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• Discovered another forum 28 Jun 2010 (Forum)
  Anyway, I`d been out in the van - cracked the window open and motored across town in the plume of perfume - that aroma of hot tarmac, engine fumes the intrusion of cut grass - passing over the Common, where ponies stood dozing - tethered by rope and perhaps dreaming of road running, pulling one of the little trotting traps. Sambucus Racemosa Plumosa Aurea. Bought one and installed it - using the spade - after digging up and trashing the new cherry, which had failed to flower and become an ant magnet.
• Ford Focus - Focus alternator problem 28 Jun 2010 (Forum)
  - alternator casing gets very hot soon after starting engine from cold (within 1 minute) - battery voltage is around 12.5v with ignition off, around 11.5v when engine running - car appears to drive and operate fine including air-con, power steering, etc, and battery warning light goes out after starting engine.   Initially I thought the alternator was mechanically broken e.g. something was rubbing inside hence the whining noise and heat.
• Nissan X-Trail (2001 - 2007) - 05 2.2 Replacing a Nissan branded radio/cd player 11 Jun 2010 (Forum)
  Just static with no tuning ability until the car has warmed up whereupon normal service is resumed. I suspect that the main heating trunk behind the dash runs to the rear of the radio and warms it up but without looking...! Does anybody know first of all how the front silver dash surround unclips as the radio mounts are hidden behind? Secondly, can anybody recommend a suitable direct replacement radio module that will interface with the steering wheel flippers (vol+/-, track up/down, source and repeat).
• Oil pressure light - Shogun 10 Jun 2010 (Forum)
  I wondered if my 10W-40 oil was a bit thick when cold. Today I was climbing a 1:5 hill solo after about 10 miles of running. Half way up the hill my oil light came on! I came off the throttle and coasted for a passing place….and out went the light. Clearly I need to do some investigating….here’s the rest of the history.
• Jaguar S Type - Jaguar Crank Problem 29 May 2010 (Forum)
  Called the AA who thought the timing chain had broken, got towed to the local Birmingham Jag dealers where it was discovered the crank was broken. The car has done 62,000 miles. The service guy asked if it had ever run low on oil, which it had. I had a regular service with the local Jag dealer where I live in Kent in Oct 08. In Nov the oil light came on so immediately contacted the jag dealer who had the car in to find that they had not fitted the sump plug properly and it was losing oil.
• Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec Climate 115PS TI/VCT - EML and catalytic converter issues 16 May 2010 (Forum)
  Error codes and diagnostics by Ford dealer indicate possible fault with sensor or wiring on bank 1 catalytic converter and a defective catalytic converter on bank 2 (below efficiency limits). Apart from the EML being on, the engine seems to be running normally. Ford suggest that unspent fuel due to the misfire has wrecked the catalytic converter and possibly the upstream sensor(s). Cost to repair - another £1,500. Have had various alternative suggestions to replacing the converters like applying heat to burn out any residues.
• Hyundai Elantra - Is this a good buy? 16 May 2010 (Forum)
  The bad points about the car:- 1) Much above average mileage for its age. 6 year old car, run 109,000 miles. Though I would be more comfortable buying a diesel car with higher than average mileage rather than very low mileage. 2) A couple of paint chips on the body and a small dent on the door.
• BMW 3-Series E46 - Stupid mistake! Topped up with mineral oil 22 Apr 2010 (Forum)
  He said to drive for rest of week and keep an eye on the oil level, which looks to be fine. He will service at the weekend, new oil and filter.Car is running fine. Could I have done damage with this stupid mistake? What should I be looking out for. Any help greatly appreciated.
• Economical family car c£2k 3 proper back seats 13 Apr 2010 (Forum)
  I have owned and loved 3 nissans which I've found reliable and ok for repairs. I do not want something that runs up huge garage bills whenever something goes wrong!!! Box on wheels - any suggestions?!? :D Thanks in advance
• FIAT Croma (2005 - 2007) - be honest, am I mad? 15 Feb 2010 (Forum)
  I like the high driving position and the 'bum in first' seating, reviews seem to be favourable (Schumacher had one as his run-around!) and from what I can tell, that 1.8 is the 140 bhp GM cam chain unit which is in the Vectra/Zafira so the mechanicals seem fairly well-tested. But it's a Fiat, a big Fiat and nobody bought them (I assume Schumy was given his!)
• Renault Scenic (2003 - 2009) - 05 1.6 diesel. fails start in cold/starting probs 9 Feb 2010 (Forum)
  Back to garage, (replaced gland on oil valve on engine top) and found possible loose fuel hose, tightened with aim of fixing any reason for air in system. Car running again, smooth start. Ran it 300miles over weekend, come Monday morning, temp about -1C, very difficult to start. Tuesday morning, temp below -1C, no start at all. Engine dash 'stop', 'battery' and 'oil can' lights all flick on now when attempting start.
• Stiff upper lip car stories - free pink gin 9 Feb 2010 (Forum)
  Stand to attention and salute the British flag. You are wearing a Pith helmet - the Sun is setting over the British Empire, in India . The sweat runs down your back unnoticed and the starched white uniform and sword gleam as you stand ramrod straight for Queen Victoria. Never in your wildest dreams would you believe that your great grandson would be sobbing and whimpering a century later - because he had a swirl mark on his metallic paint.
• Mazda Mazda 6 (2002 - 2007) - 05 2.0 Black smoke/knocking noise 2 Feb 2010 (Forum)
  He checked the oil and basically it was like syrup? Before I take it to the Mazda dealership (and run up a huge bill) would thought I'd try and see if anyone else has any idea what the fault may be, and should I cut my loses and get rid of the thing!! Thanks in advance, Vicky
• BMW Z4 (2003 - 2009) - 03 2.5 Engine failure advice please! 28 Jan 2010 (Forum)
  Hi all, I need some advice about an engine failure in a Z4, the car is 7 years old, has done less than 20K and is used almost exclusively on short runs of less than 5 miles. It was last driven hard in October for just a few miles and has more or less pootled around gently since then. The car has a FSH and last had an oil change (using Mobil 1) about 6 - 8 months ago, it hasn't been topped up since as it hasn't needed it.
• Is this poor service? 22 Jan 2010 (Forum)
  Had the CC3 - 2litre diesel - serviced early last week by the supplying dealer and all seemed well - at first. But on my first motorway run I detected a distinct lack of grunt, not misfiring or anything like that, more as if I was permanently going uphill or battling a stiff head wind. Decided to have a quick look under the bonnet, more in hope than expectation.
• Honda Accord UK (1998 - 2003) - Keep the Accord or trade? 20 Jan 2010 (Forum)
  Option to change- I'm looking at Nissan Notes about 56- 07 plate, 20k, for about £6500. The CBCB says very nice things, and they seem to be very good value both in purchase price and running cost. Some of her colleagues are saying she should hang onto the Honda as it probably has another 5 years in it. This may be true, but there may be a big bill quite soon. I also think that a more modern vehicle will have better passive safety features particularly for when my son is traveling with her.
• Lötschberg tunnel - Any experiences? 19 Jan 2010 (Forum)
  http://www.bls.ch/e/autoverlad/goppenstein.php This is a drive on (similar to Eurotunnel but with open trucks) car transporter train that costs 16euros e/w and takes 15 minutes and runs from Kandersteg to Goppenstein where you drive off and complete your route into Italy via the Simplon Pass. So ? has anyone used this? Or the Simplon Pass? I?m assuming the pass road will be fine in June.
• Peugeot 306 (1993 - 2001) - 96 1.9 Steering problems 17 Jan 2010 (Forum)
  Last Jan I began to notice the steering had become very heavy and when turning on half to full lock there was a terrible noise it sounded like the pressure relief valve in the steering pump, trying desperately to get home eventually it dumped its fluid and that was that £190 later I had a new pump and was back to normal, the car wasn't used regularly after that but 8 months later when I borrowed it from my wife I noticed the same symptoms I took it back to the garage and once there it proceeded to dump the rest of the fluid, they replaced the pump FOC and the labour but not 2 days later the symptoms are back when turning the wheel it's very hard unless you apply some rev's the more rev's the easier it is but it sounds like the pressure relief valve is kicking in almost as soon as you touch the steering. Please help, the car is old but the engine sounds great and runs lovely I would love to keep this car going. Thanks sorry to ramble.
• Vauxhall Astra F (1991 - 1998) - 96 1.4 Loss of power difficult to start X14NZ engi 5 Dec 2009 (Forum)
  Local engineer had a go and replaced Lombard? sensor to no avail. He managed to significantly improve running by advancing the distributor (timing), but still not right and obviously a bit of a botch. To eliminate the obvious: Head gasket is definitely good. Timing belt is spot on. Coil and power transitor have been changed.
• A snapshot of the motoring you. 9.01am + today. 15 Nov 2009 (Forum)
  (a little fun diversion, I thought) I was passing under the M62 (having just turned off) preparing to run down the hill to the White Rose Shopping Centre. The van was plastered in road filth and some salt, not having being washed these last few weeks. A few minutes later I ate a large scone with jam and clotted cream in front of my dieting wife - who pretended not to notice.