Ask The Guide

Unless it’s a massive leak that drains the oil from the engine, which is most unlikely, it won’t affect the engine.

The cap has a hex nut on it and you can unscrew it using a regular hex socket. It’s a regular right hand thread. If it’s really tight just go easy, don’t apply too much force.

Depending on what you want from them either one would be a good buy. The Falcon is a reliable good car with few foibles; the Territory is also a good car if you don’t buy the early model. If you can afford it the diesel Territory would be the best choice.

I wouldn’t recommend either of them as a budget buy, unless you have deep pockets. They are both too old. While they might not be very exciting, a car from one of the big Asian brands, such as Mazda or Toyota, would be a much better choice for someone with a limited budget.

It’s hard to diagnose from a distance. As the engine appears to be running ok, the noise and black smoke might well be a particulate filter burn-off event, but you wouldn’t normally expect to see smoke or hear what sounds like an explosion. The dealer can check the filter and the burn-off history, so they should be able to see if there has been an event. I would think the transmission problem is a separate issue, and the transmission might need servicing.

They’re not any more or less expensive to maintain than the Mazda or Ford. A VW dealer will be more expensive than an independent mechanic, but there’s nothing to prevent a regular mechanic from servicing it.

You’re right to be wary of the Golf, but apart from the well publicised stories of trouble with the DSG gearbox a few years ago it has been in more recent times a sound vehicle. We get very few complaints from owners of these later cars, so I wouldn’t be concerned about buying one. The Cerato is also a fine car and would be a good choice. If I were forced to choose I would probably gamble on the Golf for its driving dynamics.

You’re not alone; the auto transmission in that model is well known to give trouble. As the car is now seven years old and has done 116,000 km it is well outside the warranty on both counts, so you’re not likely to get much of a hearing from Holden. But it is worth approaching the company about replacing the transmission for you free of charge, or at the very least, at a discount. Tell then that you know there is a problem with that transmission, and that you understand that they have replaced transmissions free of charge in the past.

Barinas were noted for their electrical problems. It could be an earthing problem, or a wiring problem, the only way to find out is to trace it through the wiring loom, or enlist the help of an auto electrician.

You need to persist in trying to get a resolution form Kia. You have already been told that it is a warranty problem, and Kia has a responsibility to resolve it. That the software manufacturer is no longer in business is Kia’s problem, not yours, and they must find a solution to the problem. As you have already been in contact with Kia head office continue to press them for an answer.