The new news 24 thread

[stuboy]

I will have to stick with derv, anything petrol would cost a fortune to tow the caravan with. Very happy with the VW PD engine.

im loving mine...only 115 though

[Ghosty]

Distributor is decidedly not fucked, having further investigated. Good.

 

Now the only thing that has a question mark on it is the coil igniter.

[dollywobbler]

It's playing ball at the moment. Bit of a love hate relationship with it at the moment. I get fed up with it when I think about it but then when I drive it and I enjoy & like it again.

 

 

 

That's where I am with the Starlet. It is the ideal 'just jump in and go' motor, and the handling is about twenty times better than the Honda's was. Oddly, the thing I'm missing most from the Lexus is the stereo though. Maybe I actually need to put some effort into finding a car I actually like for once, instead of just making random purchases in order to get home. Maybe actually try before I buy. Like folk used to do in the olden days.

[SiC]

That's where I am with the Starlet. It is the ideal 'just jump in and go' motor, and the handling is about twenty times better than the Honda's was. Oddly, the thing I'm missing most from the Lexus is the stereo though. Maybe I actually need to put some effort into finding a car I actually like for once, instead of just making random purchases in order to get home. Maybe actually try before I buy. Like folk used to do in the olden days.

Yes this.

 

Slight difference in that I didn't buy it to get home, I bought it because it was cheap. I also quite fancied having a proper go on a DSG boxed motor. Its a nasty habit of mine where I buy stuff because I fancy trying or having something on a car. There is also my even worse habit of not being able to say no to a cheap car.

 

Likewise, I didn't even test drive it (admittedly it was bought from a trusted mate). After repairs its not as cheap as it was (which I knew could potentially be expensive), but still reasonably priced. However its likely I'll loose most of what I've spent repairing it if I sell it quickly.

 

Now I've made the decision to get rid, I can't be bothered with the hassle of selling. Just want it gone with the least amount of work and effort.

 

I especially want it gone quick as I know that once it's gone, my next project can fill the drive (the AS Austin 1100). Which is something that I'm much more excited in getting and fiddling with.

[alcyonecorporation]

Managed to get a semi-dead work DSLR running again. Added my cheap and cheerful array of M42 lenses from my stockpile of Soviet camera crap. 

 

 

Said Sony still felt like working after Japfest so I took a few photos of the Impreza with it. Up to 26mpg at the moment. I want to fit some ADVAN NEOVAs to it but they're too bleedin' expensive. 

 

If you're ever in the Peterborough area I can thoroughly recommend the walk around Great Fen; I normally go there on warm evenings to de-stress.

[dollywobbler]

With the wipers parked slightly high like that, it looks happy and excited.

[wuvvum]

I need to buy a Sony DSLR.  I have an old Minolta 35mm SLR just sat there doing nothing, with a lens that would fit straight on a Sony Alpha.

[Mike D]

I went out for a blast on the Harley to Willingham Woods with my mate tonight as he's just got his very nice VFR400 MOT'd, then after that had a couple of hours on the mini to try and fathom out the solid clutch pedal that caused Tuesdays FTP.. managed to remove the 'Wok' with the engine in situ - via some judicious jacking, loosening of things and some hot pry bar action - nothing seemed amiss, removed the diaphragm, all looks ok, the pressure plate has free movement when it isn't bolted up so it's not binding on anything. The only thing I can think is the clutch arm adjustment lock nut was loose when I went and had a look the other day, so the nut must have vibrated tight and caused the solid pedal due to the arm not being able to move. I did try adjusting the nuts in the car park but it had no effect, however I put everything back together, adjusted the nuts to the correct spec and now the pedal seems fine again. Fingers crossed that's all it was!

 

 

[alcyonecorporation]

With the wipers parked slightly high like that, it looks happy and excited.

That's how they park, m9. SVX's sit even higher depending on which mode you have the arms set at.

 

I need to buy a Sony DSLR.  I have an old Minolta 35mm SLR just sat there doing nothing, with a lens that would fit straight on a Sony Alpha.

The Alpha 390 needed a little plastic adaptor with a thread on the end; unlike Nikons, the FFD of the M42 lens is retained - so you can properly focus to infinity.

 

Would sir be interested in a working Alpha 330 for £not much?

[dollywobbler]

It isn't how they park on any Impreza I've ever driven...

[captain_70s]

The garage are hoping to have the Acclaim done by the end of the week, Civic parts are yet to be posted.

 

At this rate the Doloshite will be my first usable car...

[SiC]

The garage are hoping to have the Acclaim done by the end of the week, Civic parts are yet to be posted.

 

At this rate the Doloshite will be my first usable car...

Just 10 more nights to sleep.

[Guest Hooli]

Just 10 more nights to sleep in the doloshite to stop them towing it away.

 

EFA

[alcyonecorporation]

It isn't how they park on any Impreza I've ever driven...

 

Have you driven any as early as mine? 

 

Watch some Best Motoring videos from the period (1995); they all park like my car. 

Jesus, what a weird reply. 

[holbeck]

 

For the last month I've been using the 205 as my main car.

 

However I have now agreed to purchase something Japanese and red from a another member of this forum.

 

So the 205 will be surplus. 

[captain_70s]

Just 10 more nights to sleep.

 

+ 200 years of DVLA processing time...

 

EFA

 

I've hidden it up a cul-de-sac in the hopes nobody notices it...

 

Also trying to spread the fleet over several streets to avoid enraging my immediate neighbours...

[Jams]

Still trying to fuck the mrs seat Leon off its proving rather tricky to shift. Probably due to the turbo noise. May be tempted to keep it and fix its issues. Phone interview for a sky engineer job tomorrow! And working down in reading next week

Well thank went to shit! So Mr Breckon have you been convicted of anything in the past year? Yes north Wales police have fucked me over over a crash! Oh im sorry we can't this any further! WTF!! So it wasn't meant to be! Next phone call "hiya pal take a grand for that leon" Why don't you fu.......... dya no wjat mate cone and get it in arsed today!

[Tadhg Tiogar]

.....Also trying to spread the fleet over several streets to avoid enraging my immediate neighbours...

Surely this just means risking several streets of enraged residents?

[davehedgehog31]

A happy evenings fettling on the 407. Front discs and pads renewed, everything came apart pretty easily and went back together no bother, textbook.

 

Unexpectedly pleasant. Rover is up next, fully expecting skint knuckles, bastard tight bolts and pain.

[Angrydicky]

I've hidden it up a cul-de-sac in the hopes nobody notices it...

 

Also trying to spread the fleet over several streets to avoid enraging my immediate neighbours...

Lol, reminds me of when my parents were trying to sell their house, while I was welding up the AS Buttery Biscuit (Sierra) Base on the driveway. Every time they had a viewing, I was instructed to 'hide' it down the road somewhere an hour before.

 

I parked it in the cul-de-sac up the road a couple of times before the guy who owned the house it was parked outside knocked on the door and asked my parents to "please move the old Escort from outside my house".

It then got moved in the other direction and lasted a couple of days there, before twat opposite came round and asked my parents to move it, because he was "concerned about hitting it while reversing out of my driveway".

Other cars parked there all the time, and I'm sure he'd never moaned about them.

 

Obviously, both these instances occurred while I was at work. I would have told the miserable bastards to get stuffed, had the car had a valid MoT...

 

TLDR: Little Wakering Road is full of snobbish curtain-twitching, old car-hating arseholes. Where they live now is much better, there's several old car owners nearby, and the guy next door has a Sierra too (albeit a Cozzie). I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem there!

[madrat]

Clearing secondary log pile, (possible rat home) one large dead rotting maggot infested rat, cue me dry heaving under a tree, several hours playing with chainsaw, and burning general garden rubbish.

[clayts450]

Oil change on Streetwise today, even managed to get the filter off and changed without any kind of faff.

 

Wanted to change spark plugs today as probably not done for at least 5 yrs (only two services on this car, last 2013) - very deep set in the K-series. Had planned ahead and bought a deep spark plug socket.

 

Fucking chocolate teapot - no rubber bit so once you've unscrewed the plug there is no way to grab hold of it unless you have Freddie Kreuger fingernails, just flops around uselessly at the bottom of the well.

 

Tried in vain to use the spark plug socket in my socket set which does have a rubber bit, but extension bar not quite long enough. Screwed plug back in with a hearty 'fuck it, do it later', stuck cover back on (three screws). Third screw snapped, so now have to figure out how to get that bastard out as well.

[madrat]

Oil change on Streetwise today, even managed to get the filter off and changed without any kind of faff.

 

Wanted to change spark plugs today as probably not done for at least 5 yrs (only two services on this car, last 2013) - very deep set in the K-series. Had planned ahead and bought a deep spark plug socket.

 

Fucking chocolate teapot - no rubber bit so once you've unscrewed the plug there is no way to grab hold of it unless you have Freddie Kreuger fingernails, just flops around uselessly at the bottom of the well.

 

Tried in vain to use the spark plug socket in my socket set which does have a rubber bit, but extension bar not quite long enough. Screwed plug back in with a hearty 'fuck it, do it later', stuck cover back on (three screws). Third screw snapped, so now have to figure out how to get that bastard out as well.

Push length of rubber hose pipe over spark plug after you have loosened it.

[clayts450]

Thanks for the tip. Didn't have any to hand but that will be plan B, assuming I can get the cover off again

[Guest Hooli]

I've got one of those 'magnet onna stick' things, it's good for getting plugs out too.

[clayts450]

Ace, thanks Hooli I know this is probably Noddy DIY to most on here but it's been a few years since I've stuck my head under the flappy thing at the front to look at the big black noisy oily thing (actually tell a lie, I've done a few odds and sods since I got back in the saddle and was amazed I was able to do the little jobs without disaster)

[plasticvandan]

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For the last month I've been using the 205 as my main car.

 

However I have now agreed to purchase something Japanese and red from a another member of this forum.

 

So the 205 will be surplus.

 

Interested in the 205 if it becomes available

[mrbenn]

The rubber bit went missing from my spark plug socket, so I improvised with electrical tape. Works well but tape needs renewing every so often as it gets chewed up and stops holding the plug.

[greengartside]

Small but sad update. The Astra SRi is potentially fubared. The gearbox had been making some unpleasant noises recently (the dreaded M32 ‘box) and there was a lot of play in the gear lever when you went to boot it.

 

Anyhoo just drove home from work and it jumped out of 4th and now there’s a loud grinding noise in all gears. Luckily it happened about a quarter of a mile from home so I was able to coast most of it back. It still engages gears and will drive but it’s very unhappy.

 

Time to dig out the pushbike methinks......

[holbeck]

Interested in the 205 if it becomes available

 

Noted, although someone has already bagged first dibs if a straight sale.