car clutch Clutch Vibration Problem

Fiat Punto Clutch problems- since 2004? Popular car in Halifax UK

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Fiat Punto Clutch problems

Fiat Punto have had a raw deal when it comes to clutches

 

So, recently, we have noticed that we have done more than our fair share of clutches. Especially on the Fiat Punto model of car. Interestingly, then I decided to do a little research. Finding some real horror stories. Subsequently, going back to the 2002 Punto models.

One unlucky customer. The owner of a “52” plate Punto 8 valve version. Complained to me about several problems that he had encountered. Including a very bad transmission judder and other small irritants. Unpleasant things, such as engine noises and various oil leaks. Recently, he had just had a clutch fitted! But 1400 miles later the juddering had returned.

Checked out his car on Fiat forums

Inquisitively, he too looked up the Fiat forums. Noticing the amount of Fiat owners who were experiencing various clutch problems on their Punto’s. So, the cars came mainly from the main dealers. Coming from different parts of the country. However, it looked as though Fiat knew about the problem. Subsequently,  did little about the Punto problem.

Interestingly, other Fiat owners were experiencing problems. Especially, with a low biting point clutch pedal and rattling noises. Increasingly, when changing gears. Sounding as if there was a broken spring rattling noise. This can be a common sign that you have a clutch that needs changing. But disgruntled customers did not get much joy from Fiat. Indeed many Fiat drivers opted to have their clutches changed by an independent garage. In some cases a mechanically minded friend or relation was called into to help ?

Other owners complained about their  pedals becoming hard when pressing to change gear. This then developed into them hearing scratching and clicking noises coming from the pedal area of the car, once again this is a sure sign that you need a replacement , in fact this is similar to the latest customers car that we fitted a new clutch to the other weekend and sure enough when we stripped it down the Punto needed a new clutch.

Fiat Punto clutch went again after only 2 weeks

Thank goodness the one that we did the other week was good and the car ran well after we had fitted it with a new clutch, but for some owners that was not the case. One unlucky gut had recently had a new clutch fitted, only to find that a few weeks later the same problems had come back to haunt him. The car had also had a new clutch pedal fitted, but after a few weeks the car once again became difficult to change gear, back to the same problem as pre new clutch?

The problem turned out to be a problem with the clutch bleeding. The mechanic who repaired the car did not know how to bleed the clutch because the Punto’s do not have a normal bleeding nipple system as do many other models of cars and for some reason some air had entered the fluid system of the clutch, making it difficult to change the gears again.

These Fiat Punto Clutch problems were corrected by the garage.

Who had just fitted the new clutch and the mistake was just put down to lack of Fiat Punto experience. So, this can very often happen in a garage that repairs mixed makes of cars.

Going back to the Fiat Punto in at my garage for a clutch. Well it was only the second clutch that this particular car had fitted since 2004 (ten years), so I do not think that that was at all bad. The job to fit a Fiat Punto clutch is one of the easiest to do and the car was back on the road in a couple of hours, the customer was delighted and off he went a few hundred pounds lighter, but happy?

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. We are members of Unipart Car Care centres and give a nationwide guarantee for all our work and parts.

Keep Your Car Safe

Repairing his girlfriends car-Man fined for driving Midlands to Pembrokeshire to fix girlfriend’s car during lockdown

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Repairing his girlfriends car

Repairing his girlfriends car

So, all that I can ad to this is that the guy must be very unlucky! Unluckily, the unfortunate guy was travelling to his girlfriends home during the recent government lockdown. The guy told the police that stopped him that he was on his way to repair his girlfriends car. In the hope that this was a good excuse to go out and about! However the police thought differently and proceeded to prosecute the unfortunate driver.

So, he was finally prosecuted and fined a total of £811 by Llanelli magistrates, the guy must have felt sick! Finally I do feel sorry for drivers that are prosecuted for these sad Corvid 19 rules that we all have to endure in these sad times. personally then I am able to travel due to the fact that I own an online business selling and delivering batteries all over the UK.

A man who attempted to justify a lockdown trip from the Midlands into Pembrokeshire by claiming to be traveling to repair his girlfriend’s car has been ordered to pay a total of £811 by Llanelli

Source: Man fined for driving Midlands to Pembrokeshire to fix girlfriend’s car during lockdown – Garagewire

3 Critical Car Maintenance Tasks You Cant Afford To Skip

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)-and summer tyres-can both give you Temperature Problems

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 TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring systems).

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems

So, “Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems” have been around for quite a while now. it was developed to compliment  cars that were fitted with run flat tyres or cars that did not have a conventional type spar wheel and tyre.

When a run flat tyre loses pressure, there is no way of knowing so a special valve with a sender, was invented and when there is a loss of air pressure in the tyre the sensor in the tyre valve picks this up and sends a message to the cars computer which lights up a warning light in the cab and alerts the driver that something is wrong with one of his/hers tyres.

The idea is a simple one really,

but it is not that long ago that a driver would not go anywhere without his spare wheel? How things have changed. Now most cars are fitted with in cab warning technologies and it is very common for us to see on a daily basis.

There is however one thing that has cropped up, those drivers may not know. This is that the Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems in susceptible to temperature changes. This is basic science, when the temperature rises then the air expands and when it cools down then the temperature lowers.

Monitoring Systems valves.

When the temperature drops on cold freezing night. Then so does the air pressure in your tyres. Pressures can drop as much as 10 psi on a really cold night. This can then trigger off your tyre pressure warning light in the car.

It may not happen to all cars! But it is worth noting that if this happens to you. So then you will know what has been happening on that cold dark winters night. In some cars the light will correct itself. Going back out as the air temperature rises. Subsequently, you could increase the air pressure in your tyres and this will stop this happening.

The second temperature related part is the way a summer tyre acts when they get cold too!

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems

TPMS and summer tyres in the cold

This temperature issue is probably a little bit better known, but here goes. Summer car tyres and winter car tyres. Importantly, have different chemical compositions in their tyre compounds. The main difference is the addition of “silica” compounds. Into the mix that makes the winter tyres.

The different compounds are there to give different characteristics to the tyres in different weather conditions and heat and cold. Summer’s will get much stiffer and harder in cold weather, making the tyre more difficult to handle when braking and cornering. This change in character starts to come in when the temperature gets below 7 degrees.

Winter tyres remain flexible in the cold-Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems

The winter tyres with their different compounds will remain flexible and pliable in colder weather and this combined with a tread design that has been developed to dissipate water, slush and snow, makes the winters  the perfect fitment for your car from November to march here in the Northern hemisphere.

If you are looking for a set of tyres for your car at this time of year then I would strongly advise fitting winter tyres, they have been proven time and time again to be the safest option for your car and your family.

As an update then the Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) have increased to nearly all car makes and models. So, the importance of tyre pressure to save fuel and emissions cannot be under estimated! So, moving on a few years since I first wrote this post then a few things have happened! Firstly, as reputable tyre dealers then we have to keep a large stock of electronic valves to replace old ones that break or just need replacing.

Going forward we are finding that most problems are caused by seized up metal valve caps. So use plastic valve caps where possible. Importantly, when the warning light comes on please check out the tyre and the tyre pressures ?

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Shock Absorbers- Nissan Micra

Shock Absorbers Nissan Micra: MOT Test-Failure if they are Worn and Leaking

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Shock Absorbers

Shock Absorbers Nissan Micra

SShock Absorbers Nissan Micra

The most frustrating thing about shock absorbers and struts (which are basically the same thing) is that they are sealed units and although they are classified as maintenance-free, they will

very often start to leak. In some countries, shock absorbers are known as dampers because that is exactly what they do: they damp down and level out the bumps that your car is picking up as it drives along the road.

Depending on the model of your car, Shock Absorbers Nissan Micra

If you are not sure what this is, then you can perform a simple bounce test. All you have to do is press the corner of your car a few times with your body weight and then stop the bouncing.

Once you stop

your Nissan Micra should settle back down straight away. If it bounces again more than twice, it will very often start to leak. In some countries, shock absorbers (Nissan Micra) are known as dampers and require changing. You do this procedure on each corner, bouncing the car and then releasing it.

In my opinion, this is not a very satisfactory way of checking your shock absorbers, but at the moment, I have not seen a satisfactory machine that will do the job. The best machine that I ever saw and consequently bought was a tester that was sold by SUN Equipment.

You drove the car onto vibration plates

which shook the suspension very violently, and then suddenly stopped. The action of the shock absorbers was then recorded on paper printouts via an ink needle, similar to the ones used in hospital heart machines. If the pattern was tight, then the car shock absorbers were good; if they were wide, then the shocks needed replacing.

This was a great machine because it produced a print out so that the customer could see the state that his shocks were in. Ironically, the machine was scrapped by Kwik-Fit after I sold them the business’s and I don’t think that they are made any more.

How do Shock Absorbers work? Shock Absorbers Nissan Micra

Some cars never have their shocks replaced, but with age, the ride of your car will get bumpier and the steering will be all over the place when cornering, although this is sometimes

blamed on the car’s tyres; it is more often than not the shock absorbers that need changing.

As I have said earlier, the most common problem is the fact that they leak oil.

Of course this can also be found in a suspension check! If this is the case, then they will need to change. Any kind of shock absorber works on the same basis. There is a piston rod that enters a chamber that is filled with oil. The piston has oil seals to prevent leakage.

As the piston is compressed by the weight, it takes on the force of the road surface and the car. Your shocks take all the up-and-down pressure (bumps), and the car’s chassis remains level, or as level as possible, while driving along.

When the shocks are worn or broken, you will get an uneven ride in your car. I think that the worst culprits for this are cars that are used as taxis. You can often feel the older cars bouncing up and down as you drive along, and apart from alcohol, I am convinced that this is one of the reasons that people are sick in the back of a taxi.

Shock Absorbers- Nissan Micra
Struts are normally fitted at the front of cars and are fitted inside a coil spring unit.

These are known as McPherson struts,

and just like shock absorbers, they can leak oil. These struts, along with the springs that they are inserted into, can very often break, and the symptoms  are rattling and banging noises coming from the car when going over bumps in the road. This is another problem that the potholes can cause. “Broken springs”

An old perennial that keeps cropping up is that when a shocker has to be replaced,

should it be replaced in pairs? In my opinion, this is a grey area. The manufacturers always recommend that you fit two, and I think that this is the perfect scenario, but in practise, the customer wants to get away with having to spend as little as possible, and in general, only one is fitted.

The rule to this is simple: if your car is relatively new, then just change the one; the one on the other side should still be good, but if the car is an older model, then you should change the shocks on each side of the same axle, backs or fronts. This will give you an even ride and more stable cornering.

Normal shocks are fairly easy to change for the home mechanic

But the struts are more difficult and require some special tools, such as spring compressors, so I would take your car to a local garage for the work. Shock absorbers nissan micra oem, Shock absorbers nissan micra cost, Replacement shock absorbers nissan micra.

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mot test-Online Bookings on Increase

MOT demand Moderate-Not as bad as expected thanks to ‘beat the rush’ campaign, data shows – Garage wire

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MOT demand Moderate -Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown: An Overview of Recent Changes to MOT Testing


The COVID-19 pandemic unquestionably altered the appearance of the world in a variety of ways, and the pandemic’s ripple effects continue to have a significant impact on our lives even as we make progress towards returning to normal. The automotive industry is one sector that has undergone significant transformations as a result of the pandemic.

This is especially true in the United Kingdom, where the Ministry of Transport (MOT) testing has been subjected to significant revisions during the most recent lockdowns. The alterations were made to ensure the continuation of essential transport services while simultaneously protecting the public’s safety.

MOT demand Moderate -Extensions to the Emergency Situation: The Initial Response

When the COVID-19 pandemic was in its early stages, lockdown procedures prompted an urgent need to reevaluate the protocol for MOT testing. Because traditional methods required vehicle owners and MOT test centre staff to maintain close contact with one another throughout the inspection process, these methods posed a risk to both parties.

The initial response from the government of the United Kingdom was to offer an automatic extension of six months for all vehicles whose MOT certificates were set to expire between the 30th of March and the 31st of July 2020.

This decision was an important step in the right direction because it ensured that key workers and those who needed to make essential journeys could use their own vehicles without having to worry about MOT inspections.

The Cancellation of All Future Extensions and the Return to the Previously Scheduled Testing


As the MOT extension period progressed towards its conclusion in August 2020, lockdown restrictions gradually became less stringent. Once again, in order to ensure everyone’s safety on the roads, vehicle owners were mandated to have their MOT tests completed on time.

The growing concern that the extension could lead to an increase in the number of vehicles on the roads that are potentially unsafe led to the decision to resume regular MOT testing. This decision was made because of the growing concern.

This choice did not come without its share of difficulties. The unexpected increase in the number of vehicles that needed to be tested caused backlogs in many testing centres. In addition, the necessary adherence to additional sanitization measures and social distance, which were both required, slowed down the process.

mot magazine, mot special notices, dvla mot requirements, mot testers, dvsa mot testing.

Testing for the Ministry of Transport in the ‘New Normal’: The Revised Procedure


In order to remain competitive in the market, MOT testing centres were required to implement COVID-19 safety measures into their standard operating procedures.

Commonplace precautions included limiting direct contact with customers, using seat covers, sanitising high-touch areas of the vehicle before and after the test, and cleaning high-touch areas before the test.

In addition, MOT testing services are increasingly turning to technology in order to simplify operations and reduce the amount of face-to-face contact that customers have. The implementation of contactless payment systems, online booking platforms, and digital communication for the purpose of providing results has seen widespread adoption.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) encouraged drivers to book their MOT tests in advance and to consider getting their vehicles tested even if the expiration date of their MOT was extended. This was done so that the agency could deal with the backlog.

MOT demand Moderate What Should Be Done About Failed MOT Tests While the Facility Is Locked Down?


During the period of the lockdown, one of the most common concerns was regarding the processes that would be followed for vehicles that had failed their MOT tests. If a vehicle failed an inspection, the owner was instructed not to drive it again, with the exception of driving it to a repair shop or to a pre-booked MOT test after the repairs were completed.

However, some garages provided a collection and delivery service for vehicles that needed MOT tests or repairs. This was available to customers who needed to maintain their level of privacy.

MOT demand Moderate

Conclusion


The updates to the MOT testing that were brought about as a direct result of the lockdowns are a testament to the adaptability and resilience of the system in the face of a crisis that has never been seen before. As we work our way through the aftermath of the pandemic, it is unclear what other shifts may take place in the landscape of MOT testing. This is something that will be determined as we move forward.

However, the overarching objective has not changed; it is still to guarantee that vehicles operating on UK roads meet safety and environmental standards. The primary purpose of the MOT test continues to be of the utmost significance in terms of protecting both the general public and the environment, irrespective of whether or not a pandemic is currently underway.

So this attached article follows on from previous MOT testing updates! Of course which were brought about due to the recent “lockdown” due to the Corona Virus. Consequently, in their wisdom the UK Government suspended all MOT testing for a six month period! Un-surprisingly, this meant that there would be a bottle neck for MOT testing stations.

However this article thinks that the back log of test is not as bad as they first thought.

Here at Pellon Autocentre in Halifax UK, we are about three weeks fully book for MOT testing. Importantly, like many testing stations then we have a good booking in system which works really well. This along with a reminder system has enabled us to keep on top of things.

Many of our customers have been very patient and understanding when it came to testing their cars and vans. So, any work that is required to get the vehicles through the test is carried out by our non-testing staff. So far this has worked out fine concerning the problem of MOT demand Moderate and things are moving very smoothly to date.

The number of MOTs set to expire in October and November is less than originally forecast by the DVSA. Data analysis by GiPA suggests that the number of MOTs due this month has decreased by 12.

Source: MOT demand not as bad as expected thanks to ‘beat the rush’ campaign, data shows – Garagewire

First Time Drivers Guide

V W Problem Heater- VAG cabin heating not getting hot – Garagewire

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V W Problem Heater

V W Problem Heater

Importantly this also includes the following car models-Audi A3 (8V chassis), VW Golf (mk7), Seat Leon (5F chassis), Skoda Octavia (7N chassis).

So, this article explains about the repair instructions for a problem with the vehicles heater not working correctly. Fixing the heat exchanger blockage fixes the problem and explained in this attached article!

Opus IVS has released details of diagnostic support its IVS 360 VAG team offered to a technician requiring assistance with intermittent heat problems. Job sheet Makes and models: Audi A3 (8V chassis), VW Golf (mk7), Seat

So, looking back to the good old days. Then the modern driver knows nothing about car heating problems. As an old but active garage owner, then I can go back in time when certain cars were equipped with a blanket. Yes a blanket was provided to put over our laps keeping us warm. Heaters were very finicky and fragile often failing to work at all. Especially in cold winters. My first job as an apprentice mechanic brought me into contact with the first British leyland minis.

These little cars were also freezing cold with very ineffective heater systems that often failed the driver. Thankfully things have changed big style including the addition of air conditioning in most car models these days.

Source: Problem job solved: VAG cabin heating not getting hot – Garagewire

Check Your caravan Tyres

Michelin Zero Pressure Tyres-Run-Flat tyres will get you out of Trouble in an Emergency

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Michelin Zero Pressure Tyres

For high standard of equipment and In all fairness Michelin are not the only company to make a run-flat product. Most tyre companies including some budget tyre brands make a run-flat tyre.

Michelin’s call their tyre the ZP or Michelin Zero Pressure.

This of course refers to the fact that when the run-flat tyre deflates, it will carry on running with zero air in the tyre. This is exactly what the run-flat does. Because of the much stronger

side walls the tyre will not deviate from its course. The driver is warned about the deflation from inside the car by the TPMS system (tyre pressure monitoring system).

Let’s face it our roads are probably the busiest in Europe. Consequently, nobody enjoys having to change a wheel at the side of the road. In fact they now warn us to stay well away from the car. Preferably, at the top of the embankment. Importantly, while the recovery truck turns up! Because of the many accidents caused by broken down vehicles. Of course, being hit from behind by other vehicles who lose concentration and smash into them.

With the Michelin Zero Pressure run-flat technology fitted to your car. Then this will be avoided. These tyres will lose pressure from a nail or a screw penetration. But your car will keep a straight line and you will be able to drive home. Albeit at the reduced speed of 50 mph, but the tyre will let you travel 50 mile. Naturally, which should be enough to get you out of trouble and have the tyre changed

Michelin Zero Pressure Tyres-Can you mix run-flat tyres with normal radial tyres?

Michelin recommend that you should never mix a Michelin Zero Pressure run-flat tyres with a non-run-flat normal radial tyres. The only exception to this rule is if you were stranded in the middle of nowhere. With the only tyre depot for miles around could only get you a normal tyre. Subsequently, then this would be acceptable as a last resort, get you home step and the tyre must be changed back to a run-flat as soon as possible.

The Michelin Zero Pressure run-flats have completely different sidewalls; they are made of much thicker materials and are known as “Self-supporting tyres” or SST’s. They have two other identification markings on the sidewalls.
1: ZP allows you to drive at 50 mph for speeds up 50 mph (most of the M1 motorway at the moment)
2: ZP SR allows you to drive for 20 miles at 50 mph

Michelin Zero Pressure offer the same ride capabilities as a normal radial tyre

The first time I drove a BMW Mini that was equipped with run-flat tyres I thought I was in an old truck going down a cobble road. The ride was horrendous, and my staff, who regularly test drive cars say that this is a common thing, the ride is very hard, because the sidewalls are so thick and re-enforced. Michelin claim that their Zero pressure tyres are not the same and give just as good a ride as their normal radial tyre range.

Although I have not tried out as car fitted with Michelin Zero Pressure, this has got to be a step in the right direction and I will try out these tyres as soon as possible to quantify their claims.
However some fleet companies are now looking at the Michelin , because of the more comfortable ride and also improved fuel consumption. These tyres have been tested by fleet company Alphabet’s Operational Services Manager, Andy Williams,
He explained: “The comfort compromise everyone used to associate with run-flats has disappeared with the latest technology of tyres.

I have tried Michelin’s new Zero Pressure (ZP) range

Trust me, you can’t tell the difference from standard tyres. Yes, there have been critics of run-flat tyres in the past, but Michelin has answered all of them. It is high time fleet managers start to embrace the new technology as it has so much to offer.

The combination of a smooth ride and the increased safety is something they just can’t afford to ignore. The fact that a tyre keeps its shape when it loses pressure could be life-saving in the event of a tyre blow-out.”
As I have stated earlier this means that the fleet car user can now safely drive the vehicle to a tyre centre or garage and have the tyre replaced.

This will help to reduce down time caused in the past by the driver calling out the emergency services because they are not able to change the wheel themselves, or the car is stranded in a dangerous place.

For the private drivers who are fitted out with run-flat tyres it would be well worth trying out these new Michelin Zero Pressure, because of the better and less harsh ride, that is associated with the other run-flat makes of tyres.

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles.  We also sell Michelin Zero Pressure Online .

Scrap Tyre Dumping Returns

Am I getting soft on Part Worn Tyres? 22% of British Drivers Now Using Them-should we be worried?

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Part Worn Tyres

 These are very alarming figures 22%, almost a quarter of the driving public are buying these part worn tyres

But I am now thinking differently about the problem. In my opinion the Part Worn Tyres market has increased due to the financial crisis and a lot of young families are having to make

huge economic changes in their household budgets, but they regard their car as sanctity, a necessity, they will keep it running at whatever cost, even if it means running the car without insurance or road tax.

This is also where part worn tyres come into it. If it means keeping the car running then they will pay say £20 for a part worn tyre, I do not think that they care about its condition, all I can say is that they must trust the person that they are buying from, as long as it gets them about and they can keep their car running.

It is the tyre industry that should make sure that the tyres that these people are using are in fact safe to use and come under the Part Worn Tyres law (Under The Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994 (reg.7.) part of the Consumer Protection Act) that we have here in the UK and probably other countries too.

17% of drivers would also keep buying part worn tyres.

In my opinion the economic crisis has hit us all to the extent that we will probably never recover again. The retail market place has changed considerably over the past years, with consumers having to make huge cuts in their spending habits. This includes everybody, and I have to admit that includes my family. We are changing our shopping habits and the companies that are making changes to cope with the lack of consumer spending are becoming the winners.

Starting at the top of the chain, families are now shopping on a daily or twice weekly basis. Here in the UK the winners are becoming the smaller chains such as Lidl and Aldi, who are pushing the huge supermarket customers into second place, primarily because of the changing shopping habits of the consumers. We also having the cheaper clothing retailers who are doing well in this climate, stores such as Primark are sweeping the floor with much cheaper clothing than the high street stores, who are suffering from the general downsizing of the consumers.

In my opinion this is also the same problem that is affecting the tyre market at the moment.

Drivers at the lower end of the economic scale are forced to buy part worn tyres to keep their cars on the road. According to the recent survey 17% of these drivers would also consider a repeat purchase of part worn tyres, which could mean that these people are taken out of the new car tyre market altogether. There has always been a slice of the tyre market that have bought second hand tyres, but this time the increase is quiet significant and is effecting many of the smaller tyre retailers up and down the country.

Fighting back with cheap budget tyres

One of the knock on effects of this gap in the market place is the price deflation of the budget tyre brands. My own business has seen a Sharpe increase in the cheap new tyre market. The manufacturers that are suffering are the mid-range tyre market and the leading companies appear to be holding their own, we are still getting our customers asking for their favorite brands. These are usually the older drivers that are known as the “Silvers” and that include me?

These are the drivers that will stick to Michelin and Dunlop and can still afford to pay the price for them.

I am only forming my opinion on the facts that are affecting my tyre business here in Halifax Yorkshire UK. But asking about and traveling around has opened my eyes to the number of part worn tyre bucket shops that have opened up in the last few years has quadrupled. The increase in these operations has opened my eyes to the extent of our industry wide problem. We seem to be more at the battle front in the poorer northern towns, especially the ones with a large immigrant population, such as Halifax.

Part worn tyres are also affecting the large companies

This problem probably multiplies the more depots that you own , so the huge tyre companies such as kwik-Fit must be pulling their hair out, in fact This recent survey was financed by Kwik-Fit and its findings were released to the rest of the industry. Roger Griggs of Kwik-Fit said…

“This research highlights the problems that British drivers have experienced with part worn tyres. Many of the second hand tyres sold in the UK are brought in from Europe by the container-load, having been taken off cars across the Channel. Motorists considering a part worn tyre should perhaps ask why a tyre that is no longer good enough for a Dutch, German or Danish driver would be good enough for them.

‘We recognise that drivers are keen to keep their motoring costs low, and we work hard to provide products and services to help them do that. There comes a point where cutting costs can compromise safety and this is especially true with tyres. After all, these are the only thing connecting a car with the road, so we urge drivers to consider whether they really need to opt for the unknown quality of second hand tyres.”

My problem with part worn tyres is the number that are found failing due to the damage that was already present

Of course, when the tyres were fitted to the new customers car. This is due to the fact that tyres that are sold are not sold legally. Here in the UK we have a set of rules that states that part worn tyres should be tested for any faults or damage or objects in the tyres and the tyre s should be checked whilst under pressure. Then after the tyre is checked and found to OK, then a special patch should be stuck (vulcanized) to the tyre with the name of the company or tester displayed on the tyre.

I now know that the effect of part worn tyres on the businesses of reputable tyre retailers

Having forced them to start selling these part worn tyres themselves and in a way I cannot blame them. One guy that I know has set up a separate small depot specifically for selling these tyres. He has kept the two companies separate for obvious reasons, but at least he is now clawing some of the lost business back and he is also running the operation within the current part worn tyre laws.

I can now understand better the predicament that many people find themselves in. Forced by financial circumstances, to buy these second hand tyres. So, thinking that we have all been affected by this crisis and will be for some time to come.

Now believing that they is a place for part worn tyres, but they must be bought and sold within the law and we must get rid of these people who sell all the rubbish and dangerous tyres, by strengthening the current laws and more importantly, to clamp down on these dodgy tyre businesses that sell this rubbish through stronger law enforcement.

4 x 4 vehicle-general tyres

Toyota RAV 4 Poor Problems? Caused by the “Suction Control Valve” (SCV)

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Toyota RAV 4 Poor Acceleration Problems

Toyota RAV 4 problem just happened overnight

So, as I have said before, one of the great things about owning a garage. Importantly, is the diversity of jobs that we can encounter. Hence in any busy working week. This past week was no exception. One of our lady customers called it with her car, a Toyota RAV 4 !

Alarmingly, the reason was that the car was performing badly when trying to overtake. Especially, when she put her foot down the car was very slow to respond.

She had a new Duel Mass Flywheel fitted about six months ago ! Interestingly,  she had wondered if this could have anything to do with the cars recent problem?

The Toyota RAV 4 was fitted with the 2.0D-4 D engine. Importantly, she had not experienced many engine problems in the past. In fact apart from the clutch the car had been trouble free.

Ryan road tests the car !

When Ryan our workshop manager took the car out for a test drive. So, he noticed that the engine warning light was also illuminated . So on his return he plugged the car into our diagnostics machine. Finding that the code PO627 came up. When we looked the code fault up on our diagnostic site. Then it stated that the problem could be a couple of things.

  1. That the internal fuel was below the target fuel pressure that it should be, despite the engine ECU opens the Suction Control Valve (SCV)
  2. Fuel blockage.

Toyota RAV 42.0 D Engines are fitted with a Denso electronic high-pressure fuel pump.  Controlling, the fuel rail pressure and the volume of fuel and are both replaceable items. Denso also make the Fuel Pressure Regulator (we call it the SCV) that can cause the lack of power problems with the Toyota RAV4

Problems.

Ryan suspected it to be the SCV and this was confirmed by a quick phone call to a friend of ours that specialises in diesel engines and fuel pumps. He told us that the SCV Valves had given most him most problems with this particular RAV 4 engine fault and so we took onto ourselves to tackle this particular problem.

New SCV ordered for the Toyota RAV 4

We contacted the customer with a price. Reluctantly, she gave us the go ahead to carry out the necessary work on the car’s engine. We could only buy the SCV parts from the Toyota dealership. Unfortunately, they were not available from any of the local parts factors.

The first part of the job was to remove the two bolts that fasten the radiator expansion tank to the car. Allowing you more room to work. Importantly, you can see this in the picture the arrow is pointing to ! Where the fuel pump is located. Down near the yellow dipstick top. Ryan then had to remove the remove the air intake/inter-cooler pipe.

The only difficult thing that Ryan could see was the location of the pump, that the SCV’s were located; they were located at the back of the pump, making the job a little fiddly.

When the new Toyota RAV 4 valves arrived. Hence they were both coloured differently. So,one was green and the other red. It was important that the new ones had to fit where the old ones had come from.

Hence the colour coding.

The valves are held into the pump by two heavy duty Allen screws each and were eventually freed by using an heavy duty Allen key type bit that fitted into an impact wrench set, with an extension tube to give him some leverage. This did the trick and the screws finally gave in to the pressure.

An important thing to watch out for is that the valve seats have two O-rings. These O-rings must be replaced and refitted into the valve seats; Ryan lubricated them when fitting them back, before the new valves were fitted back onto the pump.

Possible loss of fuel !

Another observation is that you will lose a small amount of fuel when doing this job, so protect the immediate area of the pump with some old cloth to soak up the diesel that comes out and you will not make a mess on the rest of the engine or the garage floor. We also thought it would be worth fitting a new fuel filter, and so we did.

When Ryan completed the work, he then re-set the Toyota RAV 4 engine diagnostic trouble codes , with our engine diagnostic machine and it then only took a couple of attempts to re start the engine, because there would have been a little trapped air in the system from when the valves were removed. If you are doing this job at home on your own one of these vehicles, we do recommend that you keep everything as clean as possible and do not let any dirt or other contamination onto the new valves.

The job only took about an hour

Including the ordering of the parts. Later the car was road tested and found to be cured of the problem. Happily, our lady customer picked up the Toyota RAV 4 paid us and went on her way a happy customer.

This problem can also be found on the following Toyota models

Toyota Avensis 2.0 D-4D (CDT220) 1999>2003,Toyota Avensis Verso 2.0D-4D (CLM20) 2001>2005,Toyota Corolla 2.0 D-4D (CDE110) 2000>2001,Toyota Corolla Verso 2.0 D-4D (CDE120) 001>2004,Toyota Corolla 2.0 D-4D (CDE120) 2001>2007 (90bhp & 109bhp),Toyota Previa 2.0 D-4D (CLR30) 2001>2007. This information is from Blue Print.

3 Critical Car Maintenance Tasks You Cant Afford To Skip

VW Polo Performance Problem-Calls in with bad Performance Problems?

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A VW Polo day?

So, after the school summer holidays have finished. Fortunately, then we start to get busier in the garage repair side of the business. Happily, the tyre side starts to pick up nearer November, with the approach winter.

Like many other garages we try to plan our work schedules. Booking the various car repair jobs in accordingly.

One particular day last week when we were fully booked up and very busy. Subsequently, a breakdown truck turned up on the forecourt with a black VW Passat on the back. Firstly, the car looked to have had a small front end shunt. Because, the front wheel was sticking out at an angle. The VW Passat was a 2009 TDi and the car had been bumped when parked up in the local supermarket.

We pulled the VW off the trailer and pushed it onto a ramp. We soon discovered that the front wheel had been hit and had completely bent the steering arm. This had totally disabled the car from being driven. The remedy was easy; a new steering arm was fitted and the car was given a Laser Wheel Alignment to correct and re-set the steering. The owner picked up his car and went home happy.

Next car with a engine problem

We were not so lucky with the next car that was booked in for the engine shuddering and banging. The car was a VW Polo 1.4 TDi 2002. It belonged to a friend of the family’s son, who had just passed his driving test.

The VW Polo had been left with us and we took the car out for a road test to try find out what the problem was. The first thing that we noticed was that the clutch had gone, but there was other things going on at the same time, it was a mix-match of problems. We were well trusted by the customer and so decided that we had to fix the clutch first. We removed the clutch housing and found that the clutch had indeed gone.

After replacing the clutch the VW Polo did go a little better, but the engine was definitely not right, it was shuddering and juddering.

VW Polo Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF) had to be checked out.

The MAF sensor is the instrument that checks the temperature and the weight of the air that is entering the VW Polo engine. This information is then sent to the on-board computer, which calculates the correct amount of fuel that the engine requires to operate at.

The sensor works by measuring the current that is required to check the temperature while the air blows past. The MAF will start to clog up with dirt and other particles over time and this blockage is the thing that can cause your engine to have problems. The symptoms are exactly what was related to this problem. Poor starting, the engine would not run properly and would not accelerate, especially up hills.

Clean MAF sensor

Some people say that if you can clean the MAF sensor at regular periods then these problems would not arise, but we have always found that we have had to replace the part. Importantly, we also fitted a new air filter and the VW Polo was a different car. It was road tested and the change of the MAF sensor revitalised the car, back to normal engine functions.

We also noticed that the steering had got a knocking noise and a vibration and on inspection found that the car also needed a Front Arm rear bush. We fitted this new bush and adjusted the wheel alignment. Here at Pellonautocentre we can repair all makes and types of cars.

It was an expensive day for the customer, but you would be surprised how many of our customers drive their car until it drops to pieces, nothing new there?

Just a few problems that we can get: in a busy garage.

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