Questions from August 2010
I've got a problem with my 1997 Vauxhall Vectra 2-litre diesel R-reg. I was driving it, then the management light came on and the car cut out. The AA come out and gave me fault codes P1220N , P1535P and...
I've got a Ford Mondeo Mk3 2.0 TDI. It lost all power and then produced white smoke, then it stalled and would not start again. When it cooled down it started, but was very lumpy and with smoke, then stalled...
The brakes on my 2005 Volkswagen Polo are grabbing on at the front after driving for a short distance. The callipers and pistons are fine, I've changed the master cylinder and its still not making any...
My Peugeot 307 1.6 diesel has just failed the MoT on emissions. There are no warnings on the dash and my mechanic is unsure of where to start to fix the problem. The average smoke reading is 3.28 (pass...
I have a Rover 220. The wipers get stuck when on intermittent. I have changed the motor and it still happens. Does anyone know were the relays are for it?
I am given to believe that the actuating rod on the turbo of our Ford Focus 1800 turbodiesel is sticking with the wastegate held open, causing the engine to run with greatly reduced power. I understand...
How do I access my Mk3 Toyota MR2's fog lamps to change the bulbs?
Could you tell how to change the air filter on a Peugeot 206 GLX 1.6 1999 please?
Can you tell me what the cam belt change interval is for a Volkswagen Touran 1.9 SE TDI?
My Nissan Almera has a very noisy gearbox. The car shakes when reversing, and to select reverse gear is very difficult. In neutral it doesn't make much noise but when you put it in gear and drive it makes...
Just wondering if you can give me your overall opinion of the 2008 Honda Civic 1800 VTEC?
I purchased a Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI brand new from a dealer in 2007. The car is now out of warranty. After I bought it I later found out that the model in question had an oil pump issue, and with 38,000...
Hi, I'm looking for good 185-60-14 tyres to get my Sylva kit car back on the road. I have a number of parameters, but progressiveness is about top, followed by wet weather performance. Any ideas of good...
My 2004 Saab 9-5 3.0 TDI's pressure sensor warning light has come on. The warranty company has proposed sending the turbo away to be reconditioned at cost of £500, as opposed buying a new turbo from Saab...
I swapped my running moped for a spares or repair motorcycle. When I swapped we did not fill in the V5s or send them off because he did not have his V5 on him at the time and i forgot to get a receipt....
I'm trying to find out when the Skoda Octavia will be replaced. I know it was facelifted, which suggests a new model is in the pipeline. Can you help? Would you choose the 1.6 or 2.0 diesel? The book suggests...
My Honda Accord is ten years old (I've had it for six of those) with 97,000 miles on the clock and it feels like it could do the same again with no problem. But I'm concerned that any car of this age will...
I have a Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 petrol engine 51 plate. About a month ago the engine management light came on after I travelled about 150 miles, and a trustworthy garage that was recommended to me reset the...
We want to replace our ageing Volkswagen Polo. We've noticed that the Nissan Note seems good value due to poor residuals. We have £5000 to spend and expect to get about six years' service without too many...
Is my Suzuki Grand Vitara supposed to hesitate under acceleration, and can I fit a remapping device?
My one-year-old Suzuki Grand Vitara has just reached 13,000 miles. Full torque on this engine is at 1950rpm, but the RPM pick up is slow. Then it seems like a switch is thrown and the engine develops a...
My 1997 Escort GTI keeps losing power. When I start it up it idles fine, but when I press the accelerator it chugs and splutters when it is cold. Took it on a run yesterday and intermittantly it loses...
I am thinking of buying a 1997 Jeep Cherokee but the heater matrix needs replacing or repairing. How difficult is this and what is the approximate cost?
My Y-reg Mercedes-Benz SLK is starting to become very rusty. It started at the boot handle, and is now affecting all sills. Someone told me that this is a fault associated with Y-reg Mercedes-Benz models...
I've been for a test drive in a 2004 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 SRI with 63,000 miles, and noted a faint whirring noise when I eased off in all gears. When I depress the clutch the noise stops. The car is 100...
Why have the power socket and cigar lighter in the rear of my 2007 Ford Mondeo have stopped working?
For some reason, both the cigar lighter and the auxiliary power socket in the rear passenger area of my 2007 Ford Mondeo are not working. I have checked the fuses and they appear ok. Any ideas please?
I have recently purchased a 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK with the 2.6 V6 engine. It does not appear to have had the spark plugs changed since it was manufactured. It has done a genuine 46,000 miles with a full...
I have some information about the long-term reliability of airbags. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US has crash-tested a rusty 1972 Chevrolet Impala, the oldest vehicle that they...
I purchased a Grande Espace 06-plate 2.2DCI for £9999 with a full service history from a well-known internet dealer, plus a three-year AA warranty for £899. I went on holiday three weeks ago and the engine...
In early July my wife decided to buy a new Hyundai i20, partly because of the financial package available. A deposit was placed on the car and delivery given as July 24th. The salesman rang twice a week...
How much is the 12-month road tax renewal for my 2001 Renault Espace likely to cost me?
I just noticed a leak from the rear of my Peugeot 207 HDI. I've been told its Eolys fluid. Is this serious, and why would it leak?
My Ford Focus 1600 Zetec's engine management light has started to come on, then the speedo goes to zero. Even the little LCD window on the speedo reads nothing. The miles dont register and the engine starts...
I have 10k max to spend on a car. I need it to be economical but nippy. It has to be roomy and safe, reliable and cheap to service as I commute 16,000 miles per year. I want something that's fun to drive...
I have a new 2010 Vauxhall Meriva and have found a problem with water getting inside the door panels when it rains or when washing the car, which obviously sits inside the bottom of the doors until the...
I have lost the keys to my son's S-reg Ford Fiesta. He is due to take his test in three weeks and I am dreading telling him. I am going to have to replace the driver's door lock and ignition barrel,...
I was driving my 56 plate face lift Mercedes-Benz E280 CDI Avantgarde estate today when the back wheels started to bounce. I pulled over and found the body had almost dropped onto the back wheels, with...
I'm looking to buy a Smart car and am trying to find out which year they started to become right-hand drive. I am desperately trying to find a right-hand drive, group one Smart car. I have been advised...
I own a 1999 1.6se petrol Volkswagen Bora which seems to be burning a lot of oil, which can be seen more so when taking off after sitting in traffic, or taking off after back pressure has been applied...
I'm looking to buy a cheap 7-seater as my current Ford Galaxy has just gave up. I between £2000-£3000 to spend. I do a lot of town driving so I am guessing a diesel would be more economical. I'm wanting...
I have owned a 3-litre S-Type Jaguar for the last 10 years and absolutely love it, but the time is coming when I would like to change it. My first (and only) thought is for a 3-litre diesel XF, but I only...
You've said not to buy a diesel if one does less than 15,000 miles per year. I have a Honda CR-V diesel (on an 08 plate), and only do about 8000 miles per year, a mixture of longish trips (Spain in the...
I currently own a Honda CR-V 2.0 ES automatic on an 02 plate. We would like to buy a caravan, but would like something more economical and better for towing. We love the CR-V but I don't think its the...
I've just bought a 2002 Vauxhall Vectra 1800 auto. The ECU light has just started to come on when driving and this has only happened after the last service. It runs nicely but I think the tickover is slightly...
If I am looking for a diesel Transit or Toyota Hiace, which year should I look for to find the latest model without a DPF? Does the Hyundai i800 have a DPF, and out of the three vehicles mentioned which...
I was recently in a car park when another car nearby caught fire. Luckily I was able to move my car away, but if the fire had damaged my car would I have had to claim from my insurance or that of the car...
My wife put our Citroen C4 Grand Picasso in reverse gear on our drive, and as she started to move backwards there was a loud bang and the car shuddered. She checked she had not hit anything, started up...
I have a 2008 1.6 Vauxhall Meriva which has an annoying creak at low speeds and a buzzing/rattle over 60mph from under the driver's side dash. Do you have any ideas where this could come from? Also, I...
On 27 June I ordered a new car over the phone from a main dealer. I used an internet broker to get the deal but am still paying several hundred pounds more. I was happy with this as the dealer is close...
I have a Vauxhall Astra automatic that started to play up. The gearbox and engine management lights have both come on. The car drives and changes gears but I have to change them myself. What could be the...
I just bought a 2003 Ford Fusion 2. I am losing water in the expansion tank. No leaks anywhere, no temperature increases. What can it be?
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