Ask a Shiter

[DSdriver]

I have a problem starting my Beetle. I have a new starter which i have tested and fitted. The problem is it's not starting! I have power from the ignition when tested and power from the battery. I tested it off of the battery in the car with jump leads and it worked but nothing when connected. Any ideas? Could it be an earth issue? Not sure how i check for a bad earth?

Starter solenoid? Old cars tended to have these separate from the starter motor. The solenoid sometimes has a button on the end so you can operate it with a finger.

But on the beetle it looks as though you have to short across the two big terminals with a spanner (held with a rubber glove)

[DSdriver]

That one has three lights that are marked OK, Weak and Bad - how much more simple do you need ?

 

I have a Halfrauds battery charger that has an option switch for sealed or trad batteries. I got that wrong and fused the bloody thing.

[AMC Rebel]

is it legal and or sensible to replace the run flats (205/55/16) on rear of Mrs 95 quids Z4 with normal Michelin pilots i have kicking around 

 

https://www.national.co.uk/information/run-flat-tyres

 

Not illegal as far as I can see - presumably Insurers would want to know, although I also suspect the Z4 was available OEM with conventional tyres.

[AlabamaShrimp]

Help! This stupid Fiesta is driving me mad!

 

In follow up to yesterdays advice that the heater matrix might be blocked I undid the two hoses circled red

 

 

Stuck the water hose in and ran it until clearish

 

Initial water out was a bit browner than the stuff that had come out of the car end of the pipes and had a few, but not loads of these small bits in

 

So water going through, I reattached everything, refilled with antifreeze and went for a drive. Five minutes later and the temp gauge is going up to the N on norm and then drops to just above where it is here

 

All seems good but the inside heater still isn't getting even warm! Water must be going round the system somewhere.

 

Is it the head gasket? But there's no oil in water, water in oil.

Is it the water pump? Relatively new but one of the bolts won't come out and I think it's going to snap. What the he'll is wrong with it?

[dave21478]

I dunno what you disconnected, but you need to undo those two circled yellow to flush out the matrix.

 

[dave21478]

Also, I cant remember how foosties are rigged, but there are two basic systems for hot n cold from a heater.

 

First is two air passages from outside, one straight to the vents and one through the matrix to the vents. Your temperature control on the dash just works a flap which changes between the two. In this system the matrix is always flowing hot water.

 

Second is one air passage through the matrix to the vents and the hot cold control works a tap that shuts off the flow of hot water through the matrix. If its this system, these taps often give grief.

 

Im thinking Fiestas are the first system though.

[dave21478]

Also also, I am retarded, it looks like you undid the right hoses, just further away from the matrix rather than at the bulkhead connections - should be fine.

[omegod]

Any reccomedations for a decent CHEAP battery charger, pref one that can recover fucked batteries, my £9.99 Hilka special has died after 10 yrs of service

[Timewaster]

Maybe try disconnecting those heater hoses again and start the engine.

One side should pump water out to prove that the water is flowing. No?

[AlabamaShrimp]

Also, I cant remember how foosties are rigged, but there are two basic systems for hot n cold from a heater.

 

First is two air passages from outside, one straight to the vents and one through the matrix to the vents. Your temperature control on the dash just works a flap which changes between the two. In this system the matrix is always flowing hot water.

 

Second is one air passage through the matrix to the vents and the hot cold control works a tap that shuts off the flow of hot water through the matrix. If its this system, these taps often give grief.

 

Im thinking Fiestas are the first system though.

Yeah think Mines the first one and the as you can get your hand in I've checked and all the entire stuff is moving as it should.

 

You're right in the first picture but as you guessed I too them off further away as they were easier to reach.

 

Went to the local garage to ask what they thought and he says the header tank on the heater has both he inlet and outlet right next to each other so you don't flush out the actual channels when they're blocked.

He also gave me the number of a bloke that can get the bolt out of the water pump if it snaps.

[AlabamaShrimp]

Maybe try disconnecting those heater hoses again and start the engine.

One side should pump water out to prove that the water is flowing. No?

I might have to if I can't get the water pump out. I'd be worried about running it without the thermostat open so it doesn't run dry.

[DodgeRover]

What about fitting an auxiliary water pump to push water through the heater matrix.

[dave21478]

Yeah think Mines the first one and the as you can get your hand in I've checked and all the entire stuff is moving as it should.

 

You're right in the first picture but as you guessed I too them off further away as they were easier to reach.

 

Went to the local garage to ask what they thought and he says the header tank on the heater has both he inlet and outlet right next to each other so you don't flush out the actual channels when they're blocked.

He also gave me the number of a bloke that can get the bolt out of the water pump if it snaps.

 

Get a bit of pipe and connect the two hoses that go to the matrix together, bypassing it entirely. If this bit of pipe gets hot, your problem is likely the matrix.

[AlabamaShrimp]

^^that sounds like a good idea! Tbh both pipes in and out were hot yesterday when I took it on a longer drive but that might just have been from the rest of the engine being hot.

[spike60]

Does wvo have any value? Our works canteen has an IBC container full but given our security and the logistics of shifting 1000 litres it looks like it will be going to a contractor. I have no use for it, when I ran veg it was brand new as cba with filtering etc, a diesel Polo doesn't burn that much.

[DodgeRover]

Does wvo have any value? Our works canteen has an IBC container full but given our security and the logistics of shifting 1000 litres it looks like it will be going to a contractor. I have no use for it, when I ran veg it was brand new as cba with filtering etc, a diesel Polo doesn't burn that much.

Been a while but 30ppl if it's not mega lumpy

[spike60]

Been a while but 30ppl if it's not mega lumpy

No idea as to its lumpiness but the dockers are not renowned for being diet conscious if that's any guide to its previous use. Probably more chew(sorry!) than it's worth.

[M'coli]

Does wvo have any value? Our works canteen has an IBC container full but given our security and the logistics of shifting 1000 litres it looks like it will be going to a contractor. I have no use for it, when I ran veg it was brand new as cba with filtering etc, a diesel Polo doesn't burn that much.

Whereabouts are you? I'm sure Krujoe would be happy to take it off your hands. Might take two trips, mind.

[DVee8]

Does anyone know what ATF can be used in my daimler V8 250 1968(G)?

[scaryoldcortina]

It's a BW35 box, so should be AQ grade ATF. "Classic" spec non dextron fluid should do it.

[DVee8]

I

 

It's a BW35 box, so should be AQ grade ATF. "Classic" spec non dextron fluid should do it.

I have just checked all the levels and the gearbox was empty.

[DVee8]

Is this any good?

 

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/gearbox-oil/halfords-automatic-transmission-power-steering-fluid-diii-1l

[scaryoldcortina]

I

 

I have just checked all the levels and the gearbox was empty.

Shit, that's not a good thing. It's barely a fortnight since I checked and it was fine, also wasn't leaking at MoT. Has it sprung a big leak?

 

PS, did you check it hot with the engine running?

[spike60]

Whereabouts are you? I'm sure Krujoe would be happy to take it off your hands. Might take two trips, mind.

It is one 1000 litre container weighing approx 1000kg, in Teesside. I'll see if I can find out more next week.

[DVee8]

Shit, that's not a good thing. It's barely a fortnight since I checked and it was fine, also wasn't leaking at MoT. Has it sprung a big leak?

 

PS, did you check it hot with the engine running?

There is some fluid under the car, the engine had been running but  stopped so not up to temp,so not hot,nothing on the dipstick.

Do you want to come and have a look?

[scaryoldcortina]

yeah, can do. Tomorrow sometime?

[DVee8]

yeah, can do. Tomorrow sometime?

I'm at work til 2,00 i'll be it by 2.20

[scaryoldcortina]

Fairy nuff, see you half two ish then.

[anonymous user]

Is this likely to work or burst into flames

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Battery-Charging-System-Digital-Tester-Load-Drop-Van-Auto-Voltage-100Amp-12V-/262305282267?

Definitely yes.

[gordonbennet]

Sorned the Merc around October time, the bloody numbers on the registration document don't compute so had to send it by post.

 

Well i want to retax it now and obviously the piggin numbers still don't compute, so it'll be post office on Monday, so the question is lads do i still need to take insurance cert or just the MOT test as well as regn document.

Also seeing as the reference numbers don't compute how do i apply for another regn doc, or will the post office auto request one for me.

 

Sorry for really stupid questions but since it all went digi i haven't needed to faff about like this for a while and i usually managed to bollox summat up every time i taxed a car at the PO.

 

Thanks.