The new news 24 thread

[richardmorris]

Is that why it has 2 door switches each side? I don't remember the saloon having 2.

It is on my lesser e class coupe.

 

I think it’s the bottom one that sets the belt butlers off.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

After fitting the fuel pump, filter and repairing the wiring on the Merc SEC yesterday I went on a meander today to see if it kept going. It did, though not exactly trouble free. Going up the bank on the A174 by Ellerby I decided to kick it down, This was not a good idea, it won't have been kicked down in the last 17 years, if ever. It stuck, not the throttle, just the kick down. I was about 20 miles from home in a 35 year old 5L car that will only change up at 6000 rpm. Great.

I pulled off the road and after a bit of pondering I found the kickdown switch jammed down under the pedal, pulled it up, job jobbed. Then when I got going at more sensible RPM the passenger seat belt butler joined in the fun , frantically waving the belt at the empty seat until I clipped it in. All part of putting a car back on the road after a long layoff I guess.

 

Here it is posing in the winter sun next to the scenic Mickleby Landfill site after the latest teething troubles.

Feb 2019 057.JPG

 

 

That is a seriously handsome steed.  In a proper colour.  As a rule I'm not usually fond of how Mercs look but your's is the exception.  Definitely.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Also.  Still waiting for my Golf to come back from the garage.  They've been completely transparent about the timescale (only one bloke working there from when they got it until the other bloke comes back tomorrow) and I'm not in desperate need of the car this week (although it's annoying not having it) but I cannot wait to jump back in it and see what it's like with a decent clutch and no flywheel rattle.

[Broadsword]

U-Pull-It car park spot:

I see that around UPI quite a lot since I live close by. Have you seen the A4 sheet in the rear window educating the public on BX heritage?

[Ghosty]

I see that around UPI quite a lot since I live close by. Have you seen the A4 sheet in the rear window educating the public on BX heritage?

Yep, clocked it on my way out!

[Cavcraft]

Came to work in the black Puma today. Tried to adjust the steering column, assumed it didn't and went for fuel. Door open light came on, stopped, checked round, nothing obvious. Got to work, bonnet was open That was lucky.

[Supernaut]

Came to work in the black Puma today. Tried to adjust the steering column, assumed it didn't and went for fuel. Door open light came on, stopped, checked round, nothing obvious. Got to work, bonnet was open That was lucky.

My xantia had the bonnet release on the underside of the steering column too.

[Jim Bell]

Can't think where else to put this but these pics popped up on my Freindface timeline from a detailer and thought they were worth sharing. Audi A4? I think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whoever it was that went through that cesspit and dragged it round to looking like roses, deserves a medal.

[dozeydustman]

Can't think where else to put this but these pics popped up on my Freindface timeline from a detailer and thought they were worth sharing. Audi A4? I think?

 

 

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Whoever it was that went through that cesspit and dragged it round to looking like roses, deserves a medal.

 

That's what the inside of the Corolla looks like since madam passed her driving test......

[richardmorris]

Thanks for sharing. I hate it.

 

Those window switches are making me physically sick.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

Those window switches are making me physically sick.

 

I wonder how many types of bacteria were living in there before the cleaners got going......?

[Broadsword]

I think whoever cleaned up that A4 might just have prevented the outbreak of a world pandemic. Who would drive in that?!

[richardmorris]

I think whoever cleaned up that A4 might just have prevented the outbreak of a world pandemic. Who would drive in that?!

 

Makes you wonder what their house is like.

[Jim Bell]

Makes you wonder what their toilet is like.

 

Efa

[The Moog]

Interesting thread on Reddit where a car dealer was saying the top reasons for people buying a car in the USA.

 

One of the five was because the old one was filthy like that. He said just chuck money at someone to clean it and save $20k.

 

Especially as if it has got in that state the new one will start looking like that in two weeks.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

Makes you wonder what their house is like.

 

Best not go there?

[GrumpiusMaximus]

I thought that I used to let my Ka get bad when I was first driving.

 

I was wrong.

 

I saw a video online at some point (I thought it was Car Wizard, but would seem not.)  This guy took a car from somebody to fix, got in it, smelled something, jumped out and was nearly sick.  Then looked again and it was piled floor to ceiling with rubbish, including chicken bones, etc.  He gave the keys back and told them that he would only do the work if they got it cleaned...

[stuboy]

Treated new motor to a hbol..

[richardmorris]

Best not go there?

 

Whoever did the valeting didn’t charge enough. Whatever the bill was.

[richardmorris]

I thought that I used to let my Ka get bad when I was first driving.

 

I was wrong.

 

I saw a video online at some point (I thought it was Car Wizard, but would seem not.) This guy took a car from somebody to fix, got in it, smelled something, jumped out and was nearly sick. Then looked again and it was piled floor to ceiling with rubbish, including chicken bones, etc. He gave the keys back and told them that he would only do the work if they got it cleaned...

Yes, it was car wizard. A recent one on bad customers.

 

From 11.26

[Fumbler]

I'll be home from New York tomorrow. Excited to be in the correct timezone for 'shiting again.

[SRi05]

Can't think where else to put this but these pics popped up on my Freindface timeline from a detailer and thought they were worth sharing. Audi A4? I think?

 

 

FB_IMG_1550656064563.jpg

 

 

FB_IMG_1550656068078.jpg

 

 

 

 

FB_IMG_1550656071593.jpg

 

 

 

FB_IMG_1550656074902.jpg

 

 

 

 

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Whoever it was that went through that cesspit and dragged it round to looking like roses, deserves a medal.

Those photos have given me leprosy

[busmansholiday]

I believe I may* have found why the high level brake lights, alarm etc don't work on my newly acquired TF.

 

 

Suppose I really should have a fred for the shite I own / owned.

[egg]

The Microcar collection in Maidstone have replied to my email, and although initially put off by our forum name have agreed that our hearts are in the right place .

 

I now need to call and discuss the potential visit, I'm thinking about weekends in May (not bank holiday ones).

 

Will do an Event thread in due course if all goes well.

[wuvvum]

Going up the bank on the A174 by Ellerby I decided to kick it down, This was not a good idea, it won't have been kicked down in the last 17 years, if ever. It stuck, not the throttle, just the kick down. I was about 20 miles from home in a 35 year old 5L car that will only change up at 6000 rpm. Great.

I pulled off the road and after a bit of pondering I found the kickdown switch jammed down under the pedal, pulled it up, job jobbed.

 

I had a Rover SD1 V8 which I did something similar on - that had also not had much recent use, although it hadn't been laid up as long as your Merc.  On that it turned out to be the kickdown cable which was sticking - I had to pop the bonnet and feed the cable back into the gearbox with a pair of pliers.  Fun times.

[Kiltox]

Can one of the web monkeys have a look at HTTPS Autoshite - get a cloudflare error that it’s down. Works fine over HTTP.

[The Moog]

Can one of the web monkeys have a look at HTTPS Autoshite - get a cloudflare error that it’s down. Works fine over HTTP.

Message Slaritbartfast - he is the techie guru

[GrumpiusMaximus]

The Microcar collection in Maidstone have replied to my email, and although initially put off by our forum name have agreed that our hearts are in the right place .

 

I now need to call and discuss the potential visit, I'm thinking about weekends in May (not bank holiday ones).

 

Will do an Event thread in due course if all goes well.

 

 

[wrenchvolt]

Changed clutch in the Mazda as could feel it failing to engage and slipping. Once apart, clutch plates looked fine with minimal wear but diaphragm spring 'fingers' were all wonky, prolly why I had a notchy gear change as was not disengaging correctly (I thought it was synchro wear before clutch failure). All changed now with Borg and Beck kit and working fine with smooth changes.

 

Main challenge was space, no power and tantrums.

 

 

 

Leasons learned:

 

• MAPP gas was vital to get rusty bolts undone

• ¾ bar to undo hub nut is a must. I broke a Sealey ½ drive in half.

• Engine support beams are freekin awesome. Didn't fancy fuckin about with blocks or wood under the sump.

• I removed cup from trolley jack via the split pin and bolted old kitchen cuppord to it to make a bodge gearbox jack. Worked quite well.

• Metal alignment tools made things so much easier.

 

Was an absolute PITA and many garage charges are well worth the cost. I did get a load of tools and experience out of it and a small saving. However, this came at the expense of a big ball ache . I do feel proud of myself for getting it done. The wisdom and experience of my old man helped me get it back on the road and not throw a wobbler and scrap it. Learned a shit load from him.

[chodweaver]

The recent rear coil spring replacement on the pink corsa has obviously given the ungrateful bastard a taste for TLC - today's MOT was a resounding failure with some exhaust, a front coil spring and an outer CV boot being required. Still, the result is a few 'firsts' for me - first time I've removed a coilover damper, first time I've used a spring compressor* and first time I've fitted a CV boot without having the whole thing in pieces.

 

I'm fairly sure the spring went while he was testing it, as there were no nasty noises when I drove to the MOT station - I'm just hoping that the massive clonking noise I heard on the way back from the MOT was the remains of said coil spring making itself known. Otherwise, I'll know that the MOT tester has definitely got it in for me and has managed to damage something else. (He gave me a right runaround a few years ago with a pretty rusty MR2 and a sill patch that was not seam welded to his satisfaction. And no, the welding on the sill was not my shoddy work, but that of someone coded for welding and very well practised in keeping MR2s in MOTs).

 

* I can see why these things have something of a reputation for causing injury. The opportunities for stabbing, crushing, breaking, fracturing, blinding and killing are many. The two guys in the local spares shop that sold it me, along with the new spring, said in unison and in serious tone "Be careful!" and then both shuddered. I was right cautious in its use.