Ask a Shiter

[Skizzer]

Is value cola as good at cleaning stuff as the real thing?

Apparently yes. Was reading about this the other day, for cleaning copper: value cola may even have more phosphoric acid (the active cleaning agent) than Coke.

 

One day I shall do an Autoshite version of the Pepsi challenge. But not tonight, it's bedtime and Aldi is shut.

[mat_the_cat]

I'll give you a link if you want when I can get to a computer.

 

I can't sleep, and I've managed to remember who I use!

 

http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Seals/c19/index.html

 

eBay may be cheaper, but it's handy to be able to search by size.

[passmethegun]

What makes brake discs warp?

 

Is it too much heat? Worn pads? Shite discs?

[Sloth in a bowl]

What makes brake discs warp?

 

Is it too much heat? Worn pads? Shite discs?

Usually disks warp because the pads over heat and leave a bit of material on the disk. Classically done by stopping and leaving foot on brake to leave hot pads hard against one one part of the disk.

Once a bit of material has transferred them this will become a hot spot and the problem tends to get progressivly worse.

 

Basically shit pads and rough driving in combination along with a failure to use the hand brake when stopped.

[Andrew353w]

Usually disks warp because the pads over heat and leave a bit of material on the disk. Classically done by stopping and leaving foot on brake to leave hot pads hard against one one part of the disk.

Once a bit of material has transferred them this will become a hot spot and the problem tends to get progressivly worse.

 

Basically shit pads and rough driving in combination along with a failure to use the hand brake when stopped.

 

As above, I totally agree! It's good driving practice is to ease off the brakes as the car come to a halt and then apply the hand brake. But we've all followed cars where the brake lights stay lit until the car moves off again. This concentrates the heat onto one part of the disc, which can cause them to warp. Remember the advantage of disc brakes is that they dissipate the heat from the pads, this improving braking, but if you don't release the brakes when stationary the opposite happens. Drum brake shoes were pulled away from the drums when the brakes weren't applied by huge springs, which allowed air to get in between them & cool them. There no such device with discs, so it's all the more important NOT to keep the foot brake on when stationary. 

[bub2006]

I'll bear that in mind regards leaving foot on brake. Vectra is auto so I tend to knock it into neutral and hold brakes. Mind you I tend to feather brakes round town than throttle anyway but car is still moving.

 

Question regarding vectra. It's a 1.6 auto. Anyone here owned one or astra auto? Just curious about mpg. I tend to get 55/60 mile to a tenner which is about 34 ish to the gallon around town. I don't think it's too bad considering its size.

[sierraman]

No that's fairly good. The later 1.9cdti auto struggles to do 40mpg so sounds about right.

[Rusty_Rocket]

Question regarding vectra. It's a 1.6 auto. Anyone here owned one or astra auto? Just curious about mpg. I tend to get 55/60 mile to a tenner which is about 34 ish to the gallon around town. I don't think it's too bad considering its size.

 

I think that's about right, too.  The Vectra/ Astra/ Corsa have Aisin auto boxes which are very reliable indeed.  The only real issues tend to be the selector switch on top of the 'box which can go into fault mode and lock it into 3rd gear.  They're easy to remove, strip and repair though.

[HH-R]

1.6 Vectra? I thought the smallest was a 1.8 (assuming Vectra C)

[Rusty_Rocket]

Na Vectra-B came with 1598cc.  8v too if base spec!

[HH-R]

Blimey. Automotive sadomasochism.

[Rusty_Rocket]

The 8v wasn't actually as bad as it sounds, but they failed quite readily. That's what you get for putting a mk2 Cav/ Astra engine in a much heavier car

[Station]

You could get a 1.4 in the Cav, usually in fleet repmobile 'merit' spec.

[Richard]

I drove a 1.4 405 once, it went surprisingly well.

[LC Torana]

Any auto electricians on here?

 

Took the P6B for a 300-mile round trip yesterday, which included driving for extended periods with high-beam headlights on, having to dip only occasionally for an oncoming car. Unusual, I know, these days.

 

Anyway, after half an hour or so of this, after the alternator had got nice and hot, the ammeter abruptly swung to the right - to the tune of 30 amps or more, and the lights went REALLY bright.

 

Did this several times, and each time returned to normal after a minute or two.

 

Stopped happening once I got to the city and slowed to city speeds.

 

Any ideas?

[bub2006]

Mines a 1.6 16v. About 100bhp I think. Don't seem too lethargic but it's a fair sized motor so needs the help it can get! I'm happy with the mpg, never expected it to be fantastic with a weight of around 1300kg and auto box. Put my mind at rest too saying boxes are reliable. Are they self learning? Seems to be changing gear at different rpm now to when I first bought it. It can get a good hustle on down the bypass when encouraged too but putting the hammer down and sport button on it seems to drink like George best so I don't do that too often!

[Asimo]

Anyway, after half an hour or so of this, after the alternator had got nice and hot, the ammeter abruptly swung to the right - to the tune of 30 amps or more, and the lights went REALLY bright.

 

Did this several times, and each time returned to normal after a minute or two. Stopped happening once I got to the city and slowed to city speeds.

 

Any ideas?

 

The bright lights and 30amp charge would be due to the Alternator voltage going way too high.

So my internet diagnosis is that the Voltage regulator is failing or failing to work correctly because of a faulty connection to it.

The regulator is probably built into the alternator. If so, rebuild or replace alternator time I reckon. 

[Inspector Morose]

Yup, reg pack failing due to heat caused by high loads. Only cure is replacement sadly.

[Alan_Green]

Question - Why is the screenwash fill point always* under the bonnet and not on the outside of the car like the petrol cap?

 

*OK, someone is going to say the Panhard Chateaubriand had a screenwash point on the outside but you had to open the bonnet to put petrol in.

[Pillock]

Because you only need to fill it every so often? Plus, people would wee in it.

[twosmoke300]

It might encourage car drivers to check other levels at the same time maybe? No fucking hope of that !

[UltraWomble]

Old tyres?
What to do if your local recycling centre wont take them?

[Sloth in a bowl]

Old tyres?

What to do if your local recycling centre wont take them?

 

 

Fling them over the gate when they are closed and run away, simples.

 

Alternatively bag them up with something else and call it 'household waste'.

[UltraWomble]

 

 

Alternatively bag them up with something else and call it 'household waste'.

Chopped it up and black bagged it. Now in wheelie bin.

[DVee8]

Turn it into modern art or a  modernist chair and sell to some hip young/old thing for cash pound notes.

[UltraWomble]

Did debate making a potato grower,or flower planter. 

[twosmoke300]

Only a quid to dispose at a proper recycling place . I'm not a greenie by any means but don't agree with tyres going to landfill

[Pillock]

Cling wrap them and send them via Yodel. Sorted, nobody ever sees them again.

[skattrd]

Oil in cat (catalyst on car, not feline) is the cat knackered? Will nuns/kittens be injured if I run the engine with the cat full of oil? I assume shit loads of smoke will appear.

 

I would beat the shit out of the middle of the cat but unfortunately it's in the middle of a long piece of exhaust so it's not easy to get at, and due to my not working status I'd rather not buy a new cat if I can avoid it.

[cobblers]

It will probably eventually overheat and fall to pieces on its own accord if it's really oily, hopefully all the bits will make their way out the back end.

 

If the car hasn't been run yet and you can be arsed to get the exhaust off then tip a load of old petrol/thinners/anything that dissolves oil through a few times then rinse it off with water.