Properly functioning fuel injectors are essential in a diesel engine, causing a few different issues when they fail or deteriorate, with a large repair bill often being the most notable! 

In this article, we’ll discuss some common symptoms of injector issues, how they are usually fixed, and typical costs for repair.

Replacing a single faulty diesel injector typically costs between £300 and £900. If replacing all 4, expect the cost to be north of £800, and reach £2,000+ if they are difficult to remove. 

Labour charges generally make up a significant proportion of the cost to replace diesel injectors, which can vary wildly depending on how easily the old injectors can be removed from the engine.

Aftermarket (non-genuine) injectors typically cost between £90 and £150 each, whereas genuine ones will often set you back £300 each or more, depending on the make.

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Diesel cars use injectors to add fuel to the engine’s cylinders. They are specifically needed in diesel engines to overcome the extremely high pressures needed inside the engine, to make diesel burn efficiently.

Diesel injectors act as small and precise valves to allow fuel from the high-pressure fuel system through, whilst also atomising the fuel into a mist, allowing for a more efficient burn.

The orifice from which the diesel is sprayed is roughly the same diameter as a human hair, and as such is very susceptible to clogging if the fuel system is not properly maintained. 

Multiple stages of filtration are used to prevent this issue, but over time, particles and sludge can build up, affecting the spray pattern and volume. This is one of the reasons it is important to follow servicing schedules, including replacing fuel filters.

Another common failure mode is when the rubber seals that keep the diesel fuel contained within the injector housing fail, causing leaks and a lack of fuel pressure injected into the cylinder.

Should you replace all diesel injectors at once?

It is good practice to replace all injectors at once, but is not always necessary. In many cases, the cause of the failed injector has an impact, as well as the age of the vehicle. 

If the car and engine is old, but is likely to give prolonged service, it’s best to change all the injectors. This is because a failure due to general wear and age indicates future failures are likely.

However, if the car is destined for the scrap heap in a year or two, it’s probably not worth replacing them all.

It is highly recommended to replace any bad diesel injectors as soon as possible, without continuing to drive the car. A faulty diesel injector will cause very poor running, starting and emissions levels. 

What’s more, prolonged use may cause more significant problems with the engine, including severe diesel leaks, and on some occasions, diesel even getting into the engine oil, which will be very bad for your engine’s health. 

Bumper can help fix your car, by offering zero-percent interest on 

. Simply find your nearest approved garage and get your car repaired without worrying about settling the bill all at once!

 has been writing about cars for over eight years and writing for Bumper for over three, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

How much does it cost to repair a diesel injector?

With the crankshaft being one of the most crucial and expensive parts to replace in an engine, being told there’s an issue relating to it, or hearing suspicious noises when driving could be a cause for concern. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at the potential issues your car may be suffering from and how much they are likely to cost. 

Repairing a crankshaft is not cheap, and usually it would be easier to replace the whole engine. This can cost anywhere from £2,700 to over £10,000, depending on the type of car it is, and whether you buy a new, used or refurbished engine. 

However, before worrying too much, double-check it’s not a similar-sounding problem, such as a crankshaft sensor, crankshaft pulley, or crankshaft damper. As we all know, sometimes information can get slightly skewed in translation. 

These problems are generally far less catastrophic in cost:

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A crankshaft connects to the pistons in an engine and converts their up and down motion into rotational power, which then, through the gearbox and drivetrain, powers the wheels.

It is a precise and complex part to make, and is located in the bottom of the engine, hence why an issue with it usually means replacing the whole engine. With normal road cars, problems tend to stem from the bearings it spins on, rather than the shaft itself.

Symptoms of a damaged crankshaft or crankshaft bearings

If your engine's crankshaft is damaged, it is likely to be evident through a knocking noise or vibrations from the engine. These would typically get louder with increased engine RPM. However, it’s important for the sake of other components to avoid starting or revving the engine as much as possible if you suspect crankshaft damage.

Serious damage, such as a snapped crankshaft, will prevent the engine from running at all.

How long does it take to repair a crankshaft issue?

As mentioned above, it is likely that replacing the engine with a new, used or reconditioned one is the best course of action, as stripping and rebuilding an engine often takes longer and requires specialist tools and knowledge. 

Replacing an engine could be done in around 2-3 days if the parts are easy to source and the garage can prepare in advance, but often, parts that are unexpectedly required can delay the job for a week or more.

Repairing smaller items, such as a crankshaft sensor or crankshaft pulley/damper, should only take a few hours, if everything goes well.

Yes, in certain circumstances, a crankshaft can completely break in two. In the past, these issues were most commonly associated with tuned or modified cars that had non-original turbos and similar power boosting devices fitted. 

One notable example of a completely standard engine breaking its camshaft is the Land Rover TDV6 engine, used in many Discovery and some Range Rover models. It is a known problem whereby oil starvation causes one of the crank bearings to seize.

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If your car is making a strange noise or you’ve been told by a mechanic that it’s due for some expensive repairs, Bumper’s interest-free 

 can help spread the cost of the repair. Available now through one of hundreds of nationwide approved garages, find your nearest one today.

How much does it cost to repair a car's crankshaft?

Despite being BMW’s smallest car, the 1 Series still comes with all the refinement and quality of the larger models, but does it also come with the potential for high repair costs?

The differential is a key component in your car's drivetrain, so how much is a 1 series differential likely to cost to repair?

How much does it cost to replace a BMW 1 Series differential?

The average cost to replace a BMW 1 Series differential is between £300 and £2,500, depending on the model and whether new or used parts are used. 

A brand new differential from BMW can easily set you back £2,000 plus fitting, which will typically cost between £150 and 300 depending on the garage’s hourly rates. 

A slightly cheaper option is to get a refurbished unit, costing between £450 and £1,200 on average. These are made using original BMW differential casings, but with refreshed seals, bearings and sometimes gears. 

The cheapest option is to fit a differential from a breaker or dismantler for around £140-350. These are units removed from scrapped cars. In many cases, these will be untested and without any guarantee. 

Have your car repaired by one of our approved garages. Split the cost with interest-free 

When a car turns, the wheels on the outside of the car (right wheels during a left-hand turn, and vice versa) have to turn at a higher rate than the ones on the inside. For driven wheels that are linked to each other via driveshafts, this presents an issue. 

A differential is used to allow power to be transmitted to both wheels, even when one needs to spin faster than the other. All internal combustion engine cars made in the last 120 years or so have a differential; certain cars, such as 4WD ones, have more than one.

Like all mechanical components, normal use causes wear, not just between the gears inside the differential, but also to the oil seals and bearings present too.

Wear can be accelerated by poor maintenance or a lack of lubrication. The latter is often caused by oil seals becoming dry and ineffective, allowing oil to leak out over time. Something that regular checkups and maintenance can help.

In most BMW cars, being Rear Wheel Drive, the issue can be exacerbated by the fact that the differential sits separately from the gearbox and engine, at the rear of the car. This makes oil leaks easier to miss.

Yes, many differential issues can be repaired without needing to replace the whole unit. Problems such as:

However, if the problem is more serious, such as the internal gears being excessively worn, or the unit needs specialised tools to work on it, many garages will only offer replacement as an option.

How to tell if your differential is broken

Common symptoms of a worn differential include:

Can you drive with a broken differential?

No, as the differential is directly linked to the rear wheels, regardless of whether the car is in neutral, a serious failure inside, such as a bearing collapsing, could cause the rear wheels to suddenly lock up at speed.

What’s more, a differential with a minor oil leak, or grumbling bearing, can often be repaired at a relatively low cost. However, continuing to drive the car could result in a very large bill, should irreparable damage be caused. 

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How much does it cost to fix a BMW 1 Series differential?

Bumpers used to be fitted to protect expensive vehicle bodywork from being damaged in a minor bump, hence the name! Nowadays, the bumpers of almost all cars are just as important as the rest of the car, meaning any and every minor mark can seriously detract from the appearance of the car. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at some average bumper repair costs, specifically on BMWs, including both old and new, large and small. 

How much does it cost to repair a BMW bumper?

The cost to repair a bumper ranges from £200 to £600+, depending on the severity of the damage. Other factors include where you are located and the colour and type of paint on the car.

In general, the smaller the area of damage, the cheaper it will be to fix. Small scratches and scuffs can sometimes be fixed without needing paint, typically costing less than £275 or so. 

However, if the damage is extensive and the bumper needs painting, or the bumper is cracked, broken or parts are missing, more extensive body repair and time are needed. This means the cost could easily rise to over £600.

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Sometimes it makes more sense to replace the bumper rather than repair it. This can cost anywhere from £400 to £2,000, depending on the source of the parts and if the replacement bumper needs to be painted. 

Whilst most commonly replaced body panels are readily available, this will depend on the age and rarity of the vehicle. In most cases, the new part will not come pre-painted, and as such will need professional painting to match the rest of the car.

How to save money on repairing your bumper

If your bumper has damage and needs repairing or replacing, it might be possible to try these tips first:

Yes, although it may seem difficult, there are multiple methods for repairing cracks and other damage to plastic body panels. These include:

Whether you can continue using your car depends on the level of damage. If your bumper simply has paint damage or light scratches/dents, it should be okay to continue driving. 

If the damage affects any of the lights, the number plate or creates any sharp edges, the problem should be fixed before being used. It goes without saying that it also applies if any part of the bumper is hanging off or feels loose.

Repair your BMW bumper, with Bumper! Whether its bodywork damage, mechanical issues, or simple servicing, spread out the cost with Bumper’s 

. Apply online at thousands of repairers nationwide.

How much does a bumper on a BMW cost to repair?

Airbags have been standard fitment on all cars for the last few decades, and for good reason; they help reduce injury in the event of a collision. But, like any additional component in a car, they cost money to replace should something go wrong. 

This article takes a look at the costs associated with an airbag replacement or repair.

If your airbags have deployed because of an accident or fault, expect to pay anywhere from £200 to £2,000+ to repair the damage.

However, in most cases its best to let your insurance assess with and deal with the car. Often, if the airbags have deployed, it means the car will be uneconomical to repair, and as such will be considered a write-off.

If you're facing a repair bill for your airbag replacement, Bumper's 

 can help split the cost without any interest.

If the damage to the rest of the car is repairable and has been deemed safe, it is possible to replace the airbags. In most cases, they will also cause damage to various parts of the interior, such as the steering wheel, dashboard and seats. 

Along with the airbags needing replacing, it is quite likely that the seatbelt pre-tensioners will have activated too. These are explosive charges that pull occupants into the seat, and only work once. 

The time it will take the garage to replace the airbags and repair any damaged interior panels will depend on the number of airbags deployed and the availability of parts.

In most cases, your insurer will first conduct an assessment of the damage to see if it’s worth repairing, which can add another few days to a week.

After the damage has been assessed, new parts will be ordered, usually directly from the manufacturer, and fitted. In total, this can take anywhere from a few days to a few months.

No, airbags serve a very important role, and do not work twice. Once they have deployed, they need to be replaced. They are also likely to deposit debris and gases into the car, something that will not be safe to be around. 

Furthermore, any collision forceful enough to set off airbags also means the car should be fully inspected by a professional before being driven.

This is to ensure the various other safety components, such as impact/crash bars and crumple zones, are not damaged. 

In October, the largest ever vehicle recall was issued, after a fault was discovered with certain airbags made by now-folded Japanese company Takata.

The recall affects cars from many manufacturers, including Citroen, BMW, Toyota and more. It covers a wide range of products, made between 2002 and 2018, in total, around 67 million airbag units are affected. 

If your car has sustained damage, either mechanically or to the bodywork, Bumper can help spread out the cost of large repair bills with a 

 Choose from hundreds of approved garages nationwide, and get zero-interest car repair finance today. 

How much does it cost to repair an airbag?

Whilst originally formed to make their own sports cars, Abarth is best known for their association with Fiat, making performance versions of many of their models over the years, including the Abarth 595, the Punto Evo and the 124. 

If your Abarth needs work done, from routine servicing to mechanical repairs, read on to get an idea of the likely costs you should expect to pay.

These are some rough estimates for servicing costs on Abarth models

Servicing prolongs the life of your car and is likely to be a requirement if the car is leased or financed. 

Not only do large servicing bills increase the annual costs of running a car, but they may also mean that previous owners are less likely to have serviced the car at the dealership, if buying secondhand.

It’s essential to change your car's cambelt within the recommended intervals, so as to avoid much larger repair bills should it break whilst driving.

Suspension components for a regular Fiat 500 are usually pretty well priced, as the cars are simple and plentiful. The Abarth parts, however, are a little more specialised, with fewer cars on the road, meaning they are more expensive.

Bodywork repair costs are usually only determined by the extent and location of the damage, and not necessarily the model or make of the car. However, there are some paint codes that are particularly difficult to match, increasing the costs.

Engines are typically quite expensive to repair as they are very complex and require specialist tools. The Abarth 500 and 595 have the added disadvantage that they are quite tightly packaged, meaning some jobs take more time than on other cars.

If you have any of the costs listed above looming, such as bodywork damage or a knock from your suspension, Bumper can help spread the cost. Split your bill into monthly payments with Bumper's 

. Apply online before your visit to see how much you can use.

How much does it cost to repair an Abarth?

Water can be extremely damaging to your car if it gets in the wrong places. If water is leaking into your car from a sunroof or door seal, it's important to get it fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage. 

How much does it cost to repair a car water leak?

Repairing a water leak on your car can cost between £40 and £350+, depending on the cause of the leak and the type of car it is. 

In some cases, a leak is caused by a misfitted seal or one that has come loose. It’s worth checking this yourself before taking the car to a garage, but if you did, it shouldn’t cost more than £40-50 for the mechanic to refit the seal.

It’s also quite common for seals to perish and split over time. If this is the case, the seal will need to be replaced entirely. These can range in price, typically costing between £50-100 for a door or boot seal. Don’t forget to factor in labour costs if you're getting a garage to fit it. 

Sunroofs are a common source of water leaks, either due to perished or damaged seals, or a mechanism that is no longer closing the roof properly. Repairing a leaking sunroof can cost anywhere from £40 for a new seal to £200+ if the mechanism needs to be replaced or repaired.

 to help with large repair bills, with zero-interest financing. 

What are some common causes of car water leaks?

Any place that opens, such as a door or window, can be a source for water leaks, but these are some common places to check first:

It’s not always immediately obvious that you have a water leak, but noticing one or more of the following common symptoms should necessitate having a look for the source of the leak. 

Issues resulting from a water leak can range from some damp carpets to incredibly expensive electrical repairs, depending on the car and the source of the leak. 

At the least, an ongoing water leak is likely to cause a musty smell, and issues with the windscreen fogging up in cold weather. 

If left for a long period of time, mould can easily begin to form in waterlogged carpets and upholstery. This is usually fairly easy to clean off, but in some cases can mark fabrics. Not to mention the health issues!

In certain cars, the consequences can be much more severe, especially if the car’s ECU or wiring is located anywhere the water is leaking or running, repairs can run to thousands of pounds. Even a corroded earth connection can cause a multitude of problems.

If you are expecting a big car repair bill, Bumper’s 

 can help. Available through hundreds of pre-approved garages across the country, it can help spread repair payments into manageable chunks.

A seized brake caliper can occur on almost any car, and with brakes being such a vital safety system, it’s important to get any potential issues fixed as soon as possible. In this article, we’ll discuss how much it’s likely to cost to repair a seized brake caliper.

It will cost between £125 and £600 to repair a seized brake caliper, but the make and model of the car, as well as the extent of the damage, can affect the final cost.

In some cases, the caliper can be disassembled, the slider pins cleaned and re-greased, and put back on the car. This should only take an hour or so in labour, typically costing around £85 and £175.

In more severe cases, where the caliper needs to be fully rebuilt, a new one will be fitted, generally costing anywhere from £150 and £300 per corner. 

If the brake caliper has been seized for some time, and caused the brakes to overheat, this will require a new disc and set of brake pads too, likely bringing the bill to around £600.

If you have a big car repair bill looming you can split the cost with Bumper's 

Brake calipers have a moving and a static part, in order to apply braking pressure to the disc. If this movement is hindered by corrosion, a lack of grease, or simply a lack of use, the caliper can become stuck in the clamped position, effectively holding the brake on.

It happens mainly to rear brake calipers, as they often have a handbrake mechanism built in, too. But it can happen to either the front or rear.

The usual causes of a seized brake calliper are age or a lack of maintenance. Both the slider pins and brake piston are shielded from road dirt and water by rubber seals. If these are damaged during a repair or have degraded over time, they will no longer protect the piston or slider pins.

This leads to water and dirt entering, and subsequently both washing away lubricating grease, and allowing moisture in, which then corrodes vital components.

Once part of the slider pins or pistons have begun to corrode, they are difficult to separate or clean, and tend to bind or stick easily. 

If it’s the slider pins that have seized, they can, in some cases, be simply taken apart, cleaned up and re-lubricated. This can sometimes also be done to a slightly rusty brake piston. 

If the corrosion is too bad, and the parts are pitted or will not move freely, a new caliper will be required. Thankfully, these aren’t overly expensive, starting at around £90 for a small car, but rising to many hundreds for performance on luxury vehicles. 

When replacing a brake caliper, it is good practice to replace the brake pads, and if the seized brake has overheated, both the pads and discs should be replaced, on both sides.

Once the brake work has been done, the system will need bleeding. This is a good time to have your brake fluid flushed.

No, a caliper that is seized will not apply proper braking force, meaning your brakes will be unbalanced and potentially very poor. This is in addition to the fact that a seized caliper is likely to overheat and damage the discs, pads and even the caliper itself if not repaired soon enough.

 is the easy way to split the cost of repair bills into interest-free monthly payments without interest. Apply online and choose from 1000s of approved garages.

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer