The new news 24 thread

[scdan4]

Saab fiddling today.

 

It's had a leaky rocker cover since we've had it. Drops oil on the exhaust and is all stinky and hot.

 

 

So as the sun was shining and I had little to do, rocker cover off

 

 

Not too grungy under there. Cams look lovely and good. Timing chain seems good.

 

 

Some lovely saab patent engine death pipe goo though.  I dropped the sump (and changed the breather kit) when I got it and it wasn't too bad in there, maybe it's been done before, but this was lovely rubbery flakey black crap. Ugh.  

 

 

Cleaned*, and some hylermar holding in the lovely new gasket. Old gasket was fucked - flat, hard and brittle. It had been leaking like a sieve all the way round, and as it had no springness left in it, all the fasteners were barely finger tight. New gasket fitted lovely, and is as lush and springy and round as a choice 18yr olds buttocks. Fasteners done up to buggery tight plus half a turn.

 

 

Back together and polished* with an old tin of easy start (which was also used to clean the inside of the rocker cover. It's good at dissolving stuff for the 3 seconds it takes to evapourate off).

 

 

Then to celebrate gearbox oil out, refilled, flushed, drained, refilled.

 

 

Note the oily mark on the (hot) cat made by my (hot) atf covered hand after I jumped when removing the plug from the box as the (hot) atf pissed out everywhere. Both times. This drenching meant few photos. The glove was deployed for attempt 2, but it was prooving too clumsy, so I discarded it and relied on my dexterity* and panther like reactions* alone to cover my hand with (hot) atf and then bang it on the (hot) cat. Remember kids, safety third.

 

And absolute find of the day - whilst nipping round the block on the flush found this lying in the middle of the road

 

 

4ft long decent spirit level, seemingly still in gwo. As I am comtemplating bricking up a doorway this is being taken as a devine sign that D-I-Y is G for Go in dan4 towers.

 

(i don't actually know how to brick up a door. Silicon or Gripfill?)

 

 

 

 

[Richard]

.

 

(i don't actually know how to brick up a door. Silicon or Gripfill?)

 

The previous owners of the house I grew up in just took the handle off and papered over the door.

[cobblers]

The previous owners of the house I grew up in just took the handle off and papered over the door.

 

If you want to be "mister professional" you could nail some hardboard over the door frame and then paper over that. Take the door off and then cut it up to use as a windowsill in the bay window in the front room, filling the holes where the handle, lock and letterbox went with silicon sealant and newspaper. It worked for the bloke who did the extension on my mums place.

[oldcars]

Got a set of these for the 75.

 

http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=27137

 

Really good, they don't look great online but there really heavy and can be cut to fit. Ideal for the winter.

[Bren]

The previous owners of the house I grew up in just took the handle off and papered over the door.

I have seen "professional" buliders brick up a doorway without trimming back the carpet.

 

Bricks on carpet? Yes, and I've seen it.

[Bren]

Warranty that came with the A6 expires on the 10th.

 

Just had the offer of a renewal - but no price. The letter comes lots of warnings of doom about what might happen. I know what will happen - car will fail to proceed and I will have to walk.

 

The money could be put to better use elsewhere methinks.

[Sigmund Fraud]

The money could be put to better use elsewhere methinks.

 

The Autoshite answer to an extended warranty is to buy a second car that you can use when your first car fails to proceed.

 

Then you buy a third car to use when the second car breaks down.

 

Then a fourth car... then a fifth... ad infinitum !

[cort16]

I dropped some large enough hints yesterday that I managed to get the p6 on a ramp this morning to change the gearbox sump gasket. I drained the oil and it was like new, which I guess is a good sign .

I started to remove the bolts and realised none of them were tight! That'll be why it's pissing oil then? I dunno if they've vibrated loose or theyve never been tight. I changed the gasket anyway anyway and put fresh oil in. Seems okay so far.

[wuvvum]

Went to Wymondham classic auction this morning.  Not a vast amount there, but there were a couple of bargains that might have had me sticking my paw up had I registered to bid - including a tatty but running baby-poo brown (Antique Gold?) Allegro 1300 for 150 quid, and a tidy-looking L-plate 827i fastback for 200.

 

My mate picked up a very clean L-plate Corsa B 1.2 Merit for a monkey, to replace his mum's knackered Corsa C.  2 owners and 40K from new and a huge history file -  it should do her for a few years I would imagine.  Lovely and basic inside too, with electric nothing.  He drove it down to hers, which meant I had the pleasure* of driving his 13-plate Corsa 1.3 CDTi.  It was my first go in a Corsa D - I can't say it was a particularly memorable experience, except that I had to go into various menus to operate the heating, and the steering was rather stodgy and slightly sticky around the straight ahead.  And the turning circle was nowhere near as good as the B.  For such a small engine in such a huge car it actually pulled surprisingly well once the turbo kicked in, but was fucking useless off-boost.  Also, giving the lie to the insane mpg figures these modern small diesels claim, the computer remained resolutely stuck on 47.3mpg average.  I don't think I'll be buying one any time soon.

 

(Disclaimer:  said mate only drives such a conveyance as he works as a driving instructor.  He also owns my old MGB and a 1969 Mini Cooper S.)

[Ghosty]

Driving instructor eh? I spotted a BSM-liveried Peugeot 208 the other day, thought to myself 'the fuck? that can't be a good idea'.

Having learned to drive in Corsa Ds (petrol SXIs), I'll concur they're distinctly forgettable and really don't feel that nice quality wise - the 2004 Polo and 2000 Civic 3dr my parents had at the same time both felt distinctly nicer inside.

[RobT]

It's started....

 

 

Pool of pez underneath the RH tank. I was aware it's not working, so just figured I'd use the LH one and forget about it. But out of curiosity yesterday I opened the RH filler cap (why?), so have no doubt caused it to now draw fuel from the LH one or something. So I've taken the drain plug out and left some trays to collect the dribble, and will go out later to see if it's stopped. Fucksticks. If not I'll probably have to drain the other tank to stem the leak, and then ponder what to do next.

[The Moog]

Spent a productive afternoon cleaning the focus.

 

Previously it has lived on a farm and didn't you know it. It stunk and horrible inside.

 

It took 4 pairs of marigolds, 3 washing up bowls with star drops, 6 sponges, 1 vacuum full and 2 rolls of paper towelling.

 

It's not a vulgalour standard by any means but now smells OK and is clean!

 

It rewarded me by starting straight on gas and idling fine. Taking opportunity I went for a quick spin. Halfway up the road it cut out again and back to normal procedures.

 

Will try changing the ICAV tomorrow. Does anyone know if it needs a gasket?

 

[Lord Sterling]

Went to Wymondham classic auction this morning... a tidy-looking L-plate 827i fastback for 200.

 

HOWL!   

[anonymous user]

Spent a productive afternoon cleaning the focus.

 

Previously it has lived on a farm a farm lived in it and didn't you know it. It stunk and horrible inside.

 

 

 

EFA

[phil_lihp]

The 220SLi is back from its holiday in Wales. I celebrated by setting the alarm off.

[barmatt]

Skattrd haz been naughty and bought another Aerodeck shocker....

 

 

 

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[catsinthewelder]

I did some minor tinkering on the Cherry this morning,  replaced the squeeling alternator belt only to find that the radiator cap was now knackered.  It's not going far for the next few days so it can wait until I go to the factors on Monday.  I had an amusing drive in it this afternoon with a mint mk1 Golf GTI on my tail,  wish I could have seen a picture of the pair together.

 

A bit off topic but I need a quick answer,

 

Does anybody want the Autoshite bike for a bit?

 

 

The FPB7 built bicycle rather than his car,  he lent it to me last year and now neither of us have anywhere to keep it. 

 

Lord Sterling has kindly offered it tempory accomodation in either Telford or Bewdley but if anyone wants to use it for a bit then get in touch quickly.  I'm dropping it off with LS tomorrow morning and can make any reasonable diversion with the van

[Bucketeer]

No Cherry pic Rich?

MUCH DISAPPOINT.

[outlaw118]

Spent far too long valeting Mrs' Fester today.

 

She works in Tescos, the sides of the car were covered in the little* marks left when ignorant fucknuggets can't be careful while opening doors. 

 

Consequently my hands are stained with colour magic polish and my back hurts.

 

 

But it's now SHINEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYY

[HMC]

Went off with Essexman_jr for a trip to a cycle trail in North Devon

 

Passed In the eerie morning mist what seems to be a long since abandoned Renault dealers..........

 

 

Closer inspection revealled little, apart from a crumbling structure and broken dreams....

 

To further add to the atmosphere, as I pedalled along through the mist with Essexman-jr in tow...

 

 

I came across an unfamiliar silhouette (AMC Javelin I think?)

 

Although my star spot was on the homeward leg, with a very well used (and very early) R8 from the launch month (oct '89 reg)

(Poundland trims aside) it was brilliant to see it battle scarred and still in daily use....

[Ghosty]

That is indeed an AMX Javelin.

[Bren]

 

Gave the focii a polish. Every panel has a mark, it looks like it has been kept in a garage with too much other crap which have fallen against the car. The n/ s sill has damage consistent with a jack in the wrong place.

 

Used finest morrisons own polish. A few rust spots found, one on the o/s rear arch will need attention, there was an advsory regarding superficial corrosion near to the rear seat belt mountings - I will have to climb underneath before the salt starts being spread.

[RobT]

Essexman, I think that's the R8 I saw when bringing the 220 down to you last year. Loving the Renault garage. 'Renault Diesel - The Right Decision'. They should be sued under the Trade Descriptions Act for that!

[320touring]

I think CX ownership may mean I get frequent flyer miles:)

[Sigmund Fraud]

Essexman, I think that's the R8 I saw when bringing the 220 down to you last year. Loving the Renault garage. 'Renault Diesel - The Right Decision'. They should be sued under the Trade Descriptions Act for that!

 

Well... They say it's the "right decision", but they conveniently don't say for whom... If I ran a Renault garage, I'd want ALL my customers to buy dCi automatics !

[wuvvum]

Skattrd haz been naughty and bought another Aerodeck shocker....

 

 

 

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

He decided to go for it then - no surprise there...  I'll miss seeing it about - it was one of the few remaining interesting motors in Stalham (apart from the Trabant in the next village up and a C-plate Renner Four which I sometimes see at Tescos in the summer months).

[purplebargeken]

Have finally decided on my 3 car bucket list before I get too shit to do anything:

 

In no particular order:

 

Rover 75 2.5 V6 auto tourer in silver, white or light metallic blue.

 

Alfa Romeo 156 - not black.

 

Ford Mondeo - as I have never, ever owned one Now rather unlikely due to robbing insurance twats.

[D Spares & Tyres]

Just get the Alfa. Lovely cars but get a pre 2001 model or they will sting you on the tax

[Fat_Pirate]

I'm replacing the heavily rusted rear upper suspension arms on the Rover this weekend:

 

 

That's the good one, the other side is much worse.  The job would have been completed today had I not pissed the morning away on Elite:Dangerous.  I seem to have great difficulty actually starting a job, but once I've begun I'm fine.  It's the story of my life and I'm well aware of it, but can't seem to do anything about it.

[Pillock]

 

 

Ford Mondeo - as I have never, ever owned one.

Do you like the colour Gold, and do you have a desire to meet Dave Lee Travisdog?