Category Archives: Maintenance

One of the biggest dangers when driving is other road users. When you’ve stopped at a junction no-one wants to hear that crunching sound that indicates a good rear-ending from the vehicle behind. At low speeds your rear bumper can absorb the shock and strain of a collision, but often it will take tremendous damage in the impact. In such cases you can quickly and easily buy a spare rear bumper and replace yourself with very little mechanical knowledge.

Have you been experiencing some strange behaviour from your car when you put down the accelerator? Is there a clicking noise sounding out from underneath the bonnet as you turn corners? If you are experiencing either of these symptoms, with a serious drop out in the power and traction of your front wheel drive vehicle, then there could be a very big chance your front axle is approaching the end of its lifespan.

The obvious symptom of a failed starter motor is a car engine that simply fails on ignition. The other key indicators are that there’s a working power supply, which is indicated by working lights and radio and that the car will start with jump leads. If you’re suffering from this situation it’s definitely time to call up the parts shop or second hand supplier and look at replacing the starter motor.

Although cars have a robust strength presented by the chassis and frame of the vehicle, the bodywork can be easily dented. Your front bumper is the part of the car that will deflect most bumps and bangs on the road, saving you a fortune at the panel beaters. However, over time the wear and tear on this part can cause it to fail and need replacing.

Turbochargers are by their very nature a high stress part in any engine. They are subjected to extremes of heat and motion, and need a constant stream of clean oil to keep their bearings rotating smoothly and efficiently. It’s no wonder that turbochargers often go wrong, requiring the part to be replaced, so what is the process for changing this car part?

Have you seen a spillage underneath your car that you know is not oil? Is your car growling like a big cat when you turn the steering wheel? If so, then the likely culprit could be your power steering pump. Like all parts in the engine this pump is prone to fatigue, with the gaskets and seals around the unit generally failing first. Although some hardened mechanics will argue that it is possible to rebuild the unit, it is generally best replaced with a new or second hand part. This is a moderately difficult procedure that you should expect to take around four hours.

There are few things that are as frustrating to a motorist as a failed windscreen wiper motor. You never realise this part isn’t working until the rain starts pouring down and you can’t clean your windscreen. All too often this means you’ll have to pull into a layby and wait for the rain to subside before continuing on your journey. However once you’re back home, you can quickly and easily change this part out for a new or second hand spare in around about three quarters of an hour.

Has your car been bucking as you drive on the open road? When you put the key in the ignition, does your engine simply crank and turn over, but fail to start? If this is the case then the likely offender in the frame is the fuel pump. This part is used to supply fuel at pressure into the engine, driving the combustion process. An ineffective fuel pump means that your car is not getting the feed of fuel it needs to run properly. Like all parts this is prone to fatigue and will fail around the 100,000 mile mark.

The engine control unit is one of the most important parts of your car’s on-board computer. It helps regulate the systems and sub-systems imperative to the operation of your vehicle, so when it goes wrong it can cause a host of problems. Some of the most common symptoms of a malfunctioning ECU include permanently lit engine check lights on the dashboard and irregular fuel consumption and it can even stop you from starting the car. This can be a very expensive part to replace, so you are often better off trying to purchase second hand rather than buying new from a dealer and fitting the part yourself.

There can be a host of reasons for needing to replace your car seats. From unfortunate accidents with travel sick kids through to prolonged wear and tear, it’s very easy to know when your seats are nearing the end of their lifespan. If you are the type of driver who spends many hours travelling round the country then remember that having the right kind of support can mean hours avoided at the osteopath’s in later life having those little niggles hammered out on the massage table. You can often find aftermarket seats that are not produced by the manufacturer of your vehicle at a good price. These could save you money and you can usually purchase a modification kit appropriate to your vehicle that will ensure they fit correctly into the available space.