Dr Kev. - Kam Servicing Network.

Hello again!

(Cover your eyes all other die-hard Derby devotees) I'm really looking forward to seeing the forthcoming match between Man U and Real Madrid almost more than I am anticipating the next Derby game, so much so in fact that I'm marking off the calendar at home as the days roll down! With the title challenge fast approaching, it will be good to see how Man U's prospects are shaping up. Even the kids are getting excited, swept along no doubt by my bounding enthusiasm! Derby may still be saved from league relegation and our friendly neighbours Forest are still going strong. So, as you can imagine, it's been an exciting week!

It has been no less emotionally taxing in the workshops. Not only have we been up to our eyeballs with jobs (the most popular of which have been our free MoTs with every major service), but we've had the inevitable league of electrical problems as well. Foremost of these was Mr Foster's four year old imported and modified BMW 530.

"Kev, my BMW won't start! I've tried to jump start it, but to no avail! Can you come down and have a look at it for me?" Mr Foster (name changed to protect his innocence) was sounding really dejected on the other end of the phone.

Quicker than quick, our Kam Rescue Team arrived at Mr Foster's house to retrieve the stricken BMW, taking a courtesy car along for him as well. While we were at the scene, Mr Foster showed us what he had tried to jump the BMW's flat battery with - his neighbour's boost pack. Shaun and I exchanged concerned looks...

Once back in the workshop, we hooked the BMW up to our superb diagnostic computer and our fears were confirmed. Because the boost pack wasn't supplying the correct power to the battery, a surge had, well, surged into the system and damaged the ECU. No wonder the car wouldn't start! The obvious thing was to remove the ECU and send it away for testing.

Fortunately, our electrical experts aren't slouches, and the repaired ECU arrived back in the workshop within a matter of days, along with a report of exactly how extensive the damage was. Once it was hooked back up to the rest of the BMW's wiring, it was time to try the starting.

It should have gone smoothly. But, no. The car still wouldn't fire. With his head under the bonnet, Shaun's voice was a little muffled, but I could just make out the word 'Diesel'. Diesel? This was a petrol model, and just to make sure I wasn't going mad, I checked inside the fuel filler cap. Definitely good old 97 octane petrol.

"What are you saying about diesel, Shaun?"

"Well, put your nose near this injector. Doesn't it smell like diesel?" Shaun was right. This didn't look good (or smell good either for that matter).

So after talking to Mr Foster, we had to remove the injectors and injector rails to see what was going on - and surprise surprise, they were full of diesel. So we flushed the engine and the fuel tank, replaced every single filter and ensured that every drop of diesel was exorcised from the system. While I was finishing off the job, Shaun spotted a receipt on the passenger seat, from the local fuel forecourt. It was a computerised receipt for... yes, you've guessed it, diesel.

Another set of spark plugs later and it was time to try the engine. One the first turn of the key it leapt into life, roaring in only the way that a modified BMW 5-series can! When Mr Foster came to collect it, I took a few minutes to remind him which pumps are which on the forecourt, so that he doesn't make that mistake again! Plus I advised him not to jump start his car again in case he blows another ECU!

As well as all of this, and the servicing jobs, the lads have been kept busy fitting sets of Stunner tyres to all sorts of different cars and carrying out our comprehensive - and free - brake inspections. It's enough to make a chap wish for a holiday - but I love it too much!

Until next week,

Dr Kev Allen.