Ask a Shiter

[mrbenn]

I changed a complete exhaust from the cat to the back box on my volvo v40 recently.

 

The whole job took me about 5 hours. I wont be doing another one. Ever.

 

But yes, it can be done with axle stands on your driveway.

 

Sorry, only just seen this.

 

Had a look yesterday but wasn't in a place where I could get it on ramps. Took me ages just to change a knackered rubber so, having read your experiences, I'm thinking twice at this point!

[The Moog]

Halfords trade card page says you can be a "Welder / Metal worker". Somewhere I've got a city & guilds certificate in basic snotting. Am I likely to get away with it? Plz note I have zero bullshit my way thru things skills.

Yes

[The Moog]

 

 

A long while ago someone on here got a rather natty bracket for mounting spotlights to. From my admittedly hazy memory it was a Mk1 Suzuki swift in that nice blue they did, and the bracket mounted behind the numberplate and was essentially a folded bit of metal with some holes tactically screwed into it.

 

 

 

.

If it was a swift it would be Matt likes cars.

[hairnet]

Why are old style Italian number plates the wrong way round front to back

[bigfella2]

I got my mate who owns a printing press to knock me up a fake business card saying I was a mobile mechanic.

[CrapCarNerd]

Ok, i've confused myself..... I'm toying with the idea of buying a good second daily/business shite to take the load of my prized (by me) Escort. (5000 limited milage and done about 2000 in 4 months in it)

 

What reliable shite do you guys drive?

 

If you read my other thread about the Nissan Sunny N13 Auto... that was the kind of thing i've been thinking but, naturally, all my loved ones think i'm insane and should buy something that is at least in the 2000s... also i live in London and just learned about that ULEZ thing thats coming in next year so maybe even 06   . So, they're probably right! So i started looking at ebay today at Mercs, Minis etc to see what i could get for £1000 - £1500 and its all spiralling out of control in my head haha.

 

 

I was thinking something Auto as i get board of changing gears in London every 10 seconds but being a musician they want a shed load for insurance so probably cant go over a 1.6. A Golf 1.6 was around £500 a year. I've, seen a couple of really cheap Rover Autos but recently drove past a couple of broken down Rovers in my 1985 1.1 Escort    so not sure about the reliability? 

 

Another scenario is this weekend, i've got gigs all over the place so i've hired a car... this might get old quick but then again it could be cheaper if i don't end up hiring them too much.

 

As you can see... i've confused myself and this video is mostly to blame .... Damn you Quentin Wilson .

 

[outlaw118]

Looking at the possibility that The Alfa may be "going to live on a farm"....

 

So, looking at returning to Volvos, the V70 to be precise.

 

Looked at a few online, and loads of people (sellers) have said about the 2.4 Dizzle "bulletproof" and "255,000 is nothing for one of these" all that kind of shit.

 

Is this true?

 

Possible purchase link for info
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201807158467736?make=VOLVO&year-to=2009&price-from=1000&model=V70&sort=sponsored&year-from=2006&radius=1500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&price-to=2500&postcode=rm162pt&advertising-location=at_cars&page=2

[Kiltox]

What stops a standard Panda bumper and grille fitting a 100hp?

[davehedgehog31]

What stops a standard Panda bumper and grille fitting a 100hp?

Too small a hammer.

[catsinthewelder]

Incoming ULEZ is going to have an odd effect on old cars in London.  Pre-78 cars are exempt so sightings will probably increase a bit as various shitters, lords of the manor etc bring the old classic into town rather than stump up 25 quid to bring their 20 year old modern* car into the zone.

 

I'm not sure what I would do in your position,  there are a wonderful variety of old cars that are exempt but few that are practical hatchbacks/estates and even less that are affordable.  I can recommend the Renault 12 estate if you can find one in the UK or perhaps a Maxi.

[CrapCarNerd]

Incoming ULEZ is going to have an odd effect on old cars in London.  Pre-78 cars are exempt so sightings will probably increase a bit as various shitters, lords of the manor etc bring the old classic into town rather than stump up 25 quid to bring their 20 year old modern* car into the zone.

 

I'm not sure what I would do in your position,  there are a wonderful variety of old cars that are exempt but few that are practical hatchbacks/estates and even less that are affordable.  I can recommend the Renault 12 estate if you can find one in the UK or perhaps a Maxi.

 

I havent seen the Pre-78 exemption? there is so much info that just goes around in circles about it. Do you know where i can find that bit? Maybe i could buy a cheap triumph spitfire like my Dads for gigs in town haha! I never need to carry a ton of gear into London. Up and down the country is a different matter but, no more than a hatchbacks worth really.

[catsinthewelder]

I just ran the details through of my old Austin 1100

 

 

You confirmed your vehicle as:

DPN90K Purple AUSTIN 1100

You are currently exempt from the ULEZ. 

Your vehicle does not meet the emission standards for ULEZ*. However, as of June 2017, its tax class means that it is exempt from the ULEZ.

However, from 8 April 2019, you may be charged to travel in the ULEZ if:

• Your tax class has changed since June 2017, or
• Your tax class changes in the future

Other charges

• You may still be subject to the Congestion Charge and/or T-Charge
• You may also be subject to the Low Emission Zone scheme, which applies to diesel lorries, buses, coaches, motor caravans, motorised horseboxes, larger vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles. Find out about the Low Emission Zone

[scdan4]

Looking at the possibility that The Alfa may be "going to live on a farm"....

 

So, looking at returning to Volvos, the V70 to be precise.

 

Looked at a few online, and loads of people (sellers) have said about the 2.4 Dizzle "bulletproof" and "255,000 is nothing for one of these" all that kind of shit.

 

Is this true?

 

Possible purchase link for info

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201807158467736?make=VOLVO&year-to=2009&price-from=1000&model=V70&sort=sponsored&year-from=2006&radius=1500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&price-to=2500&postcode=rm162pt&advertising-location=at_cars&page=2

Assuming you are talking about the mk1 Audi 5 pot tdi then mines just clicked past 220,000 .

 

Engine feels fit, gearbox (auto) getting clunky a bit... but no impending doom sensed.

 

Things have broke, alternator, power steering pump, air con pump, door locks... but all cheaply and easily fixed.

 

They also tend to be owned by people who look after them (unlike my good self. ) would recommend.

[sierraman]

Are those CV joint pullers any good? Seen them for about a tenner or so, figured would save some hammering away. Only using it on the slip ring type joints?

 

I know everyone always says whip the driveshaft out but it’ll save pissing gearbox oil out everywhere.

[SiC]

I just ran the details through of my old Austin 1100

Thats because its engine is now on my garage floor. With no drivers footwell floor, thus requiring Flintstones style propulsion, emissions will be zero.

[meggersdog]

For the other MOT testers.

 

Had a phonecall today regarding a Freelander.

Chap had his rear prop removed years ago but under the new rules the garage he took it to failed it due to propshaft missing !

The garage said as it left the factory as 4wd it should still be 4x4.

 

They've failed it for prop shaft securing bolts missing .

If there is no prop what are these bolts supposed to be securing ?

 

This left the factory as a 4wd bollocks means every modified car to these people is illegal

[Talbot]

For the other MOT testers.

 

Had a phonecall today regarding a Freelander.

Chap had his rear prop removed years ago but under the new rules the garage he took it to failed it due to propshaft missing !

The garage said as it left the factory as 4wd it should still be 4x4.

 

They've failed it for prop shaft securing bolts missing .

If there is no prop what are these bolts supposed to be securing ?

 

This left the factory as a 4wd bollocks means every modified car to these people is illegal

Utter bullshit. Test as presented. If a non-required item is not present, it can't be tested.

[meggersdog]

Utter bullshit. Test as presented. If a non-required item is not present, it can't be tested.

That's exactly what I said....It's coming here on Saturday so wanted to make sure as I've looked in the manual and cannot see anything about it.

[Timewaster]

requiring Flintstones style propulsion, emissions will be sweat and strain farts.

[Richard]

Looking at the possibility that The Alfa may be "going to live on a farm"....

 

So, looking at returning to Volvos, the V70 to be precise.

 

Looked at a few online, and loads of people (sellers) have said about the 2.4 Dizzle "bulletproof" and "255,000 is nothing for one of these" all that kind of shit.

 

Is this true?

 

Possible purchase link for info

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201807158467736?make=VOLVO&year-to=2009&price-from=1000&model=V70&sort=sponsored&year-from=2006&radius=1500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&price-to=2500&postcode=rm162pt&advertising-location=at_cars&page=2

 

 

Assuming you are talking about the mk1 Audi 5 pot tdi then mines just clicked past 220,000 .

 

Engine feels fit, gearbox (auto) getting clunky a bit... but no impending doom sensed.

 

Things have broke, alternator, power steering pump, air con pump, door locks... but all cheaply and easily fixed.

 

They also tend to be owned by people who look after them (unlike my good self. ) would recommend.

 

That's not the VAG engine, it's Volvo's own. I think they're ok but I don't really know. A red flag for me on that one would be the ditchfinder tyres, which means it's either maintained on a budget or it eats tyres.

[sierraman]

Wouldn’t be unduly worried about a set of budgets, it’s a 12 year old car, unlikely it will have been fitted with £200 a piece Michelins.

[steveo3002]

fuel injection cleaning - the send away type not incar

 

worth it on older cars or only if running like a bag of nails , many youtube vids showing sets with massive output differences fixed up with a clean, but are they typical results ? after all theres angry solvent being pumped though them all day

 

worth it or no?

[320touring]

Tyres - The Oxford needs 4 new ones. It's currently shorn with 155/R15 and it was my intention to replace them with 165/80/15 as the modern, cost effective equivalent.

 

However, the acquisition of the 1800 B series could potentially see up to a 100% increase in power once complete.

 

I'm therefore considering whether I could fit a 195/65/15 of some repute to assist. Costs and overall rolling diameter are pretty much exactly the same.

 

Do we reckon the Oxford rims would take the additional width(fnar)!?

 

[SiC]

The MGB stock wheel on Rostyles is effectively 165/80/14.

[320touring]

The MGB stock wheel on Rostyles is effectively 165/80/14.

Interesting, dunno if Rostyles would suit the Oxford?

[SiC]

Sorry I meant that the Oxford 165/80/15 won't be too dissimilar to the stock MGB in size

[320touring]

Sorry I meant that the Oxford 165/80/15 won't be too dissimilar to the stock MGB in size

True. I like the original steels, so really want a solution that lets me buy tyres I can use now, and also after the conversion..

[Crusty Sills]

I need to change the fuel filter on Mrs sills Mazda CX5, it is behind the battery.

Looking on the font of all knowledge (YouTube) it makes a comment about memory saver or connecting to a battery

I've never used, seen or needed any kind of memory saver on a car before but obviously do not want to fuck up her car.

Do I need one or will I be fine just cracking on with the job?

[RobT]

Incoming ULEZ is going to have an odd effect on old cars in London.  Pre-78 cars are exempt so sightings will probably increase a bit as various shitters, lords of the manor etc bring the old classic into town rather than stump up 25 quid to bring their 20 year old modern* car into the zone.

 

I'm not sure what I would do in your position,  there are a wonderful variety of old cars that are exempt but few that are practical hatchbacks/estates and even less that are affordable.  I can recommend the Renault 12 estate if you can find one in the UK or perhaps a Maxi.

All of my cars are subject to the ULEZ, and I don't live far from the boundary which in my case is the south circular. So when visiting friends in places like Greenwich I'll either have to pay the charge or use public transport, which isn't an ideal prospect really as the train options are shite when travelling later in the evening and buses take an age.

 

Just have to deal with it I suppose, but much of the 80s and 90s tat will disappear off the streets when the residents discount 'sunset period' ends in October 2021, and there's still a fair bit of the latter knocking about.

[Ohdearme]

Estate, pre-78,

 

All of my cars are subject to the ULEZ, and I don't live far from the boundary which in my case is the south circular. So when visiting friends in places like Greenwich I'll either have to pay the charge or use public transport, which isn't an ideal prospect really as the train options are shite when travelling later in the evening and buses take an age.

Just have to deal with it I suppose, but much of the 80s and 90s tat will disappear off the streets when the residents discount 'sunset period' ends in October 2021, and there's still a fair bit of the latter knocking about.

 

Not exactly pennies but it's an estate, pre-78 and a bit yellow.

 

https://www.autoclassics.com/advert/56619