Car Mechanics

Hot off the press ▶ No sooner had my neighbour’s teenage daughter suggest I find a car for her, I was hunting for a Citroën C1, Peugeot 107 or Toyota Aygo. Cheap insurance and a bullet-proof engine are two reasons I put forward to own one of these small 3-cylinder cars. In fact, I was already looking out for a suitable car to cover a feature on fitting a UniClutch, so if I could find one of these 1.0-litre petrol models that needed a clutch, that would be a win-win situation. UniClutch manufacture clutches for most European cars (they are based in Australia), with the 2-piece clutch mated and aligned ready to fit. We will see how it works when the job starts. In the meantime though, they’ve not given…

▶ With the Aygo added to my fleet, another escaped recently. The 2005 Audi A4 Cabriolet we ran as a project in CM in early 2020 went for scrap. I don’t like scrapping cars, and the idea of driving around with the roof down once more was tempting. Back in 2021, the alarm sounded while parked on the drive. I couldn’t stop the noise with the keyfob. Starting the engine managed to calm the siren. Fearing it may go off again, I drove the A4 two miles to my nearest friendly garage. It has sat there until recently, without any action being taken to make it roadworthy. I did start the engine on a few occassions and each time the 1.8T fired into life without a grumble. Rain water was…

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▶ How many cars is too many cars? For most people, one car at a time is sufficient, or if you’re in a relationship, one for each of you. Then add one for offspring who are old enough to drive. But not necessarily – these days getting a driving licence as soon as possible is by no means a universal desire, and many choose to wait until they’ve finished further education. But if you are a car enthusiast, there’s a fair chance that you’ve built-up a bit of a collection. The size of said collection is often related to availability of parking space – the more room you have, the more cars you can own, so the more cars you do own. But looking after a ‘collection’ takes time and…

Life is full of compromises. This is a truism with engineering. It is not unreasonable to question products that swear otherwise. Certain engine ECU remaps, for instance, promise more power for less fuel but fail to acknowledge that increased exhaust emission pollutants are the price. However, both super and turbochargers offer more engine power, greater efficiency and even reduced pollution. It sounds amazing and it is. Yet, downsides are still prevalent, ones that the technically-minded owner-repairer-driver must consider. What is forced induction? An engine with larger capacity cylinders (be it bore, stroke, or both), can inhale more air (presuming equal pressures, temperature and density) than one with fewer ccs. Therefore, more oxygen is available, permitting more fuel to be burnt. This is why larger engines tend to be more powerful…

The Aftermarket Event: Farnborough welcomes UK garage sector ▶ All roads lead to Farnborough on October 2-3 for the launch of The Aftermarket Event — a unique, two-day live event, featuring an unmissable mix of information, technology and skills for everyone working in and around the garage trade. On Day 1, LKQ Euro Car Parts CEO Kevan Wooden is set to deliver the keynote address. The first day will also include an update on the independent garage sector by the IGA’s Jonathan Douglass. Castrol & The Race Group’s Dan Bridges and Dave Roberts will take the audience through ‘Understanding the right oil for your workshop and the challenges of belts & DPFs’ – including the basics of understanding oil, the importance of fitting the right oil and OEM approvals. On…