The new news 24 thread

[rob88h]

20 minutes ago, wesacosa said:

The state of that interior 🙄

[wesacosa]

1 minute ago, rob88h said:

The state of that interior 🙄

love the choke clothes peg and spare emergency choke clothes peg

[RichL]

Had a walk round a local show in Nottingham this morning didn't take many pics these were may faves 

[stuboy]

Continuing the st220 side skirts..

They came with all jacking cover, 2 I think are 2 short but hey hoy, 1 was broken and 1 covered in epoxy resin, I had an idea when I was cutting up old bumpers I found I had a busted up jaaag s type skirt and the radius curve looked good, so a hacksaw, a sander, a heat gun, 1 house brick and random piece of  metal and I have a set of homemade jacking covers... 

In the autoshite motto ... 

nullas pecunias habe, sicut im stricta fistulosa vetus git, vivat autoshite!

thank you for reading.

[stuboy]

48 minutes ago, stuboy said:

Continuing the st220 side skirts..

They came with all jacking cover, 2 I think are 2 short but hey hoy, 1 was broken and 1 covered in epoxy resin, I had an idea when I was cutting up old bumpers I found I had a busted up jaaag s type skirt and the radius curve looked good, so a hacksaw, a sander, a heat gun, 1 house brick and random piece of  metal and I have a set of homemade jacking covers... 

In the autoshite motto ... 

nullas pecunias habe, sicut im stricta fistulosa vetus git, vivat autoshite!

thank you for reading.

Forgot too say, when they get broken up for spares people always want the jacking point covers.

[brownnova]

I went to a local show for local people today in the town centre. Only a small thing, but many Capris, Escorts and even multiple Mustangs… (the modern ones)

However, there was also… this. 

Just over 7k from new, it was immaculate. 

[RayMK]

40 minutes ago, brownnova said:

I went to a local show for local people today in the town centre. Only a small thing, but many Capris, Escorts and even multiple Mustangs… (the modern ones)

However, there was also… this. 

Just over 7k from new, it was immaculate. 

Only* £7500 if you wanted to buy it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325689885231?hash=item4bd4a1422f:g:LZ8AAOSwiFVkhdGh&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwPb2bAy0Il56zYt5LqLGdntLYDGsZ3mNzfG8%2FgI4JygXBQaIMHzf3X3AIiwHBkOQer1DDZIxhVm4qzNXF%2FsuuuwkcAamEwlxRD%2FOLD5vV9FAVzvgwxhBQxPyoIT0hOo7aUJ1%2B88weZXTRitfaK3o0N69vX7RAFhkn1ByCDj4LYZWVoZk%2Fk9svAUFw49wyW1rT35b1lCgMPSMD6GwmVp5Mclnk0fFkoZEtuvW8ec%2BDiulCjTpW%2FJCYuoWSxUWxMk3fA%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR77T4MGVYg

[stuboy]

Missus stayed over with her dad and our youngest at a steam show in Sellindge,  Kent.

[artdjones]

5 hours ago, rob88h said:

The state of that interior 🙄

Just like they used to be in old age.

[artdjones]

1 hour ago, stuboy said:

Forgot too say, when they get broken up for spares people always want the jacking point covers.

Just the kind of part 3d printing is good for.

[High Jetter]

2 hours ago, brownnova said:

I went to a local show for local people today in the town centre. Only a small thing, but many Capris, Escorts and even multiple Mustangs… (the modern ones)

However, there was also… this. 

Just over 7k from new, it was immaculate. 

Is there a stain?

[wuvvum]

Got the new wheel cylinder fitted to the 107 this afternoon (after getting distracted for several minutes watching a family of sparrows taking a dust bath).

And the new inner tube fitted to the back wheel of the Mobylette and the wheel back on the bike, with the chain now properly tensioned for the first time in years.

And that's about all I got done this weekend.  Yesterday I went to the ACA classic auction at King's Lynn - I took the MG, top down all the way there and back as it was bloody scorching.  The old heap actually behaved impeccably, temp gauge stayed rock steady and it seems to have managed nearly 40mpg, which isn't bad going considering I wasn't particularly hanging about.  The coolant level has dropped a bit, but not enough to be worrisome, and I got a couple of waves from other MGF / TF owners.  Oh, I tell a lie, the airbag warning light came on after I let my mate have a go and he moved the driver's seat.  I'm assuming it's the usual MG Rover dodgy connector under the seat, but I'll plug the Delphi in at some point just to see if that'll talk to the SRS system.

Tomorrow I've got the 75 booked in on an ATS Groupon deal to have the aircon regassed.  I know the system holds pressure, and the compressor now has a belt on it - the only unknown factor is whether the compressor will kick in when it's supposed to, but I'll find that out soon enough.  I've then got to go in to the office to pick up my laptop which shat itself on Friday morning and is having a reinstall done by the IT guys - it's not expected to be ready until lunchtime so I get a lie in tomorrow morning which is nice.

The Volvo is going to need a bit more spending on it as none of the windows currently winds down as the glass holders on the regulators have rotted away.  So it's going to need at least a couple of those for the front windows - at the moment the only ventilation is the quarterlights in the front doors, which are not going to be adequate if it's a hot summer.  I quite enjoyed driving it to work on Thursday - it wasn't 100% problem free, when I got close to the office on the way in it felt like it was suffering from fuel starvation going round roundabouts, but it got me there OK and on the way home it ran perfectly, including overtaking several dawdling giffers on the single carriageway bits - the old crate can still pick up its skirts if it needs to.

[paulplom]

11 hours ago, brownnova said:

I went to a local show for local people today in the town centre. Only a small thing, but many Capris, Escorts and even multiple Mustangs… (the modern ones)

However, there was also… this. 

Just over 7k from new, it was immaculate. 

YPLAC

[Lankytim]

The front of the 145 had been apart for an accident repair in the dim and distant past and just didn’t want to bolt up properly, leaving it with a distinctive “punched in the face” look. It’s been a job I’ve been putting off for ages but I eventually set about removing panels and getting them to fit betterer.

The top inner wing on the passenger side has been replaced at one time and was t quite in the right position, being approx 5mm out and this was having a knock on effect on the outer wing, NSF door, front panel and front bumper, after some fettling i finally got the front wing to fit correctly and the other panels all fell into place. The result isn’t absolutely perfect but it’ll do. It all looks right now at least! 

[cort1977]

Mustang back on wheels and moving after protracted back brake work.  Minor binding turned in to new calipers, discs and pads and while I was in there fitted new rear dampers.  Threw a bucket of water over it last night and quite pleased with it.

[Barry Cade]

Just heard Tuffnells have gone bust. Shame, as my usual delivery guy was a good sort. Gonna cause issues for towbar deliveries! 

[Zelandeth]

How can I have an intermittent major fluid leak?!?

Diagnosis paused as a thunderstorm just arrived pretty much as soon as I got home and could properly investigate.

It was dribbling out at a sufficient rate to be running out from under the car in the ten minutes or so I'd been in a shop though.  Plus was noticed because I'd left a trail as I drove into the car park and into the space. Appeared to be coolant I'd say, no odour, not oily, but from the back of the engine bay.  There are only two pipes there, both visible and apparently neither the culprit when I looked...

Got home, no drip apparent.

[EightMegs]

Good for another year, miraculously.

[dozeydustman]

I might be on the lookout for a family car for my brother. He has 3 kids and would prefer ULEZ as his mrs works in Greater London and drives to work. He sometimes goes into ULEZ proposed area for work but not every day. They have 2 cars (Focuses) but a full family weekend away/holiday takes both cars - one with the kids and one with the stuff! Need to chat with him, may px/swap the newer focus.

Oh, he's 6ft 9. 

[richardmorris]

19 minutes ago, dozeydustman said:

I might be on the lookout for a family car for my brother. He has 3 kids and would prefer ULEZ as his mrs works in Greater London and drives to work. He sometimes goes into ULEZ proposed area for work but not every day. They have 2 cars (Focuses) but a full family weekend away/holiday takes both cars - one with the kids and one with the stuff! Need to chat with him, may px/swap the newer focus.

Oh, he's 6ft 9. 

 

 

[dozeydustman]

Just now, richardmorris said:

 

 

Brother hates Mercs just as much as I do.

KILL IT WITH ALL OF THE FIRES.

[artdjones]

You only need one of these. Georg Kächer of Car Magazine fitted in. He was 6'7" and he said that the seat still wasn't fully back.

[vulgalour]

4 hours ago, Zelandeth said:

How can I have an intermittent major fluid leak?!?

Diagnosis paused as a thunderstorm just arrived pretty much as soon as I got home and could properly investigate.

It was dribbling out at a sufficient rate to be running out from under the car in the ten minutes or so I'd been in a shop though.  Plus was noticed because I'd left a trail as I drove into the car park and into the space. Appeared to be coolant I'd say, no odour, not oily, but from the back of the engine bay.  There are only two pipes there, both visible and apparently neither the culprit when I looked...

Got home, no drip apparent.

If you're not losing any fluids when you check them, then could it be something like rain/car washing water that's got trapped in a box section or cavity somewhere and is taking a while to slosh out after a drive, giving the appearance of a leak that doesn't actually have anything to with the engine.  A bit like how air con can make it look like you've got a bust radiator when in fact it's just having a little condensation moment.

[richardmorris]

1 hour ago, artdjones said:

You only need one of these. Georg Kächer of Car Magazine fitted in. He was 6'7" and he said that the seat still wasn't fully back.

Gave my brother in law a lift in the x1/9 on Sunday down to wantage. He’s 6ft3. I think luggage and passengers is more of an issue.

[wuvvum]

Well that was a waste of time and energy.  Took the 75 to ATS today to get the aircon regassed and they reckon it's not holding pressure and they can't do the recharge.  Which is odd as when I took it to my (generally pretty reliable) local garage a couple of weeks ago they said it was holding pressure OK.

So not sure what's happened there.  I've now got to decide whether I'm going to fork out for an aircon specialist to find the leak and get it repaired, or whether I'm just going to forget it and use the Groupon voucher on the 206 (assuming that hasn't also got a massive leak in the system...).

[Zelandeth]

1 hour ago, vulgalour said:

If you're not losing any fluids when you check them, then could it be something like rain/car washing water that's got trapped in a box section or cavity somewhere and is taking a while to slosh out after a drive, giving the appearance of a leak that doesn't actually have anything to with the engine.  A bit like how air con can make it look like you've got a bust radiator when in fact it's just having a little condensation moment.

That's kind of my thinking, though where the heck it came from to be dripping off the bottom of the bell housing I've no idea.

It's worthwhile keeping in mind that the cooling system on this holds nearly 15 litres of coolant...so it would have to lose quite a chunk for it to be really visible. 

Though if it was coolant I'd have expected it to be hot enough to be steaming when it was dripping from the car - which it wasn't (this was after a 20 minute or so drive there in 27C weather, so should be pretty well up to temperature).

Further research needed - though I'm tending more towards "water having gathered somewhere odd" given that I've never seen a leak that significant get anything other than worse until there's nothing left to leak!

[somewhatfoolish]

sunroof/heater/plenum drains?

[egg]

Bloody hell, only taken 2.5 years, but I've fitted some OEM front mud-flaps to the ex @purplebargeken@Kiltox i10. I got them off eBay just after we got the car in September 2020, but today's the first day since I've felt like bothering 😆 😰

(yes, new tyres are needed, planned for the early autumn ahead of MOT)

[sdkrc]

High street veggie reload. Gimme some'o'that chipshop gold. 

I'm 1k miles in. I've spent £120 on fuel and I've got another 1500 miles worth behind my shed. 

Loving my Rexton

[davehedgehog31]

I'm really short on time for the car hobby, but made steady enough progress on a couple of things. 

The StreetKa went last week. I really liked it, found as always though that four cars was too much to keep on top of, must stick to three.... 

The Fabia stereo sounded absolutely awful. Had a look and the factory speakers were absolutely burst, barely any foam left on either of them. I bought a kit from eBay with some Clarion speakers and the plastic adapter rings for them. This job was a bit more of a dick than it should be, had to drill the rivets out the current speakers then the new ones helpfully didn't come with any fixings. The mounting holes are deeply recessed so couldn't use a rivet. In the end I effected a surprisingly good engineering solution, I tapped some threads into the back of the plastic mounting rings and secured them with a bolt threaded in from behind. 

Old;



New



More befitting of the fancypants Android Auto head unit which I also finally connected the DAB antenna up to;

The Lexarse went to Knockhill;


On the Kangoo front it went for it's MOT last month. I gave it a wash and quick once over before it went in, only thing I noticed was a missing outer CV boot clip on the NSF,  gave it a quick clean up and re-secured. Got an almost clean pass and the tester commented that it was a really tidy van. It's only done 3000-ish miles since the significant lot of work it had for test last year. 

As an aside, I sprayed the "Corrolan" lanolin rust proofing wax stuff on in October and it still has a really good film of it everywhere despite having been driven in all conditions. It does make working on it a bit messy and there's still a bit of a whiff of sheep on a hot day but it's probably worthwhile. Worth mentioning I think I used about twice as much as I really needed to... Will do the Skoda next and then aim to do a really tidy job on the Lexus with it before the winter hits. 

It was due a timing belt. I ordered a finest* quality kit with water pump from eBay and set about it. This is how it started and it ended with every tool in my shed littered on the floor round about it;

When I initially got it stripped down and resting on the crank timing pin the cam pin wouldn't fit, it looked about two teeth off. It has a two part cam pulley so I rotated the engine until I could get the cam timing pin in then slackened the outer part of the cam pulley, inserted the crank pin and turned the engine onto it so it was all lined up against both pins.  There should be 19 tooth gaps between the marks on the cam and fuel pump pulleys and we had 21. 

New belt eventually went on and this is how it should look with the 19 tooth gaps between the two notches. Please ignore judicious use of paint markers variously. 

Overall the actual process for changing the belt was easy enough but the access was very tight so was a case of continually raising and lowering the engine small bits at a time. I think it was probably made worse by it having optional air conditioning so the compressor and pipes got in the road. Definitely a job for one of those fancy electric ratchets. Could frequently only get a couple of teeth of a swing of a ratchet on some bolts. 

A nervous first start was successful and have done a fair few miles in it since so declaring it a success. 

Feeling quite positive about the fleet overall. The Kangoo and Fabia are very well sorted, Lexus continues to be lovely albeit with a couple of small niggles to sort. Just need to remain steadfast in buying NO MORE CARS.