The problem sound like water in the fuel. I have had this happen to me twice. The engine misses & the engine management light comes on. On the Patrol they use the engine management light a telltale for water as well as other problems.

Drain the fuel filter then reprime & test again. If you are in very cold country then keep the fuel tanks topped up as I suspect the area above the fuel when standing at night is condensing. Also had water in fuel on Nullabor after refilling at Mundrabilla. Got 60 km down the highway with engine miss & light on.

Hope this helps.

My 2002 radio/stereo won't turn on after the battery went flat. The fuse which is related to the radio has been replaced however, this didn't make any difference, the radio remained broken. Has anyone else experienced the same problem?

Hi Dale,
We have a 1999 Kia, bought in Jan 2007 in Melbourne with about 125,000kms. Driven from Melbourne to Sydney. Then in Jan 2008, from Sydney to Perth via coast road (5,000kms in 8 days), the car never missed a beat, we were very impressed. Now done 150,000kms.

May 2009, strange sound from motor. Loss of power. Overheated. Dead. Limped to Mechanic, who refused to touch it, but told me to google it. Not Happpy. Found this website. Very informative, thanks for your efforts.

After some investigation, we have been advised motor was replaced at 50,000kms, due to blown head gasket. Ready to take action, not to spend money on a car that we still have a large amount outstanding debt. I will follow your advice. Please email me any new info or updates you have, would be greatly appreciated.

I desperately need a workshop manual for 92 Jackaroo 3.2 SOHC petrol. I want the torque specifications and how to do valve/belt timing. I bought a cd from this online auction mob, it states clearly that it covers my 6dv1 motor but, nah its not there, just diesel. Help, anyone?

I'm guessing the wheel carrier fitted is an aftermarket unit, have you contacted the manufacturer?

Hey Tracey, sorry to hear your woes. My 2002 Holden Astra experienced the same problem and was towed to my mechanic. It is currently having the engines computer replaced at (mates rates) cost of about $1300. My Astra is one of two at my mechanics having this work done and so is surprise surprise a Barina. My mechanic curses these cars, he told me last year to get rid of it as it had reached the stage where I would be forking out on big repairs and he was right.

I also had the starter motor issue about 3 years ago though I think it is an ignition fault - I could take the key out with the engine running and not get it back in. This was in addition to the Air Con compressor that combined would have cost me about $1800. Warranty or not, I took Holden on at the time and was pleased with the outcome. I am happy to tell you more but off forum (feel free to email me).

My latest issues are exactly the same as yours though I had warning about 6 months ago. This time, heading into the city for a course my car started and when I accelerated there was nothing. When it happened previously, the check engine light came on but after about 5 minutes the car was fine and did not reoccur until Tuesday this week. I thought by the afternoon on my way home it would be OK but no, the traction control light was on and I had to get it towed. My mechanic hooked it up to the computer and instead of it telling him error, he got a multitude of them which indicated it was the computer so sent it to his auto electrician for a second opinion who confirmed that was the case. Mind you, on the Wednesday morning when he first looked at it the car started OK and he rang to ask what the problem was.

Yes I am spewing, yes I am one of many, and yes I am going to get rid of this car. I believe in essence that a vehicle built for a climate the extreme of ours is a bad move. I don't necessarily regret buying it, perhaps just regret not getting rid of it at 5 years old.

Try searching on Holden Astra complaints and you will build a bigger case.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) will be marking World Environment Day next Friday 5 June 2009, one year on from the launch of its Environmental Sustainability Policy and National Environmental Code and Management Plan.

MA, along with industry representatives, will be meeting to look at the progress that has been made in the last 12 months in relation to the environment.

MA’s celebration of World Environment Day follows the example being set by the world governing body for motorcycle sport - the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) – who has introduced an Environmental Charter to cover most of the main environmental issues in our sport, from the protection of the ground to the management of waste material.

Any interested persons are welcome to come along and check out the static motorcycle displays, as well as witnessing the announcement of the inaugural MA Environmental Achievement Award.

This will take place on:

Friday 5 June 2009
12:30pm – 1:30 pm
Sol Green Reserve
Corner Montague Street and City Road, South Melbourne

As the peak body for motorcycling in Australia, MA is dedicated to encouraging more Australians onto motorcycles for recreation and sport, and to cut its impact on the environment.

More information can be found on MA’s Environment page on its website.

VACC, the peak Automotive Industry body in Victoria, has expressed concern that Caltex Australia is to enter into an agreement to buy 302 Mobil service stations sites.

The agreement is now subject of a review by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).

“VACC and the Independent Service Station owners have grave concerns about this proposed move,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.

“On the face of it, Caltex seems to be entering the retail fuel sector. But the reality is Caltex is already active in this market with 748 outlets. Acquiring the Mobil sites will only result in this multinational increasing its presence to some 1050 outlets.

“People forget, and let us hope the ACCC have not, that Caltex has an alliance with fuel retailer’s Woolworths, which equates to about 38 percent of the retail fuel market.

“By acquiring Mobil’s retail segment, Caltex will enjoy around 44 per cent of the market.

“If you take into consideration the Shell/Coles alliance, then, if this move goes through, the lions’ share of the Australia’s retail fuel outlets will be controlled by two oil majors and their supermarket partners.

“VACC and the Independent Service Station owners hope this fact has not gone unnoticed by ACCC. If it is truly concerned about protecting business, then ACCC should block this move. If it is serious about being a consumer watchdog, then ACCC will prevent Caltex’s purchase of Mobil service station sites.

“This move would be bad for consumers and the Industry. Independent Service Stations will not be able to compete with the supermarket retail sites because they do not enjoy any price discounts at the wholesale level, which is controlled by Shell and Caltex. Without the Independents, the motorist will pay more because the supermarkets will be unchecked and able to charge whatever they want at the pump.

“VACC calls on ACCC to stand up and take action. We call on the ACCC to block this move and to send a message to big business that dominance of the market place is unhealthy and not in the best interests of the consumer,” Mr Purchase said.

VACC, the peak Automotive Industry body in Victoria, has welcomed comments by Liberal MP, Bruce Billson, regarding the recent decision by the Government to transfer automotive training into a manufacturing Skills Council.

Mr Billson, MP for Dunkley (Victoria) told the House of Representatives that the Rudd Government’s decision to allow Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA) to oversee automotive training was a ‘bad’ one.

“At a time when I thought competency and skills in an increasingly sophisticated sector such as the Automotive Industry would be very important and when manufacturing so often holds up the Automotive Industry as an example of world-class, day-in, day-out endeavour and of what Australia and Australian companies can do, they were left out,” Mr Billson said.

“This is another opportunity where the Government can show that its commitment to the Automotive Industry goes beyond some of the big public statements, the big media events.

“Perhaps if the Skills Council had had a hard hat opportunity that the Automotive Industry could provide, they might have got a better look in.

“This decision is a bad decision; it needs to be changed and I encourage the Government to do that,” Mr Billson said.

VACC and the Automotive Industry are campaigning for the Minister of Education and Training, Julia Gillard to reverse her decision to transfer automotive training to MSA.

“The decision leaves the Australian Automotive Industry without a say in its own training needs. No one knows the Automotive Industry better than the Automotive Industry itself so it is astonishing that we have been pushed to the outer of what is a critical area of the Industry,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.

“This issue has united the Automotive Industry in its condemnation of the Government’s decision. Our 5,500 members, the components sector, the other Motor Trades and Industry bodies, unions and now a Member of Parliament all agree that the Government must rethink.

“The issue is gathering momentum and the number of dissenting voices is growing. We hope the Deputy Prime Minister takes notice of Mr Billson’s comments,” Mr Purchase said.

Hey guys has anyone had any problems with the clutch in the Hiluxs. Mine tends to smell a fair bit when towing.

I recently had the battery in my 2002 Barina replaced, but now the radio is not working as I need to enter a code. I do have a code (2991), but don't know how to punch it in as the numbers on the radio go from 1 to 6. Could anyone help?

I have a 2002 TJ Magna, I get about 100kms to 11 ltrs, that’s around town, haven’t taken it on a trip yet.

Just purchased new Navara in storm grey. Paint work has an orange peel look to it and in some places is almost mat paint colour. Anybody else had a problem with this? Taken back to dealer and they are looking at it next week. Any suggestions?

Unfortunately the information you have received from the dealer is correct.
The 3's have a noisier than average engaging clutch on the A/C compressor.
This has been deemed to be a normal operating noise from the manufacturers of the Air Con Compressors, which are not produced by Mazda. You could put 5 new compressors on it & they would all sound the same.

Hope this helps a little.

Regards, Jay.

I'm happy to be part of this. I've had mine since January 2008 and I started keeping a log book shortly after that. Over the last 33,000 km's, I've achieved an average of 12.84 L/100 Km. The best I ever achieved (only once) was 10.22 L/100 Km going from Canberra to Sydney, which is basically a down hill run. Average on the highway is 11 to 11.5.

Some time ago, I spoke to the Environmental Protection Agency in NSW about removing the DPF and they actually said they understood why I would want to remove the DPF. My argument is that I would assume the 20-30% increase in carbon emissions outweighed any benefit gained from removing soot from the exhaust. When I subsequently spoke to Nissan, they said that it wouldn't affect warranty unless the DPF removal directly caused a problem.

Feel free to contact me, my D40 Navara has about 35,500 on the clock and I've been keeping a full fuel consumption history for the last 33,198 Km. Nissan has so far refused to help with this saying my fuel consumption figures are normal for the model. I did actually get one of the customer service reps to admit it was the DPF once. They haven't done that since though...

Danny

Hi Greggy, you may have been lucky... the 2004 motor was improved but it is still recommended to replace the belt at 80,000 if not 60,000.

Well done.

Had my Getz serviced at ultra tune, mechanic told me that it was too slow to engage from reverse to neutral to drive and to take it back to dealer as it is still under warranty. Dealer said 'it's a feature of the Getz', am I being **** around?

Also, Hyundai dealer tells me warranty may be void for getting it serviced at ultra tune instead of them, is this correct? First service was done at dealer, 15,000 and 30,000km service done at ultra tune.

I have a Nissan Maxima TI 2006 year model with only 35k KM's. About six weeks ago I took it into a Nissan authorized repair centre and told them about a non-functioning remote which Nissan calls an "Intelligent Key". This key operates the doors as well as the ignition (keyless). Both remotes have been working since I have had the car and all of a sudden the remotes just stopped working. It's been six weeks since I have had my car in the repair shop and according to Nissan they are still trying to figure out what’s gone wrong. The remote won't program anymore with the car. The dealer has also tried replacing parts after parts after parts and still no luck. Nissan keeps asking for more parts to be replaced each week and new procedures to be tried to program the remotes to the car.

I am paying close to $700 per month for this car and not even driving it. I am not sure how many parts are there in that car that are associated with a simple remote control (keyless entry that is). I am now getting so frustrated about this. Also Nissan only has a customer service department that takes customer calls. There is no other person at Nissan Australia that I can speak to re my car. I have asked Customer service to get a Nissan rep to contact me but the answer I get is "our reps are not customer facing so you can only talk to us". How can a company like Nissan not have an escalation team? Absolutely unbelievable.

I think there is a fault in the cars. Until your remotes are working, you are good but as soon as those remotes die or if you ask for a new remote, I bet all Maxima's would have the same issue. I asked the dealer if they have ever done another remote programming before and they said no one wants to buy another remote since they cost $400 so they have never had to program a new one. I really like the car and enjoy driving it but because of this problem and the fact that Nissan does not really have a good escalation point for issues, I am going to think twice before I buy another Nissan in Australia.

I have a Kia Carnival 2000, first year it was running nice then it started funny sound and I feel engine was getting warmer. Then it start to use a lot of water, then a week before the car has gone forever when I took to the garage. He told me to change the engine which will cost me $6100.

Matt, now that is good news! I've been waiting to find out if this could be done without having to get some second rate solution made up... Obviously I'll be calling them as soon as you post the details.

Danny

We are having the same problem with Nissan. Our fuel economy is great the 2008 STR is not even 3 months old and has rust spots on the roof... Our problem. I say not. Our tonneau stretched after weeks of it being new. Our problem apparently. We say Not. Nissan are useless if anyone knows if a higher party we can go to get their problems fixed please let us know. I’m not backing down.

Cheers

Hello Dale, I have got oil in the coolant of our 2002 Carnival 88000kms. What can I do now regarding Kia? Cheers Mick.

Sorry to hear you’ve joined the ranks of the Kia Carnival disaster club! Thought I’d let you know Today Tonight have run two stories on this, you can watch them on you tube.

Also, a class action is underway, details on how to get involved will be released shortly so make sure you check back here regularly, or on kiacarnivaldisaster.com which will also launch very soon.

Good luck!

2002 Barina bad paint work on roof. GMH refusing to help with pain work on roof states not their problem. Must be someone else’s handy work, this car has had only two owners and other owner swears he never did a thing to it. I have seen several Barina's with this problem. Has anyone else had this problem? Please contact me I want to unite and get GMH to help out and admit that it is their workmanship gone wrong.

Change fuel filter, remove all unnecessary weight in vehicle.