The new news 24 thread

[phil_lihp]

In other news, having just spent 11 days and covered 1200 miles through France in my converted Hiace, I'm pretty pleased with how it performed.

 

 

It really needs a 6th gear as it's strained at motorway speeds but it coped OK in the main. There's a dreadful rattle from the front end but my chief suspect is brake pads so they'll get changed shortly when I service it as I have no idea how ancient they might be anyway.

 

I do need to change the driver's seat, it's knackered and missing a fair chunk of foam which doesn't help comfort. Any suggestions on what to aim for? Something comfy, supportive and manually height adjustable with no airbags or electric adjustment would be ideal. Anyone breaking a SAAB 95 or Volvo 940?

 

The only downside is that a couple of days before I came home, a little milk bottle improperly stowed at the back fell over and unbeknownst to me spent a day emptying itself onto the floor. Not a visible trace of it anywhere and fortunately it didn't cause any issues for a few days but now time has passed that has changed. I went to get something out of it and oh my god, the smell in there this morning is beyond describing. I'm faced with having to rip everything out of it for full decontamination, it's either that or set fire to it.

[SiC]

Ha. When I was younger a carton split in the boot of my mums 1 yr old (at the time) Civic. When she sold it 2 years later, the car still stank to high heaven in the summer. One of the primary reasons she got rid of it and not kept it longer, as it never seemed possible to get rid of the smell.

 

I don't think they went to the length of replacing carpets though. I suspect that is what you will have to do, to totally eradicate it.

[phil_lihp]

The sticky steering UJ I mentioned at the start of the trip responded well to a squirt of cheap 3in1 oil obtained from a supermarket and is now liberally coated in proper grease so that was a relief.

 

Yes, carpets will have to come out, fortunately they're rubber backed tiles so easy to remove and wash!

[oldcars]

In other news, having just spent 11 days and covered 1200 miles through France in my converted Hiace, I'm pretty pleased with how it performed.

 

20170924_165005.jpg

 

It really needs a 6th gear as it's strained at motorway speeds but it coped OK in the main. There's a dreadful rattle from the front end but my chief suspect is brake pads so they'll get changed shortly when I service it as I have no idea how ancient they might be anyway.

 

I do need to change the driver's seat, it's knackered and missing a fair chunk of foam which doesn't help comfort. Any suggestions on what to aim for? Something comfy, supportive and manually height adjustable with no airbags or electric adjustment would be ideal. Anyone breaking a SAAB 95 or Volvo 940?

 

The only downside is that a couple of days before I came home, a little milk bottle improperly stowed at the back fell over and unbeknownst to me spent a day emptying itself onto the floor. Not a visible trace of it anywhere and fortunately it didn't cause any issues for a few days but now time has passed that has changed. I went to get something out of it and oh my god, the smell in there this morning is beyond describing. I'm faced with having to rip everything out of it for full decontamination, it's either that or set fire to it.

If you can find where the milk has soaked into then you can clean it and spray it with this stuff.

https://www.shopnshine.co.uk/valet-pro-enzyme-odour-eater-500ml?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI76Os9unb1gIVSLXtCh1KzQCLEAQYASABEgIHb_D_BwE

This stuff kills the bacteria that causes the smell. Worked a treat when i used it on a car that stank of dog.

[phil_lihp]

Good shout, thanks!

[Guest Hooli]

Ha. When I was younger a carton split in the boot of my mums 1 yr old (at the time) Civic. When she sold it 2 years later, the car still stank to high heaven in the summer. One of the primary reasons she got rid of it and not kept it longer, as it never seemed possible to get rid of the smell.

 

I don't think they went to the length of replacing carpets though. I suspect that is what you will have to do, to totally eradicate it.

 

One office at work suffered that. They changed the carpet two years ago & it still stinks like a used nappy.

[HillmanImp]

Shameless plug but I am selling my house:

 

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50865663.html

 

In order to keep it autoshite related though, get a load of the Google streetview image from back when I was living the dream:

 

 

I really need to get some old cars on the road again. If someone buys this house I might be able to afford to*.

 

 

 

* Pending SWMBO approval to spend money on things that make me happy instead of grown up stuff like washing machines and furniture.

[stephen01]

Shameless plug but I am selling my house:

 

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50865663.html

 

In order to keep it autoshite related though, get a load of the Google streetview image from back when I was living the dream:

 

ValleyRise.jpg

 

I really need to get some old cars on the road again. If someone buys this house I might be able to afford to*.

 

 

 

* Pending SWMBO approval to spend money on things that make me happy instead of grown up stuff like washing machines and furniture.

 

you've really gone for the minimal look.. 

[wuvvum]

The only downside is that a couple of days before I came home, a little milk bottle improperly stowed at the back fell over and unbeknownst to me spent a day emptying itself onto the floor. Not a visible trace of it anywhere and fortunately it didn't cause any issues for a few days but now time has passed that has changed. I went to get something out of it and oh my god, the smell in there this morning is beyond describing. I'm faced with having to rip everything out of it for full decontamination, it's either that or set fire to it.

When I was a kid, we had a seaside holiday in Wales and one day we went mussel picking.  We then forgot the mussels in the boot of Dad's Renner Six for several days.  It was a hot summer.

 

That smell was quite something I can tell you.  I've not been able to eat shellfish since.

[wuvvum]

And what are we doung today children?

Fitting Saab wheels to a Focus?

[stuboy]

Fitting Saab wheels to a Focus?

proper ford wheels.

[DodgyBastard]

Spotted in Melton Mowbray by srblythe, on Flickr

 

Spotted in Melton Mowbray by srblythe, on Flickr

 

My old Alto was spotted recently, I'm guessing it is no longer "essentially knackered" seeing as it is out getting used. I'm glad it's still going. The new owner is still a twat though.

[dollywobbler]

The sticky steering UJ I mentioned at the start of the trip responded well to a squirt of cheap 3in1 oil obtained from a supermarket and is now liberally coated in proper grease so that was a relief.

 

Wow! I gave some correct technical advice! Glad the trip went well, milk aside...

[stuboy]

Changed the back box as old one was orrible looking..

[phil_lihp]

Wow! I gave some correct technical advice! Glad the trip went well, milk aside...

Yes indeed, many thanks for the suggestion, was a good shout. Wouldn't have expected the improvement it produced!

 

As a reward* you can have a test drive of it and the 420 when you're next down this way.

[phil_lihp]

Collection stage 1 complete - dash up to ECP on the bike for a coolant cap, hopefully it will fit. Now on the National Express waiting to leave Barnstaple for Heathrow (for connection on to train, not flying!).

Coach arrived, dropped wallet at station, had mild panic when I discovered it missing, happened to ask a directions question of a staff member who'd had it handed to her. Biggest relief of my life and proves there are some very nice and honest people around.

 

Delayed but still on course for Rover shenanigans.

[Lord Sterling]

Micra failed it's MOT but not badly this time. No *DANGEROUS* rubbish on it. Was shown the underside of the car which needs cleaning, vactan and sealing but the MOT stuff will be done first, it's mostly rust and corrosion rather than anything else but the Micra will live to drive another day!

 

However, I will be on the lookout here for a cheap replacement. I think our Micra needs a bit of retirement for now, the steering and clutch are heavy and I'd like something with power steering and electric windows for Motherly_one. Maybe a cheap slightly newer Micra or something similar with 5 doors rather than 3.

[egg]

More prosaic, I took the Fusion back to the wheel alignment place and got it checked out. It was a bit out apparently, and now feels a bit better, the steering wheel is straight!

[phil_lihp]

Hats off to dieselnutjob, a gent and yet another properly decent bloke on this forum. Very helpful, provided a cup of tea and a quick diagnostic session, top bloke.

 

Fortunately the new coolant cap is holding things together so far, it's done an hour's motorway driving so far with no issues.

 

 

[RobT]

Hope it stays that way Phil, safe journey!

[cort16]

Someone on my street has bought what looks like a 1930s traction avant.

[RobT]

I'd normally post this in the Lazy Spotters thread, but I reckon it's newsworthy enough to be here.

 

 

 

I've seen it driving around in Penge but only today did I manage to get pics. Must be a giffer as there's random tat in the back and some knitting on the rear parcel shelf. The paint looks rollered. What a hero. Wonder if Angrydicky knows the owner?

[SiC]

For rollered, it looks very good from the pictures.

[fatharris]

I did a silly thing today. When MrsH got back from work, I went to change the duct tape on the Rovers roof to try and stop the leaking.

 

Didn't like what I saw.

 

 

With heavy rain forecast for tomorrow, tape isn't going to fix this now.

 

 

Time to weld a patch on. It'll be a bodge because the windscreen needs to come out but I reckon I can make it watertight.

 

Need to get all my grinding done before an obnoxious time.

[Guest Hooli]

You daft pillock!

[somewhatfoolish]

I'd normally post this in the Lazy Spotters thread, but I reckon it's newsworthy enough to be here.

 

getPart-39.jpeg

 

getPart-38.jpeg

 

I've seen it driving around in Penge but only today did I manage to get pics. Must be a giffer as there's random tat in the back and some knitting on the rear parcel shelf. The paint looks rollered. What a hero. Wonder if Angrydicky knows the owner?

Clearly owned by a GWR licker.

[phil_lihp]

And home. Cracking car, nice easy journey.

[cort16]

I`d be piling a tub of fibre glass wob in that rover roof.

[MrDuke]

I don't think I've ever seen a roof that rotten on anything so recent. At least with an Integrale you got butt-clenching performance by way of compensation.

[cobblers]

Yeah fuck welding that, just grind back to clean metal and cover the hole with something fibreglassy then reapply tape.