Mini 1.6 THP Carbon Clean
Friday, 29 January 2021
We had a Mini Countryman 1.6 (BMW X1 underneath) in recently which was running very badly. The customer wanted a Carbon clean and all the running issues resolved. This car uses the Peugeot / Citroen 1.6 THP engine. In 1.4 litre form EP3/EP3C it is found in all these cars Peugeot 307,207 Mini One, Peugeot
- Published in BMW, Carbon Clean with Walnuts, Engine Work
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Suzuki Swift Sport 1.6 Engine Swap
Friday, 15 January 2021
This car came to us with the bottom end knocking. Before removing the engine we dropped the sump to remove the big end bearings. This is what the big end bearings looked like… Although the car was running below max oil level on the dipstick, it wasn’t actually oil starvation that caused the failure. These
- Published in Engine Work
Volvo C30 1.6D (DV6) Carbon Clean
Thursday, 12 November 2020
The Volvo C30 1.6D uses the DLD-416 (or more commonly DV6) engine jointly developed by Ford and PSA Group (Peugeot & Citroen) where it is marketed as 1.6 HDi and 1.6 TDCi. Used in cars such as the 307, C3, C4, Fiesta, & Focus to name a few. This is a DOHC 16v engine with
- Published in Carbon Clean with Walnuts, Engine Work
TRW Brake Discs and Pad replacement on a 335D E90
Friday, 28 August 2020
We recently fitted some Koni dampers to this rather fast 335D BMW e90 3 Series. The brake discs were below the thickness limit so the customer gave us the go ahead to replace with TRW Disc and Pads. If you haven’t heard of TRW, they are one of the worlds largest manufacturers of OE Brake,
Buckled Wheels – all too common…
Tuesday, 25 August 2020
on our terrible UK roads. Well now we offer a FREE check on any wheel you suspect may be buckled. Just phone first then turn up with your locking wheel nut key, and we will check the wheel thoroughly, free of charge. We’ll even make you a coffee. Also FREE. Lunch however would not be
- Published in Wheels & Tyres
Honda S2000 Valve Clearance Adjustment
Friday, 17 July 2020
In the Balance Motorworks workshop today, a nice example of Honda’s legendary S2000 Sports Car. These have arguably the finest 4 cylinder production engine ever made. Producing a whopping 237 Horsepower from just 2 litres, without forced induction, it remains a marvel 20 years on from its launch. The VTEC system which makes this all
- Published in Engine Work
Toyota GT-Four ST205 Restoration
Tuesday, 09 June 2020
Latest update If you don’t know the Celica GT-Four ST205 you probably either are too young, or not interested in WRC. This famous car was so quick the competition couldn’t keep up. It was all going well for Toyota, until a cursory inspection of the mandatory restrictor, showed up a hairline crack. Upon closer inspection
- Published in Restoration, Toyota
Porsche Boxster
Monday, 23 March 2020
We have a very tidy 05 plate Boxster in for a Suspension refresh. Just starting up this car and moving it into the workshop, you get a very good feeling of how much fun it must be to drive. The engine sounds terrific and you notice being mid engined, a lot closer to you than
- Published in Porsche, Suspension
Complex fault diagnosis and Automotive Forensics
Tuesday, 21 January 2020
Balance Motor Works believe in working with our customers in a fair and reasonable manner. We are not, what is known in the trade as “parts changers”. That means just because we think there’s a possibility that a failure of a part may be causing the symptoms, we won’t change it, without firstly diagnosing a
- Published in Fault Diagnosis
When you hear a grinding noise, your brake pads may be worn out..
Saturday, 11 January 2020
We had a Honda FR-V in the workshop this week as the customer reported a grinding noise. When I came to inspect the vehicle it was easy to see the problem. One of the rear wheels was covered in rusty iron particles and the brake pad had no friction material left. It was simply metal
- Published in Brakes