The new news 24 thread

[wuvvum]

Got a few bits done on the fleet over the weekend.  Attempted a repair on the HRW of the 45 - one of the feed wires had come adrift, they appear to be bonded on, so I invested in a millilitre of graphite electrical glue at a hugely inflated price.  It doesn't seem to have done much good - there is now electricity reaching the heating elements, but there's not much in the way of demisting going on, so not sure what's happening there.  I did manage to fix the loose nearside front exterior door handle with the aid of some leftover glue from the last split CV boot I bought - bloody strong stuff, better than "normal" superglue.  Then I got the car up on the ramps to see what things looked like from an MOT perspective.  I couldn't find any obvious fails - one of the CV boots is rather perished but doesn't appear to be leaking yet - so I'm going to book it in for a test and see what happens.  It'll probably be sold on after that as I need to raise some funds.

Fixed the horn on the Mondeo - I'd previously checked the fuse and that was fine - I was worried that it was the switch inside the steering wheel that had gone and I was going to have to start removing airbags etc, but pressing the horn when it was quiet out I was able to hear the relay clicking, so evidently the switch was OK.  Next stop was the horns themselves - getting to them involved taking the offside headlight out, although this needed to come out anyway so I could take the back cover off in an attempt to get rid of the condensation inside.  Unplugged the connector to the horns and it was full of water - a good dry out and a generous spray of contact cleaner had it going beep again.  It'd also randomly brought the TCS light up and gone into limp mode the last time I used it so I plugged the laptop in, but it didn't come up with any stored faults.  It's not done it since so I'm not going to worry too much about it.  I've ordered it a new power steering reservoir too - it has whiny power steering, which has been diagnosed by our resident experts as a blocked filter in the reservoir (TADT,S apparently) so that's a job for the next decent weekend we get.

While I had the ramps out I stuck the Innocenti up on them to have another go at patching up the exhaust.  It really needs a new section, but the problem with having the only example of a car in the country is that I can't just pop down to my local Kwik Fit and get them to fit a new one (not that I'd do that anyway).  While I was under there I noticed a couple of the brake pipes were getting a bit crusty, so I attacked them with a wire brush - they look sound enough now the loose rust has been taken off, so I'm going to leave them for now as they're one pipe from front to rear so replacing them will be a bit of a PITA. 

Also had a play with the Tempra, and discovered that a Tempra SW rear wiper motor doesn't fit a Tempra saloon - the motor assemblies are the same but the spindle on the saloon tapers much further down.  The only saloon motor assembly I can find on eBay is in Germany and the seller wants 140 quid for it, so that's been put on hold indefinitely.  I then spent some time pondering the fan belt trying to work out if there is actually a way to adjust the tension single-handed without taking half the engine out, but I couldn't see a way so it's going to have to be a two-man, battery disconnected job as I'd previously suspected.  In the meantime I've fitted some cheapo eBay LED headlight bulbs to lighten the electrical load in an attempt to stop the belt squealing.  They're OK-ish - they're not like some of the cheap bulbs which have a cluster of LEDs around a massive cylinder, these have thin lines of COB LEDs roughly where the filaments would be on a halogen bulb, so they're not perfect but you do get something resembling a beam pattern. 

Then it started pissing down with rain, because of course it'd be asking far too much to have a whole weekend without the bastarding weather turning to shit.

[Ohdearme]

11 hours ago, Ohdearme said:

Got a text from the wife as the 323 (1) was having an FTP after her work and she was stranded in the car park.

Said it wouldn't start (checked she was in P/N) but no obvious telephone based resolution so a drive it was...fortunately, she's 5 minutes drive away and  323 (2) hasn't yet gone for MOT so I ripped the battery off that and headed over.

Tried without battery swap first, dash lights on but all went out and not even a whimper form the starter when I went to crank - so second battery on and it fired up.

Took a good few turns before it caught and fired, she swears she hadn't left lights on or anything, my theory is maybe door not fully shut and the interior light has goosed her.

We shall find out tonight if there's a phantom battery drain or something else.

Started on the button this morning.

My money says she left a light on or didn’t shut door properly.

[N19]

I'm not sure whether to be proud or horrified at this fix. Bluebird wouldn't start and cranking over very slowly. Found the battery clamp slightly loose and the bolt to tighten it very rounded. Tinfoil wedged in place and it started fine. This is definitely a temporary* fix. 

[Ohdearme]

1 minute ago, N19 said:

I'm not sure whether to be proud or horrified at this fix. Bluebird wouldn't start and cranking over very slowly. Found the battery clamp slightly loose and the bolt to tighten it very rounded. Tinfoil wedged in place and it started fine. This is definitely a temporary* fix. 

I used to carry an emergency KitKat for just such occasions until they changed the packaging.

Bravo, Sir.

[Six-cylinder]

We have just had a visitor on the drive, it looks so good.

[barefoot]

On 3/8/2020 at 10:07 AM, HillmanImp said:

Meant to be raining later so was up early doors putting the new light in. 

Fixed it in with Butyl tape. The old sticky stuff on this one was really soft compared to the near side one and came off easily, no heat gun or owt, just peeled away and then needed cleaning. 

It didn't leak into the car before I replaced the light so inevitably it will now that I've fucked about with it but the old lens was cracked so it needed doing. 

£45 seems a bit steep for a tail light lens (but having said that I've not bought one)

Are you aware of PM Sportscars? https://pmsportscars.com

They're within walking distance of here and I've known Paul for years. He's running the business down a bit now, but if you can get hold of him, it's normally his sidekick Mike on the phone, he's a lovely bloke. The last things I've bought include a complete torque tube for £150 - it weighed a metric fuck tonne & the complete arse end of a convertible for about £500 when I had some unobtainable rear quarter panels replaced on mine. Seats, in the past I've paid £90 a 944 pair & had a filthy pair from a 928 for free. Ask for barefoot discount!

[Spurious]

Severe case of Can't be Arsed in the last few weeks.  Works taking its toll. I'm a bit tired but I've had a few days off and it's getting better. 

Went outside to have a look at the annoying rattly arb drop link on the C5. Having only replaced one side 18 month ago and the other in October I wasn't too impressed. Turns out it'd had only come loose. Torqued it up and silent hydropneumatic wafting resumes. I'll get some service bits this week, it deserves an oil change. 

Haven't driven the Jimny in the last 10 days, the comfyness of the C5 and the 100 had me wafting to work. Just as well as it's MOT expired last week without me realising it. Just as well I checked. Didn't want a fine or anything. Annoyingly, local MOT station is booked up until next week. Something else to sort. Sadly I think it'll be up for sale once I get it MOTd. It's a lovely clean example that I've put lots of money into but I don't think I'll get it all back out of it. Chassis sealing and new tyres are nice to have. Even got treated to genuine filters the last service ?

But needs must and I need my savings back for a potential house move during the summer.  It's the first time I'll have been reluctantly selling a car and I think I'll struggle to find a clean one like it again.  Kinda sad as it's a lovely little jeep. Oh well 

 

[brownnova]

Can you smell what the Rock is cooking... 

Someone in the village has a sense of humour! 

[SiC]

22 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Unfortunately my aux belt, which isn't due to be changed until October, already had some crazing. Its a Gates belt. Bit dissappointed that it has gone like that after 2 1/2 years. 

Has some fluids leaked onto it at some point?

You probably already know but if the aux belts snap on the F4R, it usually takes out the plastic cam cover and rips off the cambelt. With obvious disastrous consequences. 

[davehedgehog31]

Bye bye 607

[Tadhg Tiogar]

9 minutes ago, davehedgehog31 said:

Bye bye 607

 

Exit, stage right. 

[SRi05]

37 minutes ago, davehedgehog31 said:

Bye bye 607

 

Sedness 

[stuboy]

fitted spoiler to the mondeo.. looks quite good, just need to tidy up the sealer adhesive ..pics to follow

[Ghosty]

Sigh.

Does anyone want to buy a S3 XJ6?

After the Concerto disaster, the failed job interview, the fact I'm only 'employed' in the loosest terms, and many other things kicking me in the teeth, I'm sad to say I have to draw the line for a while, and I need to sell the Jag to make net zero and start something of afresh. 
The C30 offers me a perfect balance of driving pleasure and practicality, and for the time being that's all I can swing,.
It's very much a head over heart decision, but I have no choice. The last few months have been utterly vile to me, and I'm way out of my depth in many ways at the moment, the burden needs lifting and that's how I need to do it.

If anyone has any sound ideas on how to easily sell the Jag, please let me know. 

As soon as I can scrape the funds together it's being MOT'd and put up for sale. 

[brownnova]

4 hours ago, Ghosty said:

Sigh.

Does anyone want to buy a S3 XJ6?

After the Concerto disaster, the failed job interview, the fact I'm only 'employed' in the loosest terms, and many other things kicking me in the teeth, I'm sad to say I have to draw the line for a while, and I need to sell the Jag to make net zero and start something of afresh. 
The C30 offers me a perfect balance of driving pleasure and practicality, and for the time being that's all I can swing,.
It's very much a head over heart decision, but I have no choice. The last few months have been utterly vile to me, and I'm way out of my depth in many ways at the moment, the burden needs lifting and that's how I need to do it.

If anyone has any sound ideas on how to easily sell the Jag, please let me know. 

As soon as I can scrape the funds together it's being MOT'd and put up for sale. 

In time when things are the shittiest you need something you really enjoy to carry you through. If there’s any way you can afford to keep the jag an enjoy it I’d absolutely say keep it, enjoy it, it’s a lovely car and it sparks a passion. There’s a lot to be said for something that provides a spark through the dark times. 

[Split_Pin]

10 hours ago, SiC said:

Has some fluids leaked onto it at some point?

You probably already know but if the aux belts snap on the F4R, it usually takes out the plastic cam cover and rips off the cambelt. With obvious disastrous consequences. 

There is what appears to be a cam cover leak but the belt all looks bone dry.  I'm aware of what happens, all too common sadly and it's already occured with this car in the past by the looks of the service history.

I'll currently at the stage of do I keep spending money on this car as I still like it/sell it very cheap as is because I keep having to spend a fortune on it.

The main issue is due to other things going on with me just now, I just dont need the extra weight on my shoulders.

[stuboy]

Looks ok to me

[N19]

On 3/6/2020 at 3:41 PM, N19 said:

Wire brushing the old waxoyl and flakes off the rear spring mounts on the Capri. Going to see the man with the magic sparkly stick tomorrow to get his assessment of it. Best take my cheque book... 

In with the welder today. He reckons part of the rear sill needs done too, getting it sorted at the same time as it'll only be more grief another time if I leave it. He's also noticed that the handbrake cable is frayed, ordered up a new one from the factors to fit at the weekend. My chequebook will be feeling depleted by the end of the day.

[SiC]

10 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

I'll currently at the stage of do I keep spending money on this car as I still like it/sell it very cheap as is because I keep having to spend a fortune on it.

As you probably remember me saying before, I've been after a 172/182 for ages. Now my house buying situation has calmed down a bit, let me know if/when you think about coming to sell as I'm back in the market for something else. 

Iirc it's a 172 non-cup and pretty much stock? (I can't be doing with cup spec seat base grimness, despite the so called purity of the cup cars)

[Lord Sterling]

Had a rear brake light warning come up on the Vectra yesterday.  I decided to tackle it today during my lunch break.

Firstly remove these 3 screw in lugs:

Secondly, remove rear whole lamp

Thirdly, unscrew rear access unit:

Replace bulb and refitting is the reverse of removal.

[RobT]

Don't suppose anyone has a Vauxhall rim like this they want rid of?

This is the shitty spare I had to put on, as the one on there has developed a leaky rim again.  The tyre place I use always do their best to grind them down, but three years on from the new tyres it's off again.  Pretty sure it's not a slow puncture either, as it's been losing for a while.  But has now reached 'should really fix' status.

[cpjitservices]

Calling all Beigers

 

Brid car auctions has an E reg Bluebird coming up for sale with EMOTEE until November:

 

 

I may go and see what it is like but it looks a gem!

Less than 100K, Auto and MOT... Ideal!

 

 

[Tadhg Tiogar]

^^

Is that a 3- or 4-speed automatic?

[BL Bloke]

After the Fiesta clocked up 76K yesterday this happened today.

DSCF1243 by timothy jones, on Flickr

While it might not look important it means that I've clocked up 1000 miles in the 205. ? Admittedly it's taken eight and a half months to get there and nearly a quarter of them were clocked up bringing it home but it's still a milestone, if only a minor one. 

[cpjitservices]

14 minutes ago, Tadhg Tiogar said:

^^

Is that a 3- or 4-speed automatic?

3 speed I think.

 

 

[Tadhg Tiogar]

1 minute ago, cpjitservices said:

3 speed I think.

Bonus misery points for high revs at 70mph.

[Ghosty]

18 hours ago, brownnova said:

In time when things are the shittiest you need something you really enjoy to carry you through. If there’s any way you can afford to keep the jag an enjoy it I’d absolutely say keep it, enjoy it, it’s a lovely car and it sparks a passion. There’s a lot to be said for something that provides a spark through the dark times. 

Very wise words, but unless I pull a job out of my arse, and the mental stability to keep it, that isn't happening. I haven't taken the Jag out since before Christmas I don't think, I can't afford to fuel it or maintain it at the moment, and leaving it sitting is just no good.
I will bounce back and buy another classic when my situation permits, but for now it just isn't possible I don't think. In any case, I've a desire to replace it with something a little more me this year, I have something of a long term dream, but in the short term I have a hankering for a Volvo 240. 

[Six-cylinder]

4 hours ago, Tadhg Tiogar said:

Bonus misery points for high revs at 70mph.

I can't find a mph/1000rpm for the Auto, but Autocar tested the GTi 2.4i manual and quote 21.1 mph/1000. A test of the 2.4i Auto by Drive say " the overall gearing in top is not much lower than the GTi in fifth." 

Sticking to UK motorway speeds I have always found the cruising is ok, only when in Germany with the car does the short gearing really show up.

Most of my miles have been in my 2.4i Auto and then I bought a 2.5i manual Familiale and found it much quicker, smoother and free revving and attributed this to the manual gearbox. Turns out when I got a 2.5i Auto that was a much nicer engine than the 2.4i as well.

I tried a DTR Turbo2 for a while but that was a disappointing old engine.

[Six-cylinder]

1 hour ago, Ghosty said:

Very wise words, but unless I pull a job out of my arse, and the mental stability to keep it, that isn't happening. I haven't taken the Jag out since before Christmas I don't think, I can't afford to fuel it or maintain it at the moment, and leaving it sitting is just no good.
I will bounce back and buy another classic when my situation permits, but for now it just isn't possible I don't think. In any case, I've a desire to replace it with something a little more me this year, I have something of a long term dream, but in the short term I have a hankering for a Volvo 240. 

I was always impressed you choose the XJ6 S3 as your special car and it is a shame it has not worked out for you.

[Floatylight]

At least the journey home will be comfortable...

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