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That sounds dangerous. Fuel leaking under pressure under the hood is never good. Phil

I just accept and cop the cost of any issues myself unless it's a major or catastrophic fail. I'd rather do the servicing myself and if I need to claim warranty for something big I'm prepared to fight the manufacturer. It's been that way for me for at least 35 years and I've needed to go into...

There should be zero fuel smells especially inside the cabin. There is no "normal" fuel smells inside the cabin of any car or externally for that matter on a modern vehicle. In other words " normal" means zero fuel odour in the cabin. As suggested it may be a flooded charcoal canister. It's...

I made the suggestion previously. If you think the CDV doesn't allow the clutch pressure plate to quickly reengage/clamp the clutch plate again after you release the clutch pedal and this results in a degree of slipping after each upshift then it's an easy thing to test. Put the car in first...

Got a call from my dealer muppet last Friday at 4:45PM, timed like a bad news government press release. They have a tentative build date of late next month for my Red Manual GTS with leather seats for probable/possible delivery late January. IF that comes off it will be 13 months since ordering...

I've been using prepreg carbon fibre heat shields on motorcycle exhausts for many years. They all eventually go like this. The heat effects the resin. Not much can be done about it apart from insulating the back of the carbon piece if thats possible. Phil

Nice to know your dealer is a Toyota "expert". While ever we laugh this sort of stuff off we'll get the same sort of " expertise". Might not be so bad if they didn't beat owners over the head with the " only use us to service your new Toyota because nobody knows your Toyota like a Toyota...

If you want to get a reality check on the energy transition and the death of the ICE this is worth 47min of your time. Phil

Yea, good move on the investments and mixing it with pleasure. A good balance is key to keeping sane. If you love your job then it's not like working so keep going. I was living in one city and working in another commuting by air for the last 4 years and although I also loved my work it was...

Me. Six new cars in the last 7 years and paid cash for all of them. Retired at 57 after 42 years in Aviation. Saw the best years of it. Phil

I've never used Inconel but during my aviation career I've done quite a few Boro's on big gas turbine engines inspecting the HPT Nozzle guide vanes which are Inconel. The NGVs are the hardest working part of a jet engine and even the Inconel blades take a hammering due to heat and load. Google...

This is what coolant leaking into the combustion chamber looks like exhaust wise on cold start. Coolant leaks into the chamber during the cool down cycle and is burnt on start up. Anyway it shows the colour of the exhaust discharge and the concentration when it's chronic. You can also hear it...

Like most things I make the quality is very good but I'm slow. I could never charge people to make stuff like this as it would be too expensive on an hourly rate, even a cheap hourly rate. I love Ti as a material, It's light, strong and maintains it's surface finish for ever. At least natural...

Not meant to be misleading just informative. What should be done and what is done are different things. Manufacturers don't lube lug nuts and their torque requirements are based on dry figures. Ti is much worse than say grade 8.8 steel bolts for galling. I know Ti material pretty well as I...

One thing you need to be aware of is galling is a real issue with titanium and removing a galled lug nut is a real PITA. Most important to use some copper based anti seize on the threads at all times. Phil

It's colloquially known as "mayo" and caused by condensing water mixing with the oil. I own 8 vehicles and try to avoid starting them and not letting the oil get to full operating temp for a decent period of time. It mainly occurs during cold starts and or cold weather operation especially with...

And thats the rub. I'm often struck by this notion of "different" I see and hear people in the car and motorcycle world respond to something with regards to styling or a particular styling modification as "dope" "cool" or whatever particular descriptor they prefer and am often struck with the...

Yes and they also provide the effect of a slight reduction in spring rate as well. Phil

I like the look just not convinced of the long term practicality. I know, others disagree. Phil

The easiest way to troubleshoot oil leak locations is to thoroughly clean down the area until it's totally clean and dry then spray the area with dye check developer which leaves a translucent dry white powder residue. Take the car for a drive and when the tiniest oil weep presents the developer...