Ask Honest John

Most recently answered maintenance questions
Your correspondent in ‘Drain on Resources’ appears to be too simplistic in his views on independent garages and his preference to franchised dealerships. I have had some very bad experiences using dealerships...
I worked on a 2007 Ford Focus yesterday. It was fitted with alloy wheels. To undo the wheel nuts required a three-foot extension to the T-bar. To then remove the wheels required several heavy blows from...
I run a Citroen C4 SX HD1 110 diesel that is now eight years old, with 93,000 miles on the clock and still running fine. The car is serviced according to the handbook by the local Citroen dealer. Financial...
Our 2002 Renault Scenic 1.6 automatic has clocked exactly 45,000 miles. On a recent motorway journey of 150 miles I decided to check the economy and was horrified to find it was only 26mpg. We only use...
My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe has been main dealer maintained from new and has been exceptional in every respect. It is now coming up for its next service at 70,000 miles and the cambelt has never been changed....
I have a 2004 Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI Estate that has done 105,000 miles, that I've owned for three years and am planning on keeping for the foreseeable future. The dual mass flywheel failed last year...
When I eventually change my BMW Z4 35is, I think that the natural choice would be a Boxster S. However, I have no need for a practical car at all and wonder if a Morgan (perhaps a 2-litre 4-seater) would...
As I am contemplating buying a car with Renault's TCe 90 engine I have read with interest your recent comments on overheating turbos and would appreciate your advice on some points. Does carbonising build...
I am writing to thank you for the reply you gave to CS of Woodstock recently relating the changing of a camshaft belt on a Volkswagen Golf. My wife owns a Polo which is six years old and has a mileage...
After writing to you last year I was concerned about buying my Volkswagen EOS 1.4TSI. However, I am delighted with it and have no regrets. The short-term inconvenience of some winter condensation is more...
 

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