Dear Friends,

We are a family of six and as I have a 5 seater car I wished to change with a KIA Carnival which was advertised in trading post for $4500.00. When contacted the lady straight away dropped the price to $3000.00.

All other KIA Carnivals I checked are over $10,000 and are not in my budget. Toyotas and Hondas are not in my reach.

I went and checked the car and took it for a small drive. It was smelling of oil and on looking inside I found that the engine cover had oil all over it and even one of the belts I could see was completely oily.

Do you think if I get the engine changed it will work alright? Would you know how much it will cost to do so?

Cars body is alright with no denting required but just needs new tyres and muffler (as told by the seller).

Kindly reply.

I agree 100 percent. My son's car has been nothing but trouble and the dealer does not care. It took them 4 days to diagnose his transmission! The trans they say should be replaced. The car is only 4 years old and they want 4500.00 to replace it! They did not even offer him a lender car. They told him to rent a car.

The bottom line is they Don’t Care. What can we do to expose VW to all?

New car very low mileage as is wife's second car, and out of warranty at 11000 kls.

Noisy wiper blades on first use, really bad. Took to agents and they wanted $65 each for rubbers, arms and blades. In time they did replace. After a big fight with the service manager. The replacement were just as bad, I replaced rubbers for $6.00 fixed trouble.

12500 kl could not engage 1st or 2nd gear. Agent said only two complaints of this trouble, but strangely they had a modification available, $139 plus fitting that required removal of motor at 7 hours and $85 an hour. Took to my local garage cost $139 and one hour labour $70. End of agents for me.

Then at 62000 kl broken timing belt, cost unknown, at this stage only happened a few days ago over the Christmas period, but am aware it could also involve bent valves and holes in pistons. Like you, will never purchase another Holden product. I will add that my 1990 Ford Fairlane just keeps on going with no major troubles and NO breakdowns.

Regards Col.

Evening,

Any feedback regarding this will be greatly appreciated. In the past 2 weeks I have noticed a consistently noisy rattling coming from the engine - of which I have been told is the tappets. Admittedly I know very little about cars and apart from the vague glazed look in my eyes, I can usually get by by simply bluffing. However, this sound is really starting to **** me. Although I have been told by family and friends, and not surprisingly the dealer where I have been getting it serviced that "it's nothing to worry about" I'm choosing to worry about it cause a V6 3.5lt shouldn't sound like my grandpas lawn mower.

It was last serviced about 4000k ago and had the timing belt changed and an oil change and all that other jazzy stuff I know little about, and is now at about 108,000. So it is still a nice young philly by any standards surely. I am reluctant to just go with what the dealer says or quotes, so I was wondering if anyone else out there had had the same issues with noisy tappets around the same kilometer age or earlier and what they found was the best fix the issue. And by 'fix', I mean 'cure', not 'band-aid', cause if I am to replace the tappets and fork out a thick wad of cash, I want to know that the sound won’t come back.

Coincidently, how much would it cost to replace them if this were the best solution?

Regards, Troy.

I am experiencing what I consider excessive wind rush/noise at speed of 50-60km hour.
It sounds like the window is slightly open and its starting to drive me crazy. The dealer has indicated it’s normal and can’t do anything about.

Has anybody else experienced the same in their RAV4?

Aaron,

I have a 2006 STX 4X2 with 40k on clock. I have had since new, reg service at Nissan etc. I have had a fuel minor issues. Fuel sender unit issue (I believe a factory fault) which gave faulty reading on gauge. This took 12 months to get solved as they did not know how to fix.

After 40k service I am awaiting the arrival of a new axle as mine has blown the left rear seal and has been leaking into the drum brake assembly. Ok not going to cost anything as under warranty. But lead time is 5-6 weeks from Spain. So hopefully in mean time the current diff does not give up the ghost?

They will be also replacing the drum brakes on both wheels under warranty also due to the oil contamination. So I suppose you can take some solace in the fact that you are not only person this has happened to. Please note I have a friend who has same model and exact same diff issue as mine happened but on right rear wheel.

Regards Mark

After getting rid of our 1998 2.8 turbo diesel for blowing its head twice!
I have a 2004 3ltr - blew its number 4 piston, it’s done only 130,000km.

Nissan has lost me!

If you suspect air is getting into the system, there is an old method to prove or disprove it. "Carefully" apply pressure to the fuel tank via the filler neck. I repeat "carefully" only a few psi required. If you indeed do have a system leak upstream of the pump you should now have a stain somewhere along the line or at a fitting.

"Note" When releasing the pressure, do it slowly as fuel can surge back up the filler neck if full enough.

Hi there, I have just bought my car, a Ford Fairlane V8 1995 model, and the other day was reversing out the drive when I hit the brakes, light on the dashboard came flashing on saying "blown bulb". I then check around the car to see that everything was working. Side lights, brake lights, headlights and reverse lights all working. Can some body help me on this as it may cost me a packet to take it in for it might be only a bulb to be replaced which I can do myself.
Thanks Cheers
George

Please don't tar all ABS systems with the same brush. There are two or three types and configurations of ABS systems fitted to cars. In essence, there are "2 channel" systems, which control 2 pairs or wheels, e.g. front right/rear left at the same time. These are usually fitted to cheaper cars. The "4 channel" ABS systems, found on higher end cars controls each wheel independently, and these systems are nothing short of brilliant!

I'd have to agree, the 2 channel ABS systems are a compromise and will surprise the unwary.

I got my Barina Jan of 2006 from Motorama Holden. I’ve had it for 2yrs in Jan and had nothing but problems. Have been through 2 lots of brakes because they were grinding and shuttering which has started again. 2 lots of front tyres because they went bald only on the outside, grinding in my suspension that has to be greased every 1 to 3 months. There is also the noise in the steering when I turn and when I have the aircon on, when I drive the steering is loose.

I’ve done a lot of km because of work so I can understand general wear and tare but I’ve also had to take it back 9 times because the boot lock kept breaking. And all they keep telling me is it's because of the km's but all this happened in the first 40-50,000km. Now even though it's still under warranty they want me to pay because they fixed it once. I went to them before they kept telling me that there was nothing wrong.

My advice, never buy a Holden because I won't be, and anyone I meet I’ll tell them the same thing.

Hi John I am a mechanic who was apprenticed by Holden and had Holdens all my life. I am now 48 years old, now to your question. A HSV system is what you need. The difference in hp and sound from a standard system is 100% better. That is one of the reasons HSV cars have bigger kW numbers. I own a 2003 HSV Senator 5.7 ls1 260 kW it sounds great and goes great.

Just one more thing fit a cold air induction system too then hang on. By the way your ecm will learn to adjust to the new parts over a few kls. I hope this helps Bob.

10 months old and not covered under warranty! Transmission has been in four times to be fixed - nothing fixed at all, they keep putting a computer up-grade for the transmission (when under power whilst overtaking a vehicle, it kicks back to 2nd gear and jolts the whole vehicle into gear).

Three rims are buckled, apparently due to normal road driving wear and tear. I've put nowhere near the weight limit in the back of the ute or driven it harshly. Tell me why this is not covered under warranty? It's the last Ford I will ever buy!

I had the same problem the other day, Arnott's Holden in Benalla quoted $994. to have the harness, temp & pressure sensors replaced. I had spoken to both them and Holden dealer I purchased if from Lieschke Motors Holbrook, but neither claim any knowledge of these being replaced under warranty/recall. I am having my own mechanic (who I can trust) fix the problem, but would like to know how you got Holden to reimburse you for the cost.

I have been reading what other users have to say about the Holden Astras. I have the 02 Bertone Astra convertible and I have to say while it looks good it is the worst car I have ever had in my life.

My key stopped working and it cost $300 to get it fixed (they didn’t even put me a new battery in it). This was done by a local mechanic as I was quoted $400+ by Holden. I had to have the ignition changed about 6 months ago $1100. The car just stopped working all of a sudden?

Now the driver window has shattered and am trying to find a cheap alternative to have it replaced. I've been quoted $600+ by Holden - does anyone have any idea where I can find a cheap driver window I live in Northern Suburbs (Melbourne) Please help ... this car **** am definitely putting it up for sale!

Overheating warning Monday evening 5pm on outskirts of Newcastle. I called Citroen roadside assist (I did not have their brochure outlining all you are entitled to with me -- only the card); they verified my details, yes, I was more than 100 k's from home; yes, I needed a tow. They organised the tow and goodbye. The tow truck (an NRMA truck) arrived pronto & said they'd be taking my car to Alto Citroen at Broadmeadow. Fine, tow truck man called a cab for me and that was that. No offer of accommodation; no offer of hire car; I was on my own. I didn't get a receipt for my taxi for other things, as I didn't know what I could claim.

Next day I rang to speak to the service manager, no way was I going to be put through. Instead I was put through to his assistant "Mel" who informed me that they were very busy; they’d had four "Tow ins" as well as mine. Maybe it would be looked at by Thursday; and that was that. I explained I was stranded in Newcastle and was from Sydney. I said I'd ring the following day. Same scenario on Wed & by then I'm out of pocket considerably. My husband who was in Sydney (205 k's away) rang on Thursday morning and demanded to speak to the service manager, and did speak to him, and insisted they put my car on the computer test (a ten minute test) to see if the heating sensor was faulty and it was. No, they didn't know when they could get a part; my husband suggested they take one from the showroom; surprise surprise they did; I could pick up my car on Friday at lunchtime. Over I went by taxi to the showroom. I was eager to meet this "Mel" who had been so helpful to me. One look was enough. Couldn't even say hello, make eye contact; Mel said "Sign this" pushed over my keys to me. "Your car is out the back", end of conversation.

In the paddock out the back was my car, filthy inside; but boy did I drive out of there as fast as I could. When I arrived home in Sydney later that afternoon, I opened the bonnet, and there was not a drop of water in the overflow container. Could have cooked the head!

I have since spoken to many Citroen owners on the North Coast, not one goes to Alto Citroen in Broadmeadow; not one of them had a good word to say about them; they all go down to Gosford to the Citroen dealer to get their cars serviced there or for any other problems.

No feedback from Citroen roadside assist ever to see if I was still stranded in Newcastle. I was out of pocket close to $1,000. I will submit a claim in the New Year as I have been away for 16 weeks (including the time in Newcastle) travelling in my job.

Ateco Australia (who brings in the cars to Australia) says they have never heard of any problems with Alto Broadmeadow.

Will I ever buy another Citroen? no.

It sounds very much like a fuel pump or fuel pickup problem. Fuel pumps also have a safety cutout, so in the event of say no oil pressure (e.g. car crash); the fuel pump will be cutoff ... with approx 10 to 20 seconds delay. Hey, check the fuel pressure sensor connection.

Most mechanic's can plug a diagnostic computer to see if it is Engine electronics and the state of the EFI computer inputs.

All the best.

I have owned an EBII for about four years and can't fault the reliability or the cost of repairs. When I bought it the gas struts that hold the bonnet up did not work but were only $36 each to replace. The only minor fault was the accessories relay failing but the car was still drivable. The only major fault was the failure of the second gear belt and solenoid. This cost $1200 to fix but it had 260000k's on it by the time it packed up. It now has about 300 000k's on it and still run's smoothly and pulls like a steam train.

I bought this car 'cos it was all I could afford at the time. I'm now a Ford convert.

I bought a new Suzuki Swift for my wife from New Spot Suzuki Main North Road Adelaide. It was my wife’s first new car and she loved it. We took delivery of the new car with low profile alloy wheels that the sales manager had on display.

After the first week we noticed a rubbing noise when carrying passengers in the rear. I reported it back to the sales manager who did not want anything to do with us now as the car now came under New Spot Suzuki Service department.

We booked the car in for inspection and the service manager raised the inner guards to try to give more clearance. Relief was short lived with us having to go back again many times over the coming months. Eventually the service manager said, "you need to wear the tyres down a bit” I did not believe what I was hearing.

The inevitable happened, a few more months went by and eventually the tyres had developed flat spots. This had the effect of creating a very loud droning noise to a point where you could not hear a passenger talk to you. I took the sales manager for a drive; we had only gone 200 meters when he said that’s enough, I will get Bob Jane to supply a new set of tyres.

When I took it back this time the service manager said the problem is the wheels are oversize and we should have kept the original wheels on the car. I contacted the sales manager for his opinion as this now seemed to be an inter department battle with the customer on the losing end.

The sales manager contacted the supplier Bob Jane T mart, to look into the problem. The representative said the tyres have flat spots because of incorrect sizing and he was not prepared to supply new tyres.

I explained to the sales manager that I was less than happy and wanted a new set of types. He arranged with Bob Jane to supply a second hand set with 1500 klms on them for $400. I wondered at the time why anyone would change tyres at 1500 klms (I was soon to find out).

The secondhand tyres were fitted, and sure enough the noise was gone (as expected) now that the flat spots were gone the droning was also gone. But now back to the original problem the rubbing of the tyres. The sales manager wanted me to pay 200 dollars towards the tyres which I had originally agreed to do. But now as we had proven the original problem was the rubbing I refused.

Two days later I needed to have a wheel alignment done as the car was pulling badly to the left. This was done three times and they could not get the wheels to drive straight. The manager at the wheel alignment center said it was the tyres that were the problem. I ended up having to buy new tyres. The car was driving like a dream but there was an occasional noise from the rear driver wheel. After the issue with New Spot Suzuki I decided to take it to Ultra Tune for a service.

Two Days after the service I took the car to New Spot Suzuki to have the noise looked at under warranty. A junior mechanic having seen the Ultra Tune service sticker on the window decided to make my wife an example asking who had serviced the vehicle and telling her it was Ultra Tune that had forgotten to do up the read plate on the wheel letting water in and corroding the wheel bearing!

The service manager took the mechanic at his word reported it to Suzuki as a non warranty item. When I went back with the car and the service manager inspected it personally he realised he might have been a bit premature reporting it to Suzuki as non warranty, not wanting to look a fool he decided to have me pay for the repair and then reclaim back on warranty. He told me that it most likely will be covered but he did not want to be left holding the baby ... The cost was $100!

I later that week received a call from the service manager to say Suzuki will cover the repair under warranty as a good will gesture this time, but I must agree to come back to New Spot for future service.

I am now seeking out Suzuki South Australia state manager and consumer affairs to inquire if it is legal to blackmail customers like this. I still have not been reimbursed for the $100.

Thanks for your ear,

Do Not Buy Any Vechicle From New Spot Suzuki. I have recently seen a gentleman with plackard outside the dealership in regard to his issues with vehicle.

Hi Guys,

I own a Jackaroo 2002 and a friend of mine has a rodeo 2002-3. Both of us did a full gear (automatic) repair at $3500 each. The cars have similar automatic gears and it is very unreliable. I have spoken to a gear mechanic who advised me the solenoid and bands system failed.

In your case, I think that your solenoid (I think that there are 5 there) is failing. This is causing the car to be in the wrong gear and as a result the whole thing goes. This is what happened to me.

My next car will be a Toyota …

Thank you to all contributors and readers throughout the year.

Special thanks to:

* L Davis - Bomaderry Australia
* Mark Kuran - Melbourne Australia
* Phil - Brisbane Australia
* Rob Adams - Sydney Australia - for advice on Astra ignition barrel
* Dale Morris - Perth Australia - for advice on Kia Carnival

and many others who tried to help fellow consumers and motorists.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

**** MERRY CHRISTMAS 2007 ****

I also have a Navara D40 diesel. It has been doing this since day one in December 06. It is worse when the tank is low. It has no guts down low and surges on cruising pedal between around 1600 and 2100rpm. I have towed my caravan with it and it was embarrassing. The worst tow vehicle I have had so far.

It has now done 55000km and has been back to local Nissan dealer on no less than 8 occasions (6 services and 2 special visits) to sort it out. On each occasion the dealer has told me they have plugged in the computer and there is nothing wrong with it. My last vehicle was D22 Navara, I had it for 3 years and 175000km and it **** all over this thing. I know there is a problem with it, but have just had no joy getting it sorted.

If anyone else has experienced this and had it sorted, I would love to know what it is. Maybe then I can let the dealer know what to do to fix it.

Thanks Rob we have an Astra Bertone Coupe 2003. Great description every step exactly as you described and it fixed my problem. Caught on Xmas eve with minimal tools and a stressed wife some makeshift tools a leatherman and your post saved the day.

Thanks Heaps

My near new 20,000 klm Euro Luxury has rattles in both doors and the dash around the glove box and radio. They are not minor, they send you crazy. They started from day one and the dealer had a couple of attempts and at 10,000 klm they then advised that any further work on rattles would be charged under Honda policy on rattles. I asked the dealer service manager if there were issues with other Euros, he said none that he knew of. Oh yeah sure.

I took the door trims off myself and stuck some foam rubber pieces in there which helped a bit, can't find the dash rattles yet. My first and my last Honda, my advice, buy the Mazda (got one also and it’s a gem).

I have 11/06 5 speed auto d4d Prado Grande that clunks in the gearbox at standstill. Toyota says no problem it’s normal. Family all have Toyota 4wds and all say something is not right.