NO-FIRE NISSAN
Q: My car is a 1995 Nissan SE. I have replaced the spark plugs, the wires from the distributor cap, the cap itself and the distributor rotor, but the car still won't start, although the engine turns okay. What's the likely cause?
Posted by: epistle7
A: It's very difficult to say, and it could still be the ignition system, so check for sparks at the spark plug tips (with the plugs removed). There might also be a problem with the fuel injection, so you'll need a mechanic to take a look.
TOO HOT TO TROT
Q: My 11-year-old Audi Coupe has started to overheat at high revs. The fan seems to cut in at the right time but turns off when the temperature is still showing over 100 degrees C. Under normal driving though, the gauge stays at 90 degrees.
Posted by: cainhoe
A: Under 'normal' driving the car is moving, so getting air flow through its radiator to cool it. Either the fan thermal switch is defective, or there's insufficient coolant in the radiator for coolant to reach the switch.
ROVER'S LOST DRIVE
Q: The Steptronic gearbox of my Rover 25 1.8 seems to be slipping after only 50,000 miles of use. Is this likely to be a simple problem to resolve, and how long do these transmissions last?
Posted by: martinnew01
A: The box should last the life of the car, providing its fluid is kept at the right level and is changed at the prescribed times. We're not sure what you mean by 'slipping', but if it's loss of drive it might be due to insufficient transmission fluid or burnt multiplate clutches. If the dipstick smells burnt, the latter is suggested.
WELL-OILED STARTER
Q: I have been told that leaking engine oil can gradually seep into the starter motor and cause starting problems. Is this true? My car has had a minor oil leak for years now, probably from a worn valve-cover gasket.
Posted by: Dave
A: It's possible for this to happen, but very rare. Oil getting into the starter motor is likely only to get to the drive-pinion end of the motor, where it can do little harm. Don't worry about the starter, but do try to stem the leak.
CLUNKY ON LOCK
Q: I hear and feel a clonking from the offside wheel when turning the steering wheel of my Peugeot 106 GTI to the right. I have had the CV joints and suspension and steering rack checked, but I can't see what's wrong. Any ideas?
Posted by: ryan.onion
A: This could be slight rotation of the suspension spring in its seat, and you can feel for this by keeping a hand on the spring as someone turns the steering. Alternatively the steering track rod end might be worn on that side.
BELTLESS FORD
Q: The battery warning light of my L-reg Ford Fiesta is staying on and the temperature gauge gets to 'hot' very quickly; can you suggest why?
Posted by: ir.stewart
A: Most likely because you've lost the alternator and water pump drive belt. This belt is the only thing in common to the the charging circuit and cooling system.
CHUGGING FRENCHIE
Q: My 1997 Renault Megane 1.4 sounds as if it's running on three cylinders only. The ignition coil has been changed to no effect, so what else could be the cause?
Posted by: hxjpipejoint
A: If it is really running on only three cylinders, and it's not the ignition system at fault, you're looking at a loss of compression on one cylinder - most likely due to valve wear or an over-tight valve clearance.
WRONG FUEL, CHUM!
Q: We accidentally put a gallon of petrol into our Vauxhall Zafira 2.0 diesel recently. We're trying to drain the fuel tank, but nothing emerges when the pipes are undone. Any advice?
Posted by: kieran_mcnally
A: Have you taken off the fuel filler cap? Without doing so there won't be atmospheric pressure acting on the fuel to force it out of the tank. If it's off already, try detaching a tank breather hose.
THE SWEATY END OF THE SCALE
Q: The temperature gauge of my year-2000 Ford Focus SE is more than three-quarters of the way to the hot end of the gauge; is this normal?
Posted by: dc@bccis.com
A: It may well be, and only you know where along the scale it has traditionally indicated. If it has been reading progressively higher with time, this could be because the engine is running warmer, in which case you need to check for airlocks, check the thermostat, and maybe flush and clean the exterior of the car's radiator.
THIS YANKEE MOTOR SUCKS
Q: I have a 1999 Deville with a Northstar 4.6-litre engine. If I leave it running for five minutes or more, excessive smoke starts coming from the tailpipe.
Posted by: ducker
A: This is because of poor oil control; wear of the valve guides and (probably) valve stem oil seals is allowing oil to be sucked from above the cylinder head into the cylinders under the high-vacuum conditions of engine idling.
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BELTLESS FORD
Q: The battery warning light of my L-reg Ford Fiesta is staying on and the temperature gauge gets to 'hot' very quickly; can you suggest why?
Posted by: ir.stewart
A: Most likely because you've lost the alternator and water pump drive belt. This belt is the only thing in common to the the charging circuit and cooling system.
CHUGGING FRENCHIE
Q: My 1997 Renault Megane 1.4 sounds as if it's running on three cylinders only. The ignition coil has been changed to no effect, so what else could be the cause?
Posted by: hxjpipejoint
A: If it is really running on only three cylinders, and it's not the ignition system at fault, you're looking at a loss of compression on one cylinder - most likely due to valve wear or an over-tight valve clearance.
WRONG FUEL, CHUM!
Q: We accidentally put a gallon of petrol into our Vauxhall Zafira 2.0 diesel recently. We're trying to drain the fuel tank, but nothing emerges when the pipes are undone. Any advice?
Posted by: kieran_mcnally
A: Have you taken off the fuel filler cap? Without doing so there won't be atmospheric pressure acting on the fuel to force it out of the tank. If it's off already, try detaching a tank breather hose.
THE SWEATY END OF THE SCALE
Q: The temperature gauge of my year-2000 Ford Focus SE is more than three-quarters of the way to the hot end of the gauge; is this normal?
Posted by: dc@bccis.com
A: It may well be, and only you know where along the scale it has traditionally indicated. If it has been reading progressively higher with time, this could be because the engine is running warmer, in which case you need to check for airlocks, check the thermostat, and maybe flush and clean the exterior of the car's radiator.
THIS YANKEE MOTOR SUCKS
Q: I have a 1999 Deville with a Northstar 4.6-litre engine. If I leave it running for five minutes or more, excessive smoke starts coming from the tailpipe.
Posted by: ducker
A: This is because of poor oil control; wear of the valve guides and (probably) valve stem oil seals is allowing oil to be sucked from above the cylinder head into the cylinders under the high-vacuum conditions of engine idling.
next page
Produced with the support of Green Flag
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