The new news 24 thread

[cobblers]

I presume to stop tree branches putting the glass through

[Inspector Morose]

Tree defender. Branches will hit that instead of the screen and be pushed away. Or in one operators case the tree defender will be hit hard enough to bend it around into the screen!

Waiving a large heavy pice of laminated glass up in the air whilst easing it into position on your own is not an enjoyable job. Worse with single piece screens (like the one with the bent tree defender above). Bloody heavy and pretty expensive if you break them.

[hairnet]

for some reason theres a london bus the same reg as that parked in west penine in manchester

[Pillock]

Trent just used to fit plastic windows, presumably to save money on tree defenders. The noise as the driver pretty much aimed for the largest branches was deafening.

[HillmanImp]

Well the Shaguar has moved to Castle Volksy and there is a new kid a Imp Towers:

 

 

First impressions? Er......mixed.

 

Driven it up from Sheffield tonight. Its an Activa (not Danone, Muller, Actimel, Ski etc) 2.0 Turdo and is amazing wanging itself round corners and propelled me at quite some speed up the M1, so much so that I was thinking I was tootling along at the speed limit but was happily cruising in 3 figures without noticing.

 

However, the clutch is going on it and I think there might be a problem with the O/S rear suspension as it doesn't feel as solid turning left at high speed and seems to move up and down a bit every now and then when you pull up. The clutch is not a worry but the suspension is. My degree was not in Xantia Activa suspensions and even if it was, I only got a 2:2 so would be out of my depth anyhow.

 

However this car was cheap. So cheap I could even forgive the smell inside it. Other things wrong are that it seems to have a warped brake disc, the airbag light is on (and sometimes flashing), there is no history, the wheels need balancing, the girl I bought it off was a pikey, the blower keeps cutting out when you put it on full power, there was no V5, here appears to be a bullet sized hole in the rear wing and the interior really smells. I know I already said that it smells but its so bad I think its worth mentioning twice.

 

But it really was quite good on the corners. Not had a cornering challenge with any other cars yet so have not been able to compare it, each time I look behind the car I was trying to race seems to have turned off or something? It really does feel good. Will have to keep driving up roads with right hand turns trying to make boy racers look stupid.

 

Now, this thing can only appreciate in value from what I paid for it, although there is that much wrong with it I will probably pay 4x what the appreciation will be. If I can sort the suspension, I need to start enquiring about how much it would be to replace the John Wayne engine (as its done 184k) with a V6 instead so that I can live the dream. 

 

More photos to follow.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Great film that 'Ex machina', I loved it

[dollywobbler]

I really do need to try an Activa. Preferably one already converted to V6 power. Sounds an exceedingly dodgy buy so well done.

[stuboy]

changed plug on the yawwwwnwrist of my mates... nowt wrong with old ones..lol

and whilst i did this he fiddled with his nuts

[stuboy]

oh and pollen filter... london germs breeding

[EssDeeWon]

Back home for Easter. Drove the A35 down to Kent, swapped it with the Somerset in the lockup and brought the A40 home.

 

Today I decided to have another look at the leaking rocker cover gasket on the Victor. It had been sitting alongside the Maestro on the front garden, for a week since Wuvvum came around and drove both of them. Tried to start it, flat battery. No problem, fetch jump leads, jump it off the Maestro. But of course, the Maestro wouldn't start either. This time it was the notorious autochoke, after a lot of trying it started but ran really slowly like the choke wasn't doing anything.

So now I've got the Victor battery on charge, while I attempt to find some replacement unleaded proof o-rings for the stepper motor on the Maestro carb. It's probably going to be those, it's been getting worse for a while and was pretty awful when I started and attempted to warm it up when Wuvvum was here!

 

I've also booked the MoT on the Victor for Monday, and booked it into a garage to have the clonking universal joint replaced. The garage is only a mile from my house, and although I've never used them before, the inside and outside were full of old motors so that bodes well.

 

So for the time being, the Somerset is my only fully working car, although that's not such a bad thing. I love driving it!

 

Is that the garage over Star Lane? I had a look over there last weekend, a few old motors including a tahiti blue MGB out the front? J&N's Motor services IIRC.

 

The Rover is going into British Legends near the airport next week, fair amount of tat parked up over there, including a Maestro in full racing livery.

[dollywobbler]

Hmmm. Just checked the XM over and the cooling fan relay IS in place. So there must be another reason why the cooling fans aren't working. Arse.

[Jerzy Woking]

I purchased 3 new tyres for my Mercedes.

 

My fault as when I bought the car I saw the tyres had good tread but didn't really check the sidewalls of the tyres.

 

On Sunday I had a puncture and the (now) obviously perished side wall failed. And only then I remembered the wheel nut wrench was in the box of bits in the garage. So whilst waiting for the RAC I had a closer inspection the other front tyre and also the spare-both were perishing to some extent or the other. The rears were fine.

 

Mental note made-check sidewalls properly, not just check the tread!

[HillmanImp]

Hmmm, this isn't good. I can't seem to get insured on the Xantia. Did it easily enough on dayinsure yesterday but every quote I have done this morning is coming in over £700. This is with a clean licence, no accidents, 9 yrs NCB and age 38. WTF is going on?

 

Never had to worry about insurance before, its always been about £300 on every car I have ever owned so did not bother checking beforehand.

[HillmanImp]

Hmmm. Just checked the XM over and the cooling fan relay IS in place. So there must be another reason why the cooling fans aren't working. Arse.

 

Switch?

[phil_lihp]

You in Bideford DW? I have rudimentary tools available if you need anything. I think today will be oil change day for the Escort, it's a gorgeous morning to be outside.

[oldcars]

Don't watch  much tv but had Motors on last night, some rally on with an old Manta. some MK2 escorts, a Hillman Avenger and a mazda thing, was great fun to watch.

[dollywobbler]

I am Phil but have things to attend to today. I reckon I'll safely get back with the heater blower trick. Starting to wish I had the sunroof switch with me though (at home, along with the headlining and interior lights).

[Richard]

Hmmm, this isn't good. I can't seem to get insured on the Xantia. Did it easily enough on dayinsure yesterday but every quote I have done this morning is coming in over £700. This is with a clean licence, no accidents, 9 yrs NCB and age 38. WTF is going on?

 

Never had to worry about insurance before, its always been about £300 on every car I have ever owned so did not bother checking beforehand.

 

Is it because of Mrs Imp's accident?

[ruffgeezer]

Take the relay out and check the pins/plugs aren't green inside, that's quite common.

[bub2006]

Maybe news maybe not but couldn't think where to put it. A white g plate bx is parked on drive just down from work. A tiny for sale sign on dashboard. Is it wrong to be tempted? I'm hoping it's an auto but I doubt it. May go look later. What's going rate for one now? Anything to look for and avoid?

[stuboy]

Maybe news maybe not but couldn't think where to put it. A white g plate bx is parked on drive just down from work. A tiny for sale sign on dashboard. Is it wrong to be tempted? I'm hoping it's an auto but I doubt it. May go look later. What's going rate for one now? Anything to look for and avoid?

tiny sign... but u want it

[Skizzer]

April's Craptical Classics has a BX buyer's guide if you can still find a copy.  Rot highlights are the rear arches/door shuts, front inner wings where they meet the wheel housing, under the airbox, windscreen surround, boot floor and the A-post which leads to shonky door hinges.  Estate bits of estates are more rust-prone.  Sunroof drain holes get blocked leading to damp interior.  Engines and gearboxes are pretty robust (see the bulletproof engines thread for opinions on XUD).  Any suspension issues should be relatively fixable.

 

Going rate = cheap as chips.  There's a  G-reg 19RD (non-turbo dizzler) with MOT until October for £400 here.

 

Do it.

[bub2006]

It's been there years,used daily till recently. A newish car is on drive at side of it now and I'm sure it said for sale. Will go look closer later I think

[HillmanImp]

Is it because of Mrs Imp's accident?

Had deliberately left her off. Was just me on there. Have had to come out now to look at cars with Mrs Imp. I am not getting involved in this as my car buying mojo is at rock bottom.

[EssDeeWon]

Hmmm, this isn't good. I can't seem to get insured on the Xantia. Did it easily enough on dayinsure yesterday but every quote I have done this morning is coming in over £700. This is with a clean licence, no accidents, 9 yrs NCB and age 38. WTF is going on?

 

Never had to worry about insurance before, its always been about £300 on every car I have ever owned so did not bother checking beforehand.

 

Have you tried all the comparison sites? I know you'd think they all search the same insurers for the same prices but apparently not. Prices can vary between Moneysupermarket, Go Compare and Compare the Market etc etc..

 

Sureterm can be cheap for cars 10+ years old, just don't cancel the policy with them at any time, they'll want half your life savings within 14 days!!

[myglaren]

Well the Shaguar has moved to Castle Volksy and there is a new kid a Imp Towers:

 

 

First impressions? Er......mixed.

 

Driven it up from Sheffield tonight. Its an Activa (not Danone, Muller, Actimel, Ski etc) 2.0 Turdo and is amazing wanging itself round corners and propelled me at quite some speed up the M1, so much so that I was thinking I was tootling along at the speed limit but was happily cruising in 3 figures without noticing.

 

However, the clutch is going on it and I think there might be a problem with the O/S rear suspension as it doesn't feel as solid turning left at high speed and seems to move up and down a bit every now and then when you pull up. The clutch is not a worry but the suspension is. My degree was not in Xantia Activa suspensions and even if it was, I only got a 2:2 so would be out of my depth anyhow.

 

However this car was cheap. So cheap I could even forgive the smell inside it. Other things wrong are that it seems to have a warped brake disc, the airbag light is on (and sometimes flashing), there is no history, the wheels need balancing, the girl I bought it off was a pikey, the blower keeps cutting out when you put it on full power, there was no V5, here appears to be a bullet sized hole in the rear wing and the interior really smells. I know I already said that it smells but its so bad I think its worth mentioning twice.

 

But it really was quite good on the corners. Not had a cornering challenge with any other cars yet so have not been able to compare it, each time I look behind the car I was trying to race seems to have turned off or something? It really does feel good. Will have to keep driving up roads with right hand turns trying to make boy racers look stupid.

 

Now, this thing can only appreciate in value from what I paid for it, although there is that much wrong with it I will probably pay 4x what the appreciation will be. If I can sort the suspension, I need to start enquiring about how much it would be to replace the John Wayne engine (as its done 184k) with a V6 instead so that I can live the dream. 

 

More photos to follow.

Hope that all goes well - they can be a bit of a headache at times.

One of the best cars I have driven, incredible how they stick to the roads - have you seen the "Moose Test" on YouTube"?

 

There is a dedicated Activa section on the French Car Forum and there are a couple of V6 conversions on the go at the minute.

[phil_lihp]

Since the sun was shining I cracked on with getting a quick oil and filter change done on the Escort.  Assume the position...

 

 

Considering it had barely done any miles since the last change in January last year, the oil was filthy so a big glug of Castrol GTX made it all better.

 

With that done, I turned my attention to the loud exhaust.  The whole system is quite new apart from the manifold, where the noise seems to be coming from.  I unbolted the heatshield and voila, just what I was expecting.

 

 

Dirty great crack right down the middle.  Another item for the shopping list!  I'm hoping I can get away with a used one as long as I can find one in good condition.

 

I was intending to do the timing belt but didn't get time so will have a crack at that another day.  

[Skoze]

Just met someone to talk land rovers for a mag feature. Expected it to be a middle aged man, not an utterly gorgeous Hungarian girl. 

 

Asked her about these, thinking it'd be a couple a summer or something - 'no, that was all in one go. I just went for a drive, me and my dog' 

 

Absolutely besotted. New hero.  

[michael1703]

Just met someone to talk land rovers for a mag feature. Expected it to be a middle aged man, not an utterly gorgeous Hungarian girl.

 

Pics please

[richardmorris]

Damp curry smell inside the xantia? Check the heater matrix.