Ask a Shiter

[Kiltox]

Do we ? What's it called ?

 

Possible test drive on Monday

“low cost big liability”

 

 

It’s in the dirty modern section.

[twosmoke300]

Re my post in the news thread. Is it likely that totally worn out spark plugs have damaged the ignition coils on the Honda Accord? EML on for multiple misfires.

Possible . Also if it’s not been looked after it might need the valve clearances adjusting

[Dippy]

Would I be mad to get a 2006 Audi A6 3.0 TDI auto ?

It's got 250000Km on it, cam belt was done 30000 ago.

Sat Nav and radio are dead.

I'm tempted but it's worryingly cheap, 2000 euro

Had an A6 and when sat nav and radio broke so did lots of other functions through screen and Audi fitted a new box of tricks in boot for over £1000 to fix it. Domt worry got my money back off them though as there was a water leak there they forgot to fix on recall. So they put in 2 magic boxs free of charge in the end.

[twosmoke300]

I’d adjust the belt first

[BorniteIdentity]

Re my post in the news thread. Is it likely that totally worn out spark plugs have damaged the ignition coils on the Honda Accord? EML on for multiple misfires.

Weirdly, my FB memoirs reminded me that, this day 5 years ago, I had ignition coil failure. Spark plugs were about 85k old and Donald Ducked. Coil dead.

[Guest Hooli]

Re my post in the news thread. Is it likely that totally worn out spark plugs have damaged the ignition coils on the Honda Accord? EML on for multiple misfires.

Regap the plugs and if it still misfires. It might not run right that worn but it'd be a good indicator I'd have thought.

[wuvvum]

Micra sometimes belt squeals when starting up cold/warm it last about 20seconds, when revved I noticed while squealing the lights dim, not bothering me too much right now as it stops within 30seconds, but warning signs of the alternator possibly? 

The Toyota's belt has started squealing on start up since the weather got cold - it's not uncommon.  As TS300 says, adjusting it should help (presumably by wiggling the alternator on a Micra?).

[panhard65]

Re my post in the news thread. Is it likely that totally worn out spark plugs have damaged the ignition coils on the Honda Accord? EML on for multiple misfires.

I doubt it will be the plugs to be honest If it is putting the EML on. The ecu is unlikely to pick up a fault on the high voltage side of things but would pick up overfueling due to a misfire. With it giving codes for specified cylinders it is most likely coil packs.

[cort1977]

Are roffles legal?  Just saw in the paper that a couple who tried to roffle their house were shut down by the authorities.  Not that I think they will be interested in us swapping bits of rammel at 5 quid a go just an interesting question.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/03/couple-forced-to-close-raffle-for-their-500000-north-yorkshire-home

[SiC]

Are roffles legal?  Just saw in the paper that a couple who tried to roffle their house were shut down by the authorities.  Not that I think they will be interested in us swapping bits of rammel at 5 quid a go just an interesting question.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/03/couple-forced-to-close-raffle-for-their-500000-north-yorkshire-home

Generally the way its done on here, no. There are ways I believe to make it ok, but you'd have to check up on them.

 

A little bit of info here:

https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-the-public/Fundraising-and-promotions/Advertising-and-promoting.aspx

 

Part of the reason why I've avoided doing them for cars I'm selling on here.

[busmansholiday]

Parafin heater on the passenger side floor?

I remember in the 60's that you could buy a low profile parafin heater designed to go under the sump of your car to make starting in winter easier. My father had one that he used, think it would have been the MkI 'tina, each night and he kept it in a garage. There was also the 'old wives tale' of opening the bonnet and putting a thick blanket over the engine to keep the heat in. You can laugh, but I've done it. Didn't stop the inside steaming up when you drive the car outside.

 

And whilst mentioning this, one very cold morning I decided to sort out the frost on the screen of the Rapier by pouring cold water (never, ever, use hot) over it. Got rid of frost, didn't steam up, except when I got to the station I couldn't open the door as everything had frozen up due to pouring water over it. Missed train, had to sit there for about half hour until the heat had melted the frozen door. Never done it since.....

[320touring]

Hmm, sellers mate said the belts (distribution en francais) had been done... could be porkies or just misinformed.

Think I'll go for a test drive anyway If the ride rattles what's left of my teeth I'll stick with my XM

Another thing to watch is the 2.7/3.0 v6 tend to soot up a lot (egr issues) and clog the inlet

[DodgeRover]

I remember in the 60's that you could buy a low profile parafin heater designed to go under the sump of your car to make starting in winter easier. My father had one that he used, think it would have been the MkI 'tina, each night and he kept it in a garage. There was also the 'old wives tale' of opening the bonnet and putting a thick blanket over the engine to keep the heat in. You can laugh, but I've done it. Didn't stop the inside steaming up when you drive the car outside.

.....

We still had one up till a few years ago.

[anonymous user]

My mate, dangerous Davies, used to put a coat over the engine of his Hillman Minx in an effort to make it easier to start in winter, it might have been a good idea apart from forgetting to remove it before trying to start the car. The coat, which he had hoped to wear again, got mangled through the fan belt, this stretched the fan belt so the car stopped charging properly, making it even more difficult to start. His back up plan of parking it on a hill to bump start it went well, until the vicar asked him not to park in front of the church as it was spoiling people's wedding photographs.

[New POD]

Re my post in the news thread. Is it likely that totally worn out spark plugs have damaged the ignition coils on the Honda Accord? EML on for multiple misfires.

Yes.

[New POD]

I once remember having to pour hot water over the water pump on a mini to defrost it before we could start it.

Proved that anti-freeze is for girls.

[MorrisItalSLX]

I'm in the market for a ball joint splitter, what type does the Autoshite collective reccomend?

Horseshoe type or the fancy mechanical pushy type?

[twosmoke300]

A decent hammer

[sierraman]

A fork and some spare boots. For knocking out bottom ball joints on wishbones I use a length of scaffold bar and a big fuck off hammer.

[twosmoke300]

A fork !!!! Noooooo - unless you are replacing the joint anyway . It does more than bugger the boot .

[Cavcraft]

Is it possible to get to a point where your vehicle is running and in first gear (without the clutch being used) but not actually moving? I've tried in a Nissan Navarra, whereby creeping up to (off road) junctions in first can almost do it, but obvs it always tries to carry on a little bit. If I did it on the exact right gradient, can I have it stationary in gear with clutch out?

[Sir Snipes]

Is it possible to get to a point where your vehicle is running and in first gear (without the clutch being used) but not actually moving? I've tried in a Nissan Navarra, whereby creeping up to (off road) junctions in first can almost do it, but obvs it always tries to carry on a little bit. If I did it on the exact right gradient, can I have it stationary in gear with clutch out?

I managed that on an icey incline in a Mk5 Golf. Got out and stood next to it, watching it spin the wheels.

[DodgeRover]

Is it possible to get to a point where your vehicle is running and in first gear (without the clutch being used) but not actually moving? I've tried in a Nissan Navarra, whereby creeping up to (off road) junctions in first can almost do it, but obvs it always tries to carry on a little bit. If I did it on the exact right gradient, can I have it stationary in gear with clutch out?

Not sure if serious?

 

No the wheels will be turning.

 

Edit actually yes but you would need a transfer box to knock into neutral instead of the main gearbox

[dozeydustman]

Has anyone tried "night time driving" glasses with selective yellow lenses to counteract glare? Both the wife and I have tried anti-dazzle treatments and polarised lenses in our regular glasses and they've done bugger all

[panhard65]

I'm in the market for a ball joint splitter, what type does the Autoshite collective reccomend?

Horseshoe type or the fancy mechanical pushy type?

As twosmoke says a decent hammer is all you need. I have been in the trade over 30 years and have never had cause to use anything else, but if you really want a tool the mechanical type is best as the fork type is pointless and causes more damage. When hitting the joint with a hammer you just have to be carefull not to hit the thread or damage the boot. You just want to give it a good clout on the side of whatever the joint is fitted in and not hammer the joint itself. It is easy enough to do but not so easy to describe.

[DodgeRover]

Has anyone tried "night time driving" glasses with selective yellow lenses to counteract glare? Both the wife and I have tried anti-dazzle treatments and polarised lenses in our regular glasses and they've done bugger all

I have yellow lens safety specs and yes they do brighten everything up. They make things look a little odd at night with lights coming toward you.

[sierraman]

A fork !!!! Noooooo - unless you are replacing the joint anyway . It does more than bugger the boot .

Most of the time the reason I’m taking the joint off is because it’s fucked anyway. Three legged puller is a good tool for it.

[MorrisItalSLX]

Thanks for the advice chaps.

 

I shall go with the ‘Twat it with a hammer’ technique and if that fails I will look into the mechanical pushing type.

 

I’m replacing the steering rack boots, so I don’t want to damage the track rod ends if at all possible.

[twosmoke300]

The only vehicle I use a splitter for is 2000-2014 transits . Because the part of the arm the joint taper goes in is soft mild steel rather than cast and cos they can be sodding tight. Proper Sykes screw splitter with a sacrificial 2pence to protect the threads

[dozeydustman]

Just removed the battery on the Corolla to charge it. The alternator belt has got very squealy of late and I've just noticed it's started to shred.

 

Seen the parts I need to charge it on onlinecarparts.co.uk for a very reasonable £6 for each belt, and the cam belt is only £12 or so.

 

Anyone used this company? If so, what they like?