http://www.carsguide.com.au Carsguide's Question and Answer column will provide you with tips and solutions for your car troubles. en Copyright 2010 Carsguide {gmt_date format="%Y-%m-%dT%H:%i:%s%Q"} Cars for Sale - Buy used and new cars from private sellers and car dealers. Find road tests, new car reviews and more at carsguide.com.au. http://www.carsguide.com.au/img/logos/logo-carsguide-small.gif http://www.carsguide.com.au/ 206 55 Cars for Sale - Buy used and new cars from private sellers and car dealers. Find road tests, new car reviews and more at carsguide.com.au. Search Carsguide keywords http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/buy-a-car/search/ http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/nissan_navara_engine_fail?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-09T11:00:53+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide I have a 2009 Nissan Navara 2.5 diesel and I am concerned about the stories I have read about these motors failing anywhere from 60,000 to 120,000 km. I have also read about the timing gear failing. Have you heard anything about this and if it's true what can I do to prevent it?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/nissan_x_trail_towing_load?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-09T11:00:52+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide What would be the safest towing load for my 2002 Nissan X-Trail auto 2.5, and what would be the best/safest towing set up?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/navara_makes_pinging_noise_when_cold?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-09T11:00:41+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide The motor in my 2007 Nissan Navara 2.5-litre turbo-diesel stutters or hesitates and makes a pinging noise when it's cold, but it's okay when it's warm. I have had it to two mechanics and they couldn't fix it. What's wrong?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/suabru_outback_coolant_leak?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-09T11:00:36+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide My Subaru Outback 2.5 EFI has developed a slow leak at the rear of the engine between the head and the block. I have had it pressure tested and that's the only place it's leaking from. It doesn't overheat and there are no bubbles in the radiator or water in the oil. I have had the water pump checked, radiator hoses, radiator, and there are no leaks. I have had three independent reports by mechanics that say the same thing, to fix the problem it's necessary to pull the motor out and I have been quoted $2800 to $4800 to do it. It's only done 176,000 km and I am pretty pissed off at having a head gasket go at this low kilometres. Any suggestions for a fix?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/nissan_maxima_handling?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-09T11:00:27+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide How can I improve the handling of my 2010 Nissan Maxima?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/renault_megane_miss_in_engine?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-09T11:00:20+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide Last year my 2004 Renault Megane Turbo Spots started to play up with a sorta miss in the engine when at a constant speed. It's not there on acceleration, only when cruising. I have had four mechanics check it, but none could find anything wrong. They changed the alternator and the exhaust sensor, the injectors were cleaned three times, new spark plugs were installed, had the vacuum test and the camera up the exhaust pipe. Don't know why they did that. One said it was a sticking exhaust valve, but that would cost $4000 and it might not fix it! I'm out of ideas. I don't want to get rid of it as I love it, I was also insulted with a car yard offering me $5000 for it. What can I do?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/vt_commodore_lpg_conversion?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-02T11:00:24+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide I have a 1999 VT Series II 3.8-litre V6 that has done 217,000 km and I'm wondering if it would be suitable for converting the LPG? Currently I am traveling between 1000 and 1500 km per week. I have not had a problem with the vehicle and would prefer to not have to change it, unless the life expectancy or suitability for the conversion was a potential issue.

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/ford_escape_oil_leak?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-02T11:00:24+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide My 2007 Ford Escape has a minor oil leak, and the local Ford dealer has told me that the sump gasket and timing cover oil seal need replacing. As the vehicle has only traveled 70,000 km is this unusual? He has quoted me a price of $2175 to fix it, which seems like a lot of money for a minor problem. Have I got any options other than pay this price?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/ford_territory_failed_solenoid?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-02T11:00:23+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide I have just had a quote to repair my AWD 2006 Ford Territory after the 'Shift Solenoid Failure Code' came up. A changeover automatic transmission was recommended at a cost of $7200! The car is only five years old and has only done 127,000 km, can that be right, it's only worth $15,000? What are my options?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/ford_territory_lpg_conversion?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-02T11:00:19+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide Where can I get my 2007 4-cylinder Toyota Camry converted to LPG, and how much should it cost?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/mazda_bt_50_clutch_shudder?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-02T11:00:12+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide We have been permanently on the road with our 2010 Mazda BT50, towing a 21-foot caravan, that is under 3-tonne load limit, and we are experiencing clutch shudder. We have already had one clutch replaced at approx 20,000 km, and we are now up to 33,000 km and have the clutch shudder back. Is this normal, or is it because they have too light a clutch system and not meant for pulling constantly, as they claim? We have spoken to others with the same problem, and also to people with Nissan Navarras who have to replace clutches as well.

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/mitsubishi_magna_timing_belt?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-02T11:00:08+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide When should I change the cam timing belt on my 2003 Mitsubishi Magna?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/clogged_mazda3_diesel?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-01-26T11:00:54+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide The DPF on my 2008 Mazda3 diesel has failed through being clogged. The car is under warranty but Mazda has refused my claim because the DPF cycle was not reset at each oil change, some of which I did myself. I had not been advised when we purchased the car, or at any subsequent services at the dealer, or indeed when we purchased oil and filters at the dealership that Mazda has a requirement that at each oil change the computer (DPF) must be reset by the dealer. I don't agree with Mazda's rejection of my claim, which I believe is valid. The car has been serviced as per maintenance schedule, the major services have all been carried out by the dealer, oils and filters for changes other than major services were all sourced from the dealer, and we have extended warranty time on this vehicle. How can a company require that you return it every 10,000 km to have the DPF reset?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/au_falcon_dual_fuel?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-01-26T11:00:38+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide How often should I run my dual-fuel 2001 AU Falcon, on petrol? I currently run three tanks of LPG to one tank of petrol.

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/changing_brake_fluid?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-01-26T11:00:12+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide It seems to have become a relatively recent change in car servicing schedules to replace the brake fluid every two years. I can't remember ever having had a brake problem with any of my previous cars, quite a few of which were six to eight years old without ever having the fluid replaced, or bled, for that matter. Has the quality of the modern fluid fallen off so badly that this is necessary, or is this just another dealer ploy to increase the new car sales profit?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/holden_colorado_4wd_control?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-01-26T11:00:02+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide Recently while driving my new Holden Colorado on a bitumen road I noticed it was in 4WD, presumably because I inadvertently engaged the 4WD button while loading or ejecting a CD from the player that is located immediately below the 4WD controls. Are you aware if this is a common occurrence, and would any significant damage have resulted by driving the vehicle over a distance of 50-100 km.

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/holden_commodore_fuel_consumption?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-01-26T11:00:00+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide My 2002 VY Holden Commodore uses half a tank of fuel to travel 100 km to work one day a week, which is about three hours of driving. Is there a problem with the fuel system or is this normal?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/holden_rodeo_lpg?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-01-26T11:00:00+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide My 1999 3.2-litre V6 Holden Rodeo has been running nicely on LPG for three years, but it now about half a tank of petrol per two tanks of gas. I have pulled the petrol pump fuse, but that makes no difference. I notice the injectors are running when it is on gas, but I don't know if this was previously the case. If I put a solenoid valve in the petrol line the injectors would be running dry and that might not be good for them. No one seems to know what to do. Where do you suggest I start looking at this problem?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/falcon_xls_noisy_engine?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-01-19T11:00:49+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide I've recently bought a 2002 5.4-litre Falcon XLS Ute. At cold idle the engine is quiet, but after a trip when the engine is hot it does get a fair bit noisier, particularly when at idle. Is this normal? I'm getting around 14.6 L/100 km around town and close to 500 km per tank, is this normal or too much?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/toyota_prado_fuel_consumption?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-01-19T11:00:48+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide I have just returned from a trip in my 2005 Toyota Prado, and was unpleasantly surprised when I calculated my fuel consumption at just under 15 L/100 km. I was pulling a camper trailer, mostly on freeways with very little stop/start driving and I would have expected much better fuel economy. I got better from my old V8 Falcon. Would this be in the range you would expect?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]>