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  • High emissions on my T-registered Vauxhall Corsa 25 Nov 2012 (Ask HJ)
    I have a T-registered Vauxhall Corsa three-cylinder, which has high emissions. It's done 56,000 miles, so still quite young in terms of mileage, with two...
  • Late running-in Diesel 6 Mar 2003 (Forum)
    It had undergone the appropriate annual services and was fully serviced prior to purchase. By my reckoning, that's 3 oil changes in a car with 7,500 on the clock. Needless to say, it has tended to smoke like a goodun when the opportunity presents to take it above 3000rpm. This will partly be down to the injectors being gummed up on such a low mileage and partly oil consumption.
  • Peugeot 207 SW - AT fluid change 4 Aug 2011 (Forum)
    Peugeot state that the AT fluid is not a service item and never needs to be changed.  Ok,  Peugeot know more about cars than me but to my mind this is a risk given the price of a replacement gearbox.  I know you afvocate changing the engine oil more frequently than manufacturers recommend but what are you views on AT fluid changes?
  • SAAB 9-5 (1997 - 2009) - 97 2.0 engine oil leak 4 Aug 2008 (Forum)
    My son has a 2.0L SAAB turbo and is having problems with oil leaks on the engine. To try to rectify this he has changed the oil to 15/40, reseated the copper sump washer and put in some additive to seal any internal leaks. Engine was idled for 15 minutes no problems.
  • Veg oil 26 Aug 2004 (Forum)
    Also the most amazing thing is there is no noticeable diesel smell any more. Could this change be real, given that the fuel is only 2% veg oil? Is such a weak blend likely to cause any damage to injectors, turbo, catalyst etc. I'm prepared to do an experiment like this because my car's getting on a bit and not worth much.
  • Pug 1.9 gti oil leak 21 Apr 2004 (Forum)
    It's a great car - only one previous owner and 45000 miles on the clock. The only problem is there is a persistent oil leak. We thought it was the crankshaft oil seal, so removed the gearbox and replaced it. Although it doesn't leak as much as before, it still leaks. What else could it be? I've changed the sump gasket and put sealant on both sides of the gasket before refitting, but it still leaks!
  • Transmissional period 12 Jun 2010 (Ask HJ)
    I have a 1998 XJ8 with 73,600 miles. Although Jaguar has said the auto transmission is sealed for life, and a main dealer has told me not to have the oil...
  • A clanking noise on cold start up of Golf 7 Mar 2015 (Ask HJ)
    Sometimes on cold start up Golf has a clanking noise but which disappears after a few seconds. Sound like a water pump bearing but could it be cam chain...
  • Does my Zafira need a service? 24 Apr 2014 (Ask HJ)
    My 2007 Vauxhall Zafira's last main service was back in 2011. It has only done 10,000 miles since then, is it time for another big service or just an interim...
  • When should I replace the timing chain on my Ford Mondeo? 26 Sep 2013 (Ask HJ)
    I am driving a 2002 Ford Mondeo 2002. The mileage on the clock is 61,000; is it necessary to replace the timing chain at a specific mileage level for this...
  • Mercedes C180 W202 1998 - Starting Problems 28 May 2012 (Forum)
    The rest of the day no problems. The colder it gets it could take a 3rd try. ???? The fuel filter was changed a year ago. Can you help please . By the way I live in Howick, KZN, South Africa. The lowest temp where I live, the garage temp is +- 0 The oil filter was changed 1 year ago as well, I use magnatech oil.
  • Audi A4 S Line Quattro 2005 27 Dec 2010 (Ask HJ)
    Can you please tell me what grade of oil is required for the above car?
  • BMW 1 Series - when should I get it serviced? 24 Jun 2014 (Ask HJ)
    I have had a 2008 BMW 118 diesel SE for 14 months, However, I am worried because it has now been 20 months and more than 20 000 miles since the last service,...
  • vectra 1.8 spark plugs 31 Oct 2005 (Forum)
    went to change plugs and noticed plug were nearly burried under oil is this normal
  • Volkswagen Golf II (1983 - 1992) - 1990 1.3 - Smoke from oil filler cap 27 Mar 2008 (Forum)
    I took the filler cap off for the first time in ages yesterday due to a bit of a smell of burning oil I get through the heater, and noticed the oil is now a dark black colour and there seems to be a little bit of smoke coming out. Is a certain amount of smoke normal? I haven't changed the oil for over 2 years, partly due to the fact I use the car as a runaround and have barely done 5,000 miles in it.
  • astra 2.0Di oil 29 May 2004 (Forum)
    hello the wife's car now has 250000 km and upto recently has had minimal oil consumption (1/2 litre between oil changes done every 15000 kms). however over the last 7000 kms it has consumed 3/4 litres of oil. there are no leaks and i can't see any obvious blue smoke from the exhaust. taking off the inlet rubber to the turbo shows an oily film with 3 to 4 drops of oil sitting in the turbo inlet. when moved between finger and thumb the turbo shows movement radially but not having a reference i can't say if it's too much. could the bearings/seals in the turbo be letting the oil past?
  • NEW GTX oil ? 2 Apr 2004 (Forum)
    Damaged seals can cause the engine to burn more oil, increasing exhaust emissions" Any thoughts on this version I have not seen before? I have always used GTX, at £10, for older engines at 5K intervals in the old Sierra. Any real advantages to using this new oil at £14 or I could use Wilko 15/40 at £7.99 Wilko also do an oil for older engines at £2.99 so I could change it even more frequently.
  • New Vectra & Factory Supplied oil 25 Nov 2002 (Forum)
    6 Imagine a new Vectra towing a caravan in the south of Europe in mid summer, when ambient temperatures are elevated. This oil must be at "the end of its (specification) tether" irrespective of when it was last changed What is the secondhand market going to recieve four years down the line I wonder? Julian Lindley
  • Timing chain failure on BMW 120d, is this common? 13 Jul 2013 (Ask HJ)
    I have a 2007 plate BMW 120d SE, which I bought from a dealership 15 months ago. It has 67,000 on the clock and always been in the dealer network for work...
  • Issues with Fiat 500 Diesel 29 May 2013 (Ask HJ)
    I have a Fiat 500 Diesel car, which is currently having white smoke coming from the exhaust. It is also over revving and the DPF warning light has come...
 

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