The new news 24 thread

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I got pulled over by the Spanish coppers today and booked for obscuring my back number plate with a mountain bike. They said I had to pay a €100 fine. MUTHAFUCKAZ!!!!! But then after about 20 minutes of fannying about with their unreliable credit card payment machine, they gave up and let me go FOC after chucking the bike inside the van. CA$HBACK!!!!

[beko1987]

I finally topped the battery water up in the meriva every cell was very low, and the whole thing took a litre, is that bad? Went to start it afterwards and it barely fired over, but did catch. Will go out for a drive later with the jump leads in th3 back...

 

Hopefully, am getting a new battery tomorrow though, but the merivas one is being swapped. Amys aunts chopped her 52 zafira in for a £200 a month cashcow, and said we could have the 3 month old battery from the zaffy, and put our one in the zaf as it will probably get cubed.

 

Win (hopefully)

[Asimo]

^^^ Yep that is bad. Poor battery was near enough empty!

 

Check the alternator voltage, if it is too high it will dry the battery out like that.

[wuvvum]

Love the rusty Class 31 in the background.  Somewhere I've got a hopelessly shit Airfix OO gauge model of one of those, which I bought from a toy fair for about a fiver when I was a kid.

[Six-cylinder]

Yes it is Chinnor and Princess Risborough Railway where Mrs Cyl is a volunteer and we collected the water containers today.

 

As a group we could hire the railway for a day on a Saturday for our exclusive use.

 

This was the right up for a Citroen Car Club Visit.

 

Starting off with a freshly prepared light lunch in the railway's dining cars, we'll take a trip down the line to Horsenden Lane in W55023, a 1960 heritage 'bubble car' with twin AEC engines and an all round view of the countryside.

 

On our return, there will be a walking tour of the railway yard and the opportunity to get 'up close and personal' with steam, diesel and electric rolling stock, both in service and under restoration. You will be able to climb inside locomotive cabs and perhaps even walk through the engine bay of Class 31163, a mainline diesel locomotive!

 

For those who have always wanted to have a go at driving a locomotive, the 1953 diesel shunter 'Haversham' (13018/D3018/08011) will be on hand to offer 'Driver for a Fiver' driving turns up and down the platform, between the home signals. £5 in the donation bucket will get you a great 'thrash' up and down the platform, supervised by the C&PRR's friendly traincrew.

 

The fully operational Chinnor Signal Box will be open to take a look around and those feeling strong can have a go at pulling the levers!

 

The Tea Room will remain open for light refreshments and also the Station Shop, offering gifts for adults and children alike, a wide selection of transport books and Bachmann model trains.

 

The railway car park will then provide plenty of space to park up our cars for individual and group photographs, to record the occasion, before we close the day and head home.

 

The Railway has facilities for the less able-bodied and the station platform, WC, dining coaches, W55023 'bubble car' and lower part of the railway yard are all accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs.

[wuvvum]

There's been some movement in the fleet this weekend, and not just the CX.

 

The Yank van sold last night (the chap turned up about 10 minutes after I got home from Oxford), so that's gone - mixed feelings about it really, it was a fun thing and would have been nice to have on the road, but it needed a lot (by my standards) of money spending on it to get it right, plus my insurance wouldn't cover it for SDP use as it's registered as a camper, so I would have needed a separate insurance policy.  That and it really was utterly shit on the sorry excuses for roads that we get around here.

 

Then this morning saw me getting up at the crack of sparrow (for a Sunday), jumping in the Subaru van and heading to Ipswich to meet up with its lucky new owner, Jollyfckr of this parish.  It was a GR8* day to be driving a light, narrow, high-sided vehicle with a tiny wheelbase, and both hands were firmly on the wheel all the way down.  Made it without falling over though, and I'm now the proud owner of a 52-plate Suzuki Swift.  Which I actually like rather more than I expected to.  It's only a 1-litre 3-pot but it goes like the clappers (way quicker than the similarly-engined Perodua), handles nicely and has surprisingly supportive seats.  It's also built in Hungary and, although "modern", is basically a 1983 design, so has some shite credentials.  I was pleased to find that the steering is unassisted - unlike the Mazda 121, this one really doesn't need PAS.

 

Here's a photo ( © Jollyfckr as I didn't get round to taking any before it got dark).

 

 

Docs were exchanged, foibles were pointed out, then I cruised back up the A140 in electric-windowed comfy-seated luxury while Jollyfckr had the fun* task of tackling the A14, A12 and M25 in the wee van in the howling wind, on what was almost certainly the longest single journey the van had ever done in its life...

 

In other news, the Renault Master continues to attract nothing but timewasters and dreamers (although I'm not sure quite who dreams about a rusty 14-year-old Renault van with a noisy gearbox).  I had a bit of a worrying moment when I took the Movano out today, for the first time in several weeks, and the first time I put my foot down it blew a huge cloud of blue smoke out the exhaust.  It soon cleared though, and after a couple of miles was back to putting out its usual little puff of soot when revved.  Don't know if it might have a tired valve stem seal or something that's letting a bit of oil into the engine when it's parked up, but as it doesn't seem to last long hopefully it won't affect the emissions for the MOT.

 

The Vectra is now behaving consistently enough that I decided to brave taking it on the 30-mile round trip to see a mate on Friday.  It's still going into limp mode a few minutes after starting, but when it does so I simply pull over at the first convenient spot and let it idle for 10 minutes or so until it sorts itself out - it then drives fine until I switch it off again.  It's not had the fuel starvation issue recently - if it does rear its ugly head again, I now have a handy primer pump, courtesy of jonathan_dyane of this parish, which fits in between the fuel line from the tank and the filter and has all the proper connectors on it so it's a quick and easy job to fit - I keep it in the car now just in case.  Still don't know what's causing it to go into limp mode though...   

 

The V70 is currently running on the little 063 battery from the Innocenti, and it's managing better on that (in terms of not draining the battery) than on the (supposedly) new 096 that came with it, so I think the 096 must have been pretty fecked.  I'm currently charging up the 075 from the Rover of Doom (which isn't going to need it for a while) - I'll either stick that in the Volvo or nick the 096 from the Vectra for the Volvo and then fit the 075 to the Vectra.  The Volvo will probably be going up for sale soon - I have another large estate now, and if I want to go fast I can take the 200VI.

[wuvvum]

Yes it is Chinnor and Princess Risborough Railway where Mrs Cyl is a volunteer and we collected the water containers today.

 

As a group we could hire the railway for a day on a Saturday for our exclusive use.

 

This was the right up for a Citroen Car Club Visit.

 

Starting off with a freshly prepared light lunch in the railway's dining cars, we'll take a trip down the line to Horsenden Lane in W55023, a 1960 heritage 'bubble car' with twin AEC engines and an all round view of the countryside.

 

On our return, there will be a walking tour of the railway yard and the opportunity to get 'up close and personal' with steam, diesel and electric rolling stock, both in service and under restoration. You will be able to climb inside locomotive cabs and perhaps even walk through the engine bay of Class 31163, a mainline diesel locomotive!

 

For those who have always wanted to have a go at driving a locomotive, the 1953 diesel shunter 'Haversham' (13018/D3018/08011) will be on hand to offer 'Driver for a Fiver' driving turns up and down the platform, between the home signals. £5 in the donation bucket will get you a great 'thrash' up and down the platform, supervised by the C&PRR's friendly traincrew.

 

The fully operational Chinnor Signal Box will be open to take a look around and those feeling strong can have a go at pulling the levers!

 

The Tea Room will remain open for light refreshments and also the Station Shop, offering gifts for adults and children alike, a wide selection of transport books and Bachmann model trains.

 

The railway car park will then provide plenty of space to park up our cars for individual and group photographs, to record the occasion, before we close the day and head home.

 

The Railway has facilities for the less able-bodied and the station platform, WC, dining coaches, W55023 'bubble car' and lower part of the railway yard are all accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs.

I think there needs to be an AS day out at this venue.  I would actually drive all the way to Princes Risborough just for that.

[hairnet]

dave leaves norfolk shock

[dollywobbler]

Yup. I'd welcome it too. Trains and shite. That's a winning combination right there.

[tooSavvy]

In Windermere yesterday, submerged along lakes edge. A66 shut by Keswick...

 

Bit of a struggle.

 

Oh & Aldis dont stop for passing/bow waves.

 

 

TS

 

.... however, Rangie drivers dont stop/slow for ANYONE

[dugong]

Had a mad two days at the NEC. Saw some people, missed others.

Drove the MGF home and the temperature gauge shot into the red as I was backing into a parking bay.
No steam, or lost coolant from the very limited observations I made at the time (bear in mind it was pitch black and I was utterly knackered). Got other things to do tonight so it's going to have to wait.

My money is on a knackered sensor or buggered 'stat. Engine jizz can't be ruled out until I can properly look at it, but the heater still blows nuclear.

PLACE BETS NAO. Will the problem be: 

 

1. Warped, unbalanced journalism
2. Warped, unbalanced headgasket
3. Nick Larkin 
4. Sharted thermostat
5. Seized water pump 

The auxiliary drive belt has been squealing for a little while now. I had plans for a mega service (booked for the end of the month) which would take care of several issues along with the MoT, but now I need to reschedule. 

Still, it got me home before pooing itself; I owe it that. Had it failed to proceed in the middle of town, it'd probably be still there now with the windscreen put through. 

[Inspector Morose]

It'll be option 3. It always is.

[The Moog]

After wafting up to Barrow to drop the saab off to Mr Ramrod, I have begun to hate the focus with a passion.  It is everything the saab isnt but at the moment the one thing it is supposed to do (be cheap to run) isnt happening. 

 

The speedo sensor is driving me up the wall. Fine when cold but once up temp it plays silly buggers. If the speedo work then not a problem aside from little down on power. If the speedo cuts out then any time you pull to a stop it cuts out.  I have booked it into another garage on thursday to get it changed because I cant get it shifted. 

 

On the plus side Missus Moog has agreed it isnt the saab and as long as I can get 6 months out of the focus I can get something else. 

[fordperv]

It was dry today and the big yellow thing that gives heat and light was in the sky so it was the perfect time for me to wash mrs fp's car and put the refurbished alloys on

 

They have made a great improvement to the looks

 

 

I can't wait to do the bodywork restoration next year, it's finally going to look standard again

[Lord Sterling]

Well, I've done the square root of fuck all with my Sterling, it's not been used now for about 3 days apart from moving a few yards to another street/space. I haven't even washed it or cleaned it which is highly unusual for me. My job has come to an end so need to be a bit careful with petrol spending, plus there are far more important things that my money and time must be spent on.

 

Happily the old thing parked in a usually hard to park street nearby so it isn't collecting leaves or tree sap like it does when it's usually parked a bit further up the road. However, it does need its expansion tank filling up, again.

[beko1987]

I think there needs to be an AS day out at this venue.  I would actually drive all the way to Princes Risborough just for that.

I'd be well up for that, could walk there!

[beko1987]

I finally topped the battery water up in the meriva every cell was very low, and the whole thing took a litre, is that bad? Went to start it afterwards and it barely fired over, but did catch. Will go out for a drive later with the jump leads in th3 back...

 

Hopefully, am getting a new battery tomorrow though, but the merivas one is being swapped. Amys aunts chopped her 52 zafira in for a £200 a month cashcow, and said we could have the 3 month old battery from the zaffy, and put our one in the zaf as it will probably get cubed.

 

Win (hopefully)

Not 100% win.

 

Drove over there, and battery swappage by torchlight commenced. Batteries swapped. He goes to start his car (2.0CDTI which the importance of which I realised at this point), and nothing. A few cranks, then just deadness. Fuck.

 

Whilst the new shiney 2 month old battery was fitted to the meriva, I fired it over, I've never heard the starter turn over so quickly, fired up immediately.

 

We pondered this, and deduced that the meriva's battery is scrap, but he had to be in Aylesbury at 10am to give his car to the stealers, and as much as an overnight charge may have worked, if it didn't I would be at work, and he would be screwed. Not going to do that to amys uncle.

 

So, batterys re-swapped, his fired over, amys doesn't. just starter motor clicks. Mmmmm. Onto the battery charger for 20 mins, cup of tea, and it fires up, it's usual sluggish cranking then working.

 

So, I'll be needing a new battery. 2 choices:

 

a 52a battery that ECP shows under KH54XTC,  the meriva's plate (1.6 16v)

A 75a battery that ECP shows under VE53THX, the zafiras plate (2.0cdti)

 

Which would be better. The 52a is cheaper, but would the 75 be any real improvement?

 

Need to have the charger on the old battery for a fair few hours at the weekend to try and make it last a few weeks until payday...

[Richard]

Standard battery. Every pound is a prisoner.

[beko1987]

£38.34 it is then! (in 2 weeks...)

 

Then I can see if it's just a knackered battery or a knackered charging system too!

[hairnet]

After wafting up to Barrow to drop the saab off to Mr Ramrod, I have begun to hate the focus with a passion.  It is everything the saab isnt but at the moment the one thing it is supposed to do (be cheap to run) isnt happening. 

 

The speedo sensor is driving me up the wall. Fine when cold but once up temp it plays silly buggers. If the speedo work then not a problem aside from little down on power. If the speedo cuts out then any time you pull to a stop it cuts out.  I have booked it into another garage on thursday to get it changed because I cant get it shifted. 

 

On the plus side Missus Moog has agreed it isnt the saab and as long as I can get 6 months out of the focus I can get something else. 

i have a cheap arse sat nav you can have - problem solved

[conkerman]

Yes it is Chinnor and Princess Risborough Railway where Mrs Cyl is a volunteer and we collected the water containers today.

 

As a group we could hire the railway for a day on a Saturday for our exclusive use.

 

This was the right up for a Citroen Car Club Visit.

 

Starting off with a freshly prepared light lunch in the railway's dining cars, we'll take a trip down the line to Horsenden Lane in W55023, a 1960 heritage 'bubble car' with twin AEC engines and an all round view of the countryside.

 

On our return, there will be a walking tour of the railway yard and the opportunity to get 'up close and personal' with steam, diesel and electric rolling stock, both in service and under restoration. You will be able to climb inside locomotive cabs and perhaps even walk through the engine bay of Class 31163, a mainline diesel locomotive!

 

For those who have always wanted to have a go at driving a locomotive, the 1953 diesel shunter 'Haversham' (13018/D3018/08011) will be on hand to offer 'Driver for a Fiver' driving turns up and down the platform, between the home signals. £5 in the donation bucket will get you a great 'thrash' up and down the platform, supervised by the C&PRR's friendly traincrew.

 

The fully operational Chinnor Signal Box will be open to take a look around and those feeling strong can have a go at pulling the levers!

 

The Tea Room will remain open for light refreshments and also the Station Shop, offering gifts for adults and children alike, a wide selection of transport books and Bachmann model trains.

 

The railway car park will then provide plenty of space to park up our cars for individual and group photographs, to record the occasion, before we close the day and head home.

 

The Railway has facilities for the less able-bodied and the station platform, WC, dining coaches, W55023 'bubble car' and lower part of the railway yard are all accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs.

This is literally right behind my house.

 

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

[beko1987]

This is literally right behind my house.

 

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

Yey, a fellow shiter! The TVSM (Thames Valley Shiters Massive) is growing in numbers! I could get SWMBO to pick us all up and we can drink!

[hairnet]

This is literally right behind my house.

 

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

we bring biccies and laydee cakes for beko

[conkerman]

I think Breadvan72 is local too. Looks like I'll need a bigger kettle and some drip trays.

 

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

[The Moog]

i have a cheap arse sat nav you can have - problem solved

Sadly not. I wish it was that easy:-)

 

The speedo means the car runs lumpy and continually stalls. All linked somehow. Electronic shitty systems

[Arthur Foxhake]

Just got in after a days work then driving to pick up the ZX.

 

Nice to meet everyone and look at the cars, will do a more detailed write up when my Internet is working and I'm not on my phone.

Cheers Dugong.

[dugong]

Just got in after a days work then driving to pick up the ZX.

 

Nice to meet everyone and look at the cars, will do a more detailed write up when my Internet is working and I'm not on my phone.

Cheers Dugong.

 

Fingers crossed AF and brother_AF got back alright and the ZX behaved itself well enough to get home. 

 

 

In other news: shit.

 

Had a mad two days at the NEC. Saw some people, missed others.

 

Drove the MGF home and the temperature gauge shot into the red as I was backing into a parking bay.

No steam, or lost coolant from the very limited observations I made at the time (bear in mind it was pitch black and I was utterly knackered). Got other things to do tonight so it's going to have to wait.

 

My money is on a knackered sensor or buggered 'stat. Engine jizz can't be ruled out until I can properly look at it, but the heater still blows nuclear.

 

PLACE BETS NAO. Will the problem be: 

 

1. Warped, unbalanced journalism

2. Warped, unbalanced headgasket

3. Nick Larkin 

4. Sharted thermostat

5. Seized water pump 

 

The auxiliary drive belt has been squealing for a little while now. I had plans for a mega service (booked for the end of the month) which would take care of several issues along with the MoT, but now I need to reschedule. 

 

Still, it got me home before pooing itself; I owe it that. Had it failed to proceed in the middle of town, it'd probably be still there now with the windscreen put through. 

Turned out the MGF chose option 6: stealth coolant. Hard to believe I topped this up on Friday night.....

[beko1987]

Isnt that the total loss cooling systen as patented by the svm? Didnt know mg had a go too!

[twosmoke300]

Mgf was the testbed for the system

[Richard]

I don't have the total loss system any more. It was the water pump and the bottom of the radiator. I replaced the water pump and "there I fixed it" the radiator.