Dave’s Free Car Repair Advice

Subject:  1996 Ford Fiesta Diesel

Alena asks:  My in-car temperature gauge keeps going up to nearly in the red but not quite. Should I be worried, my local garage doesn’t seem to think so? Also, I?ve been told I’ve got a noisy clutch release bearing, do I need to get anything done to it?

I would first make sure the coolant level is up to par.

If this is a sudden thing happening then maybe there is a bunch of bird feathers in the front of your radiator or dead bugs making the thermal co-efficiency of your radiator way down thereby causing the higher heat levels.

Jenny tells me:  I have a V6 96 Mercury Mystique. It has been knocking for a couple of months now. The sticker says the oil isn’t supposed to be changed for another 100 miles or so but when I checked the oil there was barely any in there so I put some in.

Subject:  Brakes

Cynthia writes:  I keep hearing a sound like a bird chirping when I drive. It sounds like it’s coming from the front or my wheel. I really can’t tell. I had new brakes put on last November. It’s a Volvo wagon yr 2000.

Cynthia, it may be your brakes which should barely be worn at this point.

Then again it may be the sound of wind going through some part of your car.

Subject:  Problems with BMW 320i 2002

Brian writes:  when driving over 40 mph excessive tyre raw . also a clicking sound from wheels when turning right or in a straight line after some distance. also when approaching a junction and slowing down through the gears some times the car will cut out and a little spluttery when first started any advice would be great thanks

Brian, I need to know if it is an all wheel drive vehicle. I think that may be the clicking sound of the wheels when turning or a straight line of a distance. It sounds like CV joints are dry and need replacement in the front of the vehicle.