Changing the oil on my cars is something I’ve never done before; I should have because it’s so easy and is probably the most important thing you can do to prolong the life of your engine; keeping it running efficiently and prevent nasty disasters that can end up costing you a small fortune. Think of [...]

While I’m waiting for my replacement V5 to show in the post so I can get Maurice road taxed, I thought I’d finish the service I started six months ago when he went slightly kaputt! I’d still yet to change the oil and the oil filter, so that’s how I’ve spent my afternoon. You should [...]

Well, we’ve finally found the reason my little smurf coloured MX5 sounds like an asthmatic running up a hill. The principle is essentially the same – breathing problems! Mechanic no.7 said timing and he was right! No.7 is a mechanic for Arriva buses who’s hobby is stripping cars and today we stripped Maurice, who’s looking [...]

First a big thank you to the guys at MX5 Heaven for the speedy delivery of my replacement air flow meter (AFM) at the bargain price of £55.00 delivered. Even better, it still had a new air filter in it, so that’s a few extra quids worth of kit! I am fed up waiting for [...]

Today’s the day I begin in earnest – the sun is shining and I’m kitted out. Maurice has almost croaked and just managed to limp pathetically up the driveway this morning – it’s a sad sight on such a beautiful day. Anywho, crap happens as they say – no whizzing around with the top down for me today – bummer

Okay – now, thanks to Royal Mail, I’m in possession of four shiny new spark plugs, an oil filter, an air filter, a fuel filter and a sump washer – whatever that is. I got them as a kit from MX5 Heaven at the very good price of 30 quid delivered. I decide to change [...]

While I’m waiting for my service kit to be delivered – as Royal Mail are taking their time – I thought it would be a good idea not only to know what the ‘gubbins’ under the bonnet looks like, what it is and how to replace it but what it actually does. If I was [...]

I thought it was time to be a little more adventurous and to familiarise myself with the gubbins under the hood. After all – it’s what makes the car move and break down – it’s what mechanics tut-tut at and the very, very nice AA man twiddles with for five minutes and then sends me [...]

Okay – I thought I’d start with something easy. Wiper blades – can’t get much easier than that! The motors run fine so there’s no need to replace those – I just need to decide on some blades. Did I mention, that being decisive is not one of my strong points? Stick me in a [...]