Ask a Shiter

[Pillock]

I found TrustedCarBuyers gave about £600 more on a similar price car than WBAC.

[Pillock]

Yes, it appears to try each time, although I'll check out the hinge/wires situation just in case. Thank you.

It could still be poor contacts or frayed wires, if there's a few volts falling out the actuator will struggle.

 

(Assuming it's not a pneumatic system in which case air leaks etc)

[Richard]

It's not a pneumatic system.

 

The way I check for damaged wires in door shuts is to try and pull the wire apart with my hands. If the wire is intact you won't make any impression on it but if it's broken or down to a few strands it will come apart quite easily.

[Cavcraft]

So for a cashback price on the 10 plate Mazda 2 with 40k on the clock against a dirty, Focus 4.5 yrs older with over twice the mileage and a dent in the back, we were offered £300.

 

GR-£2,950. Okay I realise these places need to make a profit but you ain't coming across as honest there.

 

Here is the car, hell I could get an 07 plate for the same money with less miles if I wanted to. The place is really pushing credit too. They have a W plate Astra G with 'GUARANTEED CAR FINANCE' written on the side that they are parking up the road. If you need finance to get one of them you cant afford the fuel.

 

http://www.cullingworthcars.co.uk/used-cars/ford-focus-1-6-sport-5dr-115-bradford-201407316241466

 

 

 

 

 

That's why it's over priced. They really want people who are struggling, so old Captain Slick in his shiny suit can reel them in with his over priced cars at highly over inflated finance rates and make a double killing at the same time.

Not really much different to the pond life 'payday loan' type outfits who prey on the vulnerable and make out they're doing them a favour.

[Craig the Princess]

Is there a way to deal with lacquer peel (not the person on here, the peeling paint problem) short of removing the remaining lacquer and paint and repainting the panel?

 

Both the Citroen AX and Rover 220 have about 10% lacquer left on their bonnets. 90's paint is shit.

 

 

[DeeJay]

Sellotape a Pineapple to the roof and "U DA MAN"

[Asimo]

Jet wash the remaining lacquer off the bonnet and then polish the paint? (I havn't tried this, just a thought)

[Bobthebeard]

Jet wash the remaining lacquer off the bonnet and then polish the paint? (I havn't tried this, just a thought)

I tried it once.... The resulting shine* lasted for.....Oh, twelve hours maximum. Then just looked worse than ever.

[rml2345]

Can you not jetwash the old lacquer off, then polish and re-lacquer it? I have no idea if that would work btw, hoping for someone more knowledgable.

[catsinthewelder]

I'd avoid putting polish on before the laquer but one of those claybar things might be worth a try.

[The Moog]

Is there a company that sells rubber seals for doors? The 405 drivers one leaks and lets loads of road noise in. Using the service box it is shown no longer available.

Cant find anything on ebay and I would imagine a breakers one will be the same.

[Richard]

Google throws up a few suppliers if you search for car door seals. I doubt you will get one specifically made for the 405 but you should be able to find a profile that will do the job.

[mat_the_cat]

I've used these before and they seem good - really supple rubber which hopefully will last. Still springy after a couple of years.

http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/car-boot-and-door-seals

[Wilko220]

Speedy Spares sorted me out when I needed them for the Humber. I assume the material is pretty universal.

[The Moog]

Cheers chaps. I think they are a slightly odd shape as they flatten to the front hence wondering if I could get specific 405 ones.

[r.welfare]

Thanks to the excellent new DVLA website that shows when your tax and MOT is due, I've just found out my wife's Avensis needs a Vehicle Identity Check, following the insurance payout earlier this year.  Explains why I didn't get a tax renewal reminder, but the insurance company stated it wouldn't be CAT C or D.  Seems they told porkies, or I was naive.

 

No matter; so I've applied online to my nearest VOSA station for an appointment.

 

So two questions:

1. What does it entail?  I've read it's just a 20 minute check that the car's not been rung and it doesn't check the quality of repair (not that there is any problem with that), but that VOSA reserve the right to 'reject' the car if it's 'dangerous' - whatever that means.
2. The MOT is due at the end of September but I have it booked in 30 days beforehand, mainly as the tax is due at the end of August.  I have no idea how long into the future the appointment for the VIC will be, but can you still have the car MOT'd as normal if there's a VIC marker against it?

[Negative Creep]

Do some TVRs have translucent rear plates? I noticed there are no visible numberplate lights on the back, and someone told me they made a special type of plate where the light can shine right through it. Or where they pulling my leg?

 

[garbaldy]

 

Thanks to the excellent new DVLA website that shows when your tax and MOT is due, I've just found out my wife's Avensis needs a Vehicle Identity Check, following the insurance payout earlier this year. Explains why I didn't get a tax renewal reminder, but the insurance company stated it wouldn't be CAT C or D. Seems they told porkies, or I was naive.

 

No matter; so I've applied online to my nearest VOSA station for an appointment.

 

So two questions:

• What does it entail? I've read it's just a 20 minute check that the car's not been rung and it doesn't check the quality of repair (not that there is any problem with that), but that VOSA reserve the right to 'reject' the car if it's 'dangerous' - whatever that means.
• The MOT is due at the end of September but I have it booked in 30 days beforehand, mainly as the tax is due at the end of August. I have no idea how long into the future the appointment for the VIC will be, but can you still have the car MOT'd as normal if there's a VIC marker against it?

 

The vic check is just a guy spending a few minutes checking the car matches the details on his sheet of paper. Vin and engine number that's about it really, unless your car is hanging to bits then it will be a doddle.

Unless you are trailering it Your car has to be moted and insured to drive it to the vic but doesn't need tax.

[garbaldy]

Forgot to say the last vic check I did was very quick, I got a slot in two weeks.

[r.welfare]

Thanks.  MOT's booked for the 29th so I'm hoping they can VIC it in the next 2 weeks.

 

Car's insured and taxed until the end of the month.  I had no problem taxing it at a post office in February so assume I could tax it again the same way if necessary.  Car's certainly not hanging - and hopefully will clear the MOT this time round.

[DVee8]

Any of you bus/coach types out there able to help with any info?

My FIL and family owned a bus company from 1907ish till around 1986.Started as General Omnibus then Atkinson Coaches.Based in Chester le Street Co Durham Northeast England.

We are looking for photos and any other info.

FIL was the 3rd generation running it along with his 2 older cousins.Fil and cus No1 ran the coach side repairs and driving,cousin No2 ran the office side of things,except he forgot to pay the taxman,so everything went tits up.

FIL likes to sit and tell stories from back in the day about digging buses out of snow drifts and the miners strike.

[xtriple]

TVR number plates. Yes, they did have plates where they were backlit. Don't know which models but I always tought it was a cool idea.

[Wilko220]

Is a quote of £300 for a cambelt change on a 1.9 turbo diesel Xantia reasonable or a rip-off?

[Jazoli]

Is a quote of £300 for a cambelt change on a 1.9 turbo diesel Xantia reasonable or a rip-off?

Seems pricey to me, I've just been quoted £230 for my a4 TDI all inclusive.

[Lacquer Peel]

It sounds okay, bear in mind your A4 has a longitudinal engine so it's a bit more accessible.

[SambaS]

How many watts does a home hi fi amplifier consume, if its output is up to 300 watts rms thanks

[dave21478]

depends.

Many hifi manufacturers output claims are pie in the sky anyway.

 

Only way to be sure is to look at the back of it - it should have a sticker or plate that states its consumption.

 

My amp is an old Sony thing that weighs as much as a truck battery - I have no idea whats its claimed output is but the plate on the back states that it consumes 225 watts.

[SambaS]

So, it will never consume more than 225 watts? Just because I'm thinking if I can power decks, amp, mixer etc in a camper

[willswitchengage]

Is a quote of £300 for a cambelt change on a 1.9 turbo diesel Xantia reasonable or a rip-off?

 

Friend just got his Focus 1.8 TDCi done for £200...

 

look up the book time on the inter-net

[twosmoke300]

The 1.8 tdci is a really easy belt to do. Half an hour is possible . Xantia is more like 3 so it's Apple's and oranges really.

300 sounds reasonable if it's Inc tensioners and water pump. I'd probably do it for less but I expect I'm at the other end of the country .