown cover and they thought it was the battery so tried to start it using jump leads...no luck. Next they diagnosed the starter motor sticking, so pushed it down the hill and bump started it (wasnt very happy about this as I cant see catalysts being cheap), and it eventually started.
• Citroen Xsara Picasso - xsara picasso (53 plate) - coolant leak again?? 3 Dec 2014 (Forum)
  I have a diesel picasso, 2004 but the old shape.  A couple of years ago the engine cover managed to break and sheer off a little valve cap off the right side of the engine and set the warning for low coolant.  We bought a whole new piece and bolted it back in place and I topped the coolant up with water (naughty I know!).
• 
  Buying a new diesel - Captur or C'eed? 29 Sep 2014 (Ask HJ)
  My wife wants to buy a new diesel. Something between the Renault Clio size but less then the Laguna Tourer. We like the look of the Captur and Megane,...
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  When should I get my first BMW X3 service? 8 Oct 2013 (Ask HJ)
  We have just ordered a new BMW X3 2.0 auto. I understand that it has a flexible servicing schedule, but I was wondering if it would be advantageous to...
• Zafira 1.8 Elegance 2001 - zafira misfire due to stuck valve? 16 Apr 2013 (Forum)
  Driving fine until one week ago when i drove on a frosty morning. the handbarke had frozen on so i took it down the ringroad to build up heat to release it, get up a speed and warning lights come on and the car starts misfiring. When i changed the oil i used 10w40 which should be fine, but 5w30 is the recommended viscosity. Would another engine flush and oil change with recommended oil maybe help? I'm trying to cover all the bases and try smaller solutions before i strip the head down and check the valves.
• Ford Focus - Turbo blown, 1 week old, where do we stand? 1 Feb 2012 (Forum)
  Hi all, can you tell me where I stand legally. I've had a turbo go in a car a week old, this has been confirmed and verified via the AA and an independednt garage, the turbo is blown and had to be towed by the AA. The dealer has offered to have the turbo repaired but by the garage of his choice and has also stated that he is only required by law to make a contribution and not the whole fee- which I think is arrant rubbish but you may tell me otherwise.
• Volkswagen Golf III - ABS Engine Code, Running SUPER rich. 1 Mar 2011 (Forum)
    I purchased for next to nothing, so I expected it to have problems. Anyway, when cold, the car is difficult to start, and does not like to stay running. Once running, it is running so rich that it's pouring smoke out of the tailpipe. Obviously it's missing terribly as well, from the spark plugs being covered in soot from running so rich.
• Immobiliser - insurance co. wants 'certificate' 1 Dec 2010 (Forum)
  They countered that he then needed to get a garage or a dealer to inspect the vehicle and supply a certificate showing that an immobiliser was present. Issues: 1. All the years I had that car, no insurer (and I used a few) ever asked for anything like that. 2. Would such a 'certificate' even be worth the paper it is written on? I've told him the legal position is that he needs to inspect the terms of insurance cover and see if it includes anything about having to prove prescence of security features.
• Crack in the gearbox. 23 Feb 2009 (Forum)
  When he got there he was arrested and 74 packets of heroin and crack were found hidden in the gearbox of his Peugeot hire car. That set me wondering for a bit until I came to the conclusion that the newspaper had probably meant glovebox. Thought I might be able to get some baccy past customs in my power steering reservoir !
• Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 01 1.8 Electrics gone haywire 19 Jun 2008 (Forum)
  1.8 TD Focus Estate 51 plate. Never let me down however tonight when returned to car after kids swimming lessons it wouldnt start. The clock went dead, the interior light was flashing like a disco light. The central locking motor was pipping away. Lights on dashboard very faded. Luckily fully covered by Green Flag and they came out.
• Nissan Micra (1992 - 2003) - 02 1.0 Service & Oil Change 11 May 2008 (Forum)
  my sister has asked me to do a small service on her Micra. Its been ages since I did car mechanics; I will have to change my A/F spanners for Metric! As this is a favor, I don't want to shell out for a Haynes too. The oil filter I can see at the back at the engine (Not nice and easy like on my old minis).
• Rover 200 (1995 - 1999) - 220SDI 1997cc, Engine missed and won't re-start 10 Feb 2008 (Forum)
  Hi there, Can anyone help diagnose a problem with our Diesel Rover. It has covered 92K trouble free miles it serviced and MOT'd in December and is not abused. Today whilst happily driving on the motorway at a steady 60mph, in top gear, the engine started to feel like it was missing.
• Ford KA, KA2, KA3 (1996 - 2008) - Rust at 3.75 years ? 12 Dec 2007 (Forum)
  I have never noticed this before as you have to look from underneath to see it. Out of curiousity, I checked the passenger door and it is fine ( and also has full paint cover ) We have owned the car from new ( March 04 ) and it has only had light use ( 16k mls ) and it has never been in an accident. My concern is that it is now out of warranty by 9 months. I will of course invite our local Ford dealer where we bought it to comment, but what do others think are my chances of getting this attended to without incurring too much cost ?