Why is my Nissan Micra's engine so dirty?

I bought a 56 plate Nissan Micra automatic 5-door 1.2 SE with 10,000 miles on it. The car is great, but one thing has puzzled me: the engine is very dirty when you lift the bonnet. I can't understand why.

Are the Nissan Micra, Renault Clio and Ford Fusion chain cam or belt cam?

Can you please tell me which of these diesel engines come with cam belts and which with cam chains: Nissan Micra 1.5, Renault Clio 1.5 and Ford Fusion 1.4. I do about 4000 miles per year.

Can you recommend a reliable replacement for our Renault Clio for under £3000?

I have between £2000 -£3000 to spend on a secondhand car. It's actually for my fiancee who used to drive a Clio, but that has just died. Can you recommend a car which would be a good buy in that price...

Can you recommend an automatic supermini for less than £6000?

My mother is in need of an automatic supermini. Are there any you would recommend? Her budget is up to £6000, year 2003-2006 approx. It must have air conditioning and five doors.

Which small diesel should I buy for my wife?

I am thinking of buying my wife a small diesel and was wondering which would be the best car?

My friend's fitted a fuel conversion magnet to his Nissan Micra - what do you think of them?

I friend of mine has just had a fuel conversion magnet fitted to his 1.0-litre Nissan Micra, and says that the engine runs sweeter, the performance is increased and fuel consumption is up by about 7 per...

Price fighter

I have a 1997 Nissan Micra automatic. Unfortunately the underneath is badly rusted and welding will cost £400. I know the guys in the MoT station and trust them. I have a budget of £5,500 and am looking...

Retiremumt

Quick email to ask your opinion on what would be the best automatic cars for my mother to buy? She has just retired and has very bad arthritis so doing things like changing gear all the time is getting...

Irrever rant

I recently took my Nissan Micra 1.3 into the local dealer for service. Whilst there I enquired of a salesman about the rev counter on the dashboard, my question was "do I need to drive at a certain rev...

Time to Micrate?

I've currently a W reg Nissan Micra that has been trouble free but wonder if I'm on borrowed time and should be looking to part exchange it either for a 2/3 year old car or a new Micra? It has to be an...