The new news 24 thread

[xtriple]

Ordered plugs from eBay on Friday morning which arrived Saturday and air and pollen filters from Flying Spares at the same time, they arrived this morning.... in a HUGE box. Impressive service from both companies I think.

 

In fact, I received the tracking number from FS after the parcel had arrived!

 

Now, I've just got to persuade my poor old body that it is in fact, a fit and healthy body and go and fit them.... I could be some time.

[Lacquer Peel]

 

There's your problem, no wonder the front tyres were barely legal and wearing unevenly. I stupidly tackled it a couple of hours before I needed to take Miss_Peel to work - it was a bit of a war because the bolts were so rusty, it tested my cheap, crap socket set to destruction, one more broken socket and a cracked extension bar, added to that the back wishbone bush 'sleeve' wasn't budging until brute force and ignorance were applied.

 

Why do VW insist on using 4 or more different sized bolts for the front suspension fixings? They can FRO, AD.

[RayMK]

My 205 automatic is in for its first MOT in my ownership. I know it needs a new master cylinder (pedal slowly sinks to the floor) but I'm prepared to pay to keep it going as I rather like it.  Fixing it myself was an option until I thought about faffing about in the cold - between showers.  I have not dared to take the Reliant out recently because the prospect of a long walk home does not attract me. Meanwhile, the Stellar has been the daily driver for the last few weeks.  Of course, now that the Peugeot is away on MOT, the Stellar's front wheel bearing has started growling.  It is getting noisier by the mile - started yesterday.  This could leave me with just the Tipo by mid week.  Apart from its 20amp clock which flattens the battery in 2-3 days, it appears to be running well.

 

The 205 took its time - my son works at the Peugeot/Citroen dealers and had the necessary brake overhaul done as a fill-in job to keep costs down.  This meant that it was pushed to the back of the queue and there was some waiting for parts to be obtained.  Rear wheel cylinders had to be replaced, as well as the master cylinder.  My wallet has not been too badly wounded and I collected the car this morning with its 12 months ticket.  Maybe staying away from Costas for a few weeks will improve the feel good factor.

 

Drove the Reliant about 6 miles yesterday and it didn't force me to walk.  Confidence is returning and is now at 25%.

 

Dropped in to Motorserve and bought a front wheel bearing kit for the Stellar - off the shelf!  The part number ties in with the one replaced last year, so it should fit without hassle.  I'm wondering whether to brace myself for another garage bill or replace it myself.  Convenience versus discomfort, swearing, having to buy more tools......I think I know which way this will go.

[RobT]

Probably one for the stupid question thread, but can any of the Vauxhall pervs confirm if just one or both of the front ABS sensors on a Mk3 Cavalier act as speed sensors?  I finally got the OS one out of the hub (or rather paid a man to do it) but with new sensor fitted it only reads up to 20.

 

I need to take it for an Italian tune up as it's running a bit weird at the moment, but knowing the speed would be useful to prevent camera pappage, cheers!

[dollywobbler]

Nippa MOT time. Having covered 2500 miles since the last one, surely it'd pass? Up in the air.

 

Later. DOH!

 

To be honest, they can't have been very torn, but they certainly were once the tester was finished with them! I'd checked the washers, but not the blades...

 

That was it though. No problems! Apart from the lack of fuel. Mrs DW had left it perilously low, and I wondered if it'd be my first fail for running out of fuel during a test. Wasn't though, and I managed to limp to a petrol station afterwards, where I squeezed 21.5 litres into what I thought was a 20 litre tank. Though checking on line, everything seems to say it has a 32 litre tank. I've certainly never managed to get more than 20 litres in before...

[Tayne]

but knowing the speed would be useful to prevent camera pappage, cheers!

 

Free GPS-based speed app for your mobile phone.

[LessThanEqual]

I've bought myself a Seat Ibiza 1.9 TDI from a garage for £1100,is a little rust around the wings, boot floor, and sills but drove really well on the test drive. What a fucking mistake that was. On the way home the EML came on, then the glow plug light started flashing. Googling suggests that the brake switch is at fault which makes sense and now only the centre brake light works out of the three. It's not down on power or anything so it must be something simple. Then I noticed the tracking was off, didn't notice on the test drive as the garage is located down some back roads. Front tyres are knackered, and the rears are new but Infinity branded and are super loud, to top it off new Hankooks are £70 each fitted. One of the front wheels is cracked, again only noticed once home. The floor below the back seats has some bad rot. And it doesn't look like the cambelt has ever been done. Oh well, I'm stuck with it now. I'll drive it until it falls apart. Bloody idiot I am.

 

[cobblers]

The glow plug light will be both brake light bulbs blown. Obviously.

But seriously that's what it'll be.

[dollywobbler]

If you've bought it from a trader, take it back. You've got serious weight behind you these days. They can't really refuse.

[Richard]

Free GPS-based speed app for your mobile phone.

Not Rob's phone.

[xtriple]

Todays boring update... I have done the one thing a Rolls Royce or Bentley must NEVER do... I have worked on my own car... in the street no less!

 

I changed the air filters, nice, easy, simple job, and it really was! Buoyed by this success I went for broke and changed the plugs, a job I have done a million times before on various cars and bikes.

 

All I can say is: the lads at the specialist earn their dough! Drivers side is a doddle, but the passenger side bank is a right pig - front and back cylinders are really awkward, much skin has been lost in this endeavour! Also, it was obvious they had been in there for a fair old while (as had the air filters) and they were the wrong grade: they were 4s when all turbo cars run BKR5EVX plugs.

At least they were NGKs and close...

 

The front cylinder is one of those where you are working 'blind' and trying to convince a socket, wobble drive and a couple of extensions to locate a plug into a blind hole - much fun.

 

Tomorrow, so long as I can actually move, I shall do the pollen filters.

 

In other news: the car is currently (before I fiddled with it!) running really well even got to try out the cold side of the air con today and that works. Apart from a dodgy aerial everything is (touches wood madly!) perfectly!

 

I know. I'm more surprised than any of you!

[LessThanEqual]

The glow plug light will be both brake light bulbs blown. Obviously.

But seriously that's what it'll be.

Don't think they are, all bulbs on the back light up fine when the dipped beam is on.

 

http://imgur.com/a/sxfX4

 

If you've bought it from a trader, take it back. You've got serious weight behind you these days. They can't really refuse.

I'll give it some serious thought, though my insurance company may not like me switching cars again so soon which will render me stuck with this one, as well as the V5 being filled in and sent off.

[dollywobbler]

Insurance must have a cooling-off period, so that's no worry at all as long as it's within 14 days. They may charge you a bit for cover you've enjoyed so far. V5 is a mere technicality. The odds really are in your favour. It's a truly crap time to be a trader.

 

http://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/new-laws-give-car-buyers-extra-protection/

[panhard65]

I've bought myself a Seat Ibiza 1.9 TDI from a garage for £1100,is a little rust around the wings, boot floor, and sills but drove really well on the test drive. What a fucking mistake that was. On the way home the EML came on, then the glow plug light started flashing. Googling suggests that the brake switch is at fault which makes sense and now only the centre brake light works out of the three. It's not down on power or anything so it must be something simple. Then I noticed the tracking was off, didn't notice on the test drive as the garage is located down some back roads. Front tyres are knackered, and the rears are new but Infinity branded and are super loud, to top it off new Hankooks are £70 each fitted. One of the front wheels is cracked, again only noticed once home. The floor below the back seats has some bad rot. And it doesn't look like the cambelt has ever been done. Oh well, I'm stuck with it now. I'll drive it until it falls apart. Bloody idiot I am.

 

Take it back since October last year they have changed the rules all dealers must offer a 30 day money back garantee. If they refuse say you will take it up with trading standards. This is why I don't sell cars any more.

[cobblers]

Don't think they are, all bulbs on the back light up fine when the dipped beam is on.

 

http://imgur.com/a/sxfX4

 

I'll give it some serious thought, though my insurance company may not like me switching cars again so soon which will render me stuck with this one, as well as the V5 being filled in and sent off.

 

The brake lights are on different filaments to the rear sidelights. Check the bulbs man!

Basically the ECU depends on the brake light signal to see when you've got your foot on the brake. It's as a failsafe to cut the engine power in case your electronic throttle pedal packs in at full throttle or somert.

If your bulbs are both gone, there's nothing to pull this signal down to 0V when you take your foot off the brake. The LEDs in the 3rd brake light are Diodes so they have 3v+ across them, the the ECU sees this as a dodgy signal (Neither low nor high) so it puts the glow plug light on.

[Ghosty]

Exact same thing happened to the mother when she had a Polo re: brake switch.

 

Opened and shut the boot and it never happened again.

[LessThanEqual]

Insurance must have a cooling-off period, so that's no worry at all as long as it's within 14 days. They may charge you a bit for cover you've enjoyed so far. V5 is a mere technicality. The odds really are in your favour. It's a truly crap time to be a trader.

 

http://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/new-laws-give-car-buyers-extra-protection/

Problem is that I've been on this insurance policy for over 6 months now, sold my old car and moved the policy to this one instead.

 

Take it back since October last year they have changed the rules all dealers must offer a 30 day money back garantee. If they refuse say you will take it up with trading standards. This is why I don't sell cars any more.

Seems quite ridiculous that you return it for any reason within 30 days!

 

The brake lights are on different filaments to the rear sidelights. Check the bulbs man!

Basically the ECU depends on the brake light signal to see when you've got your foot on the brake. It's as a failsafe to cut the engine power in case your electronic throttle pedal packs in at full throttle or somert.

If your bulbs are both gone, there's nothing to pull this signal down to 0V when you take your foot off the brake. The LEDs in the 3rd brake light are Diodes so they have 3v+ across them, the the ECU sees this as a dodgy signal (Neither low nor high) so it puts the glow plug light on.

Checked both bulbs and they seem to be fine. I'll grab a couple from ECP tomorrow just to be sure.

[skattrd]

DW - The fuel tanks on my L5 Cuore/Miras was 25l iirc.

[Skizzer]

Skizz ,Is it a DX  or a JH?

 

DX I believe.  Note to self: Should probably check this.

[EssDeeWon]

To make you feel worse, I was so toasty in the Dyane today that I had to turn the heater off. It was melting my shoes. 

 

Sounds like it's got an airlock. My tip would be to park it with the header tank as the highest part of the cooling system, then go around squeezing all of the pipes. You may have to use ramps and/or hills to achieve a good angle, or use a cut-off bottle jammed into the expansion tank to raise the height of the coolant. You really don't want airlocks in a KV6 cooling system...

 

Thanks DW and sorry for the late reply.

 

It could be that but the engine runs at a nice consistent 95*c, so im expecting its a blocked heater matrix, Apparently common on these cars. Its going in the garage for some more little jobs next month I will get the guy to check it out.

[New POD]

So on Thursday Evening I rushed off to Brum, to pick up wifey off the train from L'pool, and we headed off to a really nice pub near Malvern Wells (Worcs) called the Swan in Hanley Swan. I had a hotels.com free night, (stay 10 times at any hotel and you get a free night based on the average price of those 10 nights) so all it cost was the price of Dinner for 2 which came to £60 for 1 course and the nicest wine ever.  

Then Friday off to Cardiff, via Ross on Wye (Never been and I wish I hadn't), and Abergaveny, where we end up spending money on stuff.

Eventually got to Cardiff and daughter was pissed off as it was 1:30 and she had been waiting for us to take her for lunch. Eventually had lunch at some place aimed at pretentious English students, and then about 3:00 pm we headed north. Eventually got back to the Miseryside Suburb we call home at 8pm.

Yes indeed 220 miles in 5 hours. Fucking good going for a Friday.

Took Bini to MOT on Saturday. It failed on Brake pad wear depth being lower than last years when we were given an advisory. The braking effort was a pass, just the depth of remaining friction material was erm about 1/2 mm.  So Then I spent from 11am to 7 pm replacing all discs and pads.

At least 2 hours of that was in the MX5 driving firstly to ECP and then latterly to Screwfix and then Halfords for a brake rewind tool, which didn't fucking work anyway. (Tip - If screwfix don't have the item in stock, hellfords will price match)

In the end the rear caliper slide pins were refusing to budge, and my brother in law came around in the dark and suggested using a ball joint splitter to move them.

Having done the job the brakes are perfect, but the ABS does not appear to work.

Then our tenants contacted us to say the kitchen tap was broken. ???

So I arranged to go on Sunday morning and priced up the parts I thought I'd need at screw fix and then they told me that it wouldn't be convenient as their kids had been ill in the night.

Not just a little pissed off, I have agreed to go at 9:30 am on Friday and have today purchased new tap and fittings and some tools that I just can't find in the garage. Wifey is more pissed off with me, for not insisting that if it needs doing, it gets done NOW as agreed. But to be honest I was knackered and could have done with a rest. Instead wifey went into a hormone fuelled strop all fucking sunday. Is now telling me, that she may not celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary with me on Thursday as I'm a twat apparently.

 

All this meant that she couldn't/wouldn't take her BINI back for the retest, and as she needs 4 seats on Wednesday has insisted that she has the Astra.

 

So I drove to Derby in the MX5 - The Exhaust is touching somewhere. It's very irritating.

[wuvvum]

Apart from the lack of fuel. Mrs DW had left it perilously low, and I wondered if it'd be my first fail for running out of fuel during a test. Wasn't though, and I managed to limp to a petrol station afterwards, where I squeezed 21.5 litres into what I thought was a 20 litre tank. Though checking on line, everything seems to say it has a 32 litre tank. I've certainly never managed to get more than 20 litres in before...

FWIW, the Kenari will go way off the bottom of the gauge before it runs out.

[dollywobbler]

Interesting. The gauge did seem some way lower than empty going downhill.

[wuvvum]

Still on holiday. Flew into LA this morning and am now on a bus to Vegas. The bus stinks of piss and the bloke in the next seat keeps falling asleep on my shoulder. I think I'll bite the bullet and hire a car next time.

[danthecapriman]

Today I might just of had a right result!

 

I've been after a barn or workshop type place to store and work on cars for years but either been beaten to it by others or not found places suitably priced or sized.

Well, today a mate from work whose also a petrol head and been after somewhere similar, phoned and said he'd found somewhere that might be ok and would I be interested in going halves! Fucking right I would!

 

The place is very close to home for both of us, good access in a very nice area and you'd never know it was even there so good for security, it's also surrounded by houses and gardens.

The building is 60' long x about 25' wide, very old wooden framed barn, clad in corrugated iron. It's very sturdy and dry but will need a good bit of repair work first before it's ready to take cars in.

It comes with about half an acre of land, half of which is overgrown and will need clearing. Access is good and has a good sized forecourt type area in front of the barn, so there's loads of outdoor private parking too!

Another good point is, there's several large oak trees around the site with protection orders on them and previous planning attempts to build housing have all been rejected so it's no use for developers. Good for us.

 

The thing is, it's for sale not rent, so I'll have to dig deep if we both go for it, but I'm convinced it'll be worth every penny and it's exactly what and where we both want. It'll take a fair bit of work and expense to renovate and get up to a good enough standard but I'm up for it, I think.

 

My mates making the call tomorrow to start talking numbers so fingers crossed.

[RobT]

Free GPS-based speed app for your mobile phone.

Nice idea Tayne, but my phone is a basic ye olde worlde type. I've been saying it for ages but I must buy myself a cheap smartphone.

[HMC]

^^ that new place sounds brilliant, Dan! All the space you could wish for! Can you store vehicles on the (currently) overgrown bit too?

[danthecapriman]

^^ that new place sounds brilliant, Dan! All the space you could wish for! Can you store vehicles on the (currently) overgrown bit too?

Yes it does sound brilliant. Lots of work but brilliant none the less.

It's sold as land and the building so if you buy it then yes, simple matter of clearing all the brambles and crap then do what you want on it. I think if you concreted the whole site then neighbours and council would have something to say, but the idea is to clear the overgrown rear area and gravel the centre area near the barn building for parking cars on but leave some trees and brambles/bushes etc against the neighbours fences. It might just stop the sight of rusty old cars for them!

 

I've got to buy the place yet though!

[fatharris]

This evening saw me on duty (again), meaning I couldn't get home and I decided to tackle the mobile skip that is MrsH's Rover. If you can cast your mind back to the summer, I spent an entire day cleaning, claying, polishing and waxing the old girl to an inch of her life.

 

We went out in it on the weekend and I was dismayed to find the tires were low on pressure, and the screen wash was empty. Coupled with the fact the last wash the motor received was the uber wash I gave it in summer, I decided it was worth some loving.

 

This car is "the dog car". With deep pile carpets, Archie the spaniel is not allowed in Herman, as that's bloody certifiable. So the Rover was riddled with dirt, dog hair and about a million coffee cups and dirty tissues.

 

 

 

Silver is hard to show dirt, but trust me, it was there.

 

 

 

 

The carpets looked okay from a distance but we're covered in a thin veneer of needle-like dog hair that dug deep.

 

 

After many minutes of plucking crap out, I filled a bucket of it!

 

 

Another forty minutes with a hoover and the interior was considered habitable!

 

Once dragged outside for another twilight wash, I had a chance to play with the car clubs new toy:

 

 

ERMAGHERD SNER FERM

 

 

 

This made life a lot easier - the really stubborn dirt just pressure washed away easily afterwards, leaving me with a much more palatable cleaning task.

 

The end results were cracking!

 

 

 

 

I also cleaned the engine bay and all the door shuts etc.

 

Same again in six months I guess!

[mercrocker]

Yes it does sound brilliant. Lots of work but brilliant none the less.

It's sold as land and the building so if you buy it then yes, simple matter of clearing all the brambles and crap then do what you want on it. I think if you concreted the whole site then neighbours and council would have something to say, but the idea is to clear the overgrown rear area and gravel the centre area near the barn building for parking cars on but leave some trees and brambles/bushes etc against the neighbours fences. It might just stop the sight of rusty old cars for them!

 

I've got to buy the place yet though!

 

GLWTP!  

 

Sounds like a shiter's dream - its certainly mine.   The trees only add to the appeal.