The new news 24 thread

[dollywobbler]

I need a serious magazine purge myself. I've still got loads I got from you some years ago Trig!

[The Moog]

Noticed today that mk1 focus battery voltage was going up to 15v. This isn't good right?

 

Any ideas of what it might be? Voltage regulator?

[wuvvum]

I put the bikes away for the winter today - they're in the back of the van for now, but the Spacy will be getting shoehorned into the garage at some point.  The Hyosung will be staying in the van.  I had been intending to do it last weekend, but didn't get around to it - glad I didn't, as it was 18 degrees and bright sunshine this morning so I got to take the Hyosung for a final ride to clear off the cobwebs (both literally and figuratively).

 

Had another non-sale on the Master van today.  The chap actually turned up, which is an improvement on most of them, but he decided the van wasn't tidy enough for what he wanted (he's a subcontractor for a large firm and would be using it as a work van).  I thought the condition was obvious from the pictures, but I'm not sure he'd looked at them as he seemed surprised that there was sign writing still on the van.  Oh well.

[philibusmo]

I have snapped the plastic handle off the freezer door. 3/4 of an hour bodge later. jobs a goodun.014 - Copy.JPG

Ford DOHC headbolt.016.JPG

Good to see that the fridge and the freezer have matching handles now. Who'd have though that the Sierra I sold over 3 years ago would still be providing useful spare parts for domestic appliances?

[fred]

I fear I may be going to hell, as some kids knocked my door last night doing ''trick or treat''  in my boxers n vest opened door and they ran off screaming Ummmm......

[Richard]

Noticed today that mk1 focus battery voltage was going up to 15v. This isn't good right?

 

Any ideas of what it might be? Voltage regulator?

 

I think it pretty much has to be, possibly diodes too. Are the headlights steady?

 

This seller on eBay has quite a lot of useful videos on testing and repairing alternators http://stores.ebay.co.uk/goldlion-autoelectrics, although for something as common as a Focus it might be simpler to just pick one up at a scrapyard.

[twosmoke300]

Ford focui of that era have smart charging and go over 15v quite often . As long as it's got the correct calcium battery and charge light is behaving all will be ok . Usually ! 😄

[Richard]

Would that be why my work Transit goes through bulbs like they're going out of fashion?

[twosmoke300]

Possibly but most cars with smart charge don't eat bulbs

[Richard]

Five last week. Not being able to turn the lights off doesn't help.

[plasticvandan]

 

It pisses oil out the front,the elastic band is worn out,the brakes are dire and it gives me a headache

[beko1987]

Im so bored ! When the washing machine is finished im gonna give the meriva a wash I think!

[MarvinsMom]

2007-07-16 02.20.17.jpg

 

It pisses oil out the front,the elastic band is worn out,the brakes are dire and it gives me a headache

but other than that, you love it?

[derskine]

I think I'm getting a Volvo 360 saloon tonight.

Which is great because the 18's MOT is out on the 1st December and it needs some welding.

I didn't quite fancy driving an Imp, a Cortina or a stripped out Volvo 340 all winter.

[The Moog]

Ford focui of that era have smart charging and go over 15v quite often . As long as it's got the correct calcium battery and charge light is behaving all will be ok . Usually !

 

 

Cheers

 

Will need to check the battery type. Charge light isnt on and today it was ok and around mid 14's. Lights seem fine as well.

[Slappy]

EML popped on for the 1st time on my Fiesta in about 20k yesterday whilst doing about 50. Not sure what that's all about, but did notice this morning that even after driving about 25 minutes the digital water temp gauge was flicking between below half and half. Will plug in code reader later, but thermostat goosed?

 

It's also been trying to stall as I'm coming to a stop fairly swiftly when coldish. At first I thought it was an oil starvation issue as it had run a little low, but I've topped that up now, and it's doing it again. Don't get an oil light come up, but that's reluctant in any case. Batt light does pop on though in a normal pre-stall way. Could be possibly something electrical too perhaps?

[bub2006]

I fear I may be going to hell, as some kids knocked my door last night doing ''trick or treat'' in my boxers n vest opened door and they ran off screaming Ummmm......

It may not be hell ypu are going to but it's possible ypu could expect a visit. Did make me laugh reading that though

[anonymous user]

Fred, is that a variation of Groucho Marx "I opened the door in my dressing gown, it's a strange place to have a door"

[anonymous user]

Im so bored ! When the washing machine is finished im gonna give the meriva a wash I think!

Must be a bloody big washing machine to fit a Meriva in it

[anonymous user]

Slappy, is your battery on its way out?

[doobietoo]

EML popped on for the 1st time on my Fiesta in about 20k yesterday whilst doing about 50. Not sure what that's all about, but did notice this morning that even after driving about 25 minutes the digital water temp gauge was flicking between below half and half. Will plug in code reader later, but thermostat goosed?

 

It's also been trying to stall as I'm coming to a stop fairly swiftly when coldish. At first I thought it was an oil starvation issue as it had run a little low, but I've topped that up now, and it's doing it again. Don't get an oil light come up, but that's reluctant in any case. Batt light does pop on though in a normal pre-stall way. Could be possibly something electrical too perhaps?

I would check the coolant sensor first

[320touring]

the Octavia was shaking like a dug shittin razorblades this morning..

 

much reading of ecu later there is nowt to report..

gave it a wee turn up;)

[beko1987]

Cars washed! Made the most of the empty car park being during working hours, and the nice warm but not sunny weather

 

First up the Meriva

 

 

 

Grease from me pulling myself up from underneath whilst doing the cambelt in the summer...

 

 

 

I cant remember when I last washed it, I know Amy took it through a car wash at the beginning of summer. Didnt go over the top, just a good pressure wash down, wheels and tyres scrubbed, snowfoam, tightwork, rinse, wash and rinse. Not even a dry.

 

I then swapped them over

 

 

 

 

 

 

Same process as the Meriva, just a bit quicker as I missed a few bits on the boot. Meh, within 2 weeks of being back at work it'll be minging again, being thrown up and down the m40 does that.

 

They look much better

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Much better! The meriva came up better as it's been clayed, polished and waxed alot, the zx never. Next year I'll scrape a bit of money together, buy some clay, nice polish and a spare weekend and go to town on it, it really needs it! The meriva still sheeted the water off though despite it being a good 8-9 months since I last polished and waxed it, and it going through a carwash since. I like nattys blue, it's certainly hard stuff! ZX was last washed the weekend before shitefest 15...

Not this year though, they can both get bogging over winter now, unless I get bored again.

[320touring]

the Octavia was shaking like a dug shittin razorblades this morning..

 

much reading of ecu later there is nowt to report..

gave it a wee turn up;)

Had to turn it back down again!

 

Had bumped the fuel pump voltages up- was too sharp for day to day stuff.

 

will give that map a run out at Crail:)

[tooSavvy]

 

It pisses oil out the front,the elastic band is worn out,the brakes are dire and it gives me a headache

 

Ha... serves you right for getting a FORD.

 

I'd av ad the DAF.....

 

 

TS

[vulgalour]

Hmm... looks like the Xantia is dragging a Proton back home this weekend.  Shame I can't go with, sounds like it's going to be a fun adventure for Chompy and the Onion Bus.

[Lord Sterling]

Help please!

 

Sterling has seemingly developed a fault on the way home this evening. It's an auto and it sometimes seemed reluctant to move in 2nd. It did this about 4 times, acting like it's lost drive. It seems to catch it if I move the shifter in 3rd or 2nd. Accompanying that is a whining noise sounding like it's coming from the rear.

 

Tomorrow morning will be interesting as I've got work at 6am.

 

Any ideas what might be causing this? It's a KV6 Sterling with a JATCO autobox. I'm thinking low levels as all the other gears seem to work fine.

[320touring]

Low fluid is a good starting point. Most garages/petrol stations should have a litre of ATF on the shelf- got to be worth a shot?

[dollywobbler]

Today, I did this. Yes. The weather really was that glorious.

VIDEO LINK: ==> http://wp.me/p1jtbd-E9

[Sloth in a bowl]

Help please!

 

Sterling has seemingly developed a fault on the way home this evening. It's an auto and it sometimes seemed reluctant to move in 2nd. It did this about 4 times, acting like it's lost drive. It seems to catch it if I move the shifter in 3rd or 2nd. Accompanying that is a whining noise sounding like it's coming from the rear.

 

Tomorrow morning will be interesting as I've got work at 6am.

 

Any ideas what might be causing this? It's a KV6 Sterling with a JATCO autobox. I'm thinking low levels as all the other gears seem to work fine.

 

A quick bit of google fu and the usual suspects on these boxes are fluid level and solenoid fails.

Given that the box went from fine to bad very quickly, then a solenoid fail is more likely.

They can be replaced with the box still in the car.

 

If it was 3rd and 4th that failed then a cracked reverse piston is the most likely suspect.

 

Try contacting http://www.sussexautos.co.uk/jatco.phpand they will probably know what you need.