The new news 24 thread

[Fat_Pirate]

That's Mrs Fat_Pirates Saab, I wondered where it had ended up... in other news, check out this beauty.  

[The Moog]

I’ve been looking at Mazda MX-5s more and more recently. Did my usual and also had a look at a scrapped one at U-Pullit to see how bad they get killed to death. Epic chassis front leg rot seems to be a thing. Unfortunately such things don’t put me off. They are just perfectly proportioned. A test drive of the Snagglepuss MX-5 sparkles a gradual rise in wanting to try one.
I’m thinking after the next couple of cars have sold, I might be consider buying one.

Do it.

They are brilliant things - avoid as much rust as possible. If it is a keeper then LSD is a must - totally changes the car.

Thing is everything is cheap and fairly easy to replace.
New water pump - £30, new rad - £30

Makes other cars look expensive. As you say non interference so less hassles

[bramz7]

1 hour ago, RobT said:

I did a collection for bramz today.  Must say for the money he paid it's pretty good.  Full test too, which is nice.  Many sellers at this level just wouldn't bother.

I'll leave him to go into detail once he's collected it.  All I'll say is it's a turbo dizzler with the digidash, and plenty of pogged paintwork.  Excellent.

Cheers Rob, really appreciate the help! 

 

I have the eBay thread to blame for this one. To be fair, cheap!

[Broadsword]

6 minutes ago, snagglepuss said:

Do it.

They are brilliant things - avoid as much rust as possible. If it is a keeper then LSD is a must - totally changes the car.

Thing is everything is cheap and fairly easy to replace.
New water pump - £30, new rad - £30

Makes other cars look expensive. As you say non interference so less hassles

Yeah I am more than likely going to do it sooner rather than later. The Xantia surely will sell eventually and the XJS will soon be for sale (that should be worth something!) so some money should be incoming. I’m not sure what sort of budget to set. The rust thing is making me think get one with as long an MOT as possible. They might be a bastard to get through an honest test. Scanning eBay the number of ones for sale with no MOT is worrying. If they are all going to be quite rusty then keeping the initial investment low might be the way to go.

I know the NA is the one to have, but I’m happy to compromise with a NB if that meant I had more chance at getting a less rusty example for cheap. The NA looks remarkably like a Lotus Elan doesn’t it? I also love the look of the engine in these, old school loveliness.

[Lacquer Peel]

That looks excellent Bramz, can't wait to enter a roffle for it.

[cort16]

5 hours ago, Lacquer Peel said:

The Passat needs a suspension bush, working out which part I need has melted my brain.

 

Worth doing as they do like to snap wishbones after they've been squeaking for a bit. It happened to me and I used the big lump of sheared aluminium as a paper weight for yeats.

[SRi05]

28 minutes ago, Jazoli said:

3 hours ago, SRi05 said:

Taps aff weather in Glasgow 

Oh so you bought it, I tried twice, and failed.

Third time a charm perhaps? 

[The Moog]

Yeah I am more than likely going to do it sooner rather than later. The Xantia surely will sell eventually and the XJS will soon be for sale (that should be worth something!) so some money should be incoming. I’m not sure what sort of budget to set. The rust thing is making me think get one with as long an MOT as possible. They might be a bastard to get through an honest test. Scanning eBay the number of ones for sale with no MOT is worrying. If they are all going to be quite rusty then keeping the initial investment low might be the way to go.

I know the NA is the one to have, but I’m happy to compromise with a NB if that meant I had more chance at getting a less rusty example for cheap. The NA looks remarkably like a Lotus Elan doesn’t it? I also love the look of the engine in these, old school loveliness.

I think NA rusts where you can see it, NB rusts where you can't!

[Spottedlaurel]

The little Datsun 1200 was left at the garage last weekend for an MoT-type lookover. For various reasons it didn't go into the workshop at all last year and, despite now being exempt, I felt it really ought to have someone check it over even though it seems to be running and driving well enough.

It obviously didn't need much attention, as they gave it a proper MoT and it went straight through with no advisories. Nice to keep the bill down, at some point the Camry needs to be put through an MoT but that can wait as having three cars to sort within a month is a bit silly/painful.

Apparently I've done just over 1200 miles since it was last tested in 2017 and a bit under 2000 since buying it in 2015. Can't see it doing that many this year - I'll try and use it as often as possible, but work is just 10 miles from home so even if I take it in once or twice a week it still won't go up that much.

Archive photo of it at another local garage when the previous owner had it:

1973 Datsun 1200 2dr (B110) c.2000 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

[vulgalour]

Spotted a white Rover 200 on generic aftermarket looking alloys at the Co-op just round the corner from my house today.  In the three or so years I was driving about in my 400 I never saw another R8, so it's typical that not long after selling it I should see one pretty much on my doorstep.

Also saw what looked like a '34 Ford hot rod, in beige-ish, coming towards me, in the rear view mirror it had a Beetle engine (and soundtrack) hanging out the back.  Thought that was pretty neat.

[stuboy]

was going to go to motors by the moat at leeds castles, but at £26 entry fee (yearly ticket to a place i not want to go to much ) ill take a rain check on it..

[lanciamatt]

Wired a new radio into dedra this morning, had to solder it as couldn't get a adapter for it, electric ariel even works. 

[richardmorris]

I bought this dab adaptor from Aldi this morning. Fitted to the 2cv as the existing pure Highway was getting in the way.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/dab%2B-%26-fm-receiver/p/098154267771500

 

I was planning on putting the aerial on the back window as there really isn’t much space on the front screen. But, it needs to make a body contact to earth itself, and so had to go on the front and the earth is on the door a pillar. 

I scanned the channels, sorted and preset the ones I wanted and it’s great. Even connected my phone with Bluetooth too- a 2cv with handsfree phone- something not even David Beckham’s Bentley has!

for £35 with the aerial included it’s very good value. I would have got another for the fiat but it’s cigar lighter socket is very oddly positioned behind the steering wheel, and so I don’t think it will fit.

 

[gm]

I was just out for a run to sweat out last nights excesses and happened across the durham MG owners club show in riverside park - lots of shiny mgs obviously but a few other cars worthy of a pic

 

[stuboy]

More welding and grinding, and bit of free hand metal to metal connecting via electrickery..

[puddlethumper]

Mobile phones  can be a bit dangerous. This is what happened last night

while it was charging. I think it may be f**ked.

Not a very good pic.

 

 

[Jazoli]

19 hours ago, SRi05 said:

Third time a charm perhaps? 

 

 

Haha do you want an Avensis?!

[nacho man]

Took a trip out to Bicester this morn and there was some lovely stuff there.

 

[barmatt]

On 5/6/2019 at 12:10 AM, wuvvum said:

Been having a look round my newly-purchased BMW today.  One thing which surprised me is that the compressor for the rear suspension kicks in as soon as you unlock the car - it doesn't wait for the engine to be fired up.  Could be an issue if the battery is a bit borderline (although the one on the car seems to be in rude health).

 I think I'm going to have to try and get the tailgate trim off and then find a way of operating the catch manually - probably less of a faff than trying to sort out the problem with the electric release, especially on a car as overly-electroniced as an E39.

 

There's an emergency release for the tailgate on e39's behind the toolkit flap, open it up and on the left hand side there's on oval shaped plastic bung, pull it out and give it a yank (fnar) that'll pop the boot. Mine was the same, I just removed the mechanism and gave it a damn good clean, had to do the same for the bonnet as well and the rear opening window. Oh the joys of e39 ownership. 

What model have you got?

Edited May 12, 2019 by barmatt
Flappy thing is on the left, not right. DOh!

[spike60]

On E39 the heated mirrors kick in as soon as you you open the drivers door as well.

It sounds like you've got a small leak on the air suspension, not really a problem unless it gets worse. Speaking from experience don't buy £40 air bags from Ebay, mine abruptly let go on a Dutch motorway 6 months after i fitted it.

[SRi05]

1 hour ago, Jazoli said:

 

 

Haha do you want an Avensis?!

Hmmm, probably one pedal too much for me, since going down to 1 item of chod I like it to be auto so the wife can drive it ?

[mrdelmonti]

On 5/11/2019 at 4:26 PM, Broadsword said:

I'm really stumped as regards selling my white Xantia. Zero interest, and I mean zero. I've tried advertising everywhere to no avail. It clearly won't roffle either. It's a decent frugal, dependable car. That I can say with certainty, but two months on the market with zero interest is a worry. Admittedly I had to pull it off an action as it was not going to make much more than scrap value, but it was worth a go. I've never struggled to sell a car like this. I've sold rough cars for more money and quite quickly, but this just the Xantia just seems cursed. Any suggestions?

I'd be very interested if it wasn't for the little nagging voice in the back of my head reminding me of what happened to my last Xantia. I had a braking fault, the valve regulating pressure failed meaning you'd stick your foot on the brakes, the suspension would lift and you wouldn't slow down. I couldn't find a replacement for love nor money and ending up sending it to the scrap yard.

They really are lovely cars to drive though, pure comfort and becoming rarer by the day.

[Broadsword]

1 hour ago, mrdelmonti said:

I'd be very interested if it wasn't for the little nagging voice in the back of my head reminding me of what happened to my last Xantia. I had a braking fault, the valve regulating pressure failed meaning you'd stick your foot on the brakes, the suspension would lift and you wouldn't slow down. I couldn't find a replacement for love nor money and ending up sending it to the scrap yard.

They really are lovely cars to drive though, pure comfort and becoming rarer by the day.

The difference between a good one and a bad one can be startling. There is no middle ground. Understandably that sort of thing will put people off. The white Xantia passed two MOTs without problems and has given 14 000 miles loyal service with zero problems. A cheap Xantia I had a go at recently ended up in the scrapyard within a few weeks of purchasing. It turned out be be a real mess despite looking reasonable on top.

[mrdelmonti]

Very true, I've also seen there's rebuild kit for the valve that failed on me that wasn't available at the time, maybe I need to reconsider.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Hammond Microcar Collection achieved today, thanks to Egg for organising it.  Good to meet some shiters again.  And interesting vehicles...

And to repeat a joke, the Autoshite-liveried staff car:

[Skizzer]

My sniper just got outbid on a very early, very brown E30 BMW 320i.  Oh well.

Consolation prize on its way:

 

[richardmorris]

25 minutes ago, mrdelmonti said:

Very true, I've also seen there's rebuild kit for the valve that failed on me that wasn't available at the time, maybe I need to reconsider.

I think the xantia was the best car Citroen built. Autos apart they’re very well put together, and only a couple of rust traps. 

[blackboilersuit]

Pulled the pollen filter out of the Astra today while giving the interior a scrub up. I think I'm healthier without one for the time being as both sides are equally dirty! It's branded GM so I'll wager it's been there since it's last dealer service many moons ago. Come to think of it it's dirty enough to be the original one from when the car was built.

[wuvvum]

I've got quite a few bits done this weekend.  The Rover 75 has a shiny new MOT, which is nice.  I was able to patch the exhaust up OK using a bandage and Gun Gum as the hole was in quite an accessible place - although it is going to need a new rear section at some point as the pipe is pretty rusty where it goes into the back box.  The drop link was just as twattish a job as I was expecting - the bottom end came undone no problems, but the top was a right pain in the arse - not helped by the fact that you can't even see the bloody nut unless the steering is on full left lock, and you can't get a 17mm open spanner onto it unless it's just at the right angle - can't get a ring spanner on it either as there isn't enough clearance between the top of the thread and the bottom of the spring.  I tried getting a spanner on the flats of the ball joint itself and unwinding the whole thing - which worked for about four turns before it seized solid.  I did a test poke around with the angle grinder to see if I could get it off that way, but decided I couldn't without taking chunks out of the spring cup.  So out came the hacksaw - that was fun as I could only get about 3" of movement in before the saw hit the inner wing, so it took me quite a while to get through it.  The new link is on now though, and it's quietened things down a hell of a lot.

I spent some time poking round the 530d I bought last weekend.  The main job was to get the tailgate working - I sort of succeeded at that, as I found that once the compartment in the tailgate which holds the warning triangle etc. is removed, there are three small holes in the bottom of the remaining trim, poking a screwdriver through the leftmost of which enables one to flick the catch manually.  It can be done from outside by popping the tailgate window (which works fine) and then leaning in.  So that's good enough for my purposes, for the time being at least.  It also now has a towbar with working electrics, after I found a spare socket and mounting plate which I'd bought years ago and never used.  I've had to mount the socket to the right of the towbar as by the time I'd cut out all the frayed wiring it wasn't long enough to reach round to the left, but that's not a massive issue.  The screen wash is also now fixed so the car is fully functional, and might be taking over daily duties from the Rover for a while as the load bay is wider so I can fit the automatic Raleigh bike in easily - getting it in to the 75 requires a lot of jiggling around.

I had a go at resealing the fuel tank leak on the Renault 6 - I bought a big tub of Plastic Padding leak fix shiz, which was a lot better than the little tube I used last time.  It took a while to chip all the old stuff off and clean the tank up, but the new putty went on easily enough - I'm going to leave it to cure for a few days before I fill the tank right up though.  I was hoping to have a look at removing the heater valve as well, but I didn't get time in the end - although I did replace an exhaust hanger which had broken, which should take a bit of strain off the front hanger.

Whilst I had the stuff out I thought I'd also have a crack at redoing the Spacy - it has for some years now had an oil leak from between the crankcase sections, which I'd previously tried patching over with the same stuff I'd used on the Renault fuel tank - that worked for a while, but obviously wasn't properly stuck to the crankcase as when I started chipping it off it came away in great sheets - I must not have done a good enough job of cleaning it before I applied the product last time.  The problem is that unless I drain the engine completely of oil, it is always going to be trying to seep through, and I don't want to attempt to drain the engine as the drain plug doesn't look like it would be in any hurry to come undone, and if it did it would be even less eager to seal again.  Anyone who has worked on early '80s Honda bikes will know what the quality of the alloy is like.  So I ended up tipping the scooter on its side, waiting for all the oil to drain down, then blasting the opposite side join with brake cleaner.  Once I was satisfied no more oil was coming out I wire-brushed the crankcase to make a bit of a key, then slathered the repair putty on.  I'm going to leave the bike on its side for a couple of days to let the repair cure properly without getting oily, then I'll flip it over and do the other side.  Hopefully that'll work - if not, the last resort is to nick the engine from the spares bike which is oil tight, but that's more hassle than I really want at the moment.

Spent a bit of time with the multimeter and the Y10, which are now firm friends.  The front foglights have never worked since I've had the car - on investigation this appears to be mainly due to iffy bulbs and corroded connectors, as both lights have power getting to them.  I've ordered a pair of H3s and will take the lights out at some point and give everything a good clean, see if that gets them working again.  I still can't get power to the live feed for the rear wiper though, and I have no idea why - it's getting as far as the contact inside the boot, but no further.  I'm probably going to end up running a separate wire from the contact up to the top of the tailgate and then back down to the motor - easier than trying to figure out Italian electrics methinks.

Biggest progress this weekend was on the Raleigh Runabout I bought off of Purplebargeken last year.  My attempts at the time to get it running were all futile, and I ended up deciding that the carb was the issue - but didn't get any further before it was time to put it away in the garage for the winter.  A couple of weeks ago an identical carb came up on eBay as spears or reapers - I bid and got it for 13 quid, which I didn't think was too bad.  Spent a few hours on Friday stripping, cleaning and making one (hopefully) good one out of the two.  This afternoon I got the moped out of the garage, fitted the carb, ran a fuel line down from a temporary tank, span the engine over with the cordless drill and this happened.

Well chuffed at that.  It obviously still needs some fettling - the throttle is very sticky for one thing - but it goes, it sounds sweet and I've ridden it round the garden - the brakes are decent and even the lights work.  I now need to buy it a new fuel tap as the one that was on there is utterly shagged - then I can take it for a cheeky spin up the road.  I might even finally get around to sending off for a V5C...

 

[Tadhg Tiogar]

Meanwhile, yet another battery recharge...... *sighs* ?

Have found someone local to my workplace who claims to have the correct 80A alternator available...