I'm definitely getting axle stands, not working underneath with only a bottle jack. And I'm sure I'll want a trolley jack in future; just not sure about the outlay in my current circumstances.

I know where the normal jacking point notches are, but I gather from what I've been reading the standard bottle jack is intended to be used on the axles directly? This being the case I wasn't sure how to both jack it up and then get an axle stand under there. I also wasn't sure if the standard...

I'm slowly building up useful tools so I can do more and more bits on my D2 myself. Still very much a newbie to doing anything much, but going to have a bash at changing my pads and discs sometime soon. Obviously for that I'm going to have axle stands and chocks, but is the standard bottle jack...

Fixable, or just go for replacement?

I didn't think it was so low that bleeding might be necessary, but i guess its something to have a go at. Unfortunately I dont have access to a nanocom.

Im used to the temperature gauge sitting bang smack in the middle of the dial once the engine is up to temperature, however recently its only been climbing to just above the bottom and staying there, even after a very long journey in fairly warm weather, and with the air con running basically...

I'm OK on the consumer law side of things; it's how to broach it with the garage that I'm unsure about. If it were a big place, or somewhere that I didn't have a good relationship with then I'd kick up a fuss no problem. But I don't feel so confident and comfortable doing it with this little...

It's the same garage that I'm going back to in the morning, I've got a pretty good relationship with them. But I'm not really sure how to approach basically accusing them of doing it wrong. What sort of thing might they have done badly that would cause this? Bearing in mind I supplied the new...

Didn't make it. Half an hour out of York there was a "thhhhwurp" noise like a slug being blown out of the end of a straw, and a loss of power. Limped back home at a top speed of 50mph (turbo not kicking in). Looks to me as though the manifold has come even looser, although there aren't any more...

Doesn't matter, some more poking and I definitely can't get whatever is in the way out, let alone get a new stud/bolt in. The whole manifold is going to have to come off; just gonna take it to the garage next week, and cross my fingers for the 350 miles we're doing over the weekend.

That sounds like putting a new stud in is the better option, then? Even in my circumstances, given the new studs should arrive tomorrow anyway.

@Stanleysteamer what is the difference between putting in a new stud and putting in a bolt? I'll hopefully have time for a bit more exploration shortly.

Managed a little poking last night, and while its hard to see properly, there's definitely some hole that goes deeper than the thickness of the manifold. It feels more like it goes up and to one side rather than straight in - but I guess there could be a buildup of crud. I guess that makes it...

So I got distracted and put the car back together before checking the hole; but the nut has gone, and there's no stud protruding anymore; so either the stud has been ripped out of the hole in the engine block, or else the stud has snapped. I'm going to find out which later, and if it's snapped...

Apparently I've thrown a stud. Didn't hear it happen, just started to hear a "phut" noise on acceleration. I only had the whole manifold replaced about 6 months ago when the previous one warped. I'm going to go ahead and hope that this hasn't warped, extract the old stud through the manifold...

New one fitted, slightly paranoid I could have done something wrong and it'll go wrong; but seems perfect just now.

What would happen if I just removed the wire from the plug?

Easy job? Is there any difficulty over getting the right part, or is there only one option?

Does this look like the plug that ought to go into the bottom of it? Appears to have been shorted

It's a 2001 model. I did get it remapped by Dynachip, but he said it didn't need replacing so its factory fitted as far as I know. I have no idea what/where I'm looking for the clutch switch