Category Archives: Maintenance

All engines need air for the combustion process. Fuel injection systems have replaced the old style carburettors that previously mixed the fuel with the required oxygen and are now commonplace in most engines. There are a number of common signs that these small parts are becoming clogged or fatigued, including the detonation of petrol on the exhaust or the vehicle failing to start with a full fuel tank.

The flywheel is the part of your car that stores rotational motion whilst changing gear. As with all moving components in your engine it can degrade over time, and will eventually need replacing. Some of the key indicators that you’re having problems with your flywheel include vibration whilst allowing the engine to tick over, or a juddering feeling when starting the car. It is also common to hear a kind of cluttering noise whilst changing between gears.

Your car’s engine develops rotational energy. This rotational energy is delivered to the back axle via the driveshaft. Hence if this part fails, your car will simply not move. There are a number of signs that show your driveshaft could be in trouble. Continue reading →

This simple, effective guide from Sainsbury’s Bank will help keep you and your car safe on the road.

No matter how good you are at taking care of your vehicle, there are always going to be times when you need to replace its parts. This is where BreakerLink steps into the picture, putting you in touch with a network of breakers around the UK, who are able to find you the parts you need. Continue reading →

There are many ways that your car’s windscreen can be damaged. Small stones sometimes fly up off the road and cause cracks or a collision with a bird could take out the glass completely. Whatever the reason you need to change your windscreen, this is one of the simpler jobs around the garage. Anyone with a modicum of mechanical knowledge should be able to work through this easy step by step guide.

The exhaust manifold is the part of the car that delivers exhaust gases to your car’s exhaust. Symptoms that your manifold may need replacing include visible cracking on the part’s surface, the presence of exhaust odours within the interior of your vehicle and a loss of performance. Excessive noise coming from your bonnet may also indicate that you have a problematic manifold, whilst noise coming from the rear of the car is more likely to indicate a damaged or faulty exhaust.

How do you know if a cylinder head in your engine is having problems? One of the most common tell-tale signs will be a noise that your engine is misfiring, leading to performance problems and you may even notice that your engine is rapidly overheating after a few low speed miles on the road. Other symptoms include a sweet odour coming from the engine block, created from coolant leaking into the engine, or a puddle of coolant collecting under the car where it’s previously been parked overnight.

One of the surest signs that your brake discs need replacing is a high pitched noise that occurs when you put pressure on the foot brake. Equally you can always look through the holes that appear in your car’s wheel to examine the thickness of the disc. If the part has eroded to the point where it has a width of 6mm or less then it’s time for a replacement brake disc.

Brake callipers are the assemblies on your wheel that apply pressure to the spinning rdisc brake. Due to the high levels of heat and friction created in the arrangement these parts are especially prone to fatigue and wear. Your owner’s manual should provide you with a service window that tells you when these parts should be approaching the end of their lifespan and will need checking and replacing.