The new news 24 thread

[trigger]

He's been getting a load of beef about it on Facbook too, i think it might be getting to him now!

 

 

[fordperv]

Oh dear

[oldcars]

EDW those photos are class. CI Europa caravan as well! Winning. Dad had an old Sprite not as smart. 

[dugong]

After no interest here i'm scrapping a working 306 hdi , feels bad but it's not worth my time fixing it for new MOT, kept the wheel trims,stereo and will take out the new battery and leave them the old one.

Massive shame, that. Had it been an estate I'd have taken it off your hands.

 

In other news, my rubbish French wagon has arrived:

 

 

Semi-depression 1.9 DTi engine, rattling exhaust heat shield, otherwise ready to go. Anyone got any RT wheel trims?

[Bobthebeard]

Since the sun has been shining lately my mojo has kicked in for doing work on the Oldsmobile. It has been in the (dry) garage since purchase from Ken of this parish. Lots of parts have been purchased and are awaiting fitting. Work done this weekend is not much, but a start! First job was to give the car a good wash. It was manky. Remove the plastic wheel trims and clean the (manky) steel wheels. All cleaned up surprisingly well so will bin the wheel trims and go with the black steel rims. The fabled GM paint issues from the late '80's has hit the Olds quite hard, with crazed paintwork on bonnet, roof and boot. Clearly the paint rectification would cost ££££'s so am not going down that route! Have decided to just restore the car as is, warts and all. Something exciting about running a patinated/ratty yank after all...

The interior has been dried out, the smell removed and the hideous steering wheel cover binned. (The steering wheel was horribly sticky and nasty underneath) Now cleaned up and as GM intended.

After the Olds came to me I initially was a tad disheartened owing to the sheer amount of stuff that needed doing, but a weekend of tinkering has lifted the spirits so to speak. There is a really nice car underneath the years of neglect just waiting to be let loose. Am doing all the jobs I can afford/do myself and am saving up for the jobs I can't. This car just seems worth it. After my initial doubts I am falling in love!

[Angrydicky]

Christ. MB needs to get off Facebook ASAP, or at the least stop taking troll comments to heart.

[Bren]

 

Done.

[Tickman]

My sister's 06 Ford Focus has just snapped its timing belt, had it less than 12 months from a trader and 'had' the belt done for them getting it, the mechanic who has looked at it today says the belt is definitely more than 12 months old.

 

I have told her to call the garage they got the car from, anyone care to guess her chances of a satisfactory outcome?

 

Quoted £500 for a new belt and sorted (I guess that is sorting any valves that may have changed shape too)

 

At that cost with the MOT about to arrive also it might be worth throwing the towel in with it, shame I am not closer.

[smellypoo]

Christ. MB needs to get off Facebook ASAP, or at the least stop taking troll comments to heart.

 

I had a look at that page, it's marked with a tick to say it's 'official', but it also says it's a fan page - I'm a bit suspect as a result. I can't think that he'd really be arsed with responding?

 

He is known to be on twitter as @mikebrewer, that seems to be a genuine page.

[smellypoo]

My sister's 06 Ford Focus has just snapped its timing belt, had it less than 12 months from a trader and 'had' the belt done for them getting it, the mechanic who has looked at it today says the belt is definitely more than 12 months old.

 

I have told her to call the garage they got the car from, anyone care to guess her chances of a satisfactory outcome?

 

Quoted £500 for a new belt and sorted (I guess that is sorting any valves that may have changed shape too)

 

At that cost with the MOT about to arrive also it might be worth throwing the towel in with it, shame I am not closer.

 

To swap with an exchange cylinder head with valves off a donor engine, new belts, tensioner and water pump while they're at it, inclusive of labour. I paid about 350 for that on a Focus a few years back, at mates rates so assuming the quote is for the same 'stuff', I'd say 500 sounds about right.  Depending on the value of the car and whatever might be needed for the MOT, it might not be economical if it's coming out of her own pocket. 

 

Re: the trader, if they don't play ball and it can be proven they didn't do the belt, it might be possible to pursue through small claims court or whatever they call it these days. 

[Bren]

They may have changed the belt but neglected the tensioners.

[Tickman]

To swap with an exchange cylinder head with valves off a donor engine, new belts, tensioner and water pump while they're at it, inclusive of labour. I paid about 350 for that on a Focus a few years back, at mates rates so assuming the quote is for the same 'stuff', I'd say 500 sounds about right.  Depending on the value of the car and whatever might be needed for the MOT, it might not be economical if it's coming out of her own pocket. 

 

Re: the trader, if they don't play ball and it can be proven they didn't do the belt, it might be possible to pursue through small claims court or whatever they call it these days. 

Pretty much exactly what I thought.

 

They may have changed the belt but neglected the tensioners.

I think the guy who has looked at it 'very strongly' doubts it was done!

[Ghosty]

I had a look at that page, it's marked with a tick to say it's 'official', but it also says it's a fan page - I'm a bit suspect as a result. I can't think that he'd really be arsed with responding?

 

He is known to be on twitter as @mikebrewer, that seems to be a genuine page.

They've missed the s off the end too. 'Wheeler Dealer'?

[RayMK]

Collected my 205 automatic from the garage today.  It drove fine after its 4 weeks stay having its head gasket fixed, the slow turnaround because it was at a main dealer but charged at staff rates (son works there) and thus subject to full paying customers taking priority.  They've done a good job, though my final judgement will await putting more miles under its belt.  Today, just 65 miles covered.  No steam, no bubbles, oil so clean it's hard to see on the dipstick, no water level warning lights.......but the 'catalyst/diagnostic' warning light did come on several times for a few seconds, as it has done since I bought the car in April 2015.  It runs very cleanly according to the emissions test, so I'll put this down to Frenchness. I'm happy   .

[rml2345]

Went to fuel the Xantia and found the filler cap missing, which means I've left it somewhere from the last fuel stop.

Buggeration.

On the plus side, nipped to the local breakers and got one off a 306 for £free. It must be the only yard in the area that's filling up with cars again too.

[panhard65]

Just sorted shitefest accomadation just need to fit a tow ball on the 204 now.

[BorniteIdentity]

Running problems on the bASe Sierra.

 

Any help appreciated over on the thread. X

[cms206]

Clearout needed. 205GRD, 406HDi, 345DL, and three 700 estates to go. Harrumph.

 

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[BorniteIdentity]

Let the dog see the 345 bone...

[Kiltox]

Just noticed what I thought was a big fuck off scuff on the rear bumper of my hire car - turns out there's some weird clear plastic film on the bumper which is now dirty as fuck after 1100 miles - dirt actually under the film

 

Wonder if it was left on the bumper after the thorough* PDI I'm sure a rental car gets (it's only got 2700 miles on the clock and I've done 1100 of those) or whether it's some attempt to protect the bumper from scratches, looks awful anyway and I'm sure they'll try to charge me for "damage"

[cms206]

Let the dog see the 345 bone...

I'll dig out some pictures... it's been off the road 19 years. Starts and drives but needs work.

 

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[cms206]

Just been to see a 2013/13-plate VDL Futura 2. One fleet owner from new, 170k on the clock... and still on it's factory filters. I think we'll be passing on that.

 

On the subject of coaches, I spent all weekend on Carlisle rail replacement with our 60-plate Bova Futura, 6-speed auto, DAF 9.6-litre 365bhp engine. 1400 miles covered at 12.6mpg, which was fairly reasonable considering it was fully loaded most of the time at the EML is on due to emissions equipment issues. 62mph = 1000rpm.

 

We've recently acquired a 10-plate Neoplan Tourliner with a 12-speed auto and a 400bhp MAN 10.5-litre engine. Out of interest, I ran the figures. On a 5 day tour with the same driver, half loaded with light luggage on a combined cycle it averaged... 7.2mpg. I don't think it'll stay long.

 

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[stripped fred]

My Astra has been pressed into service to help my mum out for a bit. She has an 06 cmax 1.6 which someone drove into on the motorway and then pushed her into the car in front. It looks like new bumpers and lights required plus the wheel well needs straightening. Her insurance company has written it off and paid her £2000 less £180 to buy the car back. A one man bodyshop place nearby, who they've used before, is going to fix it up for £800 but he can't do it for 8 weeks. It's worth fixing I think because it's been looked after, new timing belt etc.

 

My Astra started first turn after a 4 month lay up, albeit with the required glow plugs on 5 times. It sounds a rough old beast when first started but soon settles down. My mum said it feels 'very nice to drive'. I think the easy controls and power steering help.

[stripped fred]

Just noticed what I thought was a big fuck off scuff on the rear bumper of my hire car - turns out there's some weird clear plastic film on the bumper which is now dirty as fuck after 1100 miles - dirt actually under the film

 

Wonder if it was left on the bumper after the thorough* PDI I'm sure a rental car gets (it's only got 2700 miles on the clock and I've done 1100 of those) or whether it's some attempt to protect the bumper from scratches, looks awful anyway and I'm sure they'll try to charge me for "damage"

I wouldn't be able to resist taking it off.

[Kiltox]

Thought about it but I'm sure they'll tell me the custom protective film made of unobtanium is £1000 to replace (the excess amount, strangely enough) if I do

[richardmorris]

Chickened out changing the thermostat in the end. My mobile guy Dan has just been ( mainly to the neighbour's car) and swapped it for me.

 

Here is the 104,000 mile original.

[richardmorris]

In pan testing.

[richardmorris]

Well it did open, the question is- was it opening fully?

[Skoze]

This week in "Skoze's engine-building by numbers"

It only bloody works. 

 

Refusing to idle, intermittent rev counter, oil pressure off the gauge, perfect. 

[MarvinsMom]

jaguar failed the MOT.

 

now't especially worrying, headlamp aim all too pot, 2 back axil damper bushes kippered and a bearing in the back hub to wishbone got too much play in it.

 

though it's never passed at the first attempt, and following on from the Mini debacle (which still isn't tested) means we could be all out of legal cars before too long, if this trend continues.

 

anyone fancy a slightly broken Jaguar?

 

how about a broken Mini?

 

no, i didn't think so.......