The new news 24 thread

[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.

[wrenchvolt]

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*

 

Only used one once on a motorbike shock as a lad. Memory may fail what I used exactly or I may have cobbled something appalling together. I still strongly remember feeling uneasy about the whole process, waiting to lose an eye or whatever.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Good to see you, mate!

[RobT]

wrenchvolt, just thinking about you today old fruit. Glad to see you've still got the Mazda. Good news on the clutch job too, very satisfying doing that I imagine. I realised today I also need a decent blow torch. Tried changing the back box on the Impreza but seized bolts soon put a stop to that!

[wrenchvolt]

My dad leant me his MAPP gas torch. He took it home with him before I could steel it. It's the bollocks and worth the investment.Impreza. That Boxer engine, with turbo?

[RobT]

I think I'll get one. Bit frustrating otherwise getting the car on ramps then game over for the day.

 

Impreza is a 2 litre non-turbo wagon, and automatic for added desirability. It's a nice old thing and MoT is up next week. Apart from the exhaust I think it'll pass, although it is a bit crusty underneath.

[wrenchvolt]

There's one like that near me, done about 60k and the bloke leaves it parked up for months on end. Always wants me to jump start it or release bonnet catch with WD40. Thing is, it always fires up and not a hint of smoke despite being left for such long stretches of time. He got quick fit to do a timing belt on it and he got pumped hard. Over a grand for the work I think.

[Jon]

Very recently, I have discovered that Facebook Marketplace is a thing (late developer) and for no reason whatsover last night, I perused it to waste a few minutes.

 

Lo and behold, a mere hour earlier, an AX GT not more than 10 minutes from me was listed as spares/FREE!!! I couldn't type the message quick enough and the owner messaged back, albeit with scant information each time. Not wanting to sound rude or owt, I played it cool and said I'd come and look over it today. Cue one very sleepless night, whilst I imagined something needing very little work, all the while working out how to offload the Visa super quick and then fill said free space with an AX, despite promising that nothing was replacing the Visa...

 

 

 

 

On reflection, I needn't have worried. Here's some photos I took today:

 

 

 

Crashed Daihatsu Mira is presumably on offer too. I didn't ask about that one, despite fond memories of my Dad's '88 Domino.

 

 

 

Sadly, it's deregistered ($$ to rectify and a general pain, all because someone handed back the plates, which isn't a legal requirement, even...) but it's also pretty ropey and has been off the road fr 10 years, so I guess it's had it time. Reg number was RU7235, for any of you number plate lickers.

 

 

 

 

Body kit has been painted black, as someone obviously didn't appreciate faded grey French plastics.

 

 

 

The owner reckoned the radiator shat out and he lost interest after that, so not sure if anything was cooked or not. Engine bay is leafier than Surbiton.

 

 

 

 

Interior is a mess but front seats have no tears, etc.

 

 

 

It even has air con! So I'm guessing this must be a Japanese import? Rego said it was a '91 first registered in '93, which adds up.

 

 

Anyway, it's a big no from me (and a BIG sigh of relief) but I've let other French car botherers over here know of it's existence, so hopefully I'll be taking a trip back to plunder some parts, before the scrap man comes next week. Or does anyone need anything posting back to the UK?!

 

 

And serendipitously, here's what I was driving exactly 10 years ago:

 

 

 

Which means I must have been an AS member for almost a decade, as I signed up to sell it on here in 2009 for £175 but got no takers. How times change!

 

[Steve79]

How the hell are you supposed to reach those window switches on the move?

 

How much to post the whole car back to the UK?

[HillmanImp]

I remember test driving that AX. Well, I say driving, I didn't quite manage it as couldn't use the clutch.

 

The car is still around. Well, its not been tested since 2015 but is on SORN so is possibly sat rotting on a driveway somewhere.

[Jon]

You become accustomed to 80's small upmarket French car button locate finger dexterity fairly quickly, through necessity!

 

I posted a letter the other day and it was about £1.50 and allowed 200g of weight. So about £14 should do it.

[Jon]

I remember test driving that AX. Well, I say driving, I didn't quite manage it as couldn't use the clutch.

 

The car is still around. Well, its not been tested since 2015 but is on SORN so is possibly sat rotting on a driveway somewhere.

 

Ha, great to know it's potentially still about! In fairness, it wasn't a brilliant example, so no harm done. That said, Keith Adams drove up in a BX from the Midlands to York to buy it and was about to hand over the cash when I asked if he wanted to take a test drive first? He did, then drove back home in his BX instead. 

 

Turns out I'm not a great car salesman...

[Jon]

Further update, hot off the press:

 

One of the users on the NZ forum I mentioned it on is off to look at it the weekend after next, so it sounds like the owners have been good enough to halt the scrap man for a few more days and it'll yield some parts. 

 

Phew!

[plasticvandan]

Just discovered that when doing online insurance quotes,if you put the start date a week ahead rather than today or tomorrow,the price drops by about £80...

[andy18s]

House for sale across the road from me in Daskot, Bulgaria

The pics are a bit misleading as been empty for a good few months whilst he's been travelling but a good solid building

I'm sure he would take a decent but cheeky offer....

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Houses4saleinBulgaria/permalink/2440532552641757/?sale_post_id=2440532552641757

[junkyarddog]

 

I can haz drive ur car plz?

 

Smoll dog enjoys going out in the 205.

[Kiltox]

House for sale across the road from me in Daskot, Bulgaria

The pics are a bit misleading as been empty for a good few months whilst he's been travelling but a good solid building

I'm sure he would take a decent but cheeky offer....

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Houses4saleinBulgaria/permalink/2440532552641757/?sale_post_id=2440532552641757

A house and car for 13,000 euro!

 

Is it actually habitable in its current state? Photos are a bit unclear on that

[RobT]

Just discovered that when doing online insurance quotes,if you put the start date a week ahead rather than today or tomorrow,the price drops by about £80...

 

I noticed that when insuring the Impreza recently.  Quido currently have £43 cashback on esure policies too, and for me they appeared one of the cheapest non-shitehawk providers.

[wuvvum]

IMG-a41383df3edea19ccd0f8464aedbd815-V.jpg

 

I can haz drive ur car plz?

 

Smoll dog enjoys going out in the 205.

 

I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you to task on your profile pic.  It doesn't quite reflect the reality.

[andy18s]

A house and car for 13,000 euro!

 

Is it actually habitable in its current state? Photos are a bit unclear on that

Seller just updated his ad.

He was living there fine last year but then decided to "sell up" before travelling

Seems he sold most of the interior fittings,inc the bathroom....

But...stuff like that is v cheap here

We've just had 13 windows and a front door replaced with double glazing for £1200 fitted...

[andy18s]

A house and car for 13,000 euro!

 

Is it actually habitable in its current state? Photos are a bit unclear on that

Seller just updated his ad.

He was living there fine last year but then decided to "sell up" before travelling

Seems he sold most of the interior fittings,inc the bathroom....

But...stuff like that is v cheap here

We've just had 13 windows and a front door replaced with double glazing for £1200 fitted...

[junkyarddog]

I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you to task on your profile pic.  It doesn't quite reflect the reality.

Not really,I have a GSD too.

 

[vulgalour]

Something is wrong with my lovely rebuilt carburettor.  I suspect it's a sticking float needle.  Everything was perfectly fine until the last 2 miles when the car managed to ftp 4 times.  You'll be driving along perfectly fine and then the throttle response gets worse and worse until the car cuts out.  Pop the bonnet and there's fuel pouring out the overflow.  Wait for the fuel to stop coming out and restart the car and it's all fine again.  Most annoying of all, it's not a predictable thing, it just happens, and then it doesn't, which again points more at a float needle than anything else I'd've thought.

 

Super annoying at any rate, because when I set off on my errands today it was driving lovely, at town and motorway speeds, with no indication of any issues at all and was quite enjoyable.

[busmansholiday]

I now have a working central brake light in the TF. Four wires were broken in the loom. Twat to get at but all soldered back together now. I do not know what the other two wires do, but obviously something else is now working.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

Only one more working day to go, then I'm off. 

 

As the CX is now ready, think I will be collecting it when I get back.

[xtriple]

Does your motor have an inline fuel filter fitted? The usual causes of a carb flooding  is a bit of grit/shit getting under the needle and that can and is, a totally random event.

[xtriple]

I put the roof down today! The Sun (big orange thing in the sky) made a less than fleeting appearance and it was... warm! It was most pleasant driving around sans hood and the dogs enjoyed it.