Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2024 i Car Mechanics

Our bumper issue contains a supplement on Gadgets (see from page 46 onwards). We welcome your recommendations too, so please send in any ideas to me at the above email. On pages 70-71, our ‘top gadgets’ section from CM contributors and readers, looks at tools we’ve purchased that we could now not do without. Two tools recently bought that had me wondering how I managed without them… I was working on my 2004 Toyota Corolla Verso brakes. The brake backplates (dust shields) were basically just full of rust – the offside fell off as I tugged at it. I know backplates aren’t a requirement for a MOT pass, but me being me, wanted to put it back to original condition. Thinking that as each backplate was held on with three…

By subscribing to Car Mechanics, you'll start saving money straight away. Use our great offer (below) to subscribe and you'll receive each monthly magazine for less than you can buy it in the shops. Hurry though, this is a limited time offer. Plus, we will send you a Ring Automotive 4-amp Smart Charger & Battery Maintainer free of charge. Join thousands of satisfied subscribers & never miss an issue To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ring Automotive, we have teamed up with the UK market leader in supplying vehicle bulbs, tyre maintenance/battery care products and workshop inspection lamps, to offer Car Mechanics readers one of its 4A Smart Charger and Battery Maintainers. Order your subscription today and you will receive a FREE Ring 4A Smart Charger and Battery Maintainer. 3…

A common issue with the Insignia hatchback is that the boot switch mechanism can stop working. If the boot only unlocks on the key fob, it’s highly likely that this is the issue. While it’s not a big deal and some people choose to ignore it, it can be annoying to live with and as a genuine Vauxhall replacement switch only cost £23.50 it’s not going to break the bank. Ours was part number 13422268 supplied by the Vauxcentre (vauxcentre.co.uk). Fitting it took under an hour and proved straightforward with only basic tools needed, so it’s quite a satisfying evening or weekend fix. 1 If the key fob unlocks the tailgate without issue, there’s clearly nothing wrong with the mechanism, so just the tailgate switch needs replacing. 2 Open the tailgate and…

There was a time when air-powered tools were the ultimate set-up inside a garage or workshop. The biggest investment is often the air compressor, which needs to be capable of producing enough compressed air to be able to operate a selection of tools, some of which may be used for long periods of time, such as a polisher, drill or saw. So, look for a CFM (cubic feet per minute – 1 CFM is roughly 28 litres per minute) rating, which indicates the amount of air the compressor can supply. It’s also important to know the capacity of the compressor’s tank for storing that compressed air, which is usually measured in litres. The larger the tank, the less times it will need to be refilled, which helps to cut down…

Glow plug removal Q My 2015 Audi Q3 2.0 TDI engine (CUVC) management light has come on and using my VAG-COM has given me a code P0674-00 glow plug circuit on number 4-cylinder. I am looking for advice on the removal and installation of a new plug. My issue is not to break the old plug taking it out! Is there anything I should do to assist the removal? Any tips you can give? Do you know what torque for the removal and installation? Any special tools required, long socket and size required also the location of number 4 cylinder on the engine. John Hynd A The code P0674 does as you correctly say indicate a circuit malfunction in number four glow plug, and the problem may be in the circuit and…

What an entertaining month it’s been for the 2006 BMW 118d. Have I finally banished the two main gripes? First was the instrument cluster going mental on first start-up. BONG! it would exclaim, lighting up like a Christmas tree with the speedo and rev counter needles flicking back and forth – the only way to stop this was to turn off the engine and restart – very boring. Some said it was water in the Park Distance Control (PDC) module (it was dry), others suggested that my fitting a BMW Professional radio from a much later car in place of the horrid original (BMW Business) caused it. That may have explained why the rear PDC had stopped working – the PDC bongs come through the radio and speakers. I must…

This listing is published every THREE months and will next appear in our February 2025 issue. We welcome further nominations (from satisfied customers only please, no self-nominations) of businesses to be included, so that we can make this listing as useful as possible to readers throughout Britain and Ireland. Please write to: Car Mechanics Good Garage Guide, Kelsey Media, The Granary, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Kent ME18 6AL. Or email: martyn.knowles@kelsey.co.uk AVON Lockleaze Service Station, Lockleaze Road, Bristol BS7 9RU. BERKSHIRE Mike Farina Auto Services, 21 Sedgewell Road, Sonning Common, nr Reading, Berks RG4 9TA. Tel: 0118 972 4036. Servicing, repairs. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Stokenchurch Service Centre, Wycombe Rd, Stokenchurch, Bucks HP14 3RR. Tel: 01494 483355. Servicing, repairs, tuning, MOTs, welding, exhausts, batteries. M D Autocare, 54/55 Rabans Close, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP19 8RS.…

Our 14th ‘yellow book’ is now on-sale at WHSmith stores and online. As part of the CM Expert range, we have put together this 100-page book printed from previously published articles in Car Mechanics. Dedicated to the BMW range of models, we cover many subjects – buying guides, parts advice, servicing and various common repairs that you might find on an aging BMW. Priced at £9.99 – or a digital copy at £8.99. See our website at: shop.kelsey.co.uk/single-issue/car-mechanics-expert-magazine/014…

New research reveals extent of MOT crisis in Great Britain Data crunched by motor factor delivery partner Gophr, has revealed the true extent of the MOT crisis in Great Britain, as garages struggle to get cars back on the road. A lack of MOT-authorised garages, increasing numbers of cars on the road combined with vital parts becoming harder to source quickly, means that mechanics face a pile-up of vehicles awaiting tests to prove that they are roadworthy. Gophr’s ‘Pressure for Parts’ research, has shown that the number of MOT-authorised vehicle testing stations (VTSs) in Great Britain that can carry out class 4 MOTs (the standard MOT test for most cars or vehicles with up to 8 passenger seats) has dropped by 167 in the past 12 months to 22,962 vs…

We intended to renew the DMF on our Caravelle this month, but it's a full day (or more) in the workshop and we've not had ramp time available at the moment. We will cover this in the next issue. So, it gave me time instead to send our Caravelle T5.1 to the bodyshop for some small repairs and full respray of the rear tailgate. The VW Transporter can come with two types of tailgate – either one large panel, hinged from the roof area or barn type doors (two), opening outwards and hinged from the side of the van. I sent the Caravelle to my local bodyshop – Coastal Auto Body in Eastbourne. Owner Chris explained that as the tailgate was rusty in one area and had a deep scratch…

New source of stock? The Dealerway trade buying and selling app launched on September 30. This has developed from Facebook group PartX Gold, which was founded by north-east based trader Scott Sibley has been running as a trade-only car buying and selling platform for some time. Dealerway.co.uk, which is run by Scott and Stephen Douglas, both of whom have “decades” of direct motor trade experience and have found it increasingly difficult to source decent quality stock. They also wanted a quick and easy way of disposing of part-exchanges and other cars which aren’t suitable for them to retail. Everyone involved must provide proof of ID and a motor trade insurance certificate, but on top of that, they must be verified directly by means of a live phone call. The App…

SAVE OVER £32* & GET A FANTASTIC GIFT WORTH £ 99!* WHEN YOU ORDER A CAR MECHANICS SUBSCRIPTION EVERY ISSUE INCLUDES ● MONEY-SAVING FIXES ● PROJECT CAR REPAIRS ● EXPERT ADVICE DISCOVER OVER 200 OTHER GIFT IDEAS AT SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/STOCKING OR SCAN ME MAGAZINES | ANNUALS | BOOKS | CLOTHING & MERCHANDISE | CALENDARS | EVENT TICKETS Reasons to buy A magazine subscription is a great gift for someone special: 1 Personal and thoughtful – match their interest 2 Fuel their passion, help them stay inspired and informed 3 Provide enjoyment all year round, delivered monthly 4 Perfect for people who are difficult to buy for 5 Delivered directly to their door! 6 Saves you money on the shop price 7 PLUS receive a Meguiar’s Car Cleaning Kit worth £99 So, buy…

TOP GADGET ONE-MAN BLEEDING There are several ways to bleed your brakes or hydraulic clutch, but when you’re on your own, it can get a little more awkward and time-consuming. A oneman bleed kit is often the answer and whilst there are a number that operate from compressed air from an air compressor or spare wheel/tyre, this one from Car Builder Solutions for £54 has its own manual pump. Connect it to the reservoir, pump up the pressure and start slackening those bleed nipples. TOP GADGET Peter Clayton’s ROTARY TOOL “I never realised how much I’d benefit from using a rotary tool such as a Dremel until I bought one!” exclaims CM contributor Peter Clayton. “They are especially good for cleaning up nooks and crannies with sanding and wire wheels,…

The fourth generation of the popular Kia Sportage first appeared in 2015, lasting until 2022 and being facelifted in 2018. The example we’re servicing is powered by a 1591cc turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 174bhp at the flywheel and can propel the 1583kg SUV from stationary to 60mph in 9.2 seconds. Under the skin of the Sportage, there’s space to access all the serviceable items and inspect the brakes and suspension. The air filter is one of the easiest to change that we’ve seen. The cabin filter requires the glovebox to be detached, but all the fittings are straightforward to remove. And when it comes to changing the engine oil and filter, there’s only an undertray in the way. We visited AES York Ltd to follow the service of this…

Bought from new and once the daily driver of the household – our 2006 MINI One R50 had now become neglected, assigned to the driveway for a little over three years. With all my attention on keeping the rest of the fleet operational, the little runaround had been regrettably sidelined until recently. On its last drive before hibernation I did ensure the fuel tank was brimmed to keep condensation in the tank reduced (E5 was also used, but this was before E10 was even a thing). A generous dose of fuel stabiliser to keep it from going off too quickly was also tipped in. It had a good long drive, giving the engine a chance to get hot enough to force any moisture from the oil and crankcase. Once parked…

OCTOBER 2024 Turbochagers & Superchargers • Project VW Caravelle 2.0 TDI, Pt4 • Project BMW 335i, Pt7 • Focus Mk2 Door Mirror & Electric Windows • Buying + Owning: Hyundai ix20 • Audi A6 2.0 TDI Oil Pump • Service Bay: Peugeot 108 1.0 • Electronic Diagnostics: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. SEPTEMBER 2024 Understanding Wet Belts • Project VW Caravelle 2.0 TDI, Pt3 • Project BMW 335i, Pt6 • Hyundai Santa Fe Droplinks & Rear Bushes • Buying + Owning: Audi A4 B8 • Porsche Cayman S Discs & Pads • Service Bay: Suzuki Ignis SZ-T Dualjet • Electronic Diagnostics: Ford Transit Custom 2.2D. AUGUST 2024 A Guide to DIY Painting • Project VW Caravelle 2.0 TDI, Pt2 • Project BMW 335i, Pt5 • Clutch Clinic: Ford Focus Mk2 1.6 petrol…

I’ve had a spot of luck this month and managed to fulfil another lifetime’s ambition. I’ve found myself a lovely garage/workshop which is big enough to hold the entire classic car collection in one place. It’s secure – owners live next door has light and power, and there’s room to store them all, and without cramming them in so tightly that I can’t get to any. But the real clincher is that all this occupies just half of the available space. The other side contains the real piece-de-resistance – a Bradbury four-post lift which looks to have come out of an MOT station somewhere as it includes front wheel swivel plates. At the time of writing this isn’t operational (the whole place has been unoccupied for at least a year)…

SUBARU IMPREZA Cylinder pressure loss There was a pronounced misfire when this 2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX drove onto the forecourt. This was also accompanied by a popping sound from the exhaust and the first check once the engine had cooled down was to carry out a compression test. This was conclusive and showed a lack of compression in number 1 cylinder. With the flat-4 engine this an engine out and cylinder-head off job. The book time for this is just under nine hours, and once the engine was removed and the cylinder-head released from the block, the offending exhaust valve could easily be seen. The next stage was to strip out the old valves and then recut the valve seats before fitting the new exhaust valves. With the new…

GENERAL Nut extractors Q Do you have any experience with these rounded nut/bolt extractors. There seems to be two types of design available – the spiral flute type and (for want of a better description) the straight edge type. Both Laser and Draper offer the latter type and I’m just wondering which design is the best/effective and if you’re able to recommend a specific model. Also do you have any experience with barrier creams? I have eczema and wearing gloves in warm weather can leave my hands quite pruney. I’ve been looking at them online and I’ve seen “derma shield” which gets good reviews, but then it ought to given its price. A product called PR88 has caught my eye, it seems to get good reviews and is reasonably priced…

STOP! And think for a moment One of the best phrases I like to hear is ‘how long is a ball of string’. This is everyone’s normal ‘go to’ quip when something silly is asked like how long a light bulb should last or when is an acceptable length of time for a fuse to eventually blow. Well, recently I was talking to a chap a few doors down whose wife runs an old Suzuki Alto. It was mentioned during one of those “ere, you might know” conversations that often occurs during driveway banter – how long should a pair of brake discs last these days. Now this is a very good question that begs the answer in the form of the sentence at the top of this article. The…