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[Yoss]

This will be the last in an occasional series of random van reviews as our duties are changing next week and I'm going back to a trolley duty. Can't come soon enough, our entire fleet of vans are fucked and I shan't miss them at all. 

I had a puncture last week,  they fixed that then on Tuesday my regular van FTP'd. We'll, almost, luckily it was still drivable enough to finish the duty. It has said 'risk of filter clogging' for about three weeks but our van manager said drive it til it breaks as we have no spare vans. Well it went into limp mode on Tuesday not surprisingly with the cooling fan staying on. 

The next day I get given this fine machine. 

Several shades of pogweasel and not a straight panel anywhere. But I more interestingly, as soon as I start it up it displays these two messages. 

Well I obviously can't do either of these things so I decided to carry on regardless. As soon as I drive out of the yard it is obvious that this too is in limp mode but at least with out the cooling fan on like the Peugeot. So I decide to carry on, we never leave a 30 zone so being in limp mode isn't too much of a hardship.

When I get back I told somebody in the office but didn't report it officially (if I fill a form out it has to be taken off the road until fixed) as they had told me how short of vans they are. But I said if they give it to me again I will report it because eventually it's going to stop, I assume it is DPF related, and I don't want to be in it when it does. I saw it out again today. It wouldn't surprise me if some our drivers don't even notice it's in limp mode. 

So the next day I get this. 

You can see it uses the same basic bodyshell as our 11 and 12 reg Partners but it is quite different to drive. The biggest difference being the lack of a handbrake. There is a button to  switch it on and off but you don't feel any mechanical movement, just a brief buzz of a distant motor. But you don't actually need the button, it is fully automatic. It comes on when you switch off the engine and releases again as you drive off. This is better than a recent Merc Vito I had which had a foot operated handbrake with what looked like an ashtray to pull out to release it. 

Another thing of note is the absolutely tiny steering wheel with much higher gearing than our old Partners and no feeling at all. 

Also, people used to laugh at Allegros quartic steering wheels. Well they weren't nearly as daft as this one. 

Then I had a little time to play with screen today. 

That's really useful in a van. If I was in the least bit tech savvy I'd have loved to have filled it with pictures of shite off my phone but alas I haven't the foggiest. 

This sounds interesting. 

But turns out not to be. 

To my mind it says press it and all the tyres instantly go flat. Sounds like more fun. 

And as a parting shot, as this will be my last driving duty for some time, I changed the language to German before parking up. No pictures because that would be childish (I just forgot). 

[hairnet]

massive hugs and sloppy kisses to that @chaseracer blerk

you saved an awful lot of cocking about for persons in this country and not

(not to mention flicking the vees at HMRC LOL)

go rabh maith agat

 

[Asimo]

The interior of that Peugeot van looks utterly hateful.

[wesacosa]

During the first lockdown I bought a Favorit brochure off eBay and the packing slip showed it actually came from a military and automotive bookshop just down the road from me which I had no idea was there

I was in there for a browse today, a real old school shop with mainly second hand books crammed on every shelf, and boxes and boxes of brochures, magazines, journals, maps ,photographs in every spare corner. The kind of place you could spend all day in , and the kind of place that eBay and the like must have all but killed off. The owner was saying he only opens on Saturday and now does most of his business online

I bought these three from the main boxes

for between 2 and 3.50 each

then I noticed a box of random brochures for £1 each or tenner the lot. 

So I took the lot

I wonder what gems are in here

If anyone in SE London or  SW Kent would recommend popping in and having a browse if you are interested in cars, buses , planes or the military

[Yoss]

27 minutes ago, Asimo said:

The interior of that Peugeot van looks utterly hateful.

It's certainly quite far removed from our own Pugs. It's more car than van. I don't think anyone makes proper vans anymore. When I started, admittedly 30 odd years ago, we didn't even have radios. And the high top Sherpas had longitudinal tip up vynil bench seats in the back. We used to go out with six or more posties perched on these with no seat belts, no windows and lots of naked spot welded seams. Admittedly some of us probably died but there ought to be a happy medium of a decent, safe reliable van without all the pointless tech. 

[richardmorris]

3 hours ago, Jamie said:

Ooh Ye think I'll give it a swerve 

Ooh, crunchy and flexy 😮

[wesacosa]

well my £10 brochure haul at the aforementioned bookshop was better than I could have imagined

[wesacosa]

some highlights

the latter has a familiar looking vehicle

 I wonder if yours was ever a press car @BorniteIdentity ?

[wuvvum]

4 hours ago, HMC said:

Maxus!!!

Inventive use of rope. What’s it holding on/ down?

The bonnet.  The seller opened it this morning for the first time in a while to fit a replacement battery as the old one was on its last legs, and the catch seized.  Nobody had the time, inclination or tools to hand to try and unseize it so we just tied the bonnet down.  It was on the safety catch anyway but I don't 100% trust those, especially at motorway speeds.

It needs a fair bit of fettling to a number of niggly faults, but it drove back from Bognor with no problems, and it's the first usable van I've seen in a while that went for halfway sensible money - it still wasn't cheap by pre-pandemic standards, but it was a much better buy than the rotten MOT-less 90PS Transits for £1500 that seem to litter eBay these days.

It's the 135bhp version too so it picks up its skirts rather well when required - although annoyingly it seems to be limited to 75 like Kiltox's old one was - not the end of the world mind as I tend to trundle along at 60-65 in big vans to keep the fuel consumption down.

[chaseracer]

2 hours ago, wesacosa said:

If anyone in SE London or  SW Kent would recommend popping in and having a browse if you are interested in cars, buses , planes or the military

Well, that's dangerous - Musical Offspring has just moved to Catford, which must be all of three miles away...

[wesacosa]

1 minute ago, chaseracer said:

Well, that's dangerous - Musical Offspring has just moved to Catford, which must be all of three miles away...

definitely worth a look if you are in to that kind of stuff. Would probably call first or check his Facebook site for opening as its Saturday only but probably closed if he at a show or something

 

[AnnoyingPentium]

New headlights are on the Fabia and the blood sacrifice that is required for every job on the car has been fulfilled.

Just need to replace some dicky bulbs now.

[High Jetter]

3 hours ago, chaseracer said:

Well, that's dangerous - Musical Offspring has just moved to Catford, which must be all of three miles away...

Smurf territory. Mrs J used to work there, during the riots. Sounds a good shop to browse in.

[paulplom]

12 hours ago, wuvvum said:

it seems to be limited to 75 like paulplom's  new one is.

FTFY 😉

[Ohdearme]

Very few updates on my fleet as nothing of note has happened at all since purchase about a year ago and saving to finish kitchen so frivolous purchases are outlawed.

Espace had a service Friday and got the front left suspension top mount fixed.

Rear calliper is sticking too and I had plans to look at that myself yesterday until I woke up and realised it was freezing and sacked it off.

 

[sdkrc]

Posted this in my thread already but here, have a motorway breakdown time lapse 

[AnnoyingPentium]

35 minutes ago, sdkrc said:

Posted this in my thread already but here, have a motorway breakdown time lapse 

 

May as well make the most of the situation. I like it. 👍

[richardmorris]

In an effort to get out a bit more I went for a shortish Walk this morning, partly through the commonwealth war graves part of brookwood cemetery. Obviously immaculate with some beautiful memorials and rather poignant given than the only sound was gunfire from pirbright ranges. It’s also where the Chelsea pensioners are laid to rest I’ve read.

https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/44400/brookwood-military-cemetery/

 

[artdjones]

18 hours ago, Yoss said:

It's certainly quite far removed from our own Pugs. It's more car than van. I don't think anyone makes proper vans anymore. When I started, admittedly 30 odd years ago, we didn't even have radios. And the high top Sherpas had longitudinal tip up vynil bench seats in the back. We used to go out with six or more posties perched on these with no seat belts, no windows and lots of naked spot welded seams. Admittedly some of us probably died but there ought to be a happy medium of a decent, safe reliable van without all the pointless tech. 

Doblos and Kangoos are still recognizably van like, but of course they have both been out for well over a decade.

[GMcD]

Glorious sunny day today. Had to collect the photographer from the station for a meet/greet and snap session before our wedding in March.

"I've never been in one of these before"

Which one did I take? 😁

[TheOtherStu]

sorry, took no pictures today, but had an awesome day out (as always) at Sunday Scramble, Bicester Heritage.
Never fails to amaze me how many new units open every time we go.

The car decided to play up, however. Either a faulty (or dirty) ICV or a vacuum leak. Keeps revving under idle.

[Jamie]

[LabRat]

Took the mg out to the shops early and the gearbox is sounding more and more terminal, 2nd now crunches going in and out of gear and now 3rd has started too. The keydock decided to lose communication with the bcu too, which was fun*

Nothing like standing in a Tesco's car park with a load of scrotes watching and offering comments whilst you disconnect the battery and swear to really endear a car to you. I think we might be coming to the end with this particular car... 

[yes oui si]

It scrubs up okay, doesn't look too bad without all the road grime. Not sure if it's 'me' yet. Only put 500 miles on it so far. Just a couple of wee scuffs on the front bumper and a small dent on the top of the nearside wing which should push out. 

[richardmorris]

3 hours ago, Gerrymcd said:

Glorious sunny day today. Had to collect the photographer from the station for a meet/greet and snap session before our wedding in March.

"I've never been in one of these before"

Which one did I take? 😁

Morris. An 1100?

[Yank Tank]

56 minutes ago, yes oui si said:

It scrubs up okay, doesn't look too bad without all the road grime. Not sure if it's 'me' yet. Only put 500 miles on it so far. Just a couple of wee scuffs on the front bumper and a small dent on the top of the nearside wing which should push out. 

someone on here had a very early one of these and im fucked if i can remember who it was but i think they’re proper bo. 

[AnnoyingPentium]

Had a mildly dicky sidelight for a little while, and decided to do something about it since the Fabia has new light housings in it now... £5.79 later...

Almost as bright as some DRLs, and don't worry I replaced both.

[junkyarddog]

Lovely sunny day here today,so took my Prelude out for a run.

Did about 60 miles and enjoyed every one of them.

Needs a good wash now.

 

[SiC]

Had a poke around on our (new to us) Civic today.

I do like the fact there is so much room in this engine bay, especially given it's a modern. More so than these images may show. Everything you really need access to is visible and you are able to get your hands around.
Note the lack of covers over stuff. Presumably because it's a Honda, they don't need loads of acoustic covers. Plus the only reason most people will open the bonnet on a Honda is to top up the washer fluid.


I did take off the EGR Valve to clean but it wasn't that bad. I need to clean the throttle body but, irritatingly, with a Honda you need a diagnostics tool to re-learn the positioning. Annoying as most cars now will do that automatically if just left on, but not running, for a minute or two. Hopefully my DS150e can do it - if I remember where it is.


There is even room behind the engine. Like many modern cars, there is an access panel with the wipers on that comes off for further access. But there is enough room down there for me to dive down and almost touch the under-tray.


The mancat is both easy to get to and still relatively secure under the bonnet. Wish all lambda sensors were this easy to get to.


Oil level was fine and the oil was still clean.

Less clean was the air filter. Like most manufacturers, Honda specify it changed every second service interval. In this instance, every 25k. I'm only getting around 39-40mpg from this and kinda expect better. Especially most other people get 45mpg easily. Hopefully a change of air filter will help increase it by a couple of mpg.



This is number 4 plug and the usual iridium plugs. No idea if this is worn or not. Supposed to be changed every 75k/6yrs and this is on 76k, so should have been changed mid last year.


Earth strap is possibly the weedist I've seen in a long time.


Like every second hand car, there are a few issues that need ironing out. The tracking is out, which I'll try getting sorted this week. Drivers window mechanism makes some very disconcerting noises when operated. I have a warranty but I've found a brand new genuine regulator on eBay for £18, so not worth the hassle of waiting till it breaks and then claiming.

Really struggled starting it up after fiddling with the ignition on for a while. The abs light came on and auto-stop is unavailable too with low battery warning. Given the battery is genuine Honda, there is a good chance it's original. They're not too expensive for this, so I'll chuck a new one on.

While I love Hondas and will defend them, one thing I can't is rust. Given this is just over 6yrs old, to see rust coming through underneath is disappointing. The welds on this arm I can see rotting out on many after another decade.


Surface rust coming through all under and around drain holes.


I think I need to get it up on stands at some point to clean down, paint and protect these bits. Especially as I expect this car to last a minimum of 5 years with us, without needing any major (especially metal) work.

[SRi05]

1 hour ago, junkyarddog said:

Lovely sunny day here today,so took my Prelude out for a run.

Did about 60 miles and enjoyed every one of them.

Needs a good wash now.

 

Can't be many of those shape Preludes left, I loved mine