I own an ‘00 Colt 2.8 TD. For some time now I’ve had a problem where the vehicle starts easily in the morning, but after running for a short while it splutters, spews out white smoke and then cuts outs. I then have to swing the engine for several seconds before it eventually fires to life again.
I’ve tried bleeding the lift pump, but from what I can tell there’s no air in the system. I’ve also had the injectors checked and the lift pump replaced. This vehicle is regularly serviced so all the filters are new. Please let me know what I should try next as I’m running out of ideas.
Arthur Manning

The case for using a standardised GPS co-ordinate format

I drive an ‘84 Nissan Patrol SWB. It has a limited-slip diff at the rear and nothing up front. If I were to fit a diff-lock to this vehicle would it be advisable to put it at the rear, or should it be installed up front?
If fitted to the front, will the locker affect my vehicle’s turning circle? Also, in terms of diff-locks, what options do I have for the Patrol?
Corné Opperman

I own an ’05 Colt 3.0 V6 that’s done 119 000 km. I absolutely love my bakkie, but it’s got one elusive problem: every now and then it makes a loud rattling sound when started, almost like the motor’s full of loose nuts and bolts. The noise used to persist for up to 10 seconds, but lately it’s gotten worse and now lasts for about a minute or so.
To me, it sounds like the valve lifters are rattling until they get oil, but if I switch the engine off and immediately start it again, the noise disappears. To date I’ve done the following to the bakkie: replaced the cylinder head, fitted new valves, replaced the valve lifters and had the belts checked.
At this stage I don’t know what to do. In truth, I don’t think the problem’s terminal as the vehicle pulls well, uses no oil and the motor runs silky smooth. I’ve even taken it up to 170 km/h to be sure that nothing’s ready to pop. However, I’m concerned that something may go when I’m on a long-distance trip and far from home. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Warren van der Merwe

My ’05 Hilux 4.0 V6 has done 270 000 km. During the last 10 000 km I’ve had to replace many of the vehicle’s sensors. Is it normal for the oil, temperature and oxygen sensors to fail at this mileage? It seems the previous owner removed the catalytic convertors in the exhaust system – could this be the cause of the sensors’ failing? These things are proving to be quite expensive.
Christo Swanepoel

I’d like to fit a locker to my ’99 Ford Courier 2.5 Tdi. Is there a diff-lock available for my Courier, and if so, should I fit it to the front or rear axle? I love trail driving but I don’t like the stuck part.
Botma Sybrand

My ‘97 Colt 3.0 V6 uses about two litres of oil with every full tank of fuel, but as far as I can tell it’s not smoking or leaking any oil. Where on earth is the oil going, or what am I doing wrong? I use 20W50 as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Eugene van der Merwe

I own an ‘03 Colt 2.8 TDI. I would like to remove the vehicle’s viscous fan and replace it with two 10” electric fans. Is this a popular modification, and if so, at what temperature should the fans switch on?
Wayne du Ploy

I recently read an expert’s response to a suspension-related query (Flexible Patrol) in your July ’11 issue. I’m attempting a similar conversation (shackle reversal and lengthening) to my Cruiser but as mentioned by your expert the lengthened shackle upfront has resulted in wandering and instability. I inserted a 5 mm spacer between the diff housing and the leaf springs to compensate for the caster change and it’s helped tremendously.
My question is: would the rear diff also need a similar adjustment or does the rear suspension not matter much? Also, does the diff and prop shaft alignment have to be exact or will the universal joint make up for mild discrepancies? I’ve noticed a slight vibration between 2 300 and 2 600 rpm, could this be caused by the rear diff’s alignment? Could you provide me with the diff angles of the front and rear prop shaft? Finally, what are the benefits / procedures behind a shackle reversal?
Nick Retief

I own a ‘01 Hilux KZ-TE 3.0 DC. I bought the vehicle second-hand, fully kitted and with approximately 170 000 km on the clock. The vehicle had never given me a day’s trouble until December ‘09 when it showed its first signs of overheating – particularly when pushed hard up steep gradients. I took the vehicle to Silverton Radiators and they confirmed that it had a cylinder head leak.