BL R-series engine fitted to the Maestro with the carburettor facing the front of the car, which also led to a reputation for carburettor icing in cold weather. The endemic problem of crankshaft failure was later attributed to flexing of the crankcase – because the E series relied upon the heavy sump/transmission unit to give additional strength to the cylinder block casting, this caused problems when a plain sump was bolted in its place. The R series was superseded in 1984 by the S series. BL R-series engine The R series is a line of petrol engines introduced by British Leyland in 1983
Which? centres during the 1970s. More than 120 such centres were operating in 1977-8, many of them funded by local councils. The centres closed as funding was withdrawn by the government in 1980. "Which?" continued campaigning on consumer safety issues, with its car safety test results strengthening calls to legislate car manufacturers to fit seat belts in all new cars, helping to make it compulsory to Clunk Click Every Trip in 1983. In 1992, "Which?" launched another satellite publication, this one aimed at youngsters aged 11–15, called Check It Out!, but it failed to take off and closed in June 1994.