catman

Sounds like you have an air leak somewhere. Tim

It doesn't sound like there's anything wrong with your clutch. If it isn't slipping and you can change gear ok, then you don't have a problem. Tim

Most thermostats fail in the open position, causing under heating, but either is possible. While it is possible to test it, it's easier to just replace it, if you've gone to the trouble of removing it. Tim

Yes, sounds like the thermostat to me. It doesn't do the car any good if it's faulty, it's not just about the heater. Tim

It sounds like clutch drag, as if the clutch isn't dis-engaging evenly to me. Tim

The kit would usually contain the release bearing too. You definitely want to replace the bearing with the clutch. Tim

Just pumping the pedal won't work, as the system is full of air. It needs bleeding to get rid of it. Tim

When you say that the car "goes nowhere" when you try to accelerate, do the engine revs increase? if not, then the clutch isn't slipping. Tim

Interesting replies, every day's a school day! Tim

It's on Auto Trader, advertised as a 308bhp model. £10,950 blue, by Motoworld.

Hi all, I was browsing the classifieds earlier and came across a 59 plate car, which doesn't seem to have the power bulge in the bonnet. It also only has one throttle body. Am I mistaken, or is this dodgy? On it's first mot, under the advisory section, it said upper and lower engine covers fitted, preventing proper inspection. Maybe I'm just being suspicious. (or dead wrong!) What do you think? Tim

Re the shaking when trying to move off, are you sure that the brakes hadn't jammed on due to lots of heat? Tim

It's a REALLY bad idea to guess the heat range for your engine. Don't fit them until you've checked that they're the right ones! Tim

It's worth mentioning that any warranty will be useless, as the fault was present when you bought the car. I hope you get this resolved, they sound dreadful. Tim

My experience from a few years ago. I had an old, but very well cared for Mondeo. It had less than half the usual mileage, and full main Dealer service history. It got written off by a muppet failing to give way. His Insurer said that they had never seen a car of that age, with full service history and such low mileage. They then offered exactly half of it's value. they then spent weeks trying to get me to accept £300 for it and in the mean time, ran up a bill for £6,000 on a hire car. I was also put on to an accident management company by my Insurer, who were utterly useless apart from the swift supply of a hire car. Tim