SHATTERING NEWS
Q: After closing the electric window of my Fiat Punto it suddenly shattered. My garage says it must have been hit by something, but it wasn't - I think it's to do with closing it. What do you think?
Posted by: ronhay
A: If it wasn't impacted by something, the only thing to cause it to shatter would be distortion of the door frame into which it's closing. This would effectively try to twist it - and of course it won't twist. Get the frame checked for alignment.
SECURITY TAKEN TOO FAR
Q: I bought a Vauxhall Astra - supposedly with no immobiliser - and was driving yesterday when it suddenly slowed and stopped. Now the radio is displaying SAFE, and I've lost the security code and can't contact the seller!
Posted by: adele.cotton
A: I think this model would have an immobiliser. What you do is contact your nearest Vauxhall dealer and get them to interrogate the vehicle electronics. They should also have a record of the security code for your car.
NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE
Q: My ten-year-old 90,000-mile petrol Astra puffs lots of white smoke. I have replaced the head gasket but it's the same. Could it be a cracked head? Is it worth spending much on?
Posted by: cliff.kingshott
A: That depends on the cause. First establish whether the white stuff is smoke or steam. Steam doesn't smell of much, feels damp and dissipates quickly; white smoke is the opposite. If it's steam you may have a distorted cylinder head or cracked block. If it's smoke it could be contaminated fuel, valve leakage or a broken piston ring.
CITROEN ALL OF A SMEAR
Q: I have recently replaced the windscreen wiper rubbers of my Citroen AX 1.1 because they were smearing badly. But I'm dismayed to find the new blades smear too, although not quite as badly. How do I get rid of this problem?
Posted by: muldoon60
A: By buying new wiper blade assemblies rather than just the rubber refills, and by thoroughly degreasing the windscreen with methylated spirit. If there's still a streaking problem after that you may need new wiper arms too.
MY CLUTCH IS A DRAG
Q: Having had a replacement gearbox fitted to my Renault 18 GTX because of a crunching third gear, I now find that all gears are slightly stiff and notchy to engage, and reverse is almost impossible unless I switch the engine off first! Have I paid for a dud box?
Posted by: nickel-march
A: I doubt it; it sounds as if the mechanic on the job hasn't properly adjusted the clutch mechanism in the wake of repairs; you're getting what's called 'clutch drag'. Get him to check this, and if adjustment is OK, it's possible you need a new clutch.
PUG NEEDS MORE FUEL
Q: I've inherited my dad's 1988 Peugeot 309. It's a good car, but under acceleration it's really hesitant and weak - the more power you want the less it delivers. A mechanic says these models were 'all tuned too lean'. What does this mean?
Posted by: verity_baines
A: Assuming no obvious faults, what he means is many of these models had slightly too small a main jet in the carburettor; they respond well to having a one-increment bigger main jet fitted. Get your mechanic to sort this out for you.
AN INTERNAL LEAK
Q: The brake pedal in my car has started to go all the way down to the floor under braking. I was told this means there's a brake fluid leak, but I can't see one and the reservoir is still full.
Posted by: anthony810
A: First off, if you're still using the car, DON'T! There is internal leakage of brake fluid past seals somewhere inside the braking system hydraulics, and the most likely place is inside the master cylinder. You'll need a new one.
HOT AND BOTHERED
Q: I drive a 1.2-litre 2001 Renault Clio. The other day it overheated and steam was coming from the cooling system. The car only overheats when standing still, so what's the cause?
Posted by: robins279
A: Firstly, check there is sufficient coolant in the system and that there are no air leaks. Secondly, look for leaks when it's hot (you should see steam). Thirdly, check that the cooling fan is coming on when the car reaches maximum temperature at a standstill. If it doesn't, there's your answer.
WHERE TO PUT MY WIRE?
Q: Where do you connect the hot wire to add an after-market tachometer to a 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage? My car does not have a traditional ignition coil.
Posted by: raymondcupples
A: That's really a question to be answered by the maker of the tachometer - didn't it come with instructions? The chances are that it connects to a pin of the engine management ECU or to the flywheel TDC sensor, but you'll need the specific answer from the manufacturer.
THE CAR THAT LACKS DRIVE
Q: My Peugeot 206 automatic no longer takes off smoothly. When accelerating from standstill or low speed the engine revs a lot but the car only trickles forward until it takes off suddenly. While on the move it works just fine.
Posted by: nash40
A: This is either a problem with the engine/transmission control electronics, or with the torque converter (which engages and disengages drive). The first thing to do is check that the automatic transmission fluid level is correct (usually checked hot), and if it is, to then get a Peugeot diagnostic test done.
next page
Did we answer your question? If not submit one now
Q: I've inherited my dad's 1988 Peugeot 309. It's a good car, but under acceleration it's really hesitant and weak - the more power you want the less it delivers. A mechanic says these models were 'all tuned too lean'. What does this mean?
Posted by: verity_baines
A: Assuming no obvious faults, what he means is many of these models had slightly too small a main jet in the carburettor; they respond well to having a one-increment bigger main jet fitted. Get your mechanic to sort this out for you.
AN INTERNAL LEAK
Q: The brake pedal in my car has started to go all the way down to the floor under braking. I was told this means there's a brake fluid leak, but I can't see one and the reservoir is still full.
Posted by: anthony810
A: First off, if you're still using the car, DON'T! There is internal leakage of brake fluid past seals somewhere inside the braking system hydraulics, and the most likely place is inside the master cylinder. You'll need a new one.
HOT AND BOTHERED
Q: I drive a 1.2-litre 2001 Renault Clio. The other day it overheated and steam was coming from the cooling system. The car only overheats when standing still, so what's the cause?
Posted by: robins279
A: Firstly, check there is sufficient coolant in the system and that there are no air leaks. Secondly, look for leaks when it's hot (you should see steam). Thirdly, check that the cooling fan is coming on when the car reaches maximum temperature at a standstill. If it doesn't, there's your answer.
WHERE TO PUT MY WIRE?
Q: Where do you connect the hot wire to add an after-market tachometer to a 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage? My car does not have a traditional ignition coil.
Posted by: raymondcupples
A: That's really a question to be answered by the maker of the tachometer - didn't it come with instructions? The chances are that it connects to a pin of the engine management ECU or to the flywheel TDC sensor, but you'll need the specific answer from the manufacturer.
THE CAR THAT LACKS DRIVE
Q: My Peugeot 206 automatic no longer takes off smoothly. When accelerating from standstill or low speed the engine revs a lot but the car only trickles forward until it takes off suddenly. While on the move it works just fine.
Posted by: nash40
A: This is either a problem with the engine/transmission control electronics, or with the torque converter (which engages and disengages drive). The first thing to do is check that the automatic transmission fluid level is correct (usually checked hot), and if it is, to then get a Peugeot diagnostic test done.
next page
Did we answer your question? If not submit one now
Font size
Mail
My account
Help
Community
Print now
Send to a friend
Related articles
Related products
