The new news 24 thread

[Bear]

I think madness has cut in. Saturday involves doing something probably unwise, definitely unhealthy for the bank balance, and certainly out of any reasonable opinion of my skills as a mechanic.

 

In the meantime, I have to drive to Surrey, to get there for 9am tomorrow, and I'm still up, posting crap, writing content and drinking Mud City Stout. This can only end well*

[Ghosty]

 

A wasp went straight in and died an agonising death.

 

I don't know what it is with wasps this year 

 

Last year I got stung on the leg by a wasp.

 

I was in bed...

[Richard]

I was in bed...

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-28949601

 

It seems that unemployed drunks and immigrants are giving decent British hard-working family wasps a bad name.

[dollywobbler]

I have a full set of rear spheres for the XM. I have a sphere removal tool, penetrating oil and a big hammer. However, I also HAZ NAKURED, so will not be starting this job immediately. Maybe I'll go and refit wheels to the 2CV instead.

[Tetleysmooth]

Didn't know whether to put this post here or in the grump thread.

 

D'you know, you just get settled with a car, and then something comes along and you think 'I want that mofo'.

 

Damn his eyes for advertising this:

 

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/181394/volvo-c70-coupe-auto-leicester

 

Get thee behind me Satan.

 

Remember this?

Turns out the ETM is bolloxed.

My V70 is staying right where it is.

[danthecapriman]

Transit just passed it's MOT! Not that I was worried at all!

 

 

The guys in the garage said it's like new underneath. They said it puts Transits only a few years old to shame. Always good to hear.

I've not used it for a few months but it fired straight up, ran and drove perfectly on the way down to the garage.

 

I need to bin the nasty modern number plate too. A new pressed metal one to match the original rear one will look much better.

[xtriple]

I polished my car yesterday. As I have had it one whole year, I thought it was due... Today I intend to wax it (having found my Autoglym stuff in storage) but the weather is not being helpful.

 

I really am most fucked though as what once took me an hour if being careful (rare) took me all afternoon and into the early evening and had several comedy moments with me doing an impression of a turtle while rolling around on the floor trying to get up. I devised a 'brilliant' plan for polishing the roof while staying upright: I propped my walking stick under my bollox to hold me up!

[danthecapriman]

Transit just passed it's MOT! Not that I was worried at all!

The guys in the garage said it's like new underneath. They said it puts Transits only a few years old to shame. Always good to hear.

I've not used it for a few months but it fired straight up, ran and drove perfectly on the way down to the garage.

I need to bin the nasty modern number plate too. A new pressed metal one to match the original rear one will look much better.

Just had a look at the emissions test result print out (I don't usually bother!)

 

Co% must be less than 4.500%. Actual test result = 0.31%.

HC must be less than 1200ppm. Actual test result = 156ppm.

 

It's running pretty clean according to that!?

Not bad for a 31 year old Pinto engine still running a notoriously shit Ford VV carb!

[Bear]

Didn't get to go down south. The E320's gearbox made a funny* noise and I limped it back from the A14.

 

Still waiting for my bag of Mercedes bits, which includes the new connector for the gearbox plug. I really hope it isn't anything serious.

 

* actually not remotely funny. Sounded like spinning the wheels in a Metro with a knackered engine mount, then it went into limp home mode with "Improbable gear selection" fault code. I am guessing I just don't normally notice the gearbox noise in second because it's never in second long enough to hear.

[twosmoke300]

A little lean if anything , id imagine 1.5 ish co is about right for that . Mind you if it runs right id leave well alone

[danthecapriman]

A little lean if anything , id imagine 1.5 ish co is about right for that . Mind you if it runs right id leave well alone

I would of expected it to be a bit higher than it is, but it seems happy enough as it is? I don't really want to adjust it. I've not had good experiences messing around with old VV's, they're crap!

Every other VV equipped car I've had I've swiftly binned it and stuck a Weber of some form on instead and had no trouble. Maybe I'll get one for this at some point.

[dollywobbler]

Changing the rear spheres on the XM proved very easy. Almost. Sadly, I cannot get the centre rear one to shift. It looks like it has been living in the sea, so I suspect it has been there for a long, long time. Especially as it seems to have a valve on it for regassing. Don't do it kids. 

 

Access is an utter pig, due to the spare wheel undertray (it is seized in place, nice to know) and exhaust (bit ropey, don't really want to remove it unless I really have to). I guess it's chisel-and-hope time if I can get enough access. 

 

Just like turbo diesel BXs, the pressure regulator, which you need to undo to depressurise the system, is a sod to get at from the engine bay too. Lovely if you've got a four-post lift. Less good on a driveway. Sodding thing.

[beko1987]

I just about got the knack of doing the regulator with the car slammed down on low after an lhm change...only did it once!

[Noel Tidybeard]

Just had a look at the emissions test result print out (I don't usually bother!)

 

Co% must be less than 4.500%. Actual test result = 0.31%.

HC must be less than 1200ppm. Actual test result = 156ppm.

 

It's running pretty clean according to that!?

Not bad for a 31 year old Pinto engine still running a notoriously shit Ford VV carb!

a mate used to get good results off a 2.0 sierror but that may have been on a weber

[Ghosty]

Changed a borked ABS sensor on the A4. Old Man keeps changing his mind on the next job - but I think it's going to be lowering springs, seeing as the car has factory sport suspension on the front, and standard springs on the rear, giving it hotrod stance. Sport springs aren't available aftermarket and probably NLA from Audi, so we have to by a 40mm lowering kit (more like 10mm on the front though, it says 'less lowering on sport models').

Does anyone happen to know if the rear springs on a B5 A4 are interchangeable between Avant and saloon? We suspect the only difference is load rating but we can't be sure if there'll be any ill-effects to ride height, handling etc.

Still looking for a silver breaker A4 if anyone knows of one.

[dollywobbler]

I may have failed to change the centre sphere, but went for a quick drive and it's SOOOOO much smoother! Still not CX-like, but it has regained some of its float. Majestic.

[vulgalour]

We left Chompy at the unit with a hacksaw.  Let's hope whatever he's planning goes better than last time.

[Ghosty]

Just ordered lowering springs for the A4.

 

I think I'm on the wrong forum.

[Bear]

Nah. I'm fairly sure you can't get any lower than an A4.

[derskine]

Just ordered lowering springs for the A4.

 

I think I'm on the wrong forum.

 

I have them on all my cars...

[fred]

Got a appointment tomorrow for a Bronicsalendoscopy or summat termed like that basically a camera down the throat to see how my tubes and lungs are going.

I am silently shitting myself as the procedure as I have been told is terrifying ........should be in bed now, but sleep aint gonna happen tonight

[xtriple]

Having polished the car yesterday I really wanted to wax it before it got rained on. It rained this morning.... However, it dried absolutely perfectly without a water spot to be seen so I went and waxed it tonight. Cor! It don't half feel nice and smooth and it's all shiny and stuff.

 

I however, am utterly wrecked and walking the dogs round the block after that was the longest walk of my life! I also have a groove in my ball sack from the walking stick being propped there to hold me up.

 

TMI? Just thought I'd share....  

[Volksy]

Taking the Jag of much Beige for an MOT today.....

 

PWACE BETS PWEESE!

[320touring]

Taking the Jag of much Beige for an MOT today.....

 

PWACE BETS PWEESE!

Pass nae advisories

[tooSavvy]

Taking the Jag of much Beige for an MOT today.....

 

PWACE BETS PWEESE!

My 57 Savv got MOT last Wed. Advisory rusty front steel brake pipes.

 

Look like raffia twine... ... Waxoyl time!

 

 

TS

[Keymaster]

Just took delivery of a 100w flexible solar panel kit to fit onto the camper.

 

Looks like it will be a piece of piss to install, so it is sure to prove a right old faff!

[skattrd]

Good luck Volksy.

I'll guess small patch of welding and front to back brake pipe.

[dollywobbler]

A local friend offered me a pallet. They're useful things. I reckoned it wouldn't fit in the Nippa (though the Nippa might fit on the pallet). The XM had no bother.

[Bren]

Fitted a new top hose to the SD1 along with clips (as recommended on autoshite) along with a brass filler plug to the rad.

 

I had the urge to put my hand inside the heater plenum - I found what I can only describe as a miniature nature trail which was swiftly despatched via the dyson.

 

I rang the painter I use regarding a price for painting the car - told me to ring back next week with a view tohim coming to see it - told him I want presentable not Pebble Beach concours. Whether he does or not remains to be seen - a lot of bodyshops seem to only want to do smart repairs.

[phil_lihp]

A local friend offered me a pallet. They're useful things. I reckoned it wouldn't fit in the Nippa (though the Nippa might fit on the pallet). The XM had no bother.

 

 

You can make a good coffee table out of one.

 

Random fact of the day.  You're welcome.