http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.speedwell.nz en-us Sun, 01 Nov 2026 01:46:00 +1300 Rocketspark http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/post/171902/vw-tiguan-keyless-access-fault-used-door-handle/ This Volkswagen Tiguan came to us with a comfort-access fault. The problem was in the door-handle antenna, and the repair was completed using a used replacement handle.Why the handle mattersA fault in a door handle can affect more than that one door: it can stop the keyless-access system working. That does not mean every keyless-entry problem needs a replacement handle. The cause needs to be identified on the vehicle before deciding what to replace.The repairFor this Tiguan, the repair was a use... Sat, 24 Oct 2026 12:07:41 +1300 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/#post171902 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/post/171825/2013-mazda-axela-air-conditioning-why-a-recharge-was-not-the-whole-answer/ This 2013 Mazda Axela came into the workshop with hot air blowing from the vents. The air conditioning was not cooling, and the compressor was not switching on.Low refrigerant was only part of the problemThe first checks found some pressure remaining in the system. We recovered the refrigerant and found the amount was about half of what should have been there. After recharging the system, the compressor still would not switch on. There was more to investigate than the refrigerant level alone.Fol... Fri, 23 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/#post171825 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/post/171439/a-stone-under-the-seat-stopped-this-mini-passing-its-wof/ This R56 MINI came in for a WoF and service with a driver’s seat that would not move forwards or backwards. The inspection picked up a few ordinary items, including bulbs, but the stuck seat needed a closer look.Finding what was holding it upThere was no obvious sign of the cause with the seat in place. We removed the seat from its rails so we could inspect the release mechanism properly.Underneath it was a stone covered in hair, wedged under the release mechanism. That small obstruction was s... Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/#post171439 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/post/171346/when-a-brake-squeak-led-to-more-than-worn-pads/ This 2017 Mazda CX-5 came in with an intermittent squeak. We found the rear brake pads were almost down to their metal backing, with the wear indicator rubbing against the disc.We replaced the pads using the electronic parking brake’s service mode. After reinitialising the system, the initial checks and road test seemed fine.Further operation revealed another problem. The parking brake would release initially, but after logging a fault a couple of times, the right-hand rear side stopped actuat... Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/#post171346 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/post/171262/a-split-engine-mount-found-during-a-bmw-x1-wof/ A 2018 BMW X1 F48 with the B38 engine came to Speedwell for a WoF inspection. We found that the driver’s-side hydraulic engine mount had split and leaked, and the vehicle failed its inspection.An engine mount supports the engine and helps absorb vibration. A hydraulic mount uses fluid as part of that cushioning. A split mount or fluid leakage is a reason to check its condition and the surrounding components.A worn or damaged mount can contribute to vibration felt inside the cabin. Vibration ca... Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:27:59 +1300 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/#post171262 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/post/171260/vw-tiguan-oil-leak-found-during-a-service/ This VW Tiguan 2-litre turbo came in for a service. During our checks, we found quite a bad oil leak around the timing cover area.This engine has a plastic upper timing cover and a pressed-metal lower cover. The photo shows oily residue around the cover area that needed attention.Checking for problems like this is part of our service. We explain what we find and what’s required to fix it, so the owner understands what needs attention and can plan the next step.The car was only in for a service... Mon, 05 Oct 2026 18:03:21 +1300 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/#post171260 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/post/171084/bent-pushrods-and-an-engine-misfire/ The owner had driven about 5 km after buying the vehicle when the engine started misfiring and popping through the intake. At our Hamilton workshop, removing the rocker cover revealed bent and broken pushrods.The damaged parts were easy to see. Finding out why the engine still would not run properly took the investigation further.The problem continued after replacing the pushrodsWe fitted replacement pushrods and checked the camshaft and lifters, but the running problem remained. Replacing the v... Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:36:56 +1300 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/#post171084 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/post/171083/bmw-coolant-connections-spotted-during-a-service/ A BMW came into our Hamilton workshop for a service. While checking it over, we noticed deterioration around the coolant-line connections that needed attention.The photos show the areas that caught our eye. The coolant lines had not been replaced at the time of this write-up.It is a useful example of why the condition of the parts under the bonnet matters, even when a car is booked in for routine servicing.... Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:21:17 +1300 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/#post171083 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/post/168622/air-conditioning-not-cold-common-causes-on-bmw-audi-and-mercedes/ First hot day of the year, you jump in the car outside your place in Chartwell or on the way in from Rototuna, crank the air con up, and get nothing but lukewarm air or a weak trickle from the vents. It's one of those problems that seems to show up overnight but is usually the result of something that's been building for months.On BMW, Audi, and Mercedes especially, air con systems are more complex than most, with electronically controlled compressors and climate control units that don't always ... Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:32:00 +1200 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/#post168622 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/post/168323/grinding-knocking-or-squealing-a-quick-guide-to-common-car-noises/ A grinding noise when braking almost always means the brake pads have worn down past their friction material and metal is now contacting metal, which also means the discs are likely being damaged in the process. A grinding sound when changing gears in a manual points to clutch or gearbox wear, and it's worth getting looked at before it turns into a bigger repair. Either way, grinding is one of the noises worth acting on quickly rather than waiting.A knocking noise from the engine, especially one... Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:26:16 +1200 http://www.speedwell.nz/blog/#post168323