The new news 24 thread

[dollywobbler]

Ah yes. The joys of trying to get a window mechanism out of the door. Either you get it right first time, and it comes straight out, or you spend ages questioning the very physics of the world, wondering how on earth they got them in at the factory.

 

I'm mainly filling the 2CV with anti-corrosion wax today. The weather is GORGEOUS. Nice and hot to let the wax creep about. Sadly I've found a very soft bit of floor at the rear. I thought I was peeling the old underseal off, but it was actually the floor... Won't be waxing anywhere near that then. Will have to try and get it sorted. I've also got some Bilt Hamber underbody wax/underseal stuff for the open sections - apart from that very soft bit of floor. In fact, I spent over £100 buying anti-rust stuff - the BX is next.

[catsinthewelder]

That is a job I really need to do with all 3 cars. Like you though,it would be a game of avoiding the bits that need welding being as I cause enough small fires already. I should do the BX as thats fairly solid.

[dollywobbler]

2CV rear floor.

 

BX rear wing

 

Given how bad these can get here Rich, and the fact that replacement panels aren't available, probably worth you getting the rear bumper off yours and having a good poke about. I reckon mine was made worse by mudflaps. They're now in the bin.

[ProgRocker]

 

Because the turbo is shot, or because they didn't want the work?

Even after mine mullered itself it was only a £400 rebuild through a turbo specialist, and even then I found the kit of parts was available for half that if I wanted to do the work myself. Start by getting the model number of the turbo and google it, or search on ebay for a rebuild kit. Also, ask the dealer for their exact diagnosis instead of "it's broked".

 

Thanks, Pillock. I'll have to double check the paperwork. Seems like they are reluctant to repair it as it would probably be easier to remove the old one and install a new one. Car still performs alright so I'll probably drive it until it breaks for good.

[Micrashed]

Tomorrow I should be working 7am to 5pm at the Mill. But Im not because

Im off here!

 

Hmm, I may join you for that! Got any more details?

Utterly missed your Q

Junction 35 of the M6, head towards |OK and Capernwray, turn left down Kellett road and keep going and going and going...

 

Today however....

CV joint buggered by Micrashed, on Flickr

[wuvvum]

Yesterday was a bit of an epic tat collection mission. I left mine at 5am to get the 6.00 train to London, then the 8.55 from Euston to Northampton to pick up this beauty.

 

 

£155-'orth of Citroën AX Spree 1.5D. It's... well it's a bit fucked to be honest. But then I was kind of expecting that for the money. The suspension clonks, the brakes pull to the left, there's something rubbing on the back at low speed and all sorts of grumbling and clanking noises from under the bonnet. And it's in desperate need of a service. But it's got a couple of months' T&T and my folding bike fits in the back, so it's going to be taking over daily duties from the Rover for a little while.

 

One of these has been on my list for a while as they're supposed to be ridiculously economical. This one certainly seems to be living up to that reputation so far - I got well over 60 to the gallon on the run home, and would probably have managed 70 if I'd taken it a bit easier. It's also surprisingly nippy - the combination of decent torque and almost zero weight means it gets off the line smartly, and the engine's surprisingly rev-happy for a diesel. It certainly has no problem keeping up around town. It's the sort of car I would normally have nursed home at 60-65 just to be on the safe side, but unfortunately yesterday I was on a tight schedule so most of the run back from Northampton was done at 75-80 - I pushed it to an indicated 90 at one stage but in view of the brakes and the fact that the AX has the same NCAP rating as an empty crisp packet I didn't keep it there for too long. It never missed a beat though.

 

Once I got back to Norwich I dumped the car on my work's car park, hopped on the pushbike that I'd strategically left there on Friday night and pedalled down to the station to catch the 12.57 to Manchester, and thence the 17.46 to Poulton-le-Fylde. Which is a fucking long way from Norwich. The purpose of this marathon train journey was to pick up this slightly battered beast.

 

 

OMG ALL VAUXHALLS R SHIT etc. I'm embarrassed to say though that I actually really rather like this so far. It's an ex-Plod Vectra C estate, which means it gets povvo spec (no aircon, no cruise, keep fit rear windows etc) but the 3.2-litre V6 with a manual 'box. The 'box is a little odd really - it's a 5-speeder, and the ratios are very close so the intermediate gears are too tall (it'll do 70 in second) but it's doing almost 3,000rpm at 80 in top, which is quite high for such a big engine. It could really do with the overall gearing lowering slightly and then an extra gear on top. It does pull well though, and gets to three-figure speeds with disconcerting ease. And being ex-Plod it has a calibrated speedo so when it says you're doing the ton, you're doing the ton.

 

I bought it as a sort-of replacement for the Stagea. It wasn't what I'd originally had in mind - I'd been looking at Omega MV6s as well as some sillier stuff (Merc E430 etc), but this came up at a price I couldn't refuse so I thought I'd give it a try. It's ultimately not quite as quick as the Stagea, but it's lighter and has the advantage of a manual 'box so point to point on Norfolk backroads it's probably going to be just as quick. It's also a shedload more economical - the computer reckons it averaged over 34mpg on the run home, and I wasn't taking it particularly easy (apart from through the roadworks on the M62 - why the fugging hell do they need a 50 limit for such a long stretch?). The Stagea under the same circumstances would have struggled to top 25.

 

It's not perfect - the heater blower doesn't work and it needs a front bumper at some stage (and having HID headlights the washer's going to need replacing as well), and the front wheels feel like they could do with balancing. The boot's a bit narrow too, but I can just about fit my (non-folding) bike in there which is the main thing. It also has a couple of plugs in the roof where the light bar used to be, and the odd hole drilled in the dash, but none of that kind of thing bothers me. It's done 184K but 140K of that was in police hands so will have been well looked after. Overall I don't resent the 11-hour round trip - it's a nice thing to drive, certainly miles better than a Vectra B, and the relative pov spec means that (touch wood) there's less to go wrong.

 

Anyway, I got back to Norwich shortly before midnight. I parked the Vectra near where I'd left the van in the morning, then drove the van down to the station to pick up the two pushbikes. Then I drove the van back and parked it behind the Vectra, hopped on the folding bike and cycled to work, dodging pissheads as I went. The folding bike went in the back of the AX and home I went, getting there at 1.20, 20 hours and 20 minutes after I'd left. When I got up this morning I fired up the moped and buzzed into Norwich to pick up the van and bring that home, then unloaded the moped and the non-folding pushbike (folding bike is still in the back of the AX) and cycled back into Norwich to retrieve the Vectra. So all in all I've spent 24 hours of my weekend picking up tat. And I don't regret a minute of it.

[vulgalour]

My brother's Astra has gone and been replaced with something that is, on the face of things, better. I'll wait for permission to divulge all the gory details, but it's a surprising thing and he's done rather well. It's very red.

[catsinthewelder]

Ian, that shots a bit sobering as I'm fairly sure mines worse. I'd fish those mudflaps back out the bin though as the rear end on my last BX (with rear flaps) was almost rust free at 200k despite the front end being rotton. This one has no flaps and is bubbling merrily.

 

I really need to get one of the older ones on the road to get some drive space to tinker though

 

 

Everyone else, sorry about nattering in the thread

[ruffgeezer]

Been offered a Xantia Activa for reasonable sum.... Nnnnngh, I should get the ax gone but do I really need two big cars?

 

Oh yes that's it, I'm thinking of swapping my Xsara for a C5 with twice the mileage and a bit of cash... Wtf am I doing?

[dollywobbler]

Ian, that shots a bit sobering as I'm fairly sure mines worse. I'd fish those mudflaps back out the bin though as the rear end on my last BX (with rear flaps) was almost rust free at 200k despite the front end being rotton. This one has no flaps and is bubbling merrily.

 

I really need to get one of the older ones on the road to get some drive space to tinker though

 

 

Everyone else, sorry about nattering in the thread

 

Sorry for continuing the natter. Let's pretend this is one of those in-studio interview sessions to break up the flow of headlines.

 

I must concede that the rear crossmember is in immaculate condition, but can't believe that it's due to the flaps. What is true is that the mudflaps have created plenty of issues where they were attached, and most of the mounting screws had seized or snapped, which is why I had to use the angle grinder to remove them. They were screwed to the body and bumper, so had to be removed at least temporarily to get the bumper off. The flaps won't stop the rear arches rotting out either.

 

Returning to the news, a full set of suspension spheres has arrived this morning. I've never fitted any before, so work-time permitting, it'll be an education.

 

Edit - front spheres replaced - piece of cake. Rear spheres proving more difficult and my oil filter wrench isn't up to the challenge.

[Cavcraft]

Poulton is a twat to get to Wuvvum, iirc. Bought a Cavalier GSi from there years back.

 

Oddly enough a white 3.2 Vectra has just popped up locally for £550, can't believe how cheap they've got. I wonder if you can shoe horn the engine into a Corsa or Nova? Hmm...

[dollywobbler]

BX is sorted. Found a garage with the right tool and knowledge. A tenner well spent (ignoring the two-hour round trip to visit them, but I did enjoy it!). Much more composed now, but sadly it is now confirmed that the nearside front caliper is binding and the nearside rear arm bearing is shot. Still stuff to do.

[Pillock]

I've seen at least two Novas with the MV6, which is the 3.2 motor isn't it?

One was supposedly "weapon" but going from advice from someone I'd trust more, it was brilliant in a straight line and absolutely, lethally abysmal around corners, in the wet, or on anything apart from a drag strip. He sold it in favour of a 2.0 conversion as he was fed up avoiding scenery, the engine was just too heavy and ruined the weight balance especially as it was a stripped track car.

 

Sounds like the kind of thing you'd do just because you have both elements of the conversion sat doing nothing.

[Cavcraft]

Whilst keeping it as a 1.0 on the logbook?

 

You missed out leaving standard brakes but adding a shopping list to the door and telling everyone it kicks out ten times the BHP it actually does have.

 

Pillock: that's exactly why I'd convert one!

[dollywobbler]

This evening, I have mostly been questioning my sanity. What am I doing throwing hundreds of pounds at a 307,000 mile Citroen BX? It still needs work doing, and will probably then still develop nasty rot in places. I usually thrive on bangernomics, but the first rule of bangernomics is sell a car before it has chance to go wrong. That means you can even survive hideously unreliable shite with a bit of luck - my Range Rover VM was classic (ahem) proof of that. I survived a car and engine with pretty poor reputations by selling it before anything could break. This was also successful when I owned a Citroen CX.

 

But trying to run the BX as an everday classic is just going to leave me broke and dissatisfied I think. I live with the upkeep on the 2CV because it's the 2CV and love makes no sense. I'm never going to 'love' a BX in the same way. It just doesn't have the personality. It's still just a car - albeit a quirk one that handles and rides well.

 

I don't want a nice BX, but I don't want to just run it into the ground either. I think I need to sell it and get something slightly more modern. Or even more shite. A Berlingo or Mk1 Discovery then. I REALLY want a Mk1 Discovery. Can I dodge the bullets like I did with the Rangie?

[Cavcraft]

I could be entirely wrong here, Ian, but I reckon the only way you're going to dodge the bullets is to buy something reliable and safe. Such as a Bluebird, Cavalier, Mk1 Mondeo etc. All of which will probably be utterly reliable and all of which you (like many others) will probably be bored stupid with after 11 minutes and want to sell again.

[dollywobbler]

The Bluebird wasn't entirely reliable. I never did conquer the thermostat issues! I quite like dodging the bullets - I just don't like it when I end up spending big time on a car which really, I'm not that fussed about. It all comes down to the fact that really, there can only be one 'keeper' on my fleet.

[barrett]

After 90 miles of commuting in the Maestro...

 

....Which is actually a record for the longest I have used a car without it breaking. It could've been a disaster, being in the middle of fuggin' nowhere with no 'phone or anything, but luckily G. Cox keeps a well-stocked boot and after removing the countless packs of Capri Sun, empty gin bottles, bags of loose spanners etc I found the jack, wheelbrace and spare. So now I've changed my first wheel at the side of the road, which I assume is some sort of right of passage.

 

As soon as I got home I treated it to the new set of plugs I'd ordered, and replaced the dodgiest plug lead with one from the Bond. It now starts first time without having to pump the throttle and runs altogether much more smoothly and quietly. It definitely needs the timing looking at, but for 20 mins of tinkering it's made a massive difference.

[Cavcraft]

I didn't even know you PWND that now, or have you just borrowed it or something? Good bit of room in the back of them with the seats down, you could probably fit a nice bike in there.

[cort16]

Dollywobbler maybe you're better getting a normal car like a mondeo , focus Astra Coupe 1.8 in black as billy says. You can concentrate time and money on the stuff you really want to spend time and money on then you've always got a reliable car to go and do things in/tow the other ones home.

 

In other news I changed the oil filter carrier on the Astra. There's only one bolt holding it on but what a bolt! It's a 12mm hex right in the middle of the filter and devoid of access. I got it off in the end although it took and extra pair of hands to get it back on. I then fitted the filter and bolted on the end of the carrier (cartridge filters R shit btw) but being a total spud gun I hadn't fitted the o-ring properly and all the oil promptly pissed out. I was thrown because the end of the carrier that screws in was caked in silicon. Once I cleared it off and fitted it no leaks! Well none from the filter anyway.

[dollywobbler]

I certainly think I need to stop spending so much money on a car I'm only going to keep for six months tops anyway. I'll keep it for a bit though - if only to get some justification for the expenditure!

 

The Merc is still going to plan. I've spent a bit on it but now it's generally behaving itself, I'm getting some enjoyment out of it as well. It has reminded me that big, barge-like motors really don't work around here. Anything bigger than a BX - unless a 4x4, which delivers other benefits, is just too bloody big. Driving to town feels like trying to eat your Choc Dip with a French stick.

[andrew e]

My neighbour at my new house with the Merc S class coupe (mid 90's) suddenly has a MINT dog knob red RX7 cabrio (age unknown 6 digit dateless plate) parked outside the garage! It was quite literally like 1993 on his driveway. It was literally production line fresh. I will investigate...

 

My eldest said I was sad! Paternally proud, she did acknowledge it as being "Japanese? Dad?" trained her well eh

[Angrydicky]

As soon as I got home I treated it to the new set of plugs I'd ordered, and replaced the dodgiest plug lead with one from the Bond. It now starts first time without having to pump the throttle and runs altogether much more smoothly and quietly. It definitely needs the timing looking at, but for 20 mins of tinkering it's made a massive difference.

 

Great stuff! Has Gary changed the oil and air filter yet? If not they are way, way overdue.

[barrett]

Obviously not! It's done 10,000 miles since he got it without any sort of servicing at all. I picked up an oil filter today too, so will get that sorted some time this week. Had totally forgotten about the air filter though, I'm popping to speedy spares on Thursday so I'll see if they have one there. Good shout. It's also going to get a proper clean and maybe even a polish if I can be arsed. It'll probably be quite nice by the time I give it back.

[M'coli]

The timing can be checked and set-up statically, without the engine actually running -

1) paint correction fluid on the timing marks,

2) ignition on,

3) spark plug on the king lead,

4) car in top gear,

5) rock the car back and forth around TDC and see where the timing marks are when the spark occurs.

 

Remember the engine spins clockwise when running, so the more advanced the timing, the more anti-clockwise the timing mark on the pulley will be when the spark occurs.

 

It's not perfect, but it can get you out of a pickle.

[vulgalour]

Princess and BX got insured today with Adrian Flux who, thus far, I'm very happy with for actually knowing what those cars are and seeming to have a genuine interest in them. I was suprised that they were embarrassed that their quote wasn't lower, even though it's a fraction of what anyone else would offer me to insure BX alone with other companies. I'm holding off taxing the Princess until the start of June because a) I'm going away for a week so I can't drive the Princess anyway and it'd be a waste of money. After 7 long months I'll finally be able to drive the Princess whenever and wherever I want again and I can't wait!

[Skizzer]

^ Yay! Nice one VA.

 

Dropped the Rover off at my local back street garage for MOT. I've replaced some door seals so it's now watertight, dried out and de-mouldified the interior, freed off and lubed up the stuck door latches, replaced the cracked and porous tyres with some Chinese ditchfinders and even given it a wash. Last autumn I refurbed the starter solenoid and put in a decent (and right size) new battery.

 

It'll fail on the ABS warning light and a non-functioning rear indicator. I've got a new set of ABS sensors - it's usually the front ones that go - but I'm too cack-handed (and busy) to drill out the old ones, which is a pig of a job. The indicator has only just gone and I didn't have time to sort it; replacing the bulb didn't help and it can't be the relay as its only the OSR light that doesn't work. Probably another consequence of the water ingress.

 

If it's just these, the Rover will be back in play shortly and up for sale at a super shitey discount price. If it fails catastrophically though, I fear the weighbridge beckons. Fingers crossed.

[messerschmitt owner]

about to pay for my fleet policy as soon as the couple of amendments get noted - have realised the smart roadster isn't going to get fixed this side of the end of the summer so it is staying put and going onto off road cover only. Amazing what difference having a diesel 2.1 XM estate has made in reducing the figure as the overall policy has gone down to £1667 from about £1750 last year (despite a fault claim on one vehicle).

 

Have to revise the Messerschmitt's insurance up to £15k from £10k as I cannot replace it for less than £15,000 nowadays.

 

Picking up a set of alloys tonight that have been newly booted at the tyre place. Can't wait - but which XM gets them?

[dollywobbler]

Jeepers. That's a lot of insurance. My fleet is costing me around £200 a year, unlimited mileage, agreed value, euro breakdown yadda yadda and I've got a fault claim (even though I wasn't the one driving at the time, it was my policy). Mind you, I'm not sure I've ever owned a car worth £15,000!

[beko1987]

I'd say it was good value. To keep the XM and Meriva fully comped on a multicar policy is about £1800. That breaks down to about £500 for the XM, and the rest for the Meriva (I had the figures for the ZX and Meriva, but not the amended one with the XM instead.

 

I often taunt the missus with that, she costs me more to keep on the road than my spaceship!