The new news 24 thread

[loserone]

1 hour ago, Sunny Jim said:

Bore da! Up early so I thought I'd make the most of the empty roads before they get too busy.

Calendar pic there!

[reb]

I've upset someone on Reddit by suggesting that electric swapping a Ford Model A perhaps doesn't destroy automobile history, rather adds to it.

I asked them how they would feel if the body and frame were found sans engine and an original engine could not be found, would they rather it be scrapped? Their response was something to the effect of "if it's getting scrapped why would you use it for this project?"

I'm about 99% sure they were trolling, once I realised this I decided to ignore, but on the off chance they weren't, I despair.

[stuboy]

Bil came round to take missus and daughter shopping gave me a chance to look at his new car...

[richardmorris]

Shared from Sky News: UK heatwave: Firefighters battle forest blaze in Surrey https://news.sky.com/video/uk-heatwave-firefighters-battle-forest-blaze-in-surrey-12672224

[mitsisigma01]

That interior makes old BMW interiors look interesting 😴

[mitsisigma01]

3 hours ago, richardmorris said:

Shared from Sky News: UK heatwave: Firefighters battle forest blaze in Surrey https://news.sky.com/video/uk-heatwave-firefighters-battle-forest-blaze-in-surrey-12672224

Not tooo close I hope ... Last month when you had a fire over your way we got the ash and stench over in Horsham 

[Lankytim]

A couple of days ago I filled up the coolant system on the 145 for the first time since it was damaged in an accident in 2010.  Amazingly with the engine running there’s no leaks and the whole system got nice and hot, the thermostat opening and closing as it should. I was able to run the engine for 10 minutes or so and even take it for a drive around the garden! Amazing! No clouds of steam or smoke and no horrible noises. The temperature gauge doesn’t work but there’s still a few disconnected earths and wires that need sorting out which in hope should sort it. 

With the engine nice and hot I was able to do an oil change. The drained oil looked nice with nothing nasty floating about inside it. A new filter and fresh oil was added and the engine cranked over with a coil wire removed to build up oil pressure. The 145 is now a first time starter and sounds lovely! 
 

The rest of the day (and following days) were taken up looking for our Budgie which has escaped. We found it high up some trees locally and it was having a whale of a time but it’s since vanished. Either dead of predator attack, thirst or perhaps it’s been taken in by someone local. Facebook has turned up a blank sadly. 

[puddlethumper]

Was next to a K plate 205 at some lights today with a couple, probably seventies. and thumbs up were exchanged.

Having a trans van, BMW at the moment, I have noticed I don't use my indicators as much as I used to and have caught myself, on occasion, acting with superiority over other motorists. Lucky I don't have an Audi badge.

[andy18s]

2 hours ago, mitsisigma01 said:

That interior makes old BMW interiors look interesting 😴

That dash spoils a nice looking car.

[GMcD]

Not even 24 hours and 5 miles later, the Toledo had rewarded my efforts on the cooling and starter motor by deciding it now no longer likes it's alternator. I don't even think it's that old. 

Hopefully there is a 20% day on eBay this coming week.

[reb]

9 minutes ago, Nyphur said:

Did that argument end with you posting a comment that used the word fuck about a hundred times, then you both calling each other a moron?

Because I think I read that earlier.

...

It may have done...

[andyberg]

59 minutes ago, andy18s said:

That dash spoils a nice looking car.

Exactly. Why go retro outside and spoil the look with bloody big screens. Surely they could have found a way to make the inside retro too?? That's what puts me off moderns, I hate the big screens. Not that I can afford one right now anyway. But in 10 to 15 years it seems I won't have a choice but to buy a big iPad interior car ☹️☹️

[MJK 24]

Attended a car show this morning and spotted this 1983 Toyota Starlet.  At a rough guess, it was 9% turbo by weight.

Power?  Just the 379bhp 🤯

Excuse shite photos…

[cort1977]

After at least a month of wasted time on family holidays, work and other nonsense I finally got a look at the binding caliper on the mustang today. One piston obviously binding, pushed it out, looks clean, bit of brake cleaner, grease and back together.

Quick test drive revealed... same problem. Le sigh. Will take it off and strip down properly on the bench.

Tried to start the cortina. No joy but the charging light stopped working so that's progress. Reverse progress admittedly

Then I spent a long time fiddling with wiring getting the clock in the sierra working. Eventually got it going, backlight went off with the headlights so something wrong, then the whole unit stopped working. 

Some days nothing goes right.

[brownnova]

Today was sponsored by the number 36… 

Today 36 year old Brownnova took his 36 year old 2CV and drove it during a 36 degree heatwave, and achieved 46 MPG… oh… damn you MPG figure!

Started out early to avoid the worst of the heat, and trundled the 107 miles from North Wales to Worcestershire. 

 

Where I came accross many more 2CVs! 

It was the annual 2CVGB registers day. 

And derivatives top of course, such as Meharis. 

And Acadianes 

Bonus Shite! 

To me nothing sums up the variety more than these two cars…

The lesser spotted @dollywobblerwas the only fellow shiter in attendance to my knowledge… 

Lovely drive of 214 miles - although the way home was a bit hot! 
 

 

 

[stuboy]

Bizzarre one today... last year I put this out for scrapman but he forgot to pick it up.. I totally forgot to check a new house buyers are exchanging this week and 'walked by' claiming we dumped a load of rubbish the front garden.. it was a rail from stair lift.. just gotta think what I'm gonna do with the bloody thing..

[SiC]

10 minutes ago, stuboy said:

Bizzarre one today... last year I put this out for scrapman but he forgot to pick it up.. I totally forgot to check a new house buyers are exchanging this week and 'walked by' claiming we dumped a load of rubbish the front garden.. it was a rail from stair lift.. just gotta think what I'm gonna do with the bloody thing..

Chop it up with an angle grinder and chuck it in the metal bin down the tip?

[MJK 24]

Not one 2CV boiled over in todays heat!  😉 

[RoverFolkUs]

For the three and a half people interested..

In fleet news, Focus #2 has finally departed. A very down to earth private buyer, which was nice, and obviously surprising

Its not all plain sailing as Focus #1 has rewarded me with a few issues having been pressed into use.

The rear brakes, being drums, have predictably not liked being sat around. They are making a rubbing noise from 20mph to 0mph under gentle braking. Somewhat resembling a sea lion's honk.. Also the handbrake doesnt start to grab until the 5th click so assuming it all needs greasing up/adjusting. Perhaps the shoe adjusters have seized up as I would have thought they should self adjust and not get as sloppy as they are at the minute. We'll see

Vibration through the cabin caused by a failed hydro engine mount. Aftermarket brand new replacement purchased from ebay, becuase they are £HOWMUCH otherwise

It really is due a service. A full one at that.

No aircon, which has been bloody torturous in this weather. There's gas in the system so hopefully just needs a regas m8 or perhaps a dodgy pressure switch 

Various rattles, I've discovered the power steering pipes that run along the chassis rail are not actually clamped down so are vibrating, also the heatshield above the manicat is rattling. Nice to know the cause, as its a bloody irritating noise.

All in all not bad for a 16 year old car. MOT isnt until the winter so aim to sort the above lot out, in that order of priority, between now and then. Its just a case of finding the time and energy to do it as with most things

As you were...

[AnnoyingPentium]

2 minutes ago, RoverFolkUs said:

For the three and a half people interested..

I take it I count as one and a half, I'm not exactly slim anyway. 🤣

[RoverFolkUs]

Just now, AnnoyingPentium said:

I take it I count as one and a half, I'm not exactly slim anyway. 🤣

Dont be so harsh on yourself 🤣😅

[sdkrc]

Handsome car is handsome. Massive fan of the fancy crossclimates I got recently. They stick like shit to a blanket and look great.  

 

 

Went to a BBQ on Thursday and sat outside talking shite all night getting eaten alive. I have perhaps 10 midge bites all over and then one particularly radioactive looking, mystery bite with a tiny puncture wound. It's on my knee and I was wearing jeans all night so fuck knows what's bitten me, I think spider but apparently that would leave me with 2 punctures. 

If I die, I leave my crushing personal debt and specialist nudey mags to @captain_70s  

 

I had a £10 free bet with bet365 and won 10 out of 11 including 2 not on here. That genuinely just about covers my 4 bags of shopping from Morrisons this afternoon.

 

Other than that, watched this wonderful thunderstorm with my son from the window. Magnificent stuff

[richardmorris]

2 hours ago, brownnova said:

Today was sponsored by the number 36… 

Today 36 year old Brownnova took his 36 year old 2CV and drove it during a 36 degree heatwave, and achieved 46 MPG… oh… damn you MPG figure!

Started out early to avoid the worst of the heat, and trundled the 107 miles from North Wales to Worcestershire. 

 

Where I came accross many more 2CVs! 

It was the annual 2CVGB registers day. 

And derivatives top of course, such as Meharis. 

And Acadianes 

Bonus Shite! 

To me nothing sums up the variety more than these two cars…

The lesser spotted @dollywobblerwas the only fellow shiter in attendance to my knowledge… 

Lovely drive of 214 miles - although the way home was a bit hot! 
 

 

Please can I use your photos for next month’s Citroenian?

[Split_Pin]

A small but very energetic thunderstorm passed right over Bonnybridge this evening at about 9pm, they usually miss us.

There was definitely rotation at this point.

Its still flashing way out over east Fife and as I type this a fresh one is just rolling in. I love these!

[SiC]

28 minutes ago, RoverFolkUs said:

Vibration through the cabin caused by a failed hydro engine mount. Aftermarket brand new replacement purchased from ebay, becuase they are £HOWMUCH otherwise

The hydro mount on my 1.6 must be foobar as it squirted oil everywhere when poked. Presumably it's not an MOT failure? Can't remember anything in the MOT test manual that says about fluid mounts - providing they still attach the engine to the vehicle of course. Being a petrol, there isn't any extra vibration through really. Plus the under bonnet diesel soundproofing that came with this replacement bonnet helps make the engine even quieter. 

Mounts are ridiculously expensive for it. So I would prefer to get away with not replacing it if I can.

31 minutes ago, RoverFolkUs said:

No aircon, which has been bloody torturous in this weather. There's gas in the system so hopefully just needs a regas m8 or perhaps a dodgy pressure switch 

Wish the Aircon on mine worked too. Thankfully I have two other vehicles with working air conditioning but having the tatty car with it would be useful too. Would also be useful in the winter when in a rush and needing a windscreen to clear and keep clear asap. 

If it passes it's MOT next month, I may invest in a vacuum pump and see if it holds pressure. Then I know if it's worth chucking it at a Aircon regas place and getting it working again. However I suspect being at ambient exterior pressure for at least 9 years could mean that the internals are very much dead. 

Thankfully the compressor is on a separate aux belt so I can just chop it off if the compressor does seize.

I really want to do a full service on it but again holding off until it's passed an MOT. Otherwise I could be throwing good money away if it fails in a big way and needs throwing away. 

[SiC]

23 minutes ago, sdkrc said:

Other than that, watched this wonderful thunderstorm with my son from the window. Magnificent stuff

 

3 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

A small but very energetic thunderstorm passed right over Bonnybridge this evening at about 9pm, they usually miss us.

This is interesting to watch and see where the actual strikes are when you hear/see them:

https://www.lightningmaps.org/

 

[Snake Charmer]

9 hours ago, richardmorris said:

Shared from Sky News: UK heatwave: Firefighters battle forest blaze in Surrey https://news.sky.com/video/uk-heatwave-firefighters-battle-forest-blaze-in-surrey-12672224

Again? It's only just started growing back!

[Split_Pin]

8 minutes ago, SiC said:

 

This is interesting to watch and see where the actual strikes are when you hear/see them:

https://www.lightningmaps.org/

 

I've used that for years but it isn't that accurate. I think it only detects cloud to ground lightning. Still fun to watch. If you zoom in you can see the sound wave as well.

[Snake Charmer]

9 hours ago, stuboy said:

Bil came round to take missus and daughter shopping gave me a chance to look at his new car...

I quite like the styling but can't help feeling the lead designer was a fan of Robocop.

[RoverFolkUs]

4 minutes ago, SiC said:

The hydro mount on my 1.6 must be foobar as it squirted oil everywhere when poked. Presumably it's not an MOT failure? Can't remember anything in the MOT test manual that says about fluid mounts - providing they still attach the engine to the vehicle of course. Being a petrol, there isn't any extra vibration through really. Plus the under bonnet diesel soundproofing that came with this replacement bonnet helps make the engine even quieter. 

Mounts are ridiculously expensive for it. So I would prefer to get away with not replacing it if I can.

Wish the Aircon on mine worked too. Thankfully I have two other vehicles with working air conditioning but having the tatty car with it would be useful too. Would also be useful in the winter when in a rush and needing a windscreen to clear and keep clear asap. 

If it passes it's MOT next month, I may invest in a vacuum pump and see if it holds pressure. Then I know if it's worth chucking it at a Aircon regas place and getting it working again. However I suspect being at ambient exterior pressure for at least 9 years could mean that the internals are very much dead. 

Thankfully the compressor is on a separate aux belt so I can just chop it off if the compressor does seize.

I really want to do a full service on it but again holding off until it's passed an MOT. Otherwise I could be throwing good money away if it fails in a big way and needs throwing away. 

Mine's a 1.6 pez as well, I got one for £25 off ebay. I fitted a cheap one to my other Focus that's just gone and it has held up fine to date approx 9 months later and no reason to think otherwise going forwards with the new owner.

Engine mounts are only an MOT fail if there's severe movement in it or a risk of detachment, as you suggest.

Its not a diesel level of vibration but its noticeable with mine, e.g the windows which are a little loose in their runners vibrate heavily when opened. (That's another issue to resolve, but I hate pulling off door cards and dealing with the sticky goop that holds on the weather proofing!)

I asked when I needed one for the other Focus last year, think Ford dealer said £160 + VAT if I recall correctly?! ECP list a "cheap" one for £80, but that's a lot for a non-OEM part that might not last. I'm happy with £25 though, this is the one I bought but its OOS now:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165557592508

Despite it saying for the 1.8 + 2.0, my engine code is HXDA as listed and I'm 99% sure they're the same across the range anyway, but worth a check. 

.....

I bought this one below for my other Focus which was fine, and then bought another this time but they sent me the incorrect one. So I've got a spare one floating around for a MK1 Focus 1.8TDCI now! They refunded and didn't want it back, didn't seem keen on the idea of sending the correct one out which is what I wanted and why I didnt reorder from them. Here it is anyway, on the off chance they do actually have the correct one on the shelf and it was a simple mix-up

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144473804056

 

What trim level is yours? Assuming you haven't got the lovely quick-clear heated front screen then

If it hasn't worked for 9 years as far as you know, I wouldn't think there's much hope either. Have you tried momentarily depressing the Schrader valve on the refill port to see if there is any gas? Obviously; be sensible and only a quick nano-second to check!

Hopefully it should pass an MOT! I've found them to be pretty good at getting through, common failures are mainly the front lower arm rearmost bushes and rear upper bushes to a lesser degree. Between my two, out of 5 MOTs between them, only had one fail and that was just a couple of damaged ball joint boots this year. Other 3 were advisory free and 1 last year advisories for rusty springs (anal tester) and a drop link (fair enough)

Otherwise had no other MOT related bother from them.