BreakerLink Blog

Replacing a Cylinder Head

How do you know if a cylinder head in your engine is having problems? One of the most common tell-tale signs will be a noise that your engine is misfiring, leading to performance problems and you may even notice that your engine is rapidly overheating after a few low speed miles on the road. Other symptoms include a sweet odour coming from the engine block, created from coolant leaking into the engine, or a puddle of coolant collecting under the car where it’s previously been parked overnight.

Continue reading →

Mini Tops BreakerLink’s 2015 Used Car Reliability UK Study

mini

British car manufacturer Mini heads up the list of BreakerLink’s study into the reliable used cars on UK roads. Amongst the close finishers were popular makes like Toyota, Ford and Volkswagen in the top ten.

Mini has finished top of BreakerLink’s first ever Used Car Reliability Study, which examines and compares thirty of the leading car manufacturers producing vehicles on the UK roads. This new survey has been designed to use the amount of spare parts requested for each manufacturer as a measure of its reliability. Only 1 in every 1428 cars required a spare part during the 12 month study period over 2014.
Continue reading →

How to Replace a Car’s Rear Bumper

One of the biggest dangers when driving is other road users. When you’ve stopped at a junction no-one wants to hear that crunching sound that indicates a good rear-ending from the vehicle behind. At low speeds your rear bumper can absorb the shock and strain of a collision, but often it will take tremendous damage in the impact. In such cases you can quickly and easily buy a spare rear bumper and replace yourself with very little mechanical knowledge.

Continue reading →

Replacing your Front Drive Axle

Have you been experiencing some strange behaviour from your car when you put down the accelerator? Is there a clicking noise sounding out from underneath the bonnet as you turn corners? If you are experiencing either of these symptoms, with a serious drop out in the power and traction of your front wheel drive vehicle, then there could be a very big chance your front axle is approaching the end of its lifespan.

Continue reading →

How to Replace a Front Bumper

Although cars have a robust strength presented by the chassis and frame of the vehicle, the bodywork can be easily dented. Your front bumper is the part of the car that will deflect most bumps and bangs on the road, saving you a fortune at the panel beaters. However, over time the wear and tear on this part can cause it to fail and need replacing.

Continue reading →

Changing a Turbocharger

Turbochargers are by their very nature a high stress part in any engine. They are subjected to extremes of heat and motion, and need a constant stream of clean oil to keep their bearings rotating smoothly and efficiently. It’s no wonder that turbochargers often go wrong, requiring the part to be replaced, so what is the process for changing this car part?

Continue reading →

Replacing a Power Steering Pump

Have you seen a spillage underneath your car that you know is not oil? Is your car growling like a big cat when you turn the steering wheel? If so, then the likely culprit could be your power steering pump. Like all parts in the engine this pump is prone to fatigue, with the gaskets and seals around the unit generally failing first. Although some hardened mechanics will argue that it is possible to rebuild the unit, it is generally best replaced with a new or second hand part. This is a moderately difficult procedure that you should expect to take around four hours.

Continue reading →

Swapping a Windscreen Wiper Motor

There are few things that are as frustrating to a motorist as a failed windscreen wiper motor. You never realise this part isn’t working until the rain starts pouring down and you can’t clean your windscreen. All too often this means you’ll have to pull into a layby and wait for the rain to subside before continuing on your journey. However once you’re back home, you can quickly and easily change this part out for a new or second hand spare in around about three quarters of an hour.

Continue reading →

How to Replace an Engine ECU

The engine control unit is one of the most important parts of your car’s on-board computer. It helps regulate the systems and sub-systems imperative to the operation of your vehicle, so when it goes wrong it can cause a host of problems. Some of the most common symptoms of a malfunctioning ECU include permanently lit engine check lights on the dashboard and irregular fuel consumption and it can even stop you from starting the car. This can be a very expensive part to replace, so you are often better off trying to purchase second hand rather than buying new from a dealer and fitting the part yourself.

Continue reading →

Fitting Replacement Aftermarket Car Seats

There can be a host of reasons for needing replacement car seats. From unfortunate accidents with travel sick kids through to prolonged wear and tear, it’s very easy to know when your seats are nearing the end of their lifespan. If you are the type of driver who spends many hours travelling round the country then remember that having the right kind of support can mean hours avoided at the osteopath’s in later life having those little niggles hammered out on the massage table. You can often find aftermarket seats that are not produced by the manufacturer of your vehicle at a good price. These could save you money and you can usually purchase a modification kit appropriate to your vehicle that will ensure they fit correctly into the available space.

Continue reading →