The new news 24 thread

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Forgive me Autoshite for I have sinned.

 

Just sold a lovely BMW 520i auto e34 to a pair of Russian Bankers , who intend to do a banger rally in it!

 

I know I should have offered it on here first and 320touring and JohnF to mention only 2 of this congregation who expressed an interest in the past have my heartfelt apologies . But money talks and you lot know what I paid for it a year ago so I couldn't take the piss by trebling the price...

 

Anyway it's going on The Screwball Rally and the guys team is Andrei Branko, so I'll be keeping an eye on what hilarious*** way it's modified.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Maybe K, I don't remember!

[320touring]

Forgive me Autoshite for I have sinned.

 

Just sold a lovely BMW 520i auto e34 to a pair of Russian Bankers , who intend to do a banger rally in it!

 

I know I should have offered it on here first and 320touring and JohnF to mention only 2 of this congregation who expressed an interest in the past have my heartfelt apologies . But money talks and you lot know what I paid for it a year ago so I couldn't take the piss by trebling the price...

 

Anyway it's going on The Screwball Rally and the guys team is Andrei Branko, so I'll be keeping an eye on what hilarious*** way it's modified.

Whilst I appreciate my motoring being a concern, I also am concerned by the financial wellbeing of my fellow shiters. Well in:)

 

Last thing I need is a 4th auld BMW!!

[richardmorris]

The X1/9 tackled the motorway network today and did 190 miles taking the total to 49988! Got a bit hot while stuck in queues on the m42 but opening the windows and putting the heater on full worked.

Put the new battery in the merc and it started instantly. Old battery is showing 3.6v so I'll see if it can be coaxed into life.

I also have a 065 size Halfords one from the fiat last year. It's 2007 stamped but still showing 12.6v after being off the car for a year. Any use to anyone?

[phil_lihp]

Today started off well but went progressively downhill through the afternoon, culminating in this at about 6PM.

 

 

My friend who's been using the ex-SixCylinder MG ZR since I bought it has rather got attached to it - or rather, his wife has, and she wants to buy it.  The proviso was that a couple of issues got fixed, thus a parcel shelf without speaker holes and a few bits of interior trim have been procured from another forum member and I went over today to be briefly reunited with it, flush the coolant through and fix the non-folding driver's seat.

 

 

It turned out that the cooling system contained nothing but water in a very dirty header tank so that was flushed out, all seemed well and quite clean, the header tank was flushed out with Cillite Bang and a few litres of nice pink OAT went in.  

 

 

Quite happy that I was able to bleed it by dislodging various pipes as it warmed up, seeing as the all-important bleed valve bolt had been sheared off!

 

The seat mechanism was fixed by reattaching a dislodged cable and using some small zip ties to prevent it coming off again.  After lunch we removed several litres of rainwater and masses of disgusting, soggy newspaper remnants from the spare wheel well and gave it a wash.

 

That was where it all went downhill.  I jumped in to take it for a drive to get some new wiper blades and it refused to start, it turns over perfectly well but makes no attempt to fire.  There is absolutely no sign of the fuel pump activating when the ignition is switched on,

 

Endless poking and fiddling identified first that the fuel cutoff inertia switch under the bonnet had activated, reset that but no improvement, then a broken earth wire on the bulkhead, cleaned up and temporaily bodged to get it to connect, nothing.

 

Eventually I admitted defeat and called Autoaid who sent out a local company very quickly.  He was one of the sweariest people I have ever met but quite fond of ZRs and he spent a good half hour on it, we even bypassed the fuel cutoff but to no avail.  In the end, it became apparent that the immobilisor was the cause, as it wouldn't try to fire on easystart up the air intake either.

 

It's been transported to my local garage for a look when they reopen on Tuesday, I may see about getting an ECU and keyfob set off Ebay as they're only about £30 though before I get my mechanic too involved.

 

Oddly enough, the sale is off, although I'd assumed that anyway as I wouldn't want them stuck with it after this, she's still interested if I can fix this issue but I'm not sure.  We'll see.

[MorrisItalSLX]

Got a chance today to put on my stalk stickers:

 

 

 

Decided to celebrate with a drive down the coast, but when it started raining and I turned on the wipers, Bugger, nothing.

I pulled over in the now pouring rain and contorted myself to reach the foot-well fuse box only to find the fuse had fallen out. I popped it back in and presto, wipers working, and I didn't even have to go in the rain. Result!

[Guest Hooli]

I always spend a while cleaning the stalks when I get a car, it makes them feel so much newer when you can see them properly.

[MorrisItalSLX]

I always spend a while cleaning the stalks when I get a car, it makes them feel so much newer when you can see them properly.

 

When I cleaned them before applying the stickers, the remaining script came off!

[stuboy]

Picked up some bits for the focus yesterday..

[Steve79]

After much deliberation i decided to chuck the Proton Aeroback on autotrader to gauge any possible interest. I don't drive it that much and haven't really bonded with it.

 

An 'enthusiast' (yep who knew!) called me on the second day it was on there and sent payment there and then by bank transfer. Turns out the 1.3gl he's had for the last 12 years has finally shat its gearbox and only another aeroback will do to replace it!

[DVee8]

At Ripon classic car show on the racecourse

[fatharris]

Collection thread will be tomorrow, assuming the seller is cool with it.

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[fatharris]

And yes, MrsH knows about this one.

 

I mean, she didn't exactly give it her glowing approval, but at least she's aware.

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[HMC]

^any clues about what it is?

 

Swapped the wheels on my w210 for what it would have had when new....

I've also found some decent second hand, rust free front wings (surely not?! But they came last week- its true) in 744 silver so swapping the (bolt on) fronts and hoying some dynax s50 on them and everything underneath whilst at it will sort the worst bit of the cosmetics.

[anonymous user]

Just browsing ebay and see my old TR7 that I struggled to sell last year is back on. It is already at more than twice what I sold it for and still "reserve not met". It does look like a bit of paint has been done, but not much; it just proves that when I buy anything it becomes worthless but always returns to its true value once I have sold it again.

[dollywobbler]

I note no deposit has been received for the Honda. If there's nowt by Thursday, then I'm just going to tax and insure it again, which'll mean the Proton will be SORNed. I almost miss the Honda and its terrible road manners. It's somehow still likeable.

[fatharris]

Seller is happy for a tomorrow collection.

 

Train tickets bought (7 hours of train!), Temporary insurance purchased, MrsH consoled.

 

Bring on the 6am alarm clock!

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[phil_lihp]

 

That was where it all went downhill.  I jumped in to take it for a drive to get some new wiper blades and it refused to start, it turns over perfectly well but makes no attempt to fire.  There is absolutely no sign of the fuel pump activating when the ignition is switched on,

 

After all that faff yesterday, turned out to be the fuel pump relay!  Swapped it with one for the heated rear screen and it fired right up.  It's now sold to my friend pending money transfer, so a good day all in all.

[Supernaut]

Seller is happy for a tomorrow collection.

 

Train tickets bought (7 hours of train!), Temporary insurance purchased, MrsH consoled.

 

Bring on the 6am alarm clock!

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

Thank you for providing coffee break entertainment for my working* day tomorrow.

 

Not a bank holiday north of the border!

[The Moog]

After all that faff yesterday, turned out to be the fuel pump relay! Swapped it with one for the heated rear screen and it fired right up. It's now sold to my friend pending money transfer, so a good day all in all.

Result!

[Matt]

Spotted this little honey outside a classic car show today. 90k miles and for sale with a spares package including doors and a set of wheels for £1,500. On face value that seems like pretty good value. South West Scotland, can provide owners details if anyone here wants it. Not sure if the plate is included but it would be pretty nice if it was.

 

2000 Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf (1) by MattLikesCars, on Flickr

 

2000 Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf (2) by MattLikesCars, on Flickr

[AndyW201]

Good thing I had a bit of work done on the Octy recently.

Oil and filter, plugs, new ARB bushes to stop the horrid creaking on speed bumps and fresh coolant and thermostat now has it warming up quicker and actually running at the right temperature (and knocked the EML light out as a bonus!). £185 well spent at Ron Turnbull's, easily the best VAG specialist for miles.

 

Fortunate because Mrs_201's grandma in Germany had sadly passed away and air fares for Mrs and sis-in-law were extortionate. So a quick look at ferry crossings meant that to drive across was the far cheaper option. Only they didn't feel up to driving over there. Lucky I had a fortnight off work booked as well...

 

 

So a 13 year old VAG product, with a shade under 140,000 miles, tucked up on the ferry. WCPGW?

 

Erm, nowt as it happens. Waiting at Rotterdam for the ferry back to Hull, somewhat lower on its springs than on the way out. (Blame the many varieties of Apfel Korn, and the many tempting brands of German beer on sale in the Lemgo branch of Martkauf for that...). 700 miles, 3 up with 5 days of baggage on board, not exactly hanging about, at an average of 42 mpg. Love this car, soz VAG h8rs...

 

[wuvvum]

Got most of the way through replacing the silencer on the C4 this afternoon.  No major issues getting the old one off, although I ended up unbolting the rubbers from the car and then removing them once the silencer was off rather than trying to cajole the silencer pegs out of them whilst lying on my back under the car.

 

Annoyingly, it turned out that what I thought was badly rattling baffles was in fact mostly the heat shield which sits above the silencer - it is made of quite thin metal and had split around two of the mounting studs so was sat on top of the silencer.  So I probably could have patched the existing silencer up enough to get through a test.  Oh well, the new one was only 25 quid delivered and at least it's nice and shiny.

 

I haven't quite finished fitting it as the clamp which holds the silencer and centre pipe together is a bit the worse for wear, and the bolts are shagged.  I'm hoping I'll find somewhere open tomorrow which sells exhaust clamps, otherwise I'll just pick up a couple of 40mm M8 bolts and try to bodge the old clamp back on.

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

Not a good day here. Not driven the Jag for a while so it's got a bit dusty so decided to wash it. Backed Jag out of garage on to drive without starting it - just let it roll out on the hill. Noticed small pool of ATF on garage floor.

 

Hummm. Not done that before. Checked fluid level - it is REALLY high, a good 2 centimetres above the plastic bit. It wasn't like that last time I checked it and I haven't put any more in. Hmmmm.

 

Started engine. Engine caught with a wobble felt through the whole car and ran slowly and rough. The transmission made a frothing sound; no forward progress.  Bollocks. I shut the engine down sharpish. Of course, the damn thing has chosen to fail to proceed in the part of the drive most difficult to move it from. But at least it had the good sense to die at home...

 

What d'you reckon is wrong with it? - Torque converter failure? Has the extra fluid drained out of  the torque converter? There are a billion and one ways to bugger one of these. Dare I limp it back up the hill into the garage - or is that a good way of really buggering it?

 

So far my diagnostic skills extend to pronouncing it "fucked". Not just any old fucked, but frothing-like-Farage-spewing-over-the-driveway-fuckedy-fucked. Fuck.

 

Ever wanted to know what a big bill looming looks like? Well here's a photo I took earlier!

[darkfour]

Got the 2 new freeze plugs installed this weekend. The brass one on the right took about an hour to get seated correctly. Using a combination of a 1 1/4" socket, a 1 1/8" socket, 2 x 6" 1/4" extension bars and club hammer I managed to drive it home. The expandable one on the left was popped in place in under 5 minutes using a 7/8" wrench and a 1/2" socket.

 

I haven't filled it with water yet so I don't know if they leak, that will wait til next weekend

 

[vulgalour]

Finally caved in to peer pressure and bought a copy of My Summer Car.  It's everything I hoped and dreaded it would be.  Last attempt was cut short when I had a crash while drink-driving my tractor at night.

[dollywobbler]

Not a good day here. Not driven the Jag for a while so it's got a bit dusty so decided to wash it. Backed Jag out of garage on to drive without starting it - just let it roll out on the hill. Noticed small pool of ATF on garage floor.

 

Hummm. Not done that before. Checked fluid level - it is REALLY high, a good 2 centimetres above the plastic bit. It wasn't like that last time I checked it and I haven't put any more in. Hmmmm.

 

Started engine. Engine caught with a wobble felt through the whole car and ran slowly and rough. The transmission made a frothing sound; no forward progress. Bollocks. I shut the engine down sharpish. Of course, the damn thing has chosen to fail to proceed in the part of the drive most difficult to move it from. But at least it had the good sense to die at home...

 

What d'you reckon is wrong with it? - Torque converter failure? Has the extra fluid drained out of the torque converter? There are a billion and one ways to bugger one of these. Dare I limp it back up the hill into the garage - or is that a good way of really buggering it?

 

So far my diagnostic skills extend to pronouncing it "fucked". Not just any old fucked, but frothing-like-Farage-spewing-over-the-driveway-fuckedy-fucked. Fuck.

 

Ever wanted to know what a big bill looming looks like? Well here's a photo I took earlier!

If the level has gone up, it leaves me wondering if these are one of those cars where water can leak from rad to transmission cooler. G Wilkinson Autos near Birmingham are pretty hot on these gearboxes.

[dollywobbler]

Posted in a Facebook group. Don't allow naked flames near a chassis you've just filled with Dinitrol...

 

That's that ruined then. Quite why you'd bother rustproofing a galvanised chassis, I'm not sure...

[phil_lihp]

Sad news on the Jag, fingers crossed it's not too terrifying to fix.

[Guest Hooli]

Not a good day here. Not driven the Jag for a while so it's got a bit dusty so decided to wash it. Backed Jag out of garage on to drive without starting it - just let it roll out on the hill. Noticed small pool of ATF on garage floor.

 

Hummm. Not done that before. Checked fluid level - it is REALLY high, a good 2 centimetres above the plastic bit. It wasn't like that last time I checked it and I haven't put any more in. Hmmmm.

 

Started engine. Engine caught with a wobble felt through the whole car and ran slowly and rough. The transmission made a frothing sound; no forward progress.  Bollocks. I shut the engine down sharpish. Of course, the damn thing has chosen to fail to proceed in the part of the drive most difficult to move it from. But at least it had the good sense to die at home...

 

What d'you reckon is wrong with it? - Torque converter failure? Has the extra fluid drained out of  the torque converter? There are a billion and one ways to bugger one of these. Dare I limp it back up the hill into the garage - or is that a good way of really buggering it?

 

So far my diagnostic skills extend to pronouncing it "fucked". Not just any old fucked, but frothing-like-Farage-spewing-over-the-driveway-fuckedy-fucked. Fuck.

 

Ever wanted to know what a big bill looming looks like? Well here's a photo I took earlier!

 

Ekk. Dolly's idea about the rad allowing water into the box sounds plausible to me. Is the water low? Being as the box is lower than the header tank I'd expect the header tank to have gone down as it drained though.

 

It does look beautiful parked up though doesn't it?