There are two 14mm nuts on captive bolts holding the front part of my exhaust to the centre part. One I undid with stilsons after trying every other tool I have, but the other is rounding off nicely. There's not much room for a hacksaw and the stilsons are working the wrong way round IYSWIM. ISTR a socket which tightens onto the nut/bolt just like stilsons so a) Do they work? b) What are...

I noticed my numberplate coming away from one corner so I pulled the plate off peeled off the remaining sticky tape on both car and plate, cleaned it up. Got some more number plate tape, put tons on and this morning it was sitting on the drive :( humph So I was thinking perhaps I should screw fix it like my old cars have been, never had one of those fall off :) Question is my plate doesn't...

Oh dear - Squeeky. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP-XxL90gEg Anyway, I had it apart and I find a completely dry bearing - not the slightest whiff of grease! See he http://www.flickr.com/photos/47192463@N03/4368853204/in/set-721576234621 42046/

I got a new tyre for my series 1 BMW, cost about £100+VAT. As this is a run flat tyre the price seemed OK and this included a free tracking check. They next produced an elaborate print out showing all my wheels out of alignment, and I agreed reluctantly for them to carry out the necessary at a cost of £85+VAT. They had a computerised display in the waiting area where you could see each of the...

Strange happenings at the petrol station http://www.crazy-video-streaming.com/best/strange_happenings.htm

Strange happenings at the petrol station http://www.crazy-video-streaming.com/best/strange_happenings.htm

I had a call from my daughter in California tonight. Her 2003 Freelander is in for attention (overheating and water level dropping) and the garage say there is water in the oil. They purchased a "cast iron" warranty with it which covers repairs up to the current value of the vehicle, but a new engine would be $15000 against the $11,000 value. Sounds like they have a warranty argument...

My daughters clio's rear brakes were sticking on and the peddle was hard. Anyway I pulled them apart the shoes were knackered & the cylinders started to leak, I ordered the bits (I was told there are 4 different types of shoes). I couldn't see any adjustments for the handbrake cable (the haynes manual said there should be an adjuster underneath or in the car. I fitted the shoes and cylinder...

Why are they not freely available? I'm looking for a Terrano suspension part and it's proving very difficult. Despite knowing the name of the part, and having a diagram of it from a workshop manual, the main dealer is still coming up with the wrong part. Admittedly contact has so far been by phone and email but being able to quote a part number would help enormously! Si

Hi, With all the bad weather we've had recently, what is the best screen wash to use? I buy the concentrated variety and dilute it myself but even though it claims it won't freeze below minus x degrees (I can't remember what X is) the pipes were frozen. I did wonder about using it undiluted but I can see two problems: it would be expensive and it would look like a chemical toilet spraying dark...

http://toyotasimulator.com/ (Speakers needed) -- Pete M - OMF#9 '78 Escort 1300 Sport '99 BMW 318is Coupé

http://www.crazy-video-streaming.com/best/fear.htm --- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ---

Hi I have wired a 7 way bypass relay to earth and permament live ( with an inline fuse between relay and live connection ) with no other wires connected yet. As soon as I put in the inline fuse I get a constant high pitched whistle coming from the relay box. If I connect the towbar plug socket wires it does the same. I then connected the rear light wires from the vehicle. It still...

Hi I have condensation in both OS headlights of an 06 X type Jaguar, and noticed it soon after a main dealer had replaced both dipped beam bulbs. They checked fitting of the rear caps on the lights and turned the lights on for 30 mins, and told me that this should solve the problem. The next day it was a bad as ever. I'm familiar generally with causes and solutions to condensation, but...

My air con recently stopped working and I had it checked - the verdict was that the pressure was low but not totally depleted. I decided to put off topping it up until the summer. With the low pressure nothing runs if I press the button. I acquired another car and decided to sell this one (Honda Civic) and took it in to have the air con topped up. (Thursday) Today I was out in it and ran it...

Did manage to do one side, but on the other the piston in the caliper simply won't retract. Any suggestions? New caliper needed? Garage job?

My wifes focus air con / heater system is not working properly when you turn the heater fan switch it only runs at top speed on setting 4 and the aircon wont switch on , if you set it between 1 and 3 the aircon light comes on but the aircon doesnt work neither does the fan , checked all the fuses and they seem to be ok , any ideas Steve

Got to change the ARB drop links on my Pug 306. They're so worn I can move them by hand while on the car.. The nuts at both ends are totally knackered. They just spin, and there's nothing on the other end to get a grip to stop them turning. Is it worth buying one of those nut splitters that you just tighten like a blade... Or should I just get the grinder on them?

I have a 1990 Toyota Celica. Before I am told, it's not good enough for the car scrappage scheme. I was reading in a site that it is better to strip all the bits than taking it (or having someone take it) to the scrap yard where you will get little money after you pay for the transport. I bought some parts like the alternator 4 years ago, others are in good condition.

Tesco: An Age-Old Multicultural Problem In older England the merchant class had many easy-going traditions. One tradition was that a respectable tradesman would never seek business but wait for it to come to him. Another tradition was that to decorate one's store window with lights or colors, or to display one's stock of goods attractively in the view of the public, was a contemptible and...

Hi, I have two LDV pilots, same age, both 15ok plus mileage. One fires LOTS of black smoke at start up, takes a couple of mins to run properly, but drives ok once running, but has noticeably less 'poke' than the other. Never done much with diesels - in fact the last time I changed a fuel filter, i never got the car started again!

The top hose went on my '98 Hyundai Accent earlier - anyone know if they're a bog-standard size, if they can be lashed up with a normal length of hose (there's a left hand kink as it leaves the rad), and how much damage might have been caused driving on it ? The temp shot up once, but I dumped heat via the internal heater - but haven't had chance to see just how dry the rad itself is yet, it...

My name is Edd Hartley and I am a UK based professional photographer who specialises in vehicle and automotive photography. I am working on a project to offer professional car photography to members of the general public who love their cars. These could be classics, custom cars, kit cars, niche market vehicles or simply standard production cars. I would offer these shoots at scenic...

My daughter (28) passed her test about 10 years ago but has not owned a car. She sometimes drives her mother's car as a named driver. Sooner or later she will want a car and be able to afford one - what is the best way of her getting some NCB? I have used one of the comparison sites and had quotes of around £800 TPF&T. Is this to be expected? Will any insurer take her involvement as a named...

My brakes squeal when applied when they're cold, but when they get hotter, eg especially after a motorway run, the front right squeals quite a lot until I start braking. Additionally if I turn to the right, the squeal goes away. The intensity and longevity of said squealing increases the further/faster I travel and 50mph appears to be the sweet spot for most noise. There is a lip (minor -...

Anyone recommend someone to rustproof and underseal a Mk1 Eunos Roadster? I'm in Handforth. Sills, cavities, underseal etc. I've come across Chassisclean in Altrincham who look great and very very thorough, but want £350 to do the car, which is stretching my budget... I've considered doing it myself but mess/lack of ramps or compressor etc is putting me off. I'd also like the peace of mind...

Well, eleven hours into the future, but twenty years behind in most other respects. Yes, I'm now in Australia and have purchased a vehicle, powered by an engine that has its cylinders arranged in a V configuration.

What is the mileage between oil changes? I thought 10000 but the service meter thingy says 20000. It's a 05 plate car. tIA

Hi Is it ok to wire straight into the rear wiring loom ( using a 7 way bypass relay ) to power the towbar sockets on a Vectra hatchback 2004 diesel 2.2. I have read that there is sometimes a prefitted plug but I can't find one on my car. Regards Pete

What comes later this year? Will it be 60? 03 53 04 54 05 55 06 56

Does anyone have experience of any of these? http://tinyurl.com/yfcfzoo http://tinyurl.com/yga2sf5 http://tinyurl.com/yl2pky7 Any recommendations for manuals? For a 57 plate vehicle. -- Peter

Peugeot 206 "X" reg about 1400cc petrol lost electrics. ie non start no spark. No headlights, most dash ign on light's no electric windows ,no central locking or wipers. OBD2 connection message unable to comunicate!!. I have found if I tap the fuse box/BSI unit area quite hard things start to work then stop. A Peugeot mechanic had a look and said it is the BSI unit, So I sent this off to a...

Don't know anything more than the bare outline here, pub mate tale: Kangoo Diesel cylinder head gasket failure - replaced.. runs happily. Starts cold, won't restart whilst warm.. Any ideas?

I had recently the overhauled as the clutch felt sharp, i.e. operating over a small range. The garage fitted a new 'clutch kit' to my car. However, the clutch now judder, it feels like it will shake the drive train apart if i am not very careful on the pedal. What is the problem? The car soon needs MOT and I worry that the tester could damage the car.

http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/article-15084-saved-fire-crews-rescue-driver-from-ford/ .....and I'm genuinely glad the lady in question is ok, and do feel for her in such a terrifying situtation, but this really strikes me as an excellent example of Darwinism in action. I've driven through that ford *loads* in the past in the van, and there are clear depth markers. I set myself...

Took car to Kwikfit for MOT (probably not best idea). Failed for a few things:- 1. Headlight not secured. I know one of the fixings for the headlight is broken but are they being overpicky here. Its definitely not loose because 4 out of 5 bolts are still holding it. 2. Exhaust mountings. They are saying the bit that hangs on to the rubbers has snapped off.and I need whole new exhaust. Can this...

Mondeo: Big. Steers nice. Lots of space. Looks nice. Cheap interior. Diesel: Unrefined, especially at low revs. Auto: Just don't. Drove a manual one a few weeks ago (when merc was off road due to pothole damage) and it was fine as long as you kept it above 2000 rpm, or there was no go and risk of stalling. Now, with merc yet again off road due to pothole damage, I have another, but this has...

NICE, HUH? http://surftofind.com/dodge Any worthy rivals?

Hi all, I was looking at a resistive heater fan speed controller on the bench the other day and it would appear that it had 'failed' because of what looks like a diode that sits near the coil/resistors (I believe the whole thing sits in one of the internal air hoses). It seemed a shame to have to replace the whole thing (it looked new) for what could be a 2d component?

And I think I like turbo diesels. While the seating position was too high, and the mirror obstructive, and the washer jets totally failed front and rear (yes checked fluid and jets and fuse), generally the car was excellent. Love the low end torque and the turbo woosh, after getting back in the IS it felt like I was in a gutless slug until I got used to revving again. But the seating...

Say your accelerator jammed. Well, how long would it take you to figure this out and depress the clutch/put it into neutral? Especially an experienced driver like a highway patrolman. 5 seconds? Well, surely not long enough to make a 911 call. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7012913.ece What's actually going on here? Suicide, and he wanted to take his...

My brother has a 91 330T with the M54 3 litre engine, and it uses a lot of oil. He changed the oil last week and after only 200 miles the low oil warning light came on. Took over a litre to bring it back to full. Most of those 200 miles were spent towing a caravan. No obvious signs like smoke from the exhaust. No leaks. Mileage approx 80,000. Runs just fine. My 528 has never needed topping up...

My apologies for the long post. The aim is to share my experience in getting Ford to pay for repairs under their perforation warranty, to corrosion starting in the bottom seams of the rear two doors on my 2001 Ford Focus. Others may find my experience, approach and success of use when dealing with Ford. HISTORY. March 2008 - Whilst washing my car, I noticed rust at the bottom of the...

What you need to know before facing your driving test uk: I learned that for passing drive test you should have very keen knowledge of some driving test issues like, theory test questions, accessing online theory test questions, free practice theory test, theory test booking, motorcycle theory test,official theory test etc. Laughing so visit for theory-test.co.uk online here