They_all_do_that_sir

Cleaning the contacts in the towing socket might sort it. There could be a short in the socket which is making the black box think a trailer is plugged in Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

Looks to be a nice colour and spec to be fair. With a clutch and a bit of your bodywork magic there should still be a bit of a profit? Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

I think the auto would suit the car better, especially for wafting. But the manual is sensibly geared so makes for effortless motorway cruising. Turning circle on these P2 Volvos is notoriously crap. Tight multistory carparks can be a drag. I previously had a V70 which was as bad - It's the width of the five cylinder engines AFAIK. Not sure if the focus ST with the Volvo lump is similarly afflicted? Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

I'll have to get Vida dice - it seems to tell you so much more than what you get from the wee OBD scanners [emoji106] Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

The clutch in mine had seized - at idle the belt was vibrating quite badly, and at higher RPM slipping on the alternator pulley. Seems a common failure, and in worst case the belt can let go violently and take out the timing belt in the process [emoji44] Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

House move completed, got the garage into some order so I was able to sort the pulley on the Volvo I picked up this kit - it was only £5 more than the single tool specific to my alternator but has most common configurations. All of the internets warn that while you can remove the pulley in situ, it's quicker and easier to just remove the alternator and do it on the bench. However obviously I know better, and spent an hour fannying around trying to do it in situ. Much swearing was done, it was fiddly as hell getting two spanners on and near impossible to get any leverage onto them. Eventually I relented and whipped the alternator off. If you take anything from this post take this - just take the bloody alternator off! It took maybe 15 minutes - power steering pump unbolts from carrier three bolts on the alternator and loosen the Aircon pump mounts to let it slide out. Boom. Decent bit of leverage and off she popped. Remember that the pulley is on a left thread first.... Done! No noises or jumping belt at idle. I even stuck a new rear plate on too. Just needs a good wash......and drop links, and a lower engine torque mount...... Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

I'm going to try and keep the same car for twelve months. Round these parts that's as much of a challenge [emoji1787] Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

Already subscribed man [emoji106] Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

This needs saved, time for an autoshite whip round? [emoji1787] Caveat - I may have started the NYE lemonade early Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

Work on my bikes! So I might have engine bits etc up there Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

Moved house, gained garage! Garage worktops - Plywood or MDF??? Frames done, and bolted to walls: (The legs were cut level with the top of the frames after levelling it all) Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

In biking news, I've moved house and have gained a garage. It's a bomb site at present as it's acting as an overflow while we sort bits in the house but the VTR no longer has to live outside, and I might be able to start fiddling with the CB200 project...... Also, I took the VTR to work on Christmas Eve. Heading home I accelerated up a greasy bus lane. This caused much brown trouser, as the rear stepped out to the right so far I hit full lock counter steering, then it snapped the other way before I got it back into shape. Thought I was going to high side but through some miracle stayed the right way up. Legs locked solid with adrenaline! Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

Closer to your good self. Which reminds me, I've the paperwork for the scooter still. I'll throw it round at some point! Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

Not a patch on some of you lads. This year the Merc went: And was replaced with this roomster: Which was great but not really me, so it got sold in favour of this: That'll stay for a while. Also out were these: And these pair came in: Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

Pre Christmas shenanigans....... Firstly I reversed into my bin at home. The tailgate is in two parts, the main part being aluminium (I think!) With a plastic skin on the outside. Of course the plastic skin cracked. My mate in work is a massive Volvo head, and is friendly with his local scrap merchant so managed to source me a new panel for £20 in the correct colour with the correct badges.... So out to the works carpark over lunch, all fitted My registration plate wouldn't stick on so I lobbed it in the rear window and drove home. The bastard then rewarded me by developing a loud rumbling / vibrating noise. Bumhats. Opened the bonnet and the drive belt was vibrating / bouncing like mad. Great. I'm moving house tomorrow, so the Volvo has been dumped in the naughty corner to be sorted post move. I haven't done any real diagnosis but I guess worst case scenario bottom pulley or alternator seized, but equally could just be a knackered tensioner. Watch this space...... Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk