The new news 24 thread

[Jenson Velcro]

7 hours ago, gm said:

all I can see here is a red bini and a gearbox, makes me shudder ! 

I’ve already done the clutch on the Bini in my ownership, however it is a Midland gearbox, has done 120k miles and has been grumbling for a while……..

I’ll make a decision on its future when it actually goes bang. I’ve had the car 5 years now and it cost less than £500 so owes me nothing really, although it’s been pretty needy. It’s nearly 22 years old now though..

[High Jetter]

11 hours ago, Popsicle said:

How are you getting on after your op?

Glad you're feeling up to easing yourself back in. Decent of you to remember, and ask, thanks - very well actually, haven't been in any pain at all, just some discomfort at the entry site which is gradually receeding. Had follow-up appt with consultant this morning, all cancer (Stage 1) was removed with the kidney so I should be OK. They'll be doing 6-monthly scans for a while, also able to keep[ an eye on a small (10mm) growth on one lung at the same time but that didn't change size between March and Sep scans last year so he didn't seem worried about it.

[wesacosa]

On 08/02/2025 at 17:48, Split_Pin said:

Got my Creator code reader for the E46 today.

I get these lamps on the dash and the car falls into limp mode:

Pretty much reflected in the codes:

They seem totally unconnected? It's the ABS pressure sensors that worry me, tales of doom and woe abound on the E46 FB pages

I have loved this car only when I saw the pictures in the for sale add. I have hated it ever since. It really is a piece of shit.

1x seized caliper

1 aux drive belt tensioner

New viscous fan clutch 

New oil pressure sensor

Replacement automatic gearbox

And now this. I've only had it  7 months. It's just one thing after another and it has totally failed to be anything approaching reliable since I got it. Useless.

I know, old cars, but so many have provided great service with the usual bits and bobs understandably required.

So, bearing in mind I'm losing my job soon, I'm going to spend on the 75 which has been a great car and just needs 2 bottom arms (which I have), some foutering with the handbrake and a bit more of the same with the airbag wires. I know after that it will give more good service.

I'll sorn the E46 until I decide to either fix and keep or fix and sell, once I get a new job sorted.

The pressure sensors are fiddly to get and you need a big spanner but don't think they are too bad a job 

worth noting that I had the ABS sensor and pressure sensor code come up on mine, I changed the abs sensor and both codes cleared.

[Popsicle]

1 hour ago, High Jetter said:

Glad you're feeling up to easing yourself back in. Decent of you to remember, and ask, thanks - very well actually, haven't been in any pain at all, just some discomfort at the entry site which is gradually receeding. Had follow-up appt with consultant this morning, all cancer (Stage 1) was removed with the kidney so I should be OK. They'll be doing 6-monthly scans for a while, also able to keep[ an eye on a small (10mm) growth on one lung at the same time but that didn't change size between March and Sep scans last year so he didn't seem worried about it.

Ah nice one that all sounds promising mate - good luck with it all.

I'm back with the cancer doc next month for the results, then I think its the same as you with the 6 monthly scans.

[Rustybullethole]

Tramper van has progressed.

Pretty much some soft furnishings away from complete. 

[Rustybullethole]

The old caravan cushions even match the paint scheme what.

They are however a little overlong. 

Can fix that though this will do for now.

[Lord Sterling]

So, the Vectra has had an MoT pass after some rectification work. It's had tie-rod ends etc... and the power steering pipe issue was traced to a split in the pipe which has been rectified. 

Still got advisories mainly for 3 tyres that are close to legal limit on the inner edge and some underneath. 

The tyres I'm hoping to change soon as they are wrong size. The underside can be cleaned up and undersealed at some point. 

I also need to get the oil leak sorted and the air-conditioning system working again.

[Sunny Jim]

3 hours ago, Rustybullethole said:

Tramper van has progressed.

Pretty much some soft furnishings away from complete. 

Your bi-folding seat/bed looks great. Do you mind if I nick the idea for the hearse? Too many camper/caravans have vertical seat backs which are uncomfortable - your design with the piano hinge allows for a raked back. Shuttering ply too keep the budget reasonable too. 👍

[Rustybullethole]

18 minutes ago, Sunny Jim said:

Your bi-folding seat/bed looks great. Do you mind if I nick the idea for the hearse? Too many camper/caravans have vertical seat backs which are uncomfortable - your design with the piano hinge allows for a raked back. Shuttering ply too keep the budget reasonable too. 👍

Thanks. Don't mind at all. Its a bit rough and ready though serves the purpose and as you say budget friendly. Main downside is weight though at some point i'm sure i'll load more weight on top of it when the Citroen gets used as a van. I'd of liked some better quality ply ideally though it's chuffing expensive these days. 

Don't they know it grows on trees. 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Rustybullethole

[Sunny Jim]

@Rustybullethole the only thing with using a "solid" sheet of ply for a bed base is that it doesn't allow your mattress to "breathe" and it can end up damp/going mouldy. Might be worth putting some holes in it with a hole saw - will make it lighter too.

[Rustybullethole]

47 minutes ago, Sunny Jim said:

@Rustybullethole the only thing with using a "solid" sheet of ply for a bed base is that it doesn't allow your mattress to "breathe" and it can end up damp/going mouldy. Might be worth putting some holes in it with a hole saw - will make it lighter too.

Indeed and that it shall. Funnily enough my caravan seat bed decks have no holes in them. The caravan ones get damp though no mould. They are vented slightly by having a lift up panel though have been meaning to add more air flow.  

The bed in the Berlingo will get the same lift up panels and some holes added too.

[wuvvum]

Got a message from the accident repair place today saying the Ampera has been inspected and they are awaiting authority to proceed with repairs.  So presumably that means it's not a write-off, unless that's a pattern text they send out to everyone...

[Split_Pin]

More BMW fun in the scheißhoosen that is my garage.

I am hoping that the code for the o2 sensor might be a bit of a red herring as I also got one for the throttle position sensor. On a normal* car, accessing and removing the throttle body is easy. Not so on an M54.

The TB is buried under the air intake paraphernalia, the DISA valve, the idle control valve (twat), some loom and it sits on the side of the inlet.  It's an absolute hoor to remove, especially the hose clamp that attaches the last bit of intake to the TB (cunt). It's so tight that the worm drive can only sit at one position and it's hell to get to.

Anyway, got it all off and cleaned up the TB.

As you can see before cleaning it wasn't too bad so I reckon it might be the o2 sensor after all. Oh well, free fixes must be tried first.

Disa valve also looked decent.

Someone's been in before me and snapped a 10 mil that holds the idle control valve on but I don't think it matters as it's still secure.