The new news 24 thread

[blackboilersuit]

I hope you avoided scratching the XR after all that effort to get your leg under it to protect it...

Not a mark on the bike that wasn't there before. I on the other hand now have a pin, 4 screws and a few new scars.....

[M'coli]

If you've read the Grumpy thread recently, you'll know about the Peugeot 106's latest FTP as well as my 11-hour journey home for a trip that usually takes between 3.5 to 5 hours.

 

Yet another FTP in the Peugeot 106, this time I've not even left the works' carpark. I think a rear brake lining has detached from the shoe and slipped round. I'm currently 215 or so miles from home so it's call the RAC time.

 

One of the brake shoes has had the lining detached from the backplate and jam under the other shoe, and the drum's seized onto the hub too.

I was knackered yesterday after getting home after 4 am, and I really couldn't face working on the wee shite again, seeing as it had a new waterpump and cambelt last weekend after shitting the waterpump - this weekend was meant to be driveshaft replacement, but fuck that for a game of soldiers.

 

I could've taken the Puma this week, but a tipping point has been reached:  I didn't fancy sitting it it for up to 5 hours, so: the Silver ZX of many Shiters has been pressed back into service.  Vacuumed out, most of the mould has been eradicated, the door gaps have been adjusted and the oil and filter changed, filled with 60/40 diesel/veg (Pompe Joseph), tyrre pressures checked and set, windscreen treated with Bluecol's version of RainX.  Let's hope it's fine:

[worldofceri]

Confession time:

 

I haven't used the Saab for well over a month.  It's last outing was my last trip to work before Christmas and since then it's just sat outside the house, dripping pas fluid down the gutters.

 

I didn't really have any cause to use it over Christmas but after a couple of weeks I figured I aught to give it a run out, but it wouldn't start.

 

I then ignored it for another couple of weeks, mostly due to being preoccupied with an impending house move.  Not only has this sapped my spare time and energy, I've been disinclined to go tinkering out in the street as the move will mean I'll have a good sized drive and (luxury!) a garage soon enough.

 

But the mot is now looming and I need to get it mobile.  I had half hoped I would move house before the mot expires and be able to keep it off road for the time being and sort a few issues at my leisure.  But that ain't going to happen now.

 

So I left it until the last possible opportunity (as I am apt to do with anything remotely stressful or of which I'm uncertain) to see if I can coax it back to life.

 

First attempt yesterday with a tin of Easy Start only resulted in a flat battery.  Not even a cough or splutter.  So I brought the battery in last night and put it on charge.

 

Today it has - inevitably - been persisting it down, but I eventually plucked up enough enthusiasm to head outside.

 

I fitted a new fuel filter which I've had for ages, in case a bunged up filter is contributing to the problem.  That entailed about half an hour scrabbling about with a torch and long nosed pliers when I dropped one of the copper washers under all the intake/throttle body gubbins.  Lucky it was raining actually, as it flushed all the pez I splashed everywhere neatly down the drain.

 

I then whacked the battery back on, squirted a dash of Easy Start in the intake and tried it again.

 

Well, it now starts, but won't run.  It will generally run until the starter is disengaged but then stops again.  I had it going a few times by holding the revs at around 3k rpm and feathering the throttle, but it won't idle and eventually dies.

 

It seems to me that it's not getting fuel through.  I'm pretty sure the fuel pump relay is dodgy, but would this alone cause the symptoms I've described?

 

I will order a new relay if I can find one.  Not this one though, which Two-Stroke-To-Turbo want NINETY FLIPPIN' QUID for!

 

 

No pictures of today's activities, because:rain.  But, because all good posts have photos have one of the Saab at Asda's pez emporium.

 

[SiC]

What about bridging the fuel pump relay contacts as a temporary measure to test?

[cobblers]

If you've read the Grumpy thread recently, you'll know about the Peugeot 106's latest FTP as well as my 11-hour journey home for a trip that usually takes between 3.5 to 5 hours.

 

 

One of the brake shoes has had the lining detached from the backplate and jam under the other shoe, and the drum's seized onto the hub too.

 

 

The same happened to me in my 106, and I've seen it happen on clios which use identical rear brakes, seems common. Terrified me as I lost brakes while flying towards a busy roundabout.

Anyway, I'm sure the rear drum "is" the hub on these, IE you have to take the hub nut off to get the drum off.

[SiC]

Puma? £500 should get you a good 1.7 without too many Rice Crispies in the rear arches and they're on the cusp of appreciating...he said optimistically.

They're on my bucket list but as dollywobbler said, they're too practical!

 

I'm a bit tempted with a TT, original Bini Cooper S, Z4 and Clio 172/182.

 

However I can't get the Smart Roadster out of my head. They look hilarious fun!

[vulgalour]

Some other considerations:

Suzuki Cappucino

Fiat X1/9

Nissan Figaro

Ford StreetKa

Mazda MX-5

MG Midget

Quantum H4

[SiC]

Some other considerations:

Suzuki Cappucino

Fiat X1/9

Nissan Figaro

Ford StreetKa

Mazda MX-5

MG Midget

Quantum H4

We've done the mx5 thing after having a mk1 and then later a mk3.

 

Can the X1/9 and the MG Midget still be had for under 2k that isn't rotten to buggery?

 

MGTF is another option and looks nice on the outside, but they unfortunately really don't do anything for me. Wierd as I used to really want one.

[Kiltox]

Fuck all those - what you NEED is a Golf Mk3 auto, Fiesta Mk6, Laguna(s), Citroen C3 or a Trafic!

[SiC]

Or a panda!

 

 

Just looking at MGB GT. Always fancied one. More expensive than when I last looked though!

 

Is it realistic owning a 70s British sports car without a garage or a covered area to store it?

 

I don't know much about cars pre 90s! I mean everything before 1986 (when I was born) is basically shit, no?

[Kiltox]

I think you mean shite

[Guest Hooli]

They all lived outside when new & at least these days they'll have some rust proofing attached. I used to keep a Midget outdoors & just empty the footwells in the mornings... A GT without sunroof would be fine though.

[Guest Hooli]

I think you mean shite

 

I've just noticed, your signature appears to be missing your wonderful new addition to the fleet.

[Kiltox]

I've just noticed, your signature appears to be missing your wonderful new addition to the fleet.

I don't really count the scrap as fleet members

 

Got a mk4 Astra van too if we are going down that route

[Timewaster]

I don't know much about cars pre 90s! I mean everything since 1986 (when I was born) is basically shit, no?

That's about right

[Guest Hooli]

 

 I mean everything before 1986 (when I was born) is basically shit, no?

 

Bloody kids!

[Six-cylinder]

Or a panda!

 

 

Just looking at MGB GT. Always fancied one. More expensive than when I last looked though!

 

Is it realistic owning a 70s British sports car without a garage or a covered area to store it?

Better with a garage but if you don't have one enjoy the car anyway. It will just a bit more work polishing it more often and checking for leaks and standing rain water.

[anonymous user]

I have spent the day down in Pembrokeshire, went down in the C15 van which did several tip runs (they are civilised down there as they let vans in the tip). I'm slowly clearing stuff for my sister who is in the process of moving, some of the stuff has been in the loft for nearly 50 years. It amused me to find the original boxes for things long thrown away, it appears that where they were marked "keep this box in case of complaint" my mother took it literally. On one tip run someone was there in an MGB GT it looked a well used car and was filled to the brim with black bags. On another it was funny to witness a poor bloke being told off by his Mrs, as he had confused someone else's car for theirs and got in it by mistake. There's still plenty of old stuff on the roads down there, saw a G reg 3 door Discovery in Haverfordwest and a Mk3 Capri in my sister's village, also in the village is the G reg Saab convertible still parked up (I think it's been stood for about ten years now) but the house where it's parked has now been done up, so not sure how much longer the car will be left

[wuvvum]

This evening I have mostly been overtaking people in the Transit.  The usual Sunday drivers seem to get even more dithery when it's dark and wet.  Bugger me that thing is quick when you cane it.  Much quicker than the Movano.  Third gear is perfect for getting past 40mph ditherers in short order, although I used fourth for getting past a 45mph artic as I don't like changing gear mid-overtake - even in fourth, and going uphill, the van was doing 65 by the time I pulled back in.  Downside is it does like a drink when driven enthusiastically.  It's worth it though to see the looks on people's faces when a tatty 18-year-old Transit goes hooning past them.  Fortunately the tinted rear windows block out the worst of the indignant headlight flashing.

 

I am such a child.

[vulgalour]

You're just using that Transit in exactly the way Ford (or Landan blaggers) intended.  No shame in that.

[Lacquer Peel]

Is it a petrol one Wuvvum?

[wuvvum]

Yup, 2 litre twin cam.

[FakeConcern]

The XM is in for MOT today

[BorniteIdentity]

It would seem that Sam Osbon (is Bramm no?) has identified the next target for the "Autoshite Club Car"

 

https://flic.kr/p/RwAM67

 

Incredible.  Puts the bASe to shame in many ways.

[AMC Rebel]

It would seem that Sam Osbon (is Bramm no?) has identified the next target for the "Autoshite Club Car"

 

https://flic.kr/p/RwAM67

 

Incredible.  Puts the bASe to shame in many ways.

 

Looks quite a poverty spec too.

[AMC Rebel]

Or a panda!

 

 

Just looking at MGB GT. Always fancied one. More expensive than when I last looked though!

 

Is it realistic owning a 70s British sports car without a garage or a covered area to store it?

 

I don't know much about cars pre 90s! I mean everything before 1986 (when I was born) is basically shit, no?

 

Fairly sure I have a HBOL for one of those in the shed, despite never having owned one.  They aren't really my cup O'tea but you could do a lot worse I reckon.

[vulgalour]

Good luck, Fake Concern!

[Dirk Diggler]

I can't stop looking at this and wondering what it drives like; just nobody mention the colour

 

https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/78-ford-cortina-525tds-running-gear/14382257

[Bren]

Winning bidder bid £350 on fathas passat - all that for 14 year old VW with a borked box.

 

Lets see if they collect.

[New POD]

Or a panda!

 

 

Just looking at MGB GT. Always fancied one. More expensive than when I last looked though!

 

Is it realistic owning a 70s British sports car without a garage or a covered area to store it?

 

I don't know much about cars pre 90s! I mean everything before 1986 (when I was born) is basically shit, no?

 

 

MGB's are shite. They used 1940's technology, badly done. Buy a mk1 mx5 if you want a true "British sports car"

 

I think the 80's spawned a few cars that stand the test of time, but not sure that BL/ROVER/AUSTIN were involved in that.

 

The British didn't make a decent affordable sports car until the mid engined Metro / MGF