The new news 24 thread

[wuvvum]

My guess is that the torque converter is knackered, but that is a guess based on knowing that part of an automatic gearbox is a torque converter.

That was my thought as well, but it only makes the noise in forward gears, it doesn't do it in reverse - surely if it were the torque converter the noise would be present in reverse as well?

 

Anyway, bit of a mixed day today. I fitted the carb off Spacy 3 to Spacy 1 - it had been my intention to strip the carb and make sure all jets were clear / float was set properly etc., but the Philips screws that hold the carb together decided that after 30 years of holding it together they weren't about to stop, so I shoved it on the bike as it is - the bits I could see through the throttle and choke openings looked clean enough anyway. I then took the plug out to check its condition - it's brand new, doesn't look like it's ever fired in anger. In fact initially it wasn't firing at all, but a wire brush to the rather corroded terminals on the coil soon produced a spark, albeit not a particularly impressive one.

 

It still didn't seem interested in starting, and a bit of further investigation found that no fuel was getting to the carb. So I pulled the fuel line off the tap thing on the bottom of the tank, and managed to snap off part of the tap as well. Old Japanese alloy is wonderful stuff. I had to go into Norwich anyway, so I stopped off at the garage and took the (half full) tank off Spacy 2. Quite an easy job as it's just held in with four 10mm bolts which all undid easily, despite looking rusty as feck. Unfortunately once I'd drained the tank into a handy jerry can, it quickly became apparent that the bottom of the tank is covered in muck and rust, so although fuel was getting out of the tap it probably wouldn't do so for very long without getting terminally clogged up. And looking at the state of the tap itself there was little chance of separating it from the tank without something snapping. So I took the tank out of Spacy 3 - this was actually in better condition than either of the first two, and apart from the small amount of petrol in the bottom that smelled like it had been in there since the bike was new, it looked pretty clean. So at some point in the week I'm going to fit this to Spacy 1 and see what happens.

 

I also treated the Rover of Doom to an oil and filter change this afternoon - 5 litres of Asda's finest own-brand 10W40 semi-synth, which the previous owner of the BMW had thoughtfully left in the boot for me. It was actually quite an easy job to do - drain plug came undone easily and the oil filter was easy to get to, although it did take a bit of persuasion with my big f**k-off adjustable pliers to come undone. I have no idea when the oil was last changed, but I've done 8,000 miles in the car since I bought it so I thought it wouldn't hurt.

 

I've actually driven every car in the fleet this weekend - albeit the Volvo was only driven a few feet backwards to improve access to the side door of the garage so as to facilitate moving Spacys in and out. I pulled the Renault 6 out of the garage this afternoon for the first time since the autumn, and it doesn't appear to have gone noticeably downhill over the winter - one advantage of it being fairly dry I suppose. I also borrowed the battery off the BMW and took the 156 for a quick blast round the block - probably for the last time as it's going off for scrap in the near future.

 

The Jeep is still being a PITA with the handbrake binding on, and the Solara won't idle, or indeed run on a light throttle - I suspect a loose or blocked jet in the carb - so those are the first two jobs for next weekend...

[MrDuke]

Four different makes, mind...

 

I've only ever owned one car which had more than 2 matching tyres. It's the shite way, a full set would be letting the side down.

[eddyramrod]

Would it? Oh dear. The Granada has five matching Delta whitewalls, which I bought brand new specially for it....

[MrDuke]

Well, best just put that down to experience and move on...

[alf892]

On Saturday I put a new clutch in a friend's modern (k12 micra) as they had no cash to pay a garage to do it. Not a bad job although dropping driveshafts was a pia due to being seized solid. Just bolting new clutch on and noticed masive end float on crank (measure with ruler job). Crank kanackered at 55,000 miles!? Is this a result of renault's leadership?

[skattrd]

Bollocks - Mitsubishi died on the M62 this morning. It started to overheat in the middle of the roadworks near Leeds, I tried to nurse it to somewhere I could get out of the way (metal barrier blocking off hard shoulder) I didn't make it, the car died. Head gasket definitely gone, god knows what else in the engine has. I've been recovered home and now unsure what to do about chumley next w/end

The car is at the garage awaiting head removal to see what it needs

[scaryoldcortina]

On Saturday I put a new clutch in a friend's modern (k12 micra) as they had no cash to pay a garage to do it. Not a bad job although dropping driveshafts was a pia due to being seized solid. Just bolting new clutch on and noticed masive end float on crank (measure with ruler job). Crank kanackered at 55,000 miles!? Is this a result of renault's leadership?

 

Crank float or loose flywheel?

[Cavcraft]

Bollocks - Mitsubishi died on the M62 this morning. It started to overheat in the middle of the roadworks near Leeds, I tried to nurse it to somewhere I could get out of the way (metal barrier blocking off hard shoulder) I didn't make it, the car died. Head gasket definitely gone, god knows what else in the engine has. I've been recovered home and now unsure what to do about chumley next w/end

The car is at the garage awaiting head removal to see what it needs

 

The Autoshite way would be to lob some K-seal in it, blank off rear view mirrors and turn up the stereo.

[outlaw118]

Escort passed Mot this morning, well, it should do, it's done 8 miles since the last one....now I need to sell it before I change my mind....

[alf892]

On Saturday I put a new clutch in a friend's modern (k12 micra) as they had no cash to pay a garage to do it. Not a bad job although dropping driveshafts was a pia due to being seized solid. Just bolting new clutch on and noticed masive end float on crank (measure with ruler job). Crank kanackered at 55,000 miles!? Is this a result of renault's leadership?

 

Crank float or loose flywheel?

 

 

Definitely end float. Just over 1/8". I got as far as ringing the engineering place I use and found you can't even get the crank metal sprayed due to material used.

[Albert Ross]

Bollocks - Mitsubishi died on the M62 this morning. It started to overheat in the middle of the roadworks near Leeds, I tried to nurse it to somewhere I could get out of the way (metal barrier blocking off hard shoulder) I didn't make it, the car died. Head gasket definitely gone, god knows what else in the engine has. I've been recovered home and now unsure what to do about chumley next w/end

The car is at the garage awaiting head removal to see what it needs

 

 

Garage??? You must be rich.

[skattrd]

Bollocks - Mitsubishi died on the M62 this morning. It started to overheat in the middle of the roadworks near Leeds, I tried to nurse it to somewhere I could get out of the way (metal barrier blocking off hard shoulder) I didn't make it, the car died. Head gasket definitely gone, god knows what else in the engine has. I've been recovered home and now unsure what to do about chumley next w/end

The car is at the garage awaiting head removal to see what it needs

 

 

Garage??? You must be rich.

 

The garage is run by my brother-in-law, so family discount etc.

I must get some pics of the garage next time I'm up there. It's rather old school and does have a bit of shite lying about, abandoned MGB, Wolsey, Morris Minor, Fiat Pandas. At least 3 Land Rovers in various states of repair/dismantle.

[eddyramrod]

Yes, you definitely need to get some pics!

[dollywobbler]

My old BX is coming home. Here's what she looked like three years ago.

 

Looks like Shiply will be getting my business. Quite amazed that people are prepared to receive as little as £200 to transport it 300 miles from the arse end of Kent to a random spot on the west coast of Wales. That'll be a long day! So, looks like I've double my knackered BX diesel count then...

 

Plan is to get the stripey one back in working order and consider taking the Mk1 off the road until I can banish some of its bigger gremlins. It currently has a knackered alternator, iffy hydraulics and was making some rather alarming clonking noises from the front end at the weekend. Not convinced it was just the usual ARB drop links, but I'll give it a thorough going over. Much easier to do if I've got another BX estate for doing the everyday chores!

 

Not sure what the long term plan is with the Mk2. Doesn't really make sense to keep it. Will ponder whether to tart up for sale or consider breaking it for spares.

[Cavcraft]

Who's got the stripey one now Ian?

[dollywobbler]

A friend of mine. He bought it in March last year and has done about 30,000 miles in it. Apart from one suspension unit leak, a failed alternator and now the wheel bearing, it's been entirely reliable. Hasn't been serviced once so I'll get that rectified.

[MrDuke]

Looks like Shiply will be getting my business. Quite amazed that people are prepared to receive as little as £200 to transport it 300 miles from the arse end of Kent to a random spot on the west coast of Wales.

 

I imagine they'll be going in that general direction anyway, just swinging off-route for a couple of hours; if they only make an extra £20 it's better than nowt. I often see transporters going into Holyhead carrying gleaming nearly-new Mercs or Audis, with a solitary Bluebird or Montego stuck on the back, always makes me chuckle.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Ensure all possible measures are taken to avoid paying shiplys extortionate fees. If you are cute you can communicate your phone number to the bidder without their automatic fraud preventer thing picking it up.

[Lankytim]

How do you do that? Googling their username sometimes results in them popping up on a web forum somewhere.

[dollywobbler]

I'm taking the Shiply Hit (SHIT) this time. Might as well give them my money at least once! Booked in for some time in the next few weeks once we find something mutually convenient. It's not going to be a big transporter. Sounds like a small set-up so probably beavertail and a trailer.

[cobblers]

Ensure all possible measures are taken to avoid paying shiplys extortionate fees. If you are cute you can communicate your phone number to the bidder without their automatic fraud preventer thing picking it up.

 

 

I did this and the dopey bastards all still took the job through shiply

[dollywobbler]

Ugh. Battled all day to get something work-related done, so decided to 'treat' myself by fitting the new alternator to the BX. What a fuggin' horrible job! Hideous access and then just getting the thing out was horrific. I fear I've dented the lovely new radiator. Can't test it yet as I'm awaiting a new belt. Also one of those jobs that leaves you absolutely oil covered right up to the elbows.

 

Impressively though, it started very nicely - despite not having any charging for 50 miles. Had to fire it up to get the suspension up to allow me to access the alternator from below. I bloody hate jobs that require access from above AND below.

[Craig the Princess]

Applejack Allegro = New MoT

 

 

Turquoise = Total fail and years of bodged repairs including riveted repairs to inner sills and the rear floor pan. I fear the crusher awaits (after it's broken for bits).

 

[Angrydicky]

Congratulations on the MOT pass Craig!

 

Shame about the blue one, but I guess you can't save them all, and the Applejack one will benefit from lots of parts I'm sure.

 

Any pictures of the green one? Series 3 Allegros are my favourite!

[Craig the Princess]

Congratulations on the MOT pass Craig!

 

Shame about the blue one, but I guess you can't save them all, and the Applejack one will benefit from lots of parts I'm sure.

 

Any pictures of the green one? Series 3 Allegros are my favourite!

 

I'll take some tonight once I've picked it up from the garage Dicky

[warren t claim]

Mercedes has now passed another MOT!

 

Bonus Superman Megane in the background!

[Craig the Princess]

Congratulations on the MOT pass Craig!

 

Shame about the blue one, but I guess you can't save them all, and the Applejack one will benefit from lots of parts I'm sure.

 

Any pictures of the green one? Series 3 Allegros are my favourite!

 

You asked for it

Sporty steering wheel and a rev counter upgrade

 

And a bonus shot of a friend's car that is here for a bit

[RedSparrow]

Good news on the MOT. That turquoise Allegro looks great - never seen one that colour before, on the net or in real life.

[cobblers]

A bloke I know who paints cars to varying standards for a living in the single garage round the back of his terraced house has quoted me £450 to do a full hit on my T25 which is absolutely bugger all. I was going to paint it myself, but it would need £200 in materials and I'd have to twist my mates arm to let me do it in his workshop when he's quiet which is hard work.

 

He's done me some real nice work but I'm not sure how lucky I'm feeling.

[Craig the Princess]

Good news on the MOT. That turquoise Allegro looks great - never seen one that colour before, on the net or in real life.

 

It does look good, espically after a T-Cut an polish at the weekend. Shame it needs KruJoe amounts of hero welding repairs.