The new news 24 thread

39,279 · February 10, 2018

Just driven my grandads Astra H back from Northampton as he given up driving. I have no idea what the Vauxhall seat designer must have got his knowledge from but I suspect they must have been previously been tortured. Did 4 hrs of driving to Northampton in the Aldi (went to Birmingham first) and then I did another 2 hours back from Northampton in the Astra. My back and neck very much knows that I've just done a 2 hrs journey.

Also the radio was broken. It displayed the station it's tuned into but put no sound out. Just to make the journey more awkward.

It's a 1.4 petrol jobbie and it's been a very long while since I've done a long motorway journey in a car with such a low power to weight ratio. Reminded me that most decent engined modern cars have completely adequate power, as you can accelerate briskly at UK speed limits without any troubles. With the 1.4 Astra, when up a moderate incline at 70mph, you'd have to knock it back to 4th if you want to make any progress. Steep hills, 4th is required to keep it at 70mph. I'd hate to have to attempt any A-road overtake in it.

So glad that I don't have a Astra H over my Civic. The Civic seats aren't perfect but way, way better than the Astra's. It also accelerates in top gear at 70mph up a hill without any trouble. Also gives far more confidence in the corners.

7,303 · February 11, 2018

seeing as the tags are screwed on you havent screwed through the wires that run accross the slam panel have you? i lost the side lights on my 1000 when i had to use bigger self tappers and "found " the wires and blew the secret in line fuse taht lives there

7,303 · February 11, 2018

seeing as the tags are screwed on you havent screwed through the wires that run accross the slam panel have you? i lost the side lights on my 1000 when i had to use bigger self tappers for the grille and "found " the wires and blew the secret in line fuse taht lives there

23,699 · February 11, 2018

Spring is here. We have lambs gambolling!

28,546 · February 11, 2018

Now that my horrible cough has calmed down a bit The Lotus almost starts but not quite. First there was no sign of life from the fuel pump; after going away and coming back later that fixed itself, but still no starting. There’s a spark and fuel, and sometimes a bit of a cough like it’s nearly catching, but it never quite does. It’s cranking pretty slowly so I’m going to treat it to a new battery and see what that does. Could also be a dodgy earth, and the +ve terminal clamp will benefit from a clean.

Grr. Put a new battery on the Elite and now it cranks over much faster and is very much closer to starting...but still not quite. Pumping the throttle madly speeds things up and gives the illusion of running, but it dies as soon as I release the ignition key.

There’s fuel and spark and a spinning crank, there just must somehow not be enough of one or more of them.

I have to go and do other things now so it’ll have to wait another week for further attempts/investigation. It’s going back to LotusBits soon for a new rear diff, so I can imagine me trailering it up there for them to sort out. Which is a terrible admission of failure, but the battery earth connection is an obvious next place to look and that’s deeply buried underneath somewhere and I don’t have a lift or pit.

Grumpy.

23,699 · February 11, 2018

Grr. Put a new battery on the Elite and now it cranks over much faster and is very much closer to starting...but still not quite. Pumping the throttle madly speeds things up and gives the illusion of running, but it dies as soon as I release the ignition key.
There’s fuel and spark and a spinning crank, there just must somehow not be enough of one or more of them.
I have to go and do other things now so it’ll have to wait another week for further attempts/investigation. It’s going back to LotusBits soon for a new rear diff, so I can imagine me trailering it up there for them to sort out. Which is a terrible admission of failure, but the battery earth connection is an obvious next place to look and that’s deeply buried underneath somewhere and I don’t have a lift or pit.
Grumpy.

The perennial problem of glassfibre cars. Hope you can sort it easily.

13,020 · February 11, 2018

Not well up on Elites, but has it got a ballast coil?

Two feeds, one 12v when cranking, one through ballast when running.

Or the other way round. My head hurts thinking about it.

Would feed coil direct from battery and try again. You may want to put a fuse in the wire because fire.

Take the wire off afterwards, if it starts it won't stop until you do.

40,304 · February 11, 2018

Just driven my grandads Astra H back from Northampton as he given up driving. I have no idea what the Vauxhall seat designer must have got his knowledge from but I suspect they must have been previously been tortured. Did 4 hrs of driving to Northampton in the Aldi (went to Birmingham first) and then I did another 2 hours back from Northampton in the Astra. My back and neck very much knows that I've just done a 2 hrs journey.

Also the radio was broken. It displayed the station it's tuned into but put no sound out. Just to make the journey more awkward.

It's a 1.4 petrol jobbie and it's been a very long while since I've done a long motorway journey in a car with such a low power to weight ratio. Reminded me that most decent engined modern cars have completely adequate power, as you can accelerate briskly at UK speed limits without any troubles. With the 1.4 Astra, when up a moderate incline at 70mph, you'd have to knock it back to 4th if you want to make any progress. Steep hills, 4th is required to keep it at 70mph. I'd hate to have to attempt any A-road overtake in it.

So glad that I don't have a Astra H over my Civic. The Civic seats aren't perfect but way, way better than the Astra's. It also accelerates in top gear at 70mph up a hill without any trouble. Also gives far more confidence in the corners.

They are fairly awful, I can say this having driven the 1.4, 1.8 and the diesel. Horrible inside, lifeless engines, going any distance in one you have my sympathies.

10,702 · February 11, 2018

..... but the battery earth connection is an obvious next place to look and that’s deeply buried underneath somewhere and I don’t have a lift or pit.

Grumpy.

Have you tried the jump lead from battery earth to the engine for diagnosis yet?

The winter commuting you did in this was commitment!

27,065 · February 11, 2018

Got the opporchancity to use the wee Clio 172 for what it's good at today, been out for a blast with Dome of this here parish.

Some good pub grub, good roads and some snaw too.

Funtimes!

And still early to collect the burd Fae work:)

18,091 · February 11, 2018

couldn't be bothered with going down to the unit today, too stiff, too warm in bed and a roast pork dinner with some wine to look forward too so instead i made my way to the paint booth* and slathered some paint on the new second hand fannymold.,,,

before

after

part number relaites to 64-69 automatic and 69-76 1275 GT apparently, so it will be more than adequate for the application we have in minde for it.(a 1974 998cc Mini 1000)

plus since painting i can now read all the inscription "tappet clearence .012 firing sequence 1-3-4-2".....

26,640 · February 11, 2018

Just driven my grandads Astra H back from Northampton as he given up driving. I have no idea what the Vauxhall seat designer must have got his knowledge from but I suspect they must have been previously been tortured. Did 4 hrs of driving to Northampton in the Aldi (went to Birmingham first) and then I did another 2 hours back from Northampton in the Astra. My back and neck very much knows that I've just done a 2 hrs journey.

Also the radio was broken. It displayed the station it's tuned into but put no sound out. Just to make the journey more awkward.

It's a 1.4 petrol jobbie and it's been a very long while since I've done a long motorway journey in a car with such a low power to weight ratio. Reminded me that most decent engined modern cars have completely adequate power, as you can accelerate briskly at UK speed limits without any troubles. With the 1.4 Astra, when up a moderate incline at 70mph, you'd have to knock it back to 4th if you want to make any progress. Steep hills, 4th is required to keep it at 70mph. I'd hate to have to attempt any A-road overtake in it.

So glad that I don't have a Astra H over my Civic. The Civic seats aren't perfect but way, way better than the Astra's. It also accelerates in top gear at 70mph up a hill without any trouble. Also gives far more confidence in the corners.

I can't drive the Zafira for more than about 20 minutes before a dull backache sets in. Drove it to Peterborough once when amy had to sit in the back as Charlie was screaming, and had to lie down on my granny's kitchen floor for 10 minutes when we got there!

Even as a passenger I get a number arse, but can adjust my position more than when I drive it. The meriva was just as hateful

26,640 · February 11, 2018

Oh, re the sound the vauxhall radio in the Zafira did this when the door loom went (well, the speaker wire went). Only found out because the jvc headunit it now sports displayed 'wiring mismatch error' which was much more helpful. Fiddling with the loom block with everything turned on made the offending speaker 'pop' and with its wires ripped out the back of the iso block it works fine now

It might get fixed one day... Twosmoke knows about it, he gave me info when I found out

44,507 · February 11, 2018

2CV MOT tomorrow. 2CV is playing up, as it does every year. Always this sidelight.

Jealousy I reckon.

9,265 · February 11, 2018

Snowing here earlier so I was inclined to stay indoors but the mutts had other ideas so we had to go out. If out, then go to the garage and see if the Mazda still exists under the cover. It does but er, it's gone sodding mouldy! Hood and all the interior growing new and interesting life forms and the boot is sopping wet. Battery is like a pancake that has sucumbed to roadkill.

Battery now on charge with a view to getting the sod out before evolution takes over and I'm too scared to get in the car for fear of being eaten by English/Japanese dingbats!

The BGD started first time and sounded lovely, oh, and the interior is dry and perfect. For the first time ever (that I can recall) the BGD is better at something than the Mazda!

Of course this could be down to the fact that the Mazda was put away in October and hasn't even been looked at since while the BGD has been attended too at least weekly since November.

4,218 · February 11, 2018

Me: "I'm going to change the starter on the Jag"

Wife: "Ok"

Me, 10 mins later: "It's BITTERLY COLD out there, fuck that, it can go to the garage"

1 hour later:

Me: "I'm changing that starter, it's only 2 bolts and a cable, I can do this"

Wife: rolls eyes

Me, 5 mins later: "FUUUCK! Ring the garage tomorrow and tell them to collect the bastard!"

90 mins later:

Me: "It's going to cost about £500 to have the garage do this, if I take the starter off I can get it repaired for less than £100"

Wife: "OK, see you in 5 minutes"

Me, 5 mins later: "ARGHHHHH!"

39,279 · February 11, 2018

Just come back from the MG & Triumph parts show up in Coventry way. Met up with the ever so friendly Purplebargken.

Managed quite a haul!

Suki our cat is even impressed. (I think?)

Rev counter is a lovely smaller Smith's unit but I have no idea what it's off. Damaged connections on the back but they look repairable. Actually bought for yet another project that probably won't get done...

34,677 · February 11, 2018

@SiC - I sold an Astra H years ago because it was so uncomfortable and bought a nearly new Laguna II!

39,279 · February 11, 2018

Mrs SiC is currently on the hard shoulder in the Aldi waiting for recovery. Hit debris on the road between Bath and Bristol M4 junction. Thinks it was a bumper or mudflap. Shes fine but at least one tyre flat. No idea if any other damage. Apparently 7 or so other cars on the hard shoulder too. Police did a rolling road block and the Highways agency patrol cars have just given her a blanket.

I'm hoping no more damage than a tyre. However that's still £120 per corner (Goodyear) for something recognisable and probably at least 2 to give a matched axle! Budgets are £65 each but I don't think I can be doing with cheap rubber on it.

Hmpfh.

4,030 · February 11, 2018

Just driven my grandads Astra H back from Northampton as he given up driving. I have no idea what the Vauxhall seat designer must have got his knowledge from but I suspect they must have been previously been tortured. Did 4 hrs of driving to Northampton in the Aldi (went to Birmingham first) and then I did another 2 hours back from Northampton in the Astra. My back and neck very much knows that I've just done a 2 hrs journey.
Also the radio was broken. It displayed the station it's tuned into but put no sound out. Just to make the journey more awkward.
It's a 1.4 petrol jobbie and it's been a very long while since I've done a long motorway journey in a car with such a low power to weight ratio. Reminded me that most decent engined modern cars have completely adequate power, as you can accelerate briskly at UK speed limits without any troubles. With the 1.4 Astra, when up a moderate incline at 70mph, you'd have to knock it back to 4th if you want to make any progress. Steep hills, 4th is required to keep it at 70mph. I'd hate to have to attempt any A-road overtake in it.
So glad that I don't have a Astra H over my Civic. The Civic seats aren't perfect but way, way better than the Astra's. It also accelerates in top gear at 70mph up a hill without any trouble. Also gives far more confidence in the corners.

What are you going to do with such a misery wagon? Are you selling it?

39,279 · February 11, 2018

Mrs SiC is currently on the hard shoulder in the Aldi waiting for recovery. Hit debris on the road between Bath and Bristol M4 junction. Thinks it was a bumper or mudflap. Shes fine but at least one tyre flat. No idea if any other damage. Apparently 7 or so other cars on the hard shoulder too. Police did a rolling road block and the Highways agency patrol cars have just given her a blanket.

I'm hoping no more damage than a tyre. However that's still £120 per corner (Goodyear) for something recognisable and probably at least 2 to give a matched axle! Budgets are £65 each but I don't think I can be doing with cheap rubber on it.

Hmpfh.

Note to self. Audi put wheel locking nuts in stupid places. Thank god for the Pistonheads forum.

If your car is an Avant you have the normal lift up floor with the handle where the spare wheel / tools / battery are. Between this and the back of the rear seats is a section about 30cm wide (marked below) which is actually hinged the same direction as the boot floor.

This is the original alloy key location which fools many garages. From memory you might need to have the spare wheel flap lifted slightly to access it.

39,279 · February 11, 2018

What are you going to do with such a misery wagon? Are you selling it?

Parents are having as a local runaround.

28,546 · February 11, 2018

Have you tried the jump lead from battery earth to the engine for diagnosis yet?!

No, but that’s a very good idea though, thanks. Will need to string two jump leads together as the battery’s in the boot (which can’t help), but that’s an easily solvable problem.

The winter commuting you did in this was naive to the point of idiocy!

EFA.

6,689 · February 11, 2018

Me: "I'm going to change the starter on the Jag"
Wife: "Ok"
Me, 10 mins later: "It's BITTERLY COLD out there, fuck that, it can go to the garage"

1 hour later:
Me: "I'm changing that starter, it's only 2 bolts and a cable, I can do this"
Wife: rolls eyes
Me, 5 mins later: "FUUUCK! Ring the garage tomorrow and tell them to collect the bastard!"

90 mins later:
Me: "It's going to cost about £500 to have the garage do this, if I take the starter off I can get it repaired for less than £100"
Wife: "OK, see you in 5 minutes"
Me, 5 mins later: "ARGHHHHH!"

Garage:

"Someone wants a Jag starter motor changing."

"Those things are bastards to change, give them a high price to put them off..."

You: See above!

6,689 · February 11, 2018

Mrs SiC is currently on the hard shoulder in the Aldi waiting for recovery.
<snip>Highways agency patrol cars have just given her a blanket.</snip>

Hmpfh.

Hence why there's always a "warm clothes bag" and/or a sleeping bag in my car at this time of year.

39,279 · February 11, 2018

Hence why there's always a "warm clothes bag" and/or a sleeping bag in my car at this time of year.

My dad has always told me to bring a coat with me, despite how short or long the journey was. Luckily my wife does now too. She does feel the cold a lot though and was wearing two thick coats as well as the silver emergency blankets!

31,160 · February 11, 2018

In an effort to contribute* to a possible thread tomorrow, I've just eaten a huge curry (Prashad's Paneer Massala if anyone's into it, plus various sundries) and am now tucking into a bad batch of homebrew.

56,290 · February 11, 2018

I was only joking mate. Though there is a nice public toilet (with defibrillator) in Wark.

31,160 · February 11, 2018

Too late now!

15,088 · February 11, 2018

In an effort to contribute* to a possible thread tomorrow, I've just eaten a huge curry (Prashad's Paneer Massala if anyone's into it, plus various sundries) and am now tucking into a bad batch of homebrew.

Is the local sewage system prepared for this?

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