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• Mystery Oil Leak - Corsa 1.4 8v (X14SZ) 3 Jun 2007 (Forum)
  {Added to subject header so as to catch the eye of possible Vauxhall experts - DD} Its definitely not the oil filter or the oil draining plug. I initially thought it was the "seam" that runs around the bottom of the sump, as this is very wet. There is not much wetness above this line however. I was informed by a mechanic friend (who lives too far away to look at it) that it is probably coming from above this seam, and pooling above it before running down and dripping off.
• Aircon maintenance - R12 and options 21 May 2007 (Forum)
  This seems bizarre: it is surely less wasteful of resources and more environmentally friendly to keep existing R12 systems intact and running well than to have to empty them, dispose of the R12, fit new parts and use alternative (but probably equally environmentally-unfriendly) refrigerant fluids. Although R12 is not now used in new cars in the EU or in the US, it is apparently still possible and legal in the US to obtain and use recycled/recovered R12 to keep existing R12 systems topped up.
• Vectra Alternator 25 Apr 2007 (Forum)
  The fuses are all fine, the Vectra starts okay but cuts out when the jump lead is removed. The battery does charge because if I leave it 'jumping' for while the car will run on it's own for a few minutes until the charge runs out. The Battery warning light was on but flared and went out, it now does not light up at ignition. I think I've burnt out the diode pack on the alternator by reversing the polarity.
• Vauxhall Astra G Petrol (1998 - 2004) - 1999 2.0 SRi - gearbox problem 23 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  There's no crunching sound from any gear so I assume the syncromesh etc is working. Once the engine is at normal running temperature, the problem disappears and I can change gears normally. Even when the engine is cold, I can easily change gears when the engine isn't running but as soon as I start the engine, the gearbox starts acting up.
• 18k to spend - speed & prestige needed 23 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  The cars I've thought about are: BMW M3 E46 ('01 ish) -- worried about losing value now new shape is due BMW Z4 ('03) -- A4 Conv 3.0 / 3.0 quat ('02-'03) -- doesn't look that fast on paper (7.6s 0-60) Boxter S ('00 ish) -- Other considerations (where running costs scare me): Maseratti 3200 ('99 ish) Merc CL500 ('01 ish) BMW M5 ('01 ish) Has anyone got any feedback? Am I right to be scared of the running costs of the cars in the last group? I can spend arround 800-1000 a year on servicing / repairs / parts
• LR Defender- to buy or not? 17 Jan 2007 (Forum)
  I have been offered an N reg Defender 90, and in my 30+ years of motoring have never run a LR product...very wise some might say! I sold my Legacy estate some 2 years ago, but continued to run my '97 VW Transporter, for no reason other than emotional attachment. During the next 6 months I am having a house extension built, and once complete, will assess my finances and purchase a car.
• Cavalier SRi Ecotec difficult starting 8 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  Crank it some more, catches, misses, dies splutters etc (sounds like fuel problem?). Eventually it will catch and splutter into life, after which it runs, but I have to keep my foot on the accelerator for the first minute or so or it stalls again (would ICVS cause difficult starting. I have had idling problems with it in the past and have cleaned it out, does it need this again, or is ICVS not related to bad starting).
• Reliable, cheap French car - possible? 3 Aug 2006 (Forum)
  What with the high cost of french s/h cars I'm minded to buy a RHD car in England, run it here for a while to make sure any bugs are sorted out and then drive it to the french holiday house where (with right-hand dipping headlights) it will live out it's natural life. It certainly won't have much retained local value as RHD!
• Supplier for door mirror after hit & run 2 Aug 2006 (Forum)
  We were driving home the other night when someone came haring over the white line on a country road and smacked into our mirror, smashing the glass and...
• Hit and Run - Help Please? 21 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  Last night at around 5pm my daughter's car was hit by another car which drove quickly away from the scene. Firstly, Tesco insurance were brilliant and...
• What to do! 24 Feb 2006 (Forum)
  It's the SE model, has done just over 15000 miles and is in good condition except for a few bumps (2 of which caused by people opening their doors into mine). It's 3 year warranty runs out next January, (when I'm not here), and it'll also need it's first MOT then as well. Insurance runs out in July and the Tax in December this year. My options are: 1) Keep it either in my parents garage or on their drive (with strict instructions to take it on a 5 mile blast once a week or whenever they are going somewhere a decent distance away).
• Mitsubishi 1.8 GDi 23 Feb 2006 (Forum)
  My problem today is with my sons much loved Mitsubishi Carisma of 1999 vintage which has a 1.8 gasoline Direct Injection engine which has done 70k miles,performs well and has been economical for the past year. It has now started to run "fast" on tickover - about 1200 rpm instead of its usual 750 and sometimes surges briefly when slowing down for road junctions/ roundabouts etc. It seems as though it is the "choke " which is stuck slightly on and it smells very benziny near the exhaust - as though it is running rich.
• Downsizing from company Mondeo 22 Dec 2005 (Forum)
  As myself and my two brothers all now drive, there is no longer such a need for him to have a Mondeo-sized car in which to cram belongings for family holidays and uni runs etc. He has worked out that it would be slightly cheaper for him to run his own car, bought 6months-2years old, than it would be to continue with a new company Mondeo. The replacement car would likely be Focus-sized, with decent bootspace still important, but cabinspace not so much.
• Polo 97P:Overfuelling 7 Dec 2005 (Forum)
  It appears to be overfuelling. A couple of days ago, I switched it off after running for about 3 minutes and no amount of coaxing has brought it to life since. There is a strong smell of petrol, the plugs are drenched and spinning the engine on the starter with plugs out (and warming the plugs on the gas hob)didn't get it going.
• Hit dog - report? 10 Nov 2005 (Forum)
  Coming in to work this morning I hit a sheepdog that was running loose on the road. It was on a B-road, still dark, water everywhere, oncoming vehicle approaching fast, so I followed standard advice and simply ploughed into it and then stopped at the first safe point.
• Rover 200 1999 1.4 - Unsolvable Problem 10 Jun 2005 (Forum)
  . - If I go to drive off when this is happening the engine is reluctant to rev and have to give it a bit to drive off, and when I do drive off it's like the thing is running on kangaroo petrol. - Problem still there when engine warm but to lesser extent. - Car will run ok has no problem accelerating, although initial acceleration in any gear can be a bit jumpy. I have changed the following: - Fuel Filter - HT Leads - Distributor Cap - Rotor Arm - Ignition Coil - Spark Plugs (correctly gapped) - Engine Flush - Oil and Filter change (Wynn?
• Renault Laguna dCi advice please 13 Apr 2005 (Forum)
  My Uncle used to buy beige Mercedes with manual gearboxes because he said no one else wanted them. But he used to run his cars until they died. Thanks to all who may reply.
• One for bikers (sorry) 18 Mar 2005 (Forum)
  Do new tyres need a break-in period? Could this make a difference? Tom Shaw any ideas? SjB? Anybody? We've got a 1200km run planned for Easter and I don't like the way the bike's behaviour seems to have changed. (Don't tell me go back to Dunlops......I'm an OAP on a limited budget :+( )
• Focus Tdci Running Problem 30 Jan 2005 (Forum)
  2000/w focus 1.8 td di ghia, 89,000miles ,fsh ford only serviced 250 miles ago and fitted new battery leads . drives fine and then for no reason the diesel...
• Starting problem on Audi A6 2.5 TDI 25 Dec 2004 (Forum)
  In the last second or so of cranking, I can hear that several of of the cylinders are firing, but it takes a bit more cranking to get the engine to start (which is sometimes followed by a cloud of white smoke from the exhaust). The engine also sounds a little bit lumpy until warm (after which it runs fine), so I am not convinced it runs properly on all cylinders during the warming up phase. I recently replaced all 6 of the glow-plugs as a first stab at fixing it, but it only made a marginal difference to the car's starting performance.