SCRAPE, RATTLE AND ROLL
Q: The left-hand rear wheel of my 1986 Acura Legend makes a scraping sound, and sometimes a little rattling. A friend says it may be a wheel bearing; but another says if it were a bearing, the tyre would be shaking. Importantly, it doesn't make the sound when I reverse; only forward.
Posted by: difrancobabe
A: Your friend talks rubbish. It's most likely brake components in light contact - and the fact that the noise is direction-sensitive bears this out. Disc or drum rear brakes? If the latter, take them apart, clean them out, make sure the backplate isn't bent, and check nothing's gone awry.
IT'S A 4x4 SABOTAGE
Q: Someone put dirt in the fuel tank of my '93 Ford Explorer, killing the engine. After renewing the fuel pump, injectors and filter it worked fine for a while, then died again. While it was running I could smell petrol whenever I switched off the engine, and the spark plugs and exhaust gas were black.
Posted by: cookie84723
A: It sounds as if abrasive dirt has made it past the filters and damaged parts of the injection system - namely the injectors. Get an injection specialist to check the system out, and renew any filters a second time.
COLD COMFORT FORD
Q: I have a 1999 Ford Escort TD in which the cabin heater only blows lukewarm air. The engine temperature and thermostat are okay, and there are no cooling-system air locks. Can you help?
Posted by: Rbrasenell
A: Check the inlet and outlet hoses are connected to the heater the right way round. Make sure the heater coolant tap opens fully, and the air flaps too. If so you probably have a furred-up heater matrix, which means a replacement is needed.
FIAT'S STIFF OPPOSITION
Q: It's getting hard to select gears on my Fiat Punto. The clutch doesn't seem to be dragging, as when the pedal is fully depressed the car isn't creeping forward. Should I check the gearbox oil level?
Posted by: millarthomas
A: The clutch probably is dragging, but there's no harm in checking the gearbox oil. Set a fast idle speed with your right foot, then repeatedly select reverse from a standstill; if it's a crunchy process you either need clutch adjustment or a new clutch assembly.
OUT COLD FOR FIVE YEARS
Q: My 1994 Ford Taurus has been unused for five years. Before putting it back on the road, how should I prepare it?
Posted by: andynothwehr
A: If it's a manual, check the clutch disengages - if rusted it will need much coaxing. Drain and renew the engine oil and coolant (flush cooling system if rusty). Take out the spark plugs, inject oil into each cylinder, replace the plugs, incapacitate the ignition system and gently crank the engine to feed oil around and free off the pistons and valves. Don't drive it till the braking system has been inspected and its fluid replaced.
PROTECTION RACKET
Q: I run a 2004 Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 diesel. Do you think I should use a diesel injector protector additive in it, or is this just another way of bumping-up the service charge?
Posted by: delinge
A: As we're cynics, we're tempted to believe your second suggestion. Logically, if your Honda needed some sort of ongoing injector protection, Honda would be the first to tell you about it, right?
FLOPPY IN MY HAND
Q: I can't select any gears in my Peugeot 206, and its gear lever is very loose in the hand. Do you have any idea what the problem is?
Posted by: Andy.blenkley
A: Yes, some part of the gear-lever linkage has become disconnected (or broken), and that could be anywhere between the base of the lever and the input to the gearbox, or it might even be inside the box. Shouldn't be tough to find though.
SHOCKING RADIO RECEPTION
Q: My Mark 4 Golf 1.6 SE gives me electric shocks almost every time I get out of it. Also, the radio won't pick up Radio 5, even with a booster. Someone told me it might be an earthing problem; do you think so?
Posted by: jimmorris1980
A: No, not really. If your radio won't pick up one station, but is okay with all others, you've got a defective radio (or aerial, though that's less likely). As for getting a jolt each time you emerge from your Golf, try fixing an earthing strap to its rear end, and stop wearing nylon underpants.
BACKING UP, BUT YOU WOULDN'T KNOW
Q: The reversing lights of my M-reg diesel Vauxhall Astra have stopped working. Where is the activation switch for these? I've checked the fuse and bulbs, which are okay.
Posted by: masonfam3
A: You'll find the reversing lights' switch screwed into the gearbox casing and actuated by an internal selector rod. Also check the earthing circuit of the rear light clusters.
ALL OF A QUIVER AT MOTORWAY SPEED
Q: I have an L-reg Nissan Micra that runs fine at 56 mph but starts to judder at about 65mph. The juddering fades again if I drop the speed back down. What do you think is causing this?
Posted by: desnmelmiller
A: You've not been specific enough: what sort of juddering? Do you mean the engine starts to misfire, or that the front wheels feel out of balance? If the latter, then just get them balanced (and have the suspension and steering joints and front dampers checked for wear at the same time. If the former, it's probably related to fuel starvation or ignition HT breakdown.
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PROTECTION RACKET
Q: I run a 2004 Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 diesel. Do you think I should use a diesel injector protector additive in it, or is this just another way of bumping-up the service charge?
Posted by: delinge
A: As we're cynics, we're tempted to believe your second suggestion. Logically, if your Honda needed some sort of ongoing injector protection, Honda would be the first to tell you about it, right?
FLOPPY IN MY HAND
Q: I can't select any gears in my Peugeot 206, and its gear lever is very loose in the hand. Do you have any idea what the problem is?
Posted by: Andy.blenkley
A: Yes, some part of the gear-lever linkage has become disconnected (or broken), and that could be anywhere between the base of the lever and the input to the gearbox, or it might even be inside the box. Shouldn't be tough to find though.
SHOCKING RADIO RECEPTION
Q: My Mark 4 Golf 1.6 SE gives me electric shocks almost every time I get out of it. Also, the radio won't pick up Radio 5, even with a booster. Someone told me it might be an earthing problem; do you think so?
Posted by: jimmorris1980
A: No, not really. If your radio won't pick up one station, but is okay with all others, you've got a defective radio (or aerial, though that's less likely). As for getting a jolt each time you emerge from your Golf, try fixing an earthing strap to its rear end, and stop wearing nylon underpants.
BACKING UP, BUT YOU WOULDN'T KNOW
Q: The reversing lights of my M-reg diesel Vauxhall Astra have stopped working. Where is the activation switch for these? I've checked the fuse and bulbs, which are okay.
Posted by: masonfam3
A: You'll find the reversing lights' switch screwed into the gearbox casing and actuated by an internal selector rod. Also check the earthing circuit of the rear light clusters.
ALL OF A QUIVER AT MOTORWAY SPEED
Q: I have an L-reg Nissan Micra that runs fine at 56 mph but starts to judder at about 65mph. The juddering fades again if I drop the speed back down. What do you think is causing this?
Posted by: desnmelmiller
A: You've not been specific enough: what sort of juddering? Do you mean the engine starts to misfire, or that the front wheels feel out of balance? If the latter, then just get them balanced (and have the suspension and steering joints and front dampers checked for wear at the same time. If the former, it's probably related to fuel starvation or ignition HT breakdown.
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