Ask a Shiter

[BeEP]

Can anyone please identify the paint name and/or code of this?  Some (very poor) repairs to the strut tops have removed the original label.

 

[FakeConcern]

I'm trying to get the locking nuts (4 pin type) off of my C4 wheels and everytime I try to turn it, the key jumps out, even with my knee jammed against it. Any tips?

[twosmoke300]

have you got any smaller sockets?

[Eddie Honda]

Why cant the DVLA pay car tax refunds directly into a bank account rather than sending a cheque which I then have to bother going down to the bank to pay it in.

They do with monthly DD at any rate.

 

I submit SORN on last day of the month, they rob next monthly payment 1st or so, then automatically refund that payment back to the account around 11th.

 

I've cancelled twice this year so far, just about to cancel for third time... I only tax when in town.

[FakeConcern]

have you got any smaller sockets?

?

[Eddie Honda]

Anyone tried/got brake bleeding spanners?

 

 

http://www.beta-tools.com/beta/focus/1466_C5_en.html

 

(Or any other toys to fill the massive tool box?)

[Asimo]

I'm trying to get the locking nuts (4 pin type) off of my C4 wheels and everytime I try to turn it, the key jumps out, even with my knee jammed against it. Any tips?

Assuming the key and nuts are clean and undamaged:

 

Only try and undo 2 handed, with a socket and a T bar - never use a single ended breaker bar or wheel spanner. It is important not to put any side loading on the key, just a pure torque. Good luck!

[bunglebus]

If that fails, park near a wall and use something to stop the key riding up out of the holes in the nut, like a block of wood or a scissor jack. I suspect the pins are bent after trying to remove a Kwik-Fit tightened bolt.

[DSdriver]

Why would you need locking wheelnuts if Quickf** wanged your wheels on? No one is going to get them off in a hurry.

 

**It does depend on the bloke doing the job, not the company.

[Asimo]

**It does depend on the bloke doing the job, not the company.

 

Too right. In ATS the other day watching what goes on:

 

One chap whizzed up wheel bolts with an impact gun, then used a torque wrench - each bolt turned about a quarter of a turn before the torque wrench clicked.     

 

Another fitter used impact gun then torque wrench but the torque wrench clicked without any movement, ie the bolts were at best tight enough, probably over tight. He then wound on another 45 deg or so on each bolt using the torque wrench.  

 

In each case their supervisor also "checked" each bolt with a click from a torque wrench. I was glad the guy who did it properly did my job,  I would have had to intervene if gorilla boy had gone near our car.

[steveo3002]

amazing isnt ?   no the torque wrench wont reset the nuts to 85ftlb after wanging them up to 200 with the air gun 

[bub2006]

Bad misfire,no power and rotten eggs/burning smell. What could it be?

[DodgeRover]

A set of quality tyres are usually worth more than the alloys

[twosmoke300]

Bad misfire,no power and rotten eggs/burning smell. What could it be?

Mondeo petrol ? Either water in the spark plug wells ( early zetec) or a coil pack gone tits . Smell maybe the cat being unhappy with meat fuel being flushed down it

[DodgeRover]

Blocked exhaust maybe from the evil ex?

[DSdriver]

Bad misfire,no power and rotten eggs/burning smell. What could it be?

Did you have a curry last night?

[bub2006]

Check the grump thread. AA on route. Lots of smoke and smouldering. I grabbed my wallet and phone and ran as fast as my fat arse would shift.

[steveo3002]

could be the ol bannana in tail pipe trick?

[bub2006]

No nana on my shift.

[DSdriver]

I hope the AA man doesn't look here for an online diagnosis or you'll be right up shit creek.

 

Good luck with the ftp.

[bub2006]

Be rate. I was only driving it home. Fuck it!

[Tickman]

Trying to help someone with a Renault Clio 1997 P reg who got the only key they had copied at Timsons and now he cannot get the car started due to the immobiliser.

Is there a suitable bypass for this, youtube suggests lots of random things, that will make the car usable without spending too much?

 

I believe there is more to the story but am trying to help him out anyway.

[Bobthebeard]

The recent Rover 75 ebay purchase is about to be pressed into use for a short while. A 1.8 Auto. Owing to being stood unused for almost a year due to bereavement the battery was past redemption. The son supplied a (cheap) new battery so that I could collect and drive the car home. All good.

The battery is branded 'Le Mans'. Part number LMN075VP. CCA 510 amps. A/H 55. 12 volt. Brand new according to a sticker on top.

Never heard of the brand before and the amperage sounds a tad marginal. Being an auto a bump start is a no go.

Main question. Is it actually a car battery or for something else? Forklift or whatever. Google not much help really. Can't even find the brand.

Car starts well enough now, but a bit dubious about a week away.

Probably worried for nothing. But...

Any ideas?

[Bobthebeard]

Pack some jump leads

Indeed.....

Previous experience not great though. Most people unwilling/in a rush/ suspicious/soz mate got an appointment etc.

[Anthony]

Sounds like an 075 type car battery from the part number and the CCA and A/H ratings tally up with that. Never heard of the brand so it's likely just a generic pattern part battery.

 

I would have thought that'll be more than up to the job of cracking over a little 1.8 K-Series... well, until the bores are full of coolant, it might struggle a bit then.

[cort1977]

All this talk of locking wheelnuts.... do alloys actually get nicked any more?

 

I don't know anyone in person who has had their wheels stolen, and only seen one example of it on the internet where someone had theirs nicked (though they also pinched a load of tools etc from the garage at the same time as I recall).

 

But then I've thought while writing this... do alloys not get nicked any more because people use locking wheelnuts...?

 

Don't know about UK but in Houston the wheels fitted to full size GM SUVs i.e. Suburbans/Escalades/whatever the GMC one is called are very much a target for theft.   I have seen neighbours trucks on blocks twice in the last couple of months.   Another neighbor saw them arriving and leaving on CCTV, reckoned 4 minutes to get all four 22" wheels off.  

[M'coli]

I wonder if they're stealing them for the tyres rather than just the wheels, knowing the price of big tyres.

[DodgeRover]

Trying to help someone with a Renault Clio 1997 P reg who got the only key they had copied at Timsons and now he cannot get the car started due to the immobiliser.

Is there a suitable bypass for this, youtube suggests lots of random things, that will make the car usable without spending too much?

 

I believe there is more to the story but am trying to help him out anyway.

Does the original key not work anymore? Could you leave the battery disconnected for a while?

[Tickman]

Does the original key not work anymore? Could you leave the battery disconnected for a while?

Original key is damaged in some way (bit difficult getting the actual story out of him,he is a little* odd) battery has been disconnected for a while.

 

I have a procedure to follow up on, hopefully next week.

[warren t claim]

I've acquired a car with a partial body wrap that I need to remove. I'm not going to tell you what sort of car it is because it's a Vectra C and you'd all laugh at me but I'm after advice on the best way to remove said vinyl wrap without fucking up the metallic paintwork.