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Ask a mechanic - 01/04/04

Car Mechanic - your answers

You can find the answers below to your mechanic questions - click on the next page link to see more answers. To submit your questions click here

QUESTION:
I recently bought a Ford Escort 1.8Si manual. It has developed a misfire and the idle speed fluctuates between 1000 and 500rpm. Is it likely to be just a service or could it be a fuel problem - ideas please.

ANSWER:
It could be either - although the most cost effective way to approach this problem would be to start with a new set of plugs and points. If that doesn't work look at the fuel filter - is it clean or does it need replacing? If neither of these work we would suggest an engine diagnostic check which could well find the fault quickly.

QUESTION:
My car is using up more oil than usual. When I lift the cap to refill it, there is a brown sludgy liquid under the cap. Any ideas what the problem may be?

ANSWER:
Sounds like your head gasket has blown and water is seeping into the engine. Brown sludge is the result of mixing oil and water.

QUESTION:
I have a 1998 1.7 Ford Puma. When I brake either at high or low speeds the steering shakes really badly. I have been to a garage and they said my brakes were ok. I put the original alloys back onto the car to see if this resolves the problem but it didn't. Can you suggest what the problem may be? I still think my brakes may need changing?

ANSWER:
From the information you have given we can only suggest it is the brakes. Try another garage - there seems to be little other explanation.

QUESTION:
I have a 1959 Austin Healey Sprite. In the warmer weather on a long drag uphill the engine starts to splutter, looses power and eventually stops. The water temperature and oil gauges remain normal and the engine will start again after being left for 20 minutes or so. I have not been able to get this rectified despite several garage visits and breakdown call outs before I realised it could be started again after 20 minutes. Your help would be much appreciated.

ANSWER:
This has all the symptoms of a fuel problem. Have you checked the fuel filter recently? Has the fuel been sitting in the tank a long time? The fact it starts again so quickly also suggest fuel starvation.

QUESTION:
I have alloys on my car but I have been getting some juddering. I changed the wheel from the front to the back and it is doing it at the back. What do you think is wrong?

ANSWER:
Alloy wheels look fantastic but they are much more prone to damage tan steel wheels, which are much stronger. You really need to take the wheel to a tyre specialist who can check the balance. It's also worth an alignment check while you are there.

QUESTION:
My cam belt broke on my Renault Clio. Would there be much chance of engine damage and am I looking at an arm and a leg in costs?

ANSWER:
How much damage you have caused rather depends on how far you drove the car or revved it after the belt broke. Either way, you need to get it looked at by a professional mechanic. Yes, it could be expensive.

QUESTION:
My three-year-old Citroen Xsara heater blower cannot be turned off and runs at full speed as soon as the engine is started, regardless of any control knob settings. Any ideas?

ANSWER:
This can be a common problem with the Xsara. The heater controls have a habit of failing. Is the car out of warranty? Your dealer might be prepared negotiate as it is so new.

QUESTION:
I have a 97 Vauxhall Tigra. The temperature gauge has been causing me concern rising dramatically when the vehicle is stationary. I have checked the water which is fine - is this the cooling fan which is not kicking in when stationary?

ANSWER:
You need to drive the car until it is at running temperature then stop, lift the bonnet and see if the fan starts. If it does, you could get the thermostat checked. If it is not working properly the engine will not cool properly.

QUESTION:
My Peugeot 106 engine keeps revving of its own accord on idle. What is likely to be the problem?

ANSWER:
The most likely explanation is that your throttle cable is stuck - nothing more serious. On older cars this is a common fault. Try lubricating it or buying a new one.

QUESTION:
My car temperature gauge is reading abnormally high when travelling at higher speed, however it reads cooler (normal) when slowing down to 30 / 40mph. When idling, the temperature seems normal, and the cooling fan operates as required. In addition to this, I do not seem to be getting hot air through the car heaters, only slightly warm.

ANSWER:
These are all the classic symptoms of a faulty thermostat. The unit can be removed and checked in boiling water - if it doesn't open then the engine cooling system and, consequently, the heater, will not work properly.

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