[Head gasket replacement - what else?]

When I did an MGF recently I also replaced the lower oil rail with the uprated LR one. Dunno if it made any difference and it is quite a lot more work taking the sump off.

[300tdi Lift Pump]

I've got a '96 300tdi auto with edc, which is lovely...apart from having the power of a new-born Shetland foal, matched with the fuel consumption of a Boeing 707!

Oh yes, and it's a sod to start from cold too!

So anyway...yesterday, I happened to notice that the lift pump was leaking from around the swaged central joint, and when the lever was operated, there was no resistance at all, so it had to go.

A new pump was fitted (eventually...those olives don't like to be held down!) and...no difference!

Well, it doesn't leak, but there's no resistance on the lever and when the bleed plug on the filter is opened, nothing comes out. I've turned the engine over a couple of revolutions, and at no point did the lever start to work.

With the engine running on the new pump, I opened the bleed screw on the filter, and fuel (with a few bubbles in it) dribbled out.

So, anybody any ideas what's going on?

In my experience a failed lift pump stopped the engine going altogether.

Have you checked for air leaks twixt the tank and the lift pump? Or checked the sedimenter for jelly like goo blocking it up?

[Violent Front Wheel Shake between 38 - 50 mph]

If you've a disco ,would think its the steering damper.

I had the same wobble in my freelander at similar speed, replaced damper and problem went.

And I had much the same problem with a RRC and a new steering damper cured it completely.

John

[Rear Window Wipe]

Hi all,

My rear window wiper chatters almost always on the way back down. Wipes smoothly on the way up, but skips merrily all the way back to the park position. Tried replacing blades, etc. Doesn't seem to help, or helps only for a few wipes. Arm doesn't seem to have too much play or anything obvious. Do I need to tweak up the spring to provide more tension? Anyone else had this? Any easy fixes?

While I'm about it... It also sometimes refuses to work first thing if it's been cold overnight, but then works fine after I drive a few hundred meters or so. Always put that down to "quaint" British character. Doesn't do it always. Weird? Related?

Try bending the arm so the blade sits at 90 degrees to the window.

John