Ask a Shiter

[spike60]

Had a problem with refunding vehicle tax recently, just had a cheque in the post, so I would chase them, it's your money and they don't compensate!

Do I need to to keep the DD open for them to refund or will a refund be by cheque? I've had a cheque refund before but that car was taxed at the PO.

[DSdriver]

Lost 2nd gear in my Kangoo van - same as a Mk2 Clio

 

Possible reasons for this?

 

It pops straight back into neutral when I lift the clutch back up.

Worn synchro on 2nd?

[Kiltox]

Wouldn't it have failed slowly with some crunching etc before going completely?

[Kiltox]

Anyone know if the 1.4 diesel engine you'd find in a Citroen Nemo is any good?

Is that the 1.4 TDCI used in Fords etc ?

[3VOM]

Lost 2nd gear in my Kangoo van - same as a Mk2 Clio

 

Possible reasons for this?

 

It pops straight back into neutral when I lift the clutch back up.

Something in the back of my mind says there's something you adjust or set with the cable controls for the gearbox. But I might be thinking of the wrong car.

Edit : HBOL says Renault tool B Vi 1133 plus faffing and measuring on the gear lever.

[3VOM]

 are the parts the same as vectras  or vectra estates ?  as that is fundamentall what a signum is underneath 

Yes but the Haynes book of minimal information on Vectras has several possibilities because I can't work out which bolt it is versus the Haynes description of the part.

[Kiltox]

I didn't bother using a new bolt and did it up to FT when I did it 

[Lacquer Peel]

Anyone know if the 1.4 diesel engine you'd find in a Citroen Nemo is any good?

 

Is that the 1.4 TDCI used in Fords etc ?

Don't they use the ubiquitous 1.3 Fiat diesel? Those vans are more Fiat than PSA.

[Kiltox]

Interesting - most places say it's a 1.4 but you might be right

It's not a bad engine at all is it?

[saucedoctor]

Nemo should have a DV4TED, which is the Ford/PSA one. There a 1360cc pez as well.

 

Edited to add. LP is correct, there's a 1.3HDi too.

[Kiltox]

Is the Ford/PSA unit any use or is it problematic like the 1.6 HDI ?

[saucedoctor]

Is the Ford/PSA unit any use or is it problematic like the 1.6 HDI ?

 

They supposedly NOM boost pipes as a matter of course, and the one I had was the same. Some issues with the ECU needing re-coding to cure black smoke, and they can lose 5th gear.

[Kiltox]

 they can lose 5th gear.

 

FFS..... better than losing 2nd I suppose!

[Guest Hooli]

Yes, suppose it's a possibility - although a look on the googlez suggests that in your case it could be "a buildup of carbon or fuel varnish deposits in the idle speed control valve..."

 

Have a look at this: http://www.aa1car.com/library/problem_idle_surge.htm

 

I was going to say throttle body/idle control valve too.

 

Seems to be the answer most of the time on most engines.

[gm]

what do you call those springy washers that look like this ? I need to order some

 

 

please excuse the primary school artwork

[Kiltox]

what do you call those springy washers that look like this ? I need to order some

 

image.png

 

please excuse the primary school artwork

 

"Bastards"

[saucedoctor]

Starlock washers or anti-vibration washers.

[gm]

Starlock washers or anti-vibration washers.

Excellent, many thanks.

[twosmoke300]

Are they washers or the clips used to hold exhaust heat shields on ?

[gm]

Are they washers or the clips used to hold exhaust heat shields on ?

you hit the nail on the head there - the daily Audi has an aluminium heat shield that is (should be) held on with brittle plastic clips which have all broken and it's making a hell of a racket bouncing about down there - the plan is to use some of these star lock washers and some big flat washers to fix it in place. If that doesn't work, the whole lot will be ripped out and dumped, likely the most practical and satisfying option

[scdan4]

Sidecars.

 

Never had one, always been tempted. One came past me earlier enjoying the sunsine and looking cool* as fuck.

 

Stupid Questions:

 

1) Does it matter legally which side the sidecar is on? A nose at ebay reveals some russian urals with the chair on the other side (i.e. nearest the centreline) 

 

b.) Are sidecars typically "quickish release" or are they well bolted on. (Can you take it off most of the time and only put it on for shits and giggles)

 

iv) Corners. How do you avoid Death?

[scaryoldcortina]

Bikes pre 1981 can have the chair on the wrong side, after that chair on the left only.

 

Chairs are usually very well attached, and need setting up for lean and toe every time you remove them, also you discover that the bike is bent when you try to ride it solo...

 

Corners? Death? Yes. Throttle into left bends, coast around rights (DONT BRAKE FFS) and if it starts to shake like a mad horse you were going too fast.

[doug]

Corners? Left handers... a wee bit scary. Left handers with bumps.....big bit scarey. Left handers with bumps and adverse camber...better to get off and push it around. Right handers great fun.

[beko1987]

What does totalcarcheck mean when it says this about a car?

 

 

I gave it bastard 2 MOT's, I was there and everything.

 

Is it dead? <sniff>

[loserone]

My dad recalls that his first big bike in the late 60s was fitted with a square tyre like from a car on the back to make handling the sidecar easier.  Except it no longer had the sidecar, so when leaning it over it used to regularly wipe out underneath him.

 

Did people really put car tyres on the back, or was that just a dodgy garage?

[320touring]

My dad recalls that his first big bike in the late 60s was fitted with a square tyre like from a car on the back to make handling the sidecar easier. Except it no longer had the sidecar, so when leaning it over it used to regularly wipe out underneath him.

 

Did people really put car tyres on the back, or was that just a dodgy garage?

square section rear tyres used to be a thing-apparently suzuki kettles were a haunfu with them on..

[RayMK]

What does totalcarcheck mean when it says this about a car?

 

Untitled.png

 

I gave it bastard 2 MOT's, I was there and everything.

 

Is it dead? <sniff>

 

Probably dead.  When a car is officially scrapped, the DVLA vehicle enquiry site no longer presents details, as is the case for the ZX

[AMC Rebel]

square section rear tyres used to be a thing-apparently suzuki kettles were a haunfu with them on..

 

Dunno about car tyres but my first Honda SS50 had an Avon tyre with a very square profile - scary as flip.  In those days it was more about them lasting for eleventy million miles than any concept that they might not kill you.  Also all old Jap bikes were rubbish in the rain as allegedly no-one rode in the rain in Japan - rubbish tyres and when they started getting disc brakes they were all shiny which made them slippery and useless when wet.

[dave21478]

My brother in law is into his sidecars. Just the concept of it scares the piss out of me.

His current thing has a cryptic pantograph style linkage with balljoints and stuff between bike and sidecar so it leans parallel to the bike in corners. Apparently is fantastic. I will take his word for it as there is no fucking way I am getting in/on it.

[scdan4]

Sidecars sound like a win. Might have to get one and have a play.

 

Thanks all.