ruffgeezer

Clipped a pothole this morning at 5am,  seemingly burst a 2 week old tyre and broke the rear shock top mount too.

That's going to be an expensive shift.

Got the spare swapped on grazing my knuckles with the widow maker jack and still got in to work on time.

Yep, that'll do nicely! 

OK light and levels checked,  MOT time this afternoon.   Place your bets now.

I'm pretty certain it's dmf,  the noise isn't altered by holding the clutch down.

Anyway, today after the effects of last night's "dinner and drinks" had abated, I set to preparing the exhaust for it's replacement that should arrive tomorrow. 

 

This is the really shit bit,  where now there is a large hole, the used to be a hanger.  The replacement part for this section was only £20 so it really wasn't worth messing about with.

These sleeve joint exhausts can be an utter slag to separate,  but this proved a quick and easy method to get it off...

This bit was sectioned with the angle grinder and gently spread until it can be twisted off of the mid section.

 

Lastly,  a quick check of the outlet of the centre box shows that it is tender here too,  so out with the exhaust paste to deal with those pin holes.

 

it reminded me a bit of this scene:

 

 

20 hours ago, tommytwo said:

That Focus looks nice.  Should sell very quickly with a new ticket.

The plus side is it'll have a full ticket, new exhaust etc, down side is that the DMF rattles it's arse off.

Gave the focus a bit of a clean today,  ran through the lights and levels and fitted a bugger battery, just waiting on a exhaust tail pipe before the mot next week.

It still smells damp inside so I've the dehumidifier running in it to dry it out.

I've a timing belt kit and an oil filter for if it passes the mot,  then I'll see if I can find it a new home.

1 hour ago, dozeydustman said:

I have found my local ECP and GSF to be pretty much spot on - no incorrect parts and they guys behind the counters are pleasant and friendly.

Halford has its place as in it’s convenient for a bottle of oil or some wiper blades but they train their staff to sell or sign up to e-mails etc which when your car has thrown a wiper blade off on a rainy Sunday is the last thing on your mind.

To be fair, I've been buying parts through halfords trade card this week - which are supplied by ECP - and they work out cheaper than on my ECP trade account.

ECP in return deactivated my Omnipart account as I wasn't spending enough.  Cunts. 

I asked for a mid spec 019 battery today;  ECP 4yr model £120+vat trade,  Halfords 5yr model £96 Inc vat.  Its not even a small difference. 

16 minutes ago, reb said:

I'll be sacraficing some of the space for business purposes if all goes well though.

Looks good that,  what's you be doing business-wise, that's if it is not rude to ask?

For sure,  I can't wait to get the old shanty shed pulled down.

I think I will end up replacing it with a prefab garage, just as long as it stays drier than what it replaces!

Interesting read, thanks @fatharris,  certainly some things to consider when I rebuild my garage later in the year.

Also in this issue; how fucking much?

Book on the van was £6250 if sold by a dealer, so they are way north of that.

The pictures are the ones I used to list it on Motorway,  so one would hope it is going to look significatly cleaner at that price!

One in,  I've replaced the EPAS pump but they changed the design  of the main power plug at some point in production so I shall have to graft the correct one on when I get some connectors big enough.

Then it's off  home for a thorough clean, service and MOT.

It's had a clutch previously but now has flywheel rattle when idling.  It'll do someone to knock about in though, as indont intend on keeping it.

Not many left, anyone else for a deal? 

I've gone in already and got a lovely book.  Can't wait to have a mooch through it later.

Thank you AS Secret Santa!

In;

2003 Nissan Micra 1.0e 'Ella'

As I'm now known as a "car guy" by a lot of the folks at the coffee morning my parents run, it nets me the occasional cast off; this came as the elderly driver had been struggling with clutch control and they didn't need two cars any longer.

 

2005 Volvo V50 Sport 2.0d;

I love the S40 as a daily, but I'm often frustrated by the fact it's a saloon, so when this popped up fairly locally,  as spares or repair due to a CEM issue, I bought it.  I had a local chap transport it back from Fleet Hargate as my shift pattern didn't allow me to go there and potentially break down bringing it home.  I am hoping to get to look at it one day, it currently resides on my neighbour's drive.

 

2014 Peugeot Expert

Taken as a spares or repair project from the same company that used to own @worldofceri's Ranger, this one proved quite troublesome to get right, and was only finished in time for the used van market to slump, as such it's still available for £4750 ono (cheap trade in welcome)

2007 Volvo V70 D5 Auto 'Hector'

Now MrsR's daily,  really low mileage local purchase, just approaching 51,000

2011 Ford Ranger

Bought in to repair and tidy up, spent several hours driving around in a holding pattern around Wickenby to prove it was fixed.

 

Non - Movers;

2006 Volvo S40

My current daily until the V50 is proven,  the previous owner has expressed an interest in buying it back,  187k on it now but still drives spot on.

 

1995 Citroen Ax Vts

I haven't found time to do anything other than change the radio,  still waiting for a quote to rebuild the workshop so I can get into it properly and rewire the engine bay.

 

Out:

2003 Nissan Micra 'Ella'

Sold on to @comfysofa only a few days ago.

 

2003 Volvo V70 D5

I never really thought I'd part with this one, but it really wasn't suited to my commute, so it was sold to make way for a newer one, and now resides with @Cord Fourteener

2011 Ranger

Once MOT'd and faults proved fixed, it was packed off to @worldofceri to be the Isuzu's understudy.

2008 Fiesta 1.4 TDCi

Bought to run to and from Derby whilst I was still training and the V70 needed a repair.  Sold to @holbeck as a commuter car I believe?

2 hours ago, New POD said:

Would they prefer you wrapped them in old copies of razzle ? 

Pre-worn copies would stick themselves down. 🤢

9 hours ago, alcyonecorporation said:

Yes please

Also 

why do you have those fam 

I have all the spark plugs!

@alcyonecorporation I think k I've a set of SVX spark plugs if you want to get them changed whilst your man is wrestling with the rocker covers? 

Indeed, and up until the new year.

Sent & Received

7 hours ago, Ghosty said:

Old radio out.

Pleased to find a proper job done of the wiring and install.

New one in:

Alas the aerial lead is too short so it's strictly Bluetooth, but that's what I want it for anyway. The old radio can go in the other MX5.

 

Was also surprised to find the emergency flare from Japan is still intact! 

And lol at the window sticker. 😄

I believe I have an aerial extension lead in the garage if you'd like?

4 hours ago, Kevin-TIB said:

4 please if I'm not too late:) 

I can't pm you yet,  but if you were to put Gmail behind my username, you'd have my PayPal address,  pop your details in with the payment and I'll sort you out.

38 minutes ago, Dick Longbridge said:

I'm after one sticker if anyone wants to split their four! 

Singles are still available at £1.75 

1 hour ago, Carlosfandango said:

I’ll avail of that offer too please @ruffgeezerHow much for 4 posted to Dublin? 
 

CFD 

 It'll be a quid extra to cover postage to Dublin if that suits you?

1 hour ago, High Jetter said:

So 2 freebies left over?

 Aye, 2 free with any 2 bought at £5 😇