The new news 24 thread

[The Moog]

The sun has put the Volvo in a good mood. It decided to fix itself by sorting out the central locking on the drivers door. I love cars like this although on the downside the sub fame bush is making a hell of a noise ...

[Lankytim]

The sun put my Volvo in a bad mood, the rear caliper is sticking again!

 

May sack the idea of that 307 off. Its cheap, but 3k is still alot of money- plus the Astra is ace.

[eddyramrod]

Been out in the Granada tonight. The fogs don't work.

[Guest]

Hello there, boring and unimaginative pixels.

 

 

I've lost a bloody wheel weight on the C4. Wibbly wobbly motorway motoring until I can jiggle over to Liverpool to get it sorted. It's still not as bad as it was after several local garages 'balanced' the wheels, though.

 

In other news, all of my NOS CAR magazines have turned up, so I'll be posting up my overs very soon. I was stunned at how quickly they sold. Currently [bar November 1990 being missing in action] I have a full run of CAR spanning 1985 to 1992.

 

 

I also picked up these wheels for the 460 last week. The originals will be kept and restored, because they're kerbed to death. Sadly, they're not Watanabes, but Black Racings. 4.3kg each, 14" x 6 and with a 4 x 100 PCD and suitable offset.

 

 

I also fitted a new radiator to the Amazon. There was some confusion as to what the smaller top tube did, as the original rad didn't have it. Turns out it's a fixing for a radiator blind. G12 and new hoses purchased, new bolts and supports en route. Saturday is the fill up and we'll see if we can't it going for a bit.

[Father Ted]

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/v ... nforcement

 

Bored?

How to wind up a VOSA operative if they stop you.

[cort16]

I was a the local tat auction last night and amongst the chod was an E38 728i will full Alpina kit. The car looked to be in nice condition and had very nice full sports leather.

Tempting? Yes except, er well it's a Repo doesn't have any keys. I was going to leave a bid on it but given you can't lock it, steer it or start it, it sounded like a ball ache I didn't need.

They had quite a lot of stuff without keys so does anyone know what the deal is for getting a new key made? Could I just drop this off at the BMW dealer with the v5 and the could cut me a key re-keyed to the immobilser?

I'm guessing it wouldn't be cheap?

 

728i by cort16, on Flickr

[Cavcraft]

I was a the local tat auction last night and amongst the chod was an E38 728i will full Alpina kit. The car looked to be in nice condition and had very nice full sports leather.

Tempting? Yes except, er well it's a Repo doesn't have any keys. I was going to leave a bid on it but given you can't lock it, steer it or start it, it sounded like a ball ache I didn't need.

They had quite a lot of stuff without keys so does anyone know what the deal is for getting a new key made? Could I just drop this off at the BMW dealer with the v5 and the could cut me a key re-keyed to the immobilser?

I'm guessing it wouldn't be cheap?

 

728i by cort16, on Flickr

 

Key cutting/programming is a bit easier than it used to be. I'd suggest a second hand ignition key and lock then have it programmed, if it's anything like run of the mil cars you can download a programme to a laptop, put the key in the car then within seconds it can be programmed. One obvious downfall is that if the keybob battery crashes you can't unlock the doors unless you buy a full lock set.

 

One other thing possibly worth noting is that if the previous owner knew the repo men were coming he/she may have deliberately knackered the car up somehow. Having said that if it's been repo'd without the keys then they've probably just taken it off his drive and possibly he/she won't have arsed about with it.

Service history (if main dealer0 Can be had for a tenner or so and a copy of the MOT cert can be had from any test centre. Trouble is with something like that you could do with hearing it running to make sure it's not knackered.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

If it's cheap enough and it doesn't work out, you could always break it...

[cort16]

That's a good point about changing the locks Billy. I guess if it's been repo'd and the previous owner spots it on the street even if they can't start it, they'd still be able to get into it with the old keys.

So is reprograming it something you recon an decent auto electrician could do?

 

Luxo, you're right about breaking it. All those Alpina bits on it go for a fortune. Also the sports interior, wheels and front spoiler wouldn't look bad on my oown 740. The problem is with not being able to steer, start or lock it I'd have to keep it inside and I don't have any available space. It'd be a shame to break it anyway as it's a cracking looking car.

[Cavcraft]

You could possibly find someone with a laptop with the programme who could do it mate. My neighbour has the Vauxhall one on his and did the one on my Zafira in record time, I'll have a mooch round and see if there's a download for BMW key sensors somewhere.

[wuvvum]

The Alfa 75 passed its MoT today. Then promptly seized its rear brakes up on the way back from the testing station. I reckon that having not been used to their full potential in several years, something in the circuit objected to the pedal being stamped on during the brake test. The fact that it has inboard rear brakes does not bode well for my labour bill if the calipers have to come off - I'm hoping it's something more simple like a collapsed flexi.

[Lankytim]

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/vosa_traffic_enforcement

 

Bored?

How to wind up a VOSA operative if they stop you.

 

 

AKA How to have your MOT revoked and car crushed every time you leave the house.

 

Regarding Repo'd cars sold at auction, they are usually transported to the other end of the country to be sold, so the previous owner doesn't see them driving around and vandalise/steal them.

[Cavcraft]

{facepalm}

 

Corsa's shat it's oil pressure sensor switch. A nice pool of Castrol's finest is now sitting under the car

[trigger]

Thursday afternoon i got the Cortina up on the car ramps in the garden to try and fit the new genuine Ford back box I bought, after nearly a hour of trying to separate the rear section from the centre i got the hump and gave up .

 

Yesterday i took it down the tyre and exhaust garage around the corner for a bit of heat action, they popped it off ok for me but my new one won't fit now, arse, it is the wrong bore size, i think it's a OHV box which is a bummer, luckily the motor factors next door was able to get one in for me for this morning so I'm now waiting for the garage to ring to say it's finished, It was bad enough taking it down there in the first place with the amount of piss taking i had out of it

 

I also found these dates chalked under my car as well, I'm not sure what they mean.

 

[Mr_Bo11ox]

The Alfa 75 passed its MoT today. Then promptly seized its rear brakes up on the way back from the testing station. I reckon that having not been used to their full potential in several years, something in the circuit objected to the pedal being stamped on during the brake test. The fact that it has inboard rear brakes does not bode well for my labour bill if the calipers have to come off - I'm hoping it's something more simple like a collapsed flexi.

 

I had to get involved in the rear brakes on my 75, and found they werent that hideous to work on, despite the rep. Access is not great, but if you get the thing well jacked up you can get to 'em, the calipers themselves are nowt particularly complicated. I think you have to wind the piston into position with a circlip plier, like a rear disc on more or less any car, then theres a little locknut poking through that you have to nip up to lock the position. I'm sure yours will just be suffering from lack of use as you say.

[trigger]

ARGH!!! Nightmare, the new exhaust that's arrived this morning also doesn't fit, This time the bore size is too small and they can't sleeve it or weld it on, Marvious, It now looks like I've got to replace the whole system as the next part is all one piece and most likely original still, More expense.

 

I'm now seriously thinking of doing what i was going to do and replace it with a stainless system, it won't be a hell of a lot more, £339 all fitted, On the plus side the car sounded as grunty as fook driving it home with no back box fitted.

 

Oh and in other news I've just spoke to a chap who says he has a loft full off parts, wings, doors, windows etc for £100 which iis very cheap so I'm going to take a gander this afternoon and might buy them.

[Shep Shepherd]

At long last, I got around to investigating The Volvo's overdrive solenoid's wiring today. The connection to the car's main loom was dirty and loose, so I cleaned it and remade the connection. I have no doubt that the car will still not have overdrive when I test drive it this evening, though*

 

I think that I'll need to replace the overdrive solenoid to get things working (everything else in the transmission department checks out fine), but it looks like a real sod to get to, as it's located on the side of the gearbox with little clearance between it and the car's body. A job that can wait until spring, I think.

 

 

 

 

*Correct. This situation is getting VERY wearing now

[Cavcraft]

If they're any good Trig you'd be mad not to.

[Cavcraft]

Oil pressure switch now replaced, an easier job there cannot be. £5.04+VAT didn't break the bank either.

The spares Corsa which my lad spent days stripping has found a home as a complete (what's left of it) car so just had to piss about bolting various body panels back on to it!

Birthday present is here, one of them there car polishers, so will have a go at buffing up the Audi tomorrow as a practise run then do the Merc and my lad's car.

[The Moog]

Stuck the spare on the T25 this afternoon and fixed the cap that the speedo is driven from at the same time.

 

After faffing about with jacks and bits of wood, ended up going to machine mart and getting a 3 ton 4x4 one with quick lift. Makes life sooooo easy.

[FredTransit]

Next month we are moving storage yards. See my 'Oh Crap' thread.....

[Shep Shepherd]

Got TV2's N/S/R window to go up with the driver's side switch for the first time in months by simply spending ten minutes carefully taking the switch pack apart and poking/cleaning its contacts. Another job which I've been putting off due to lack of time/good weather sorted. For free

 

It almost makes up for the lack of progress in sorting out The Volvo's lack of overdrive...

[Pete-M]

Talking of old Cortinas has reminded me I've got a set of four of the wooden bits from along the door tops on 2000Es.

 

They're straight and undamaged but seriously need a refurb as the laquer was buggered when I removed 'em 20 odd years ago.

 

[Father Ted]

Anyone know why Jetronic appears to have morphed into Alan Partridge?

[RobT]

ARGH!!! Nightmare, the new exhaust that's arrived this morning also doesn't fit

 

I know the feeling Trig, the new one I got fitted to my Montego today doesn't quite fit properly, so I'll have to get under there and do some faffing to stop it vibrating against the subframe. Can't be arsed going back to the garage who did the job, so a bit of old car bodgery awaits

 

Another subject - numberplates. I need one for the BX as the front one is cracked in several places so I presume it won't pass the MoT in April. Where do you lot get yours from, Halfords/factors/ebay?

[Father Ted]

Another subject - numberplates. I need one for the BX as the front one is cracked in several places so I presume it won't pass the MoT in April. Where do you lot get yours from, Halfords/factors/ebay?

eBya

I picked up a single number plate for the trailer (but could have got a front one) for £4.99 delivered with no fannying about with log books and proof of ID

[RobT]

Ta Ted, cheaper than the £15.99 minimum from Halfords then.

[Lacquer Peel]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230339435882

 

The original front number plate on my 405 was pretty rotten so I got a pair of these as I needed a trailer plate anyway. Saves messing with post-2001 font plates on an old car, which look awful, and plastic plates that degrade very quickly.

[trigger]

These are the people i use, they have one up in price slightly but still cheaper then anywhere else and they give a brilliant service.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/iankaren/m.ht ... 4340.l2562

[Father Ted]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caravan-Trail ... 615wt_1016

Gone up to £5.90 since I last ordered