Car Mechanics

Car Mechanics is the UK's only car magazine with essential advice on maintaining and repairing popular makes and models. It’s an invaluable motoring resource that appeals to both the DIY car enthusiast and the more experienced motor trade professional. Car Mechanics has helped save money for our readers every month since 1958. Each issue includes a wide range of in-depth features written in a clear, straightforward manner: • Readers’ motoring-related problems answered for FREE • Real-life motoring dilemmas from our man in the garage trade • Electronic diagnostics delves inside a different modern vehicle each month to explain its management system • Survival Guide looks at new and used component prices for a particular vehicle • Used Car Focus is an in-depth buying guide on a specific make and model • Service Bay covers a full service with close-up images and comprehensive descriptions • Project cars are a major part of the structure of the magazine as we buy, fix and sell different vehicles over a period of months So if you're into saving money and being a home technician, Car Mechanics will help you out - guaranteed!

No van project

TIMING BELTS & CHAINS

B-I-O failures

The Peter Simpson COLUMN • With his daughter now old enough to drive, Peter’s been looking at young driver insurance. Much has changed since he was 17…

An INTRODUCTION to SENSORS • The considerable computing power within modern cars would be useless without sensors. With so many different types fitted to modern engines, Rob Marshall looks at how DIYers can examine, test and replace them.

SEALEY introduces exciting Tool Promotion • Featuring over 1400 products and a chance to WIN a Premium Garage Essentials Bundle

Duckhams Oils celebrates successful global expansion drive • Martyn Knowles brings you news and product reviews from the automotive industry

News in Brief

COMPETITION WINNERS

LKQ Academy’s January sale

Three new Clarke Micro Jump Starts!

News in Brief

Fuel filter change • Fixing advice from our garage proprietor Steve Rothwell

ABS sensor blown apart

Alternator pulley

Parking brake shoes

Bearing problems

Battery clamp bolt

Wound up window

Coolant keeps on leaking

Leaking clutch damper

Backplate noise

SOS warning – is it still OK to drive?

Brake locked on

BMW 1, 3, 5-Series • Andrew Everett replaces a worn dual mass flywheel on his 2006 118d – the process is very similar on all post-2004 BMW’s, petrol or diesel.

EGR filter clean • CM reader, Tim Baker, looks at a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C200 with the OM626 (Renault R9M) diesel engine with an illuminating Engine Management Light (EML).

Warped Thinking? • When your vehicle’s brake discs are worn what’s the best repair – replacement or refacing the existing ones? The answer’s perhaps not as ‘clear cut’ as you first imagine, suggests Alan Anderson.

DIY wheel alignment

Alternative ALTERNATOR Fix • Though it didn’t actually work for him, it has for others, and Peter Simpson therefore reckons this in situ repair of a defective diesel 75 alternator is still worth a try.

EV OBSERVATION

ICE AGE

OIL LIKE TAR

NO FLUID TOP-UPS

DIY MECHANICS DOWN UNDER

OE FUEL FILTER

BYGONE ACCESSORIES

HOT WASHERS

WHAT DO PEOPLE THINK IS MEANT BY A VEHICLE SERVICE?

STAR LETTER • The reader awarded the STAR letter will receive a Sealey LED318G lamp

SCAM

Buying, Owning & Improving • Ian Cushway searches out new and used parts prices

A mistake? • Peter Simpson provides us with an insight into the automotive sales trading world – and beyond.

Old Pete’s Almanack

London...