Ask a Shiter

[M'coli]

Should I report a road-rage incident to the police?  I was cycling back from the shops about 40 minutes ago - they're half a mile away - and approaching 4 or 5 parked cars on the opposite side a car overtook me with very little space to go to the parked ones - it had accdelerated to make the gap, and I was already doing about 12-5 mph, in a 20.  As you do when this happens, you make a noise of alarm and I also threw a hand up, open palmed.  Car emergency stops , the driver -a middle-aged bearded man - shouts something along the lines of "What's your problem?"  I reply, "You've got a "Think Bike" sticker on the back window and you do that to me - what's that all about?" "Motor bikes, not cyclists" was his rough reply.  "So you don't care if about us?"  "Rough reply, "Don't care about any of you."  Accelerates off, and my perhaps ill-advised reply is, "that's not very nice"...and he brakes violently again, leaving more rubber on the road, gives me more snash anlon g the lines of hitting me physically, and accelerates off.

 

I get round the corner to turn into my street, he's stopping the car and is getting out and makes a run for me, shouting at me - last words I hear are, "Aye, run, you fat bastard" - he's no skinny himself.  I make the decision to go straight ahead, as I can get down the road easier than get past him up my street, and also, I do not want to lead him towards my house.

 

I turn up the next road I can take, and get my phone out as I turn into the other end of my street to set it to video, and drop it.  I double back, pick it up, and this car comes round the corner, luckily not stopping.  I get back on my bike, and cycle along the street, as he is dropping off the pre-teen/teen daughter of one of our neighbours, so again I turn up another road to avoid a trail.

 

Eventually I get back to the house, having made sure this car is not about.

 

What should I do, seeing as he's obvioulsy a nutter, pobably knows where I live, and the wife doesn't fancy having her new car messed up?

[Rusty_Rocket]

M'coli - yes, call that in.

You can handle it but I'd imagine he'd do exactly the same to the old boy that lives down the road and cycles to the post office once a week.

He's a bully with 1.5t of metal at his command- we shouldn't have to tolerate morons like that in our society.

 

You can report him anon online- if someone else has done this on another occasion, it will all go towards him getting a knock on the door.

[Mr Livered]

Unfortunately, if you have no evidence of a crime having been committed, the cops can't really do a great deal.

 

Depending on where you live and how busy the rozzers are, I reckon they would either do absolutely nothing other than record your complaint (this could still be of use if you get problems from this chap in the future), or they might offer to go round for a little chat with him. This happened to some people I know recently: a fellow they know vaguely came into their shop a propos a row they had been having about parking and completely lost it, threatening behaviour, screaming at them that they are fucking cunts, etc - very intimidating for a gentle, rural middle-class, middle-aged couple. So they called the cops and were surprised when they found out that tge above doesn't necessarily amount to an actual crime. However, ultimately they were pleased because PC Plod went round to see the chap in question for a quiet word. He was probably just telling him to be careful not to overstep a line.

 

As I was typing all that shit I realised that if you don't know where your Mr Angry lives then this whole post is worthless. Sorry.

[willswitchengage]

I suspect on the lack of objective evidence etc it's not worth the bother.

 

I cycle commute 20 miles most days but have never ever had any bother from other motorists. Weekend cycle rides, however, it's at least one "incident" guaranteed - a horn, a finger, shouting, almost 100% just "get off the road (profantity)", if audible. Just turn the other cheek, I've ridden along casually and had people stop in front,of me, open doors, get out etc. If you have good anger management, being completely oblivious to aggression I reckon could irritate the antagonist more, as they're wasting their time and effort but getting no reaction. Sure, had people throw stuff out of the window, spit etc (and who really carries around water pistols in their cars?) but I think most are wise enough to know they're facing hefty jail time if they use their vehicle as an assault weapon. If you're confident that you haven't made an error and are just facing general anti-cyclistism, turn the other cheek. Frustrating but safer.

[saucedoctor]

Report it to the Police, Cameron. The man caused you to apprehend immediate and unlawful violence. As Livered says, the cops might not do anything, but if there is any "afters", your complaint will be on record. "Harrassment, Alarm or Distress" is the Public Order wording IIRC.

[Richard]

I would report it. If he does something like that again the rozzers will know it's not a one-off.

[catsinthewelder]

 I would report it,  there are too many wankers who think you need a tax disc to be on the roads.  Did you get his registration number?

[HH-R]

It's bizarre how people like that can't spare 5 seconds to pass safely or whatever but can find the time to stop and argue about it.

 

Far too many angry little people on the roads!

[M'coli]

 I would report it,  there are too many wankers who think you need a tax disc to be on the roads.  Did you get his registration number?

Part of it, but there can't be too many rusty white R-reg 1.4 3-door Corsas with a "Think Bike" sticker and imbalancedfront brakes around, can there?

[rml2345]

Definitely worth reporting it, even if the police do nothing this time it'll be on record should Mr. Angrypants strike again.

[Richard]

Part of it, but there can't be too many rusty white R-reg 1.4 3-door Corsas with a "Think Bike" sticker and imbalancedfront brakes around, can there?

 

On second thoughts don't report him, he's got enough problems already.

[M'coli]

On second thoughts don't report him, he's got enough problems already.

If he's that keen a 'biker, then an old Corsa is just a means of getting about without the need to get the bike out, which will be the valuable piece of transport to him.

[wackywacerwill]

Running late (as ever) to get out today so naturally the van refused to proceeded with a click instead of a whir when turning the key. It started the day before so the battery must just need a quick jump right? Dispatched the Mrs up the drive to get the Leon whilst I ferreted around for the leads, the usual faff with limited space and short leads ensued before we got it hooked up to find it made sweet FA difference even after revving the Leon up big style for quite some time.

So be it, the van has a drain somewhere and is running the battery that won't start the derv clio, I normally disconnect it at the terminals though had become complacent after getting away with it a few times.

The plan was reshaped to what I should of done in the first place, i.e get the vans battery back out the Renault and back in the van. The good lady backed the Leon out of it's tight spot and up the steep drive.

I packed away the leads and found the necessary spanners and walked to the top of the drive to be hit by the smell of clutch and then minutes later a big old puff of smoke from the font of the Leon. I popped the bonnet, it smelt more so I closed it and parked it up nicked the battery back from the Renault and we all went to the pub.

Question is;

Does a clutch normally blow out a load of smoke when it goes? Not something I've witnessed before. If anyone knows how much of a arse doing the do on a Seat Leon will be then that would be useful too, I've only done RWD clutches before so naturally have a little fear of the unknown about it all.

[chaseracer]

How can I tell whether my N-reg 205D has a chip-fat-friendly fuel pump?

[M'coli]

Take a picture of the pump and post it on here!

[chaseracer]

Good thinking - I will!   

 

 

 

 

 

[laser wheels]

The time has come to renew the front suspension on the Sierra. Other than damper and coil spring, what else do I need. Dust covers? Bump stops? Strut tops? Can you mix and match brands so for example, if I go with Sachs dampers can I use boots from another brand?

 

Also, what else would be a good idea to replace at the same time? I think it would be a good idea to get the brake pads and discs renewed while the wheels are off and also those worn ARB bushes, but what else might be worn out that would be worth doing?

 

Thanks in advance!

[MrDuke]

Take a picture of the pump and post it on here!

 

 

I was just about to nip outside and check the hose arrangement on my Bosch pump in order to help....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then remembered that I actually sold the car last week.

 

[philibusmo]

I'm trying to get the Lancia started, but its fancy fuel injection system has me a little stumped.

I have fuel, making its way to the engine no bother.

I also have a spark, but just the one. When I have taken a plug out and cranked it, there has been a spark from the plug but never a second, no matter how long it is cranked for. The same happened when I took off the king lead and attached a plug to that, just one spark.

There is a coil pack so I'm wondering if that is knackered or if it could be to do with the Bosch Jetronic ECU or this Magneti Marelli Digiplex box which I don't know the function of but think it is something to do with the ignition.

Am I missing something really obvious?

[cort16]

Has it got an immobiliser?

[philibusmo]

No immobiliser that I'm aware of. Certainly had no issues when I was using it daily 2 years ago.

It's very odd how if the key is turned there seems to be one spark and then no more until you stop cranking, switch off the ignition and start again.

[chaseracer]

How can I tell whether my N-reg 205D has a chip-fat-friendly fuel pump?

 

It's a Lucas CAV pump.  That's not good, is it...?

[KruJoe]

Sadly not.

[MrDuke]

I thought it was just the EPIC pumps that didn't like veg? Or is it anything Lucas?

[jonathan_dyane]

Anything Lucas I'm afraid.

[willswitchengage]

Probably worth noting that your Bosch pump is not veg friendly either. It will be lubricated with mineral oils (i.e. diesel), but running on biofuels will offer the lubricity properties of running en engine with an empty sump. The twat I sold one of my old BXs did this and the pump died within months.

[phil_lihp]

I'm trying to get the Lancia started, but its fancy fuel injection system has me a little stumped.

I have fuel, making its way to the engine no bother.

I also have a spark, but just the one. When I have taken a plug out and cranked it, there has been a spark from the plug but never a second, no matter how long it is cranked for. The same happened when I took off the king lead and attached a plug to that, just one spark.

There is a coil pack so I'm wondering if that is knackered or if it could be to do with the Bosch Jetronic ECU or this Magneti Marelli Digiplex box which I don't know the function of but think it is something to do with the ignition.

Am I missing something really obvious?

 

The Digiplex is the ignition control unit.  I can offer no expertise here but does this help?

 

http://italiancarsclub.free.fr/Centre-Documents-Techniques/fiat/Manual%20De%20Reparacion%20Del%20Fiat%20uno/0923-04.PDF

 

Does seem like that might be at the root of the issue if it's not sparking properly

 

 

Digiplex ignition system

This electronic system eliminates the

mechanical contact breaker and centrifugal

advance mechanism of conventional

distributors and uses an electronic control

unit to provide advance values according to

engine speed and load. No provision is made

for adjustment of the ignition timing.

Information relayed to the control unit is

provided by two magnetic sensors which

monitor engine speed and TDC directly from

the engine crankshaft.

A vacuum sensor in the control unit

converts intake manifold vacuum into an

electric signal.

The control unit selects the optimum

advance angle required and a closed

magnetic circuit resin coil guarantees a spark

owing to the low primary winding resistance.

Five hundred and twelve advance values

are stored in the control unit memory to suit

any combination of engine operating

conditions.

 

So if either of those magnetic sensors are loose, unplugged or corroded that could do it.

 

Reading around this (I really want that car to start!) it seems the digiplex is a common system on Italian engines, there's plenty of threads mostly relating to Ferraris and Ducatis but the digiplex needs a good earth, given the fact it's been sat for 2 years and it is made of Italian steel a bad earth doesn't seem unlikely.

 

 

 

... make sure the digiplex is well earthed , and make sure the plug to the crank sensor is properly plugged in

[philibusmo]

That is a massive help. I have been searching around the tinterweb for a diagram like that but had been unsuccessful.  I think I even found the same PDF as you, just managed to completely miss that diagram like a big idiot.

 

I'll finish my welding first thing tomorrow and then crack on with working out what the hell has gone wrong, I think I have a spare digiplex in the loft so will have a look for it now.

[phil_lihp]

There's also some mention on the forums of digiplex's not working with knackered batteries, they need at least 11.8v or they don't tend to work properly - given yesterday's battery-related shenanigans, could the old battery just not be up to the job any more or has it got a new one now?

[philibusmo]

It has a new battery which spins it over nice and quickly, makes all the other batteries look really rubbish.

 

I have found the spare digiplex, along with a spare Bosch Jetronic, two spare coil packs and a pretty fancy looking cassette player. I'll finish off the last piece of welding first thing tomorrow and then crack on with a new distributor cap, rotor arm and then start replacing parts until it works.