Cars & Transportation - 6 October 2007

I own a 2003 Mazda Protege 5, 45000km. Three months ago the air conditioning stopped working and I was recently told by a Mazda dealership that a rock has come through the large holes in the bottom grill of the car, causing a hole in the condenser and all the freon has leaked out. The cost to fix is $1500 with no guarantee another rock will not enter the same way. Most Mazda cars have this large holed grill in front.
I took this to Mazda Canada and they have stated that it is not a design flaw, but an extremely rare occurrence and I was told it is a cause of everyday driving.
I am wondering, is this a common occurrence on any cars? I want to purchase the Mazda 5 but now refuse to do to this.
Also, is there a way to protect the grill with a guard or mesh once I fix the air conditioning. Mazda Canada had no suggestions. Thank you

2007-10-06 01:36:27 · 4 answers · asked by Jreid 1 in Mazda

i have a mk3 cav hatchback and was wondering if anyone new if i can use astra locks and ignition barrel (if same dimensions ect), keep having probs with the cavs square typre key so want the astra type jaggered one (just seems better to me). thanks

2007-10-06 01:34:23 · 2 answers · asked by rob 4 in Maintenance & Repairs

In the old days valve jobs were common. You never hear anyone say they had to have one anymore.

2007-10-06 01:29:14 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Maintenance & Repairs

whent for a mot every thing else was ok, and the h/c and lamba were ok, just the c/o were ment to be .30 mine are .72 and .55, any ideas how to lower it ? nissan primera 20l slx 95 m reg.

2007-10-06 01:27:26 · 7 answers · asked by markluke1969 1 in Maintenance & Repairs

I have a '96 chevy s-10 blazer. the transmission fluid is very dark and i notice that when i get up to 20mph it jerks when it shifts. I heard there could be a problem on high milage vehicles with a flush. Is this true. what should i do?

thanx

2007-10-06 01:20:06 · 5 answers · asked by shaye 1 in Maintenance & Repairs

2007-10-06 01:17:58 · 5 answers · asked by jmari313 1 in Maintenance & Repairs

I'm aware of the Yahoo Japan used cars auction, but I need something direct and more user friendly. Any guide or help would be appreciated. Thanks.

2007-10-06 01:14:05 · 4 answers · asked by Symonds 3 in Buying & Selling

licence aquired after jan 1997

2007-10-06 01:06:43 · 7 answers · asked by alex g 1 in Other - Cars & Transportation

I have been studying for my restricted boat operator licence (melbourne, australia) for a week now and am stuck on understanding the following. Please help me and I will give full marks to the best answer.

1. On starboard hand marks on which side should I pass them.

2. On port-hand side which side should I pass on.

Cheers George

2007-10-06 01:00:11 · 7 answers · asked by George 1 in Boats & Boating

What can I do to remove silastic from paintwork of a car without damaging the paint ?

2007-10-06 00:59:30 · 1 answers · asked by jefdjif 2 in Maintenance & Repairs

My car is new (13,000 miles) and i change my oil about ever 2000 to 2500 miles with synthetic (royal purple) oil. Everytime I change my oil i smell burning oil for the first 100-200 miles. Then it goes away. The only time I smell it is if I stop and walk by the front of the car with the motor off. I just changed it for the 6th time and made sure not to drop oil on anything in the motor and I cleaned around the new oil filter with a rag to get the oil that drips off the oil pan and exhaust pipe (a little always drips when I remove the old filter). I still smell it. Is this normal in some cars. I have never smelled it before. thanks.

2007-10-06 00:18:03 · 7 answers · asked by joshua_phillips12 1 in Maintenance & Repairs

I live near Hampden Park - officially the most busy rail crossing in Europe.

Often, the barrier goe's down and the flashing red lights come on at least a whole minute before the train crosses - obviously this leads to frustration with the drivers waiting.

Are there any UK Railway Engineers/Guards out there who can explain this.

Is it a safety regulation that the barriers have to be lowered long before the train crosses??

Thanks.

2007-10-06 00:16:11 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Rail

2007-10-06 00:10:47 · 4 answers · asked by George 1 in Nissan

Where is the best place to avertise my Vauxhall Calibra V6 SE9 for sale in the North West of England?

2007-10-06 00:01:53 · 6 answers · asked by Mck 2 in Buying & Selling