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Car problems? Graham Smith can helpEmail asksmithy@carsguide.com.au

Major doubts onowning a dieselQ: My 2007 Holden AstraCDTI was flawless until itreached 90,000 km. Firstlythe EGR valve failed, nowthe swirl flap guide rod hasbroken off, which requiresa whole new inlet mani-fold. As they have dis-mantled the car they havefound that the water pumpis leaking and the high-pressure injector pump isleaking as well, and with anew manifold the car alsorequires a new swirl flapactuator. The prices ofsome of these items arestaggering and now the ex-tended warranty companyis beginning to become dif-ficult. I have approachedHolden Customer Careseeking some assistance,but I’m not sure where thatwill lead. Holden is sayingthat its outside of the war-ranty period, but my argu-ment is its only done 90,000km and has not missed aservice at a Holden dealer.I cannot believe the misfor-tune that I’m having andhave serious doubts of

whether I would ever buy adiesel vehicle car again.Am I the only one withthese problems?

Ian Butler, e-mail.A: I can understand your

frustration, but it’s a fact oflife that cars do break down,and once the warranty hasexpired it costs money to fixthem. It sounds like you havean extended warranty, sothat should cover you for thecost of repairs. If you want topersist in chasing Holdenyou might be able to get partpayment for the cost of re-pairs as a goodwill gesture.

Q: My 2012 MitsubishiTriton diesel has just hadits 30,000 km service and Iwas disturbed to see thatthe service includes avalve clearance adjust-ment and the removal andcleaning of the inlet mani-fold. The intervening15,000km services only in-clude an audible check ofvalve clearances. Despitedisagreeing with Mitsu-bishi about the cost andrelevance of this item I am

otherwise quite happywith the vehicle. Thisevent adds a lot of time andmaterial to the service.How, in the second decadeof the 21st century can it benecessary to have to some-thing so invasive to an en-gine as part of routinemaintenance?

Paul Greenslade,Darwin, NT.A: You’ll find most diesels

no matter the brand requireregular valve clearance ad-justments. To avoid sur-prises like this I always urgepeople to do their homeworkon the cost of ownership be-fore they sign up for theirnew car.

Q: I recently bought anew Subaru XV and havesince been told by Subaruthat the most current mapsthey have available are the2011 maps, and that its myresponsibility to sourceand pay for updates. Iwould have thought it wasreasonable to be providedwith up-to-date maps in abrand new car, and further

when it is standard equip-ment on the car I would ex-pect the maps to be up-dated automatically whenmy car goes in for service,much like they update thecomputer in the car. I don’tknow why this part of thevehicle is being neglected.I have spoken with mydealer and Subaru has notprovided him with any up-dates either. I think this isvery poor and Subaruneeds to take responsibil-ity and provide updatesfree of charge to cars whilethey are under warrantyand maybe even for the lifeof the vehicle. My $200Navman gives me free up-dates for life, so its obvi-ously easily done.

Deb, e-mail.A: I totally agree with you.

This is an area that car com-panies have generally fallenshort of the mark on andthere should be free map up-grades for a period of time,perhaps the length of thewarranty as you suggest.We’ve contacted Subaru on

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