Ask a Shiter

[Station]

There's nothing wrong with the wheels as such, just have a look at how much tyres cost for them.

 

The Fuego had wheels that were metric as standard, which was one of the reasons I sold it.

[Station]

With the jump leads you're paying for the negative lead you won't need though. 35 mm sq. will be overkill as I use 25 mm sq. to start a Rover V8 engine from the boot. Try Beal for cables:

http://www.beal.org.uk/automotive/automotive-battery-cable/cat_100146.html

 

If you can wait until Shitefest I can bring a hydraulic crimper to do a neat job on the end terminals.

 

Cable on it's own is more expensive than a pair of cheap jump leads. I could either buy a short earth cable for £5 or two 5m cables in the form of jump leads with terminals for the same price.

The more strands a cable has, the higher amp it can take, voltage runs on the surface of metal.

[inconsistant]

Another wheel related stupid question... I noticed this morning that a Smart car has 3 wheel nuts, and remember old french cars of my youth did too. Other cars have 4 nuts and some have 5.

 

Why? What's the difference?

 

Also why is there not standardisation of wheel nut number and spacing so all wheels on all cars are interchangeable? (I'm thinking of Vulgalour's Lotus wheels on his Princess here, and a Porsche 924 having 4 nuts but the 924S having 5)

 

Or is that a bit like asking why we can't all just get along?

[Bobthebeard]

Another wheel related stupid question... I noticed this morning that a Smart car has 3 wheel nuts, and remember old french cars of my youth did too. Other cars have 4 nuts and some have 5.

 

Why? What's the difference?

 

Or is that a bit like asking why we can't all just get along?

The difference is either one or two.

Other than that I have no idea!

We do all get along don't we? All chums with a common cause/affliction etc.

[Asimo]

The more strands a cable has, the higher amp it can take, voltage runs on the surface of metal.

Current only runs on the surface at high frequencies (think radio transmission etc).

Starter current is DC, what matters is the cross section area of the cable.

Jump leads are often made with aluminium cable which is cheaper and lighter for a given current rating than copper but completely unsuitable for your battery move job.

Use welder earth cable as suggested above and sleeve it where it passes through panels and clips. Heater hose is ideal for this. Keep the cable well away from fuel lines. Be very thorough, a short circuit here can give you a bonfire in seconds.

[twosmoke300]

The wheel studs thing is to do with weight and cost .

The more weight/ loading a vehicle has , the more (or bigger) studs are required.

The cost aspect is that obviously its cheaper to make a 3 stud hub/ wheel etc if they can get away with it.

[panhard65]

The Fuego had wheels that were metric as standard, which was one of the reasons I sold it.

Sorry the fuego never used metric tyres. I think the 20 and 30 were the only renaults that had metrics as an option

[inconsistant]

We do all get along don't we? All chums with a common cause/affliction etc.

 

Sorry Bob, I mean like 'World Peace, and end to all hunger and manufacturers agreeing on standardised wheel offsets' type stuff, not a bunch of social misfits on a minority interest web forum all agreeing to be the same sort of weird.

[face]

I really like MGB GTs.

 

Am I in the majority on here?

 

I can never tell.

[willswitchengage]

The more strands a cable has, the higher amp it can take, voltage runs on the surface of metal.

 

resistance is what makes power transmission inefficient, power loss = current * resistance

 

Resistivity is a material property, copper has a low resistivity

 

Resistance * volume of material  = resistance

 

Therefore making your cables fatter or of a material with lower resistivity (copper is lowest of common or garden materials) will reduce their resistance, therefore allowing a greater current to pass through before they fail.

 

It's not to do with surface area, it's just cable manufacture is a lot easier with lots of smaller fibres and it allows better flexure of cable too (otherwise you'd just have a solid rod).

 

How does electricity get through power transmission (ie big pylons), well they run at 400,000 volts which brings the current right down to manageable level. More energy is transported per electron as you increase the voltage (but has the side effect of making the system more dangerous)

 

for further reading look up superconductors on youtube, they have zero resistance at very low temperatures and you can do clever experiments with them

[scooters]

What's the deal with metric vs imperial sized wheels? Is metric bad? If I have metric wheels should I get rid? I've tried google but to be honest I'm still none the wiser ...

 

The CX GTI CAN HAS METRIC WEELZ  most owners fit Alfa alloys which fit well - the tyres are a lot cheaper than the metrics - although the car does run better on the Michelin Metrics and you get use the mad alloys that look like they were made by the galactic empire in Star wars. 

 

In the mid/late 80's quite a few luxury cars had metric wheels fitted - XJ40s were another.

[sheffcortinacentre]

 some mk2 Granada ghias & early 80's mustangs had them

[spike60]

I think the only problems with metric wheels are limited availability and very pricey tyres, about 8 years ago I bought a set of 17" 5 spokes with good tyres for less than the price of 2 metric tyres for a 525 tds BMW. At the time Dunlops were all that was on offer and they were £160 each.

[tooSavvy]

so then... EuroBoffs [garlicmunchers] have not taken over the world >> Is UK only place in Europe with INCH tyres?

 

Do other markets all use Metric tyres??

 

Bit of a headache for export/import/dealer standardisation shirley 

 

 

TS

[NorfolkNWeigh]

so then... EuroBoffs [garlicmunchers] have not taken over the world >> Is UK only place in Europe with INCH tyres?

 

Do other markets all use Metric tyres??

 

Bit of a headache for export/import/dealer standardisation shirley 

 

 

TS

It was just a glitch in the 80's that even spread to Great Britain -Metro,Montego and XJ40 for metric diameter wheels. Eventually I believe Johnny Foreigner will see the error of his ways and start using proper Imperial measurements for width as well ,10 55 x18 looks better than 255 55x18.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Modern query: was asked to diagnose a non starting MK6 Fiesta over the phone last night. It turned over, but wouldn't start. Determined it wasn't a weak battery but couldn't help any more than that. Was called again a couple of hours later to say the car was working again, it will start as long as the throttle is pressed while the key is being turned. 

 

Now, I could see that happening with carbs, but on a fuel injected, ECU laden thing? What's going on there? It doesn't really matter, it's not my car and none of my business but I'm curious. 

[Taff]

if I buy this,

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221358745684&fromMakeTrack=true

 

whats the score with the v5c?

 

What does he mean by HPI clear? Surley, the v5c is registered to the missing owner, so how would I (even if I had a receipt) go about getting a v5c in my name for it?

 

thanks in advance for any answers/advice

[meggersdog]

HPI clear means it's been checked against the insurance database and isn't stolen,on the register or on finance.

I think you need a V62 to apply for the V5.Fill out the form stating you never received the V5 and the DVLA will write to the former keeper.If they get no reply after a few weeks they send you the new one.Usually 5-6 weeks.

Some post offices will issue a tax disc on the V62 now. (witnessed two days ago on a cat D with no V5)

[cobblers]

Basically you buy the car and send off for a V5. A letter will go to the previous owners address letting them know someone has applied for the V5, if he ignores this then no problem - You would presume he would ignore it, if he has ignored all previous correspondence from the bloke running the storage place then he's either moved, died or just decided to wash his hands of the car for whatever reason.

 

If he does dispute the change of owner then then you will have to do some wangling, but ultimately the car does belong to the seller here if he can prove he has done as he says and is selling to cover costs.

 

Eventually you would probably see a V5 on the doormat, but you have to ask yourself how lucky you feel and bid accordingly.

[saucedoctor]

Modern query: was asked to diagnose a non starting MK6 Fiesta over the phone last night. It turned over, but wouldn't start. Determined it wasn't a weak battery but couldn't help any more than that. Was called again a couple of hours later to say the car was working again, it will start as long as the throttle is pressed while the key is being turned. 

 

Now, I could see that happening with carbs, but on a fuel injected, ECU laden thing? What's going on there? It doesn't really matter, it's not my car and none of my business but I'm curious.

 

Idle Air Control Valve?

[Taff]

HPI clear means it's been checked against the insurance database and isn't stolen,on the register or on finance.

I think you need a V62 to apply for the V5.Fill out the form stating you never received the V5 and the DVLA will write to the former keeper.If they get no reply after a few weeks they send you the new one.Usually 5-6 weeks.

Some post offices will issue a tax disc on the V62 now. (witnessed two days ago on a cat D with no V5)

 

 

Basically you buy the car and send off for a V5. A letter will go to the previous owners address letting them know someone has applied for the V5, if he ignores this then no problem - You would presume he would ignore it, if he has ignored all previous correspondence from the bloke running the storage place then he's either moved, died or just decided to wash his hands of the car for whatever reason.

 

If he does dispute the change of owner then then you will have to do some wangling, but ultimately the car does belong to the seller here if he can prove he has done as he says and is selling to cover costs.

 

Eventually you would probably see a V5 on the doormat, but you have to ask yourself how lucky you feel and bid accordingly.

 

thanks both, that is very clear and easy to understand. Effectively, I bidding to buy and hoping that tha absentee owner doesn't suddenly change his mind and want his almost-Ferrari back.

 

Hmm. How badly do I want a topless Italian sports car

[Station]

What is this???

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SAAB-96-V4-RUN-ON-95-UNLEADED-PETROL-INTANK-UNIT-/271361945271?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f2e6eaeb7

[Pillock]

Petrol additive in solid form? Doesn't look too much like snake oil TBH, I don't know if its 100% effective but I'd trust it more than those things that clip over the fuel lines that improve performance. At first glance it just looks like it's a way to put lead back into petrol but the description says it's a tin alloy....

[barefoot]

What is this???

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SAAB-96-V4-RUN-ON-95-UNLEADED-PETROL-INTANK-UNIT-/271361945271?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f2e6eaeb7

This is the biggest con in the world, ever.

 

Send me twenty quid and I'll send you some chicken wire and metal nuggets to shove in your tank.

But mine will double your mpg as well.

[mercrocker]

Its one thing some shed-dweller knocking out hokey shite like this but why link it to a perfectly good car in his listing so you have to see the shit when you are  looking for parts?   A child of 5 could see it won't work but otherwise sensible adults still buy the crap and throw it in their tank....

[Danblez]

What is this???

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SAAB-96-V4-RUN-ON-95-UNLEADED-PETROL-INTANK-UNIT-/271361945271?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f2e6eaeb7

 

 

Tertra Ethyl Lead (in leaded petrol) dissolves in petrol where as elemental lead does not. Snake oil of the highest order!

 

I particularly like the 6000 mile warranty. If your valve seats were to burn out due to lack of lead how many miles do you think it would take?

[Mr Lobster]

Quick questions -

 

I've got a scrap cat to weigh in, how much should I expect and can I just take it to my friendly* local metal recyclers and say 'how much mista?'

 

Secondly, do scrap batteries have any value? Got a couple of dead ones and seem to think I've read they are worth something. Should I take them too or recycle them in a resposible manner (and definitely* not* just stick them in the wheely bin)

[spike60]

Batteries well worth it, my local yard pays £5-8 each last time I had a clear out.

[fordperv]

is your cat genuine or aftermarket? price depends on contents of cat also batteries are worth a couple of quid, last time i went got £23 for 4 095 size but that was last year dont know about current prices

[twosmoke300]

Proper original cats are worth a bit , I got over 100 quid for one off a mk4 golf tdi a month or 2 ago . I think average is 40 ish.

My scrappy doesn't buy the aftermarket cats , or euros as he calls them.

Batteries are about 3 to 5 each or about 42p a kilo.