All Car Repair Articles

All Car Repair Articles

of course car repairs are what we call a “bread and butter” job. Hence, i thought that i would show a video to demonstrate the things that our technicians have to do when repairing a car.
We often have our customers ringing us. Significantly, they ask the question, “how can i tell if my car needs repairing”. Therefore, I usually answer with the same explanation. You’ll know when the vehicle requires attention! So, when a car eventually arrives in the workshop. We treat it with extreme care and attention.

First Time Drivers Guide: What To Look For In Your First Car

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First Time Drivers Guide: What To Look For In Your First Car

First Time Drivers Guide

First Time Drivers Guide: What To Look For In Your First Car

Getting on the road to purchasing your first car is both exhilarating and a little scary. As a first-time driver, it’s essential to equip yourself with knowledge about the automotive world. Start by understanding the type of car that suits your needs—are you looking for a compact city car or something more spacious?
You need to familiarise yourself with basic car terminologies, from horsepower to fuel efficiency. Research the most common makes and models in your price range, and consider factors like maintenance costs and reliability. By grasping these basics, you’ll be better prepared to make an informed decision and enjoy a smoother buying experience.

Trusting Dealerships For Great Deals

The key to a successful purchase lies in identifying dealerships with a strong reputation. Start by seeking recommendations from friends and family, as personal experiences often provide the most genuine insights. Online reviews and ratings can also offer a glimpse into a dealership’s credibility and customer service.
service. Dunwell Motor Group in Ipswich is a prime example of a reputable used car dealership, and their selection of nearly new Hondas in Ipswich are all perfect first cars for new drivers.

When considering nearly new cars, it’s crucial to find dealers that offer comprehensive vehicle histories, ensuring the car hasn’t been involved in any major accidents or faced significant issues. Additionally, reputable dealers often provide warranties or guarantees, giving you added peace of mind.

Remember, while great deals are enticing, they shouldn’t compromise the car’s quality or safety. By prioritising trustworthiness and transparency in dealerships, you’ll not only secure a fantastic deal but also invest in a vehicle that serves you reliably for years to come.

Budgeting For Your First Car; First Time Drivers Guide

Stepping into the world of car ownership requires careful financial planning. As a first-time driver, it’s crucial to set a realistic budget that encompasses not just the upfront cost of the car but also ongoing expenses like maintenance, fuel, and insurance. Begin by determining how much you can comfortably spend.
afford without straining your finances.

Consider factors like monthly income, savings, and other financial commitments. It’s also wise to allocate a portion of your budget for unexpected repairs or servicing. When exploring financing options, be wary of deals that seem too good to be true; always read the fine print and understand the terms.

Remember, the most expensive car within your budget might not always be the best choice. Prioritise reliability, fuel efficiency, and low maintenance costs. By setting a well-thought-out budget and sticking to it, you’ll ensure a smooth and financially sound transition into car ownership.

The Rising Cost Of Car Insurance; First Time Drivers Guide

Car insurance is an indispensable aspect of vehicle ownership, offering protection against unforeseen mishaps. However, in recent times, the UK has witnessed a surge in insurance premiums.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the average annual private car insurance premium escalated by 7% between April and June 2023, reaching £511. This marked a significant 21% increase from the average premium in the second quarter of 2022.

Several factors contribute to this rise, including the escalating costs of repair work, influenced by the increasing prices of paint and materials.

Additionally, the average premium for drivers renewing their coverage saw an uptick, while those on new policies experienced a more modest increase.

It’s essential for drivers, especially first-timers, to be aware of these trends, shop around for competitive rates, and consider factors beyond just the premium cost, such as coverage extent, to ensure comprehensive
protection. From understanding the basics to navigating insurance premiums, being well-informed ensures a seamless experience. Prioritise safety, budget wisely, and choose reputable dealerships.

As you embark on this exciting chapter, let these insights guide you to a wise and rewarding decision. safety code for new drivers, learning to drive, insurance as a firsttime driver, ultimate guide for new drivers.

Nissan Navara Clutch replacement

Ford Focus Clutch: Diesel TDi 2004—with Clutch Problems.

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Ford Focus Clutch

Ford Focus Clutch
Ford Focus Clutch

Ford Focus Clutch

So, over recent years, I seem to have had a run of cars with clutch problems. Consequently, that has been brought into my garage, Pellon-Autocentre, here in Halifax, UK. I think that most garages will have these kinds of cars with different problems. Sometimes it may be brake problems or sometimes we have a run of exhaust pipes dropping off. This particular time, there have been clutch problems.

Yesterday was no exception? Sure enough, first thing in the morning, an AA transporter turned up on the forecourt. So, with a silver car strapped to the back,. Fortunately, an old customer of ours was in the car. When his Focus was unloaded. He came into the reception to explain what had happened.

He told us that he had recently been working away in the south of England. While he was away, he started to have problems with his clutch. He told us that one morning he was driving to work from his accommodation and called in for some diesel. When he arrived back at the car, the biting point of the clutch was very close to the car floor. Also, the rest of the pedal was very sloppy and loose.

He managed to drive the car to his job, Ford Focus Clutch

Subsequently, he is a builder for an housing association. Who own properties all over the UK, the head office is here in Halifax .He sometimes has to work away to help sort problems out. Although he was having great difficulty selecting his gears. When he first bought the  Focus about 18 months earlier he was told that the car had recently been fitted with a new clutch ! Of course, this was one of the reasons that he had bought the car. Visibly, it appeared to be in good condition.

He called out a local garage that topped up the slave cylinder. I was also telling him that the clutch pedals on these Fords have a black plastic hinge-type thing attached to it. Importantly, this is what pushes the master cylinder in. This hinge is attached to the  pedal by a metal rod. The hinge is held in by a clip and it is this clip that can come off. So causing the cars clutch problem. The garage resolved this, and for a few days, everything appeared to be fine with the Focus.

Ford Focus driver could smell clutch fluid? Ford Focus Clutch

He noticed a slight smell coming from the car’s cab, but he did not know what it was. It was apparently clutch fluid that had leaked from his previous problem. The guy told us that after the

garage reportedly had sorted the Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi problem out, but the car gear change was still a bit lumpy. After the job was complete, the guy decided to risk it and drive the car back home to the north via the M1.

He decided to call in at the services for something to eat and a rest. On his return to the car, he found that once again the clutch pedal was down to the floor pan of the car, but unlike before there was no bite at all on the clutch. His company had provided their staff with AA breakdown cover, for their employees who traveled away to work, and so the guy promptly called the AA out to the services.

Inspected by the AA

The AA man inspected the cars clutch cylinder to check the level, but soon noticed that the cylinder was empty of fluid. He said that the Ford  was susceptible to these type of  problems and diagnosed a broken master cylinder. There was nothing that he could do as far as road side assistance, and so he proceeded to load the car onto the back of his transporter in order to take the car to the garage of his choice, which was our garage in Halifax.

When I proceeded to put the car on lift, I found that clutch fluid was seeping out at the bottom of the clutch housing through one of the vent holes that are there to collect dust and dirt to evacuate the housing. We diagnosed the problem as a master cylinder failure and reported back to the customer, who by this time had borrowed one of our courtesy cars and gone back to work somewhere here in Yorkshire.

We removed the Ford Focus gearbox and clutch housing to reveal yet more problems?

The engine was dropped, as was the gearbox. Removed, and then the Ford Focus clutch housing was separated. Revealing the clutch assembly. We found that the hydraulic cylinder bearing had, in fact, a broken seal and needed replacing. Then we found that although the Focus diesel should have been fitted with a duel mass flywheel,. Subsequently, this car had been converted to a solid single flywheel.

Including a normal-type clutch plate and to make matters worse! Incidentally, both were damaged. The flywheel was broken, and the clutch plate was worn out and also needed replacing.

We phoned the customer on his mobile! Of course, he was not very pleased to say the least. Having, expected the clutch to last him more than the 18 months that it had lasted since he bought the car. The old parts were saved for the customer to look at as we always do. Another small problem also occurred? We had some difficulty matching a new single clutch plate with a new solid flywheel, as the old one was a cheap clutch plate and had no part numbers on to match a new one.

With the help of the motor factors we were able find the correct parts and rebuilt the whole assembly. The car works fine now and the customer went away highly delighted, after his initial shock.

The diesel Ford Focus can be converted to a solid single-clutch system, Ford Focus Clutch

When the customer had left I looked at some Ford forums about the conversion to a single clutch assembly and the general consensus is that it is fine to do it. In fact Ford transits can be converted by using genuine Ford parts. That is made especially for these conversions. Also I have heard that many taxi companies convert their taxis to the single clutch system.

For more Ford Focus clutch problems,

Eric Roberts

Check Your Car's Air Conditioning

Customers Satisfaction Ratings

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Customers Satisfaction Ratings

Customers Satisfaction Ratings
Customers Satisfaction Ratings

Customers Satisfaction Ratings

I must admit that in most of my years as a garage owner, customer satisfaction ratings were never known. Of course, up until the advent of modern computers, there were no such things as ratings for your customers. So it has become a thing of the future! And why not. Importantly, it is one of the best indicators that your business is doing well. Whatever type of product or service you are selling,.

Another happy positive is that when you have high ratings, it’s no coincidence that your business will thrive. Anyhow, that’s my experience! Consequences also set out other parameters that will give the thriving business the best results. In my opinion, the number one factor is having the right staff. Especially when in a garage situation.

Garage owners just dont get it ! Customers Satisfaction Ratings

Of course, the  garages of today have a lot to thank for the start of the “Kwik-Fit” era. Coming out of an American idea from the infamous Tommy Farmer, fast fits brought the garage industry into the 21st century. Incidentally, we do still have the dirty back street type of garages and scruffy second-hand tyre shops for all to see.

However, the garages that prosper will have all the right mixtures of ideas and cleanliness that modern driver s are looking for. This also reflects on the particular garage businesses ratings of customer satisfaction.

These days of consumerism mean that we all have to try harder

be more polite and generally “bend over backwards”. So to keep our ratings high,. Consumers are very savvy  and will freely give a business a good review. Strangely enough, there does not seem to be a middle-of-the-road review!

At least not with us at Pellon Autocentre. Most reviews are, in fact, 5 stars, which is excellent for us. However, we get the odd customer who will give us just a 1-star rating.

I must confess that I used to hate this. Although very rare then it is all part of system. We will never please everybody! Now I take the time to look into this. So, when we receive a low rating then I now investigate the poor result. Then first thing that hits me is that my excellent staff always know about the circumstances. I truly believe that there is a certain type of person who is never going to be happy.

Whatever and wherever they go, these people are trouble.

So, I know before I say anything that my staff know exactly what has happened. Believe me or not, it is always the customer that has caused the problem, leading to them giving us a 1-star rating. Importantly, we do make mistakes! After all, we are only humans.

But a good garage will handle any problem in the correct manner. Always change a possible bad situation into a good outcome. This includes all our garage services and products. Including tyres and associated services. and MOT testing.

Finally, we do have good reviews on Google and Facebook.

But in my opinion, our online tyre portal, www.pellontyres.co.uk is the most accurate and is not open to any low-scoring abuse from “keyboard warriors.”.

Subsequently, try to knock your reputation by giving a false low score. Below, I have published our excellent results and would like to thank our great customers. So, thank you for taking the time and energy to give us the results that all businesses dream about.

Forward to 2024 here at Pellon Tyres we are now members of Tyresafe.org to help promote safety.

Net Promoter Score Results

What does your NPS score mean?

Your NPS score tracks customers on how they represent your company to their family, friends and colleagues.

  • A negative score means you have more Detractors than Promoters and your organization is unlikely to grow.
  • A NPS score of above 0 is considered to be good.
  • A NPS score above 50 is considered to be exceptional. This also indicates that awareness of your organization will grow through word-of-mouth marketing.

The NPS score is calculated by subtracting the percentage of Detractors (those who scored your fitting centre as a 0-6) from Promoters (those that scored your fitting centre as 9-10). This generates your Net Promoter Score.

Many Thanks from me and all my excellent staff for their contribution to having great Customers Satisfaction Ratings.

Eric Roberts

Catalytic Converter Theft

Nissan Navara-Blocked EGR Valve

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Nissan Navara-Blocked EGR Valve

Nissan Navara-Blocked EGR Valve
Nissan Navara-Blocked EGR Valve

Nissan Navara-Blocked EGR Valve

So, we are now starting to increase our workpower after the drop in business due to the “Corona Virus” pandemic. Importantly, cars are now being driven after the long lockdown. Because vehicles of many shapes and technologies have been left unused, different problems are occurring. The other day was no exception, with various cars turning up. Including a Nissan Navara with engine running problems.

Mainly suffering from a reduction in power. Hence, the car was struggling to accelerate without much power. Immediately, we suspected a problem with the EGR valve. Importantly, EGR valves play a vital role in controlling your vehicle’s exhaust emissions. Introduced to aid vehicles that are controlled by strict emissions regulations in place.So, our laws governing this come from the European Union at the moment.

However, like most mechanical and electrical parts, they can eventually go wrong! Including this Nissan Navara. So here at Pellon-Autocentre, Halifax, we make sure that we have all the latest electronic diagnostic tools and associated equipment. Of course, all my regular customers know that we have a team of highly trained technicians. Categorically, enabling our staff to diagnose and treat any EGR valve problems.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve (EGR).

There is no doubt that the EGR valve is an important part,Nissan Navara-Blocked EGR Valve when it comes to the smooth flow and running operations of the modern car engine.  Failure of this valve can lead to a reduction in power, as in the Nisan presented to us. Other problems ensuing will include a reduction in fuel efficiency, the vehicle will start using more fuel. This problem is often picked up on the MOT emissions test. Causing the vehicle to fail the test due to emissions failure.

The EGR valves eventually get sooted up. Nissan Navara-Blocked EGR Valve

. Especially when the vehicle is only used locally. Of course, motorway driving increase the heat of the engine and therefore keeps the soot level down by burning the soot off.

So, this Nissan was found to have a very heavily sooted up EGR valve as seen in the image. After cleaning with a special fluid the EGR valve worked fine and the Nissan was back to normal running, including fuel efficiency.

Eric Roberts