niCarFinder.co.uk

Shudder at the judder

Q I have a Toyota Carina II built in 1991, a 2.0 automatic. The engine cuts off but judders first as if starved of fuel but the tank is at least half full. It will re-start eventually. I've checked all electrical and fuel connections and fitted a new air filter. But I can't locate a fuel filter, any ideas?

A With thanks to the Toyota technical department, the fuel filter should be located in the engine on the right-hand bulkhead. As for what could cause these symptoms, it may be worth inspecting the carburettor for contamination and inspect the anti-run solenoid for correct operation.

Stalling

Q My car always starts, whatever the weather, the problem is when I stop at a junction. Firstly the revs drop down, all the warning lights come on and then the revs climb again. Sometimes it stalls and I have the same problems when turning the steering wheel on full lock. There are other minor electrical glitches. I did get my local garage to clean out the throttle body
but I'm still stalling.

A To an electrical specialist it sounds like a problem with the wiring harness. There could be a loose wire. A garage that can fault code read your electrical system may be the easiest answer. Alternatively the idle could be affected by a faulty control valve, although when the garage cleaned the throttle body they should have checked it.

Noisey windscreen

Q My car is generally very quiet, but I have noticed that at motorway speeds there is a lot of noise from around the windscreen. I have looked at the seal and it seems fine to me.

A The most obvious cause would be the bonding agent on the glass itself. This can wear away after several years. However, if your windscreen was replaced in the last few years it may not have been sealed properly. In that case you will need a specialist to remove, clean and re-fit it. If you have a sunroof it will probably be worth looking at the seals, just in case
the noise is coming from there.

Volvo or Saab?

Q I intend to change my car to either a Volvo S80 or Saab 95. I seek your advice on which one to buy.

A Both are big, comfortable and safe Swedish executive cars. They are best bought used because depreciation is considerable in the models' early years. The S80 is only available as a saloon; the 95 can also be bought as a stylish estate, so if practicality is an issue, go for the Saab. But the Volvo is the more modern design. Both are well-equipped and comfy, so go for a drive. The ultimate decision has to be yours.

Long-term storage

Q I have stored my car in my garage since the beginning of February and I don't intend to use it until December. Apart from taking the battery out of the car, leaving the handbrake off and changing the tyres, I did nothing else. Is there anything I should do to the engine before I turn the ignition in December?

A Ideally, you should have taken your car for a good long run to evaporate any harmful condensation and ensure that it is completely dry, then parked it in a dry, airy place, such as a well-ventilated garage. The car should be given a light service, changing the oil and filter. The cooling system should then be flushed and the water or anti-freeze replaced by special storage fluid.

These products are available at most car accessory shops or from your dealer. Disconnect the battery and grease the terminals. Leave the windows open. Cover the car with a cotton sheet. Overinflate the tyres by 5-10psi. Every few weeks move the car so that the tyres don't go out of shape. Give the battery a brief charge.

Press the clutch and brake pedal a few times so that they don't stick. Don't leave too much petrol in the tank. It will degrade. When starting the car, disconnect the ignition and rely on the starter motor to turn the engine several times
so that oil can lubricate the moving parts.

Warning lights

Q When I switch the lights on I get a warning on my vehicle display unit that says there is a rear light failure, but they work properly. I took the car to a dealer who said it was the actual check control module. So instead of paying their charges I fitted it myself. Trouble is I still get that warning, so what's going on?

A This could be nothing more than a faulty bulb. It could be working but with increased resistance. It could well be a faulty brake light switch, which needs to be replaced.

Day at the track

Q I have signed up for a track day with some friends and have been given all sorts of advice. Indeed, I'm not even sure I want to do it.

A You should bear in mind that your car won't be insured on the track, and your tyres may not last more than a few laps. You are likely to blow oil seals resuling in a messy bay. Make sure the oil and filter are fresh and at the maximum level on the dipstick. Tyres should be a couple of psi over the recommended pressures.

Poor performance

Q I recently bought a secondhand Ford Fiesta 1.4 with a reconditioned engine but the performance has been dreadful. Any ideas?

A Take it to a garage and ask them to carry out a compression check. This will give you some indication as to the condition of the pistons, rings and bores. If the prognosis is bad try and get your money back. If private then they misrepresented the true condition of the car and if a dealer then under EU law it is their obligation to prove that the faults did not exist at
the time they sold it.

Sliding doors

Q Reading about the new Peugeot 1007 in your road test section with its sliding-doors, what would happen if a robber put his hand through? Would it stop the door from closing?

A According to Peugeot this is a safety feature designed to stop people injuring themselves. They do shut slower than conventional doors, but the robber/arm/door scenario can just as easily happen with a conventional door. The automatic doors certainly don't make the chances of a robbery any more likely.

At your service

Q I want to service my 1999 Ford Mondeo 2.0 Zetec as it is coming up to 60,000 miles. I think I can do the basic bits, but anything complicated I will get a garage to do. I'm concerned about the mileage at which the timing belt should be changed. I asked my Ford dealer and they had no detailed schedule and just quoted for a full service. I was a bit unsure about what I read in my Haynes manual when it came to the service schedule for this particular model.

A Ford helpfully faxed through a Service Checksheet, which runs to two pages for that particular model, which has the Duratec engine and manual gearbox. Changing the timing belt is not mentioned, but as your car is more than five years old, I would recommend that it is done even though Ford says it can be done at 80,000 miles. Belts have finite lives and many manufacturers recommend that they be changed every two to four years irrespective of the mileage covered. If you do not feel confident enough to do this it is a procedure best left to a garage which has probably done it hundreds of times already. Otherwise, replacing the pollen filters, checking fluid levels, changing the oil is very straightforward. The Mondeo was designed to be easy to look after and it is.

Shudder at the judder II

Q My brakes constantly shudder and they looked fine so I suspected it was the suspension and replaced the bushes and to be safe fitted new discs and even set up the steering again at a garage. However, just a few thousand miles later the problem returned. One thing I have noticed is that there is no shudder when the brakes are hot. What is happening?

A You could be suffering from warped brake discs. This often happens for a reason, mostly sticking callipers. So disassemble, clean, or replace the parts if necessary. Alternatively it could be a failing flexible hose. There could be an obstruction or a build up of grime. These parts are very cheap and  you might as well replace them and it ought to be the first item you check. If they are clean then go back to the callipers.

Stutter

Q My mid 1990s BMW 3 series seems to lack power under all motoring conditions. Accelerating hard only seems to make the engine stutter, but slowing down it picks up again more smoothly.

A Most mechanics might diagnose a failed Lambda sensor or catalytic converter. If your fuel consumption was heavier than normal this would point to those failures. You need to visit a specialist with diagnostic tools. We've been told the replacement sensor should be the genuine article by Bosch which will last longer than a cheaper replacement.

Down to earth

Q When I put the brakes on in my car the interior light comes on - bizarre, especially at night. Any ideas?

A Is your car old and just a little bit rusty? If so it is more than likely to be an earthing fault. Also read your owner's manual because there could be a light-control module which is faulty and should only cost a small amount to replace.

Fobbed off

Q The key fob for my car operates the alarm and shuts the electric windows, but only the front ones. However, I can operate each window from inside the car. What's the problem?

A The problem is most likely to be that the key fob does not shut all the windows. The rear ones are probably on a different circuit. I'm sure the person who sold you the car said that it did the four window trick, but in reality it is only going to be the fronts.

Go with the flow

Q My 1982 BMW 320 won't idle properly when cold, and when I accelerate, it judders. What's going on?

A There are a number of faults. It could be an air flow meter which is on the blink, or a failed coolant temperature sensor. The sensor does what it says and supplies the car's electronic brain with information about the engine's warmth. With cold engines, they need more fuel, so out comes the choke. When it fails, the engine either doesn't get enough fuel, so it runs
roughly when cold, or alternatively it gets too much. That could be the source of your rough running.

We have lift off

Q I have a diesel Mondeo that runs very well until the fuel level drops low. It becomes harder to start and sometimes cuts out in traffic. I'm getting really annoyed by it now.

A It could be the sender unit and your gauge may not be working accurately. These are simple items that any garage should be able to check fairly quickly. Many cars, however, have what is called a lift pump in the fuel tank. This takes the fuel from the tank to the main injection pump. If it fails the car will still work, but when the level drops the main pump can't cope. So if you have a full tank and it starts easily then it is probably be the lift pump.

Od one out

Q The digital odometer in my Volvo has gone a bit bonkers. It counts upwards in random amounts and sometimes even backwards. What can I do?

A Your mileage chip is probably on the blink. You will need to consult an auto electrician to find out where it is. On early cars with the digital systems it could be part of the loom, while on others it was part of the instrument cluster. If it bothers you then get a secondhand item from a salvage yard. Get a quote for fitting it, however, as the cost may outweigh the benefits. Otherwise, guestimate your mileage for servicing purposes. I ran a car with temperamental odometer for two years and managed perfectly well.

Bag safety

Q What is the minimum safe distance from a driver airbag? 
 
A According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, placing yourself 10in from your air bag, measured from the centre of the steering wheel to your breastbone, provides a clear margin of safety.To change driving position, move your seat to the rear while still reaching the pedals comfortably. Slightly recline the seat. If this makes it hard to see, raise the height, or use a firm, non-slippery cushion. If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the air bag to your chest instead of your head and neck.

Idle Rover

Q I've got an liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) converted Rover 25 which idles erratically. Why?

A Conversion should be carried out in accordance with the LP Gas Association's code of practice. The bad idle could be due to a number of problems. Petrol is used to start the engine through electronic injectors and they may not be shutting off,.The computer chip controlling the system may need to be reprogrammed, so go back to the convertor.

Light's out

Q The light in the boot of my 2001 Jaguar XJ8 keeps falling out.

A If your XJ8 is still under warranty get it sorted out at the next service. However, if the light is mounted in the carpet, that may be shrinking and loosening the light fitting. Blu Tac is a quick fix, or some electrical tape will provide a snugger fit.

Blowing cold

Q The heater in my 1990 BMW 316 only blows cold air. Why is this?

A It could be a failure of the heater matrix, or a leaking head gasket which directly affects the cooling system.Replacing the head gasket is the more costly option, as the top of the engine will have to be dismantled.