Ask a Shiter

[richardmorris]

Ok. X1/9 did more miles last week than in the last 18 months. I have immediately noticed that the car pulls very strongly to the left on braking, there's a build-up of brake dust on the o/s wheel which feels warm to the touch.

Would a sticking caliper be a good guess? Car now coming up to. 46,000 miles.

[cort16]

I've seen loads of that glue stuff used when, ahem "welding" on repair panels in areas you can brush on enough seam sealer to make it look like a weld.

It's really, really strong. BMW body shops don't weld on panels any more they just use this gunk. The stuff they use is super expensive though.

[Luckythirteen]

Sounds like a sticky caliper RM. I wouldn't think the mileage matters so much as how it's used.

[KruJoe]

Aye, sticky calipers often show up after a period of lack of use.

[Luckythirteen]

Twas one of a multitude of minor niggles when we recommissioned the Clio, and it had only sat a few months. With the handbrake on. You can guess the rest...

[D Spares & Tyres]

1990s Vauxhalls always seem more prone to this for some reason. No idea why as the drums and shoes look the same as most other cars

 

Anybody got any answers?

 

Apart from the usual Vauxhalls r shite answers I would expect...

[HH-R]

I don't drive outside of work so the car sits from Friday night - Monday morning and each one has ended up with the handbrake clunking off on Monday morning, it doesn't take long for 'em to stick.

[inconsistant]

Which are best, disposable latex or vinyl gloves thankyouplease?

[twosmoke300]

Nitrile non powdered for me

[Richard]

Same here, powdered latex gloves are strictly for people who enjoy dermatitis.

[twosmoke300]

Actually I lie cos I don't use gloves now . I use a barrier cream called STOP IT by Hanzl . The only barrier cream I've found to actually work

[The Moog]

Nitrile as well. Stand up to a bit more abuse

[Inspector Morose]

Okay, where did rover put the battery on a P4? (Feeling particularly tired and stupid today so trying not to think to hard as I might pull my brain muscle)

[Richard]

Boot or under back seat?

[red5]

Ok. X1/9 did more miles last week than in the last 18 months. I have immediately noticed that the car pulls very strongly to the left on braking, there's a build-up of brake dust on the o/s wheel which feels warm to the touch.

Would a sticking caliper be a good guess? Car now coming up to. 46,000 miles.

 

As noted - caliper, or pads stuck on crudded up slider not  - doesn't allow pads to retract as piston does. Ahhh, the good old days..

[saucedoctor]

Can I return a duff item to any Halfords shop, i.e., not the store I got it from?

 

Cheers.

[twosmoke300]

Good luck with halfords . They usually print their receipts with special ink that fades away in an hour . I've had issues with them replacing broken tools without a receipt . Man behind the counter says that you don't have proof of purchase . Urrr it's got halfords printed on it !

[Lacquer Peel]

I have a couple of car doors to send.

Who is cheapest for this activity?

[cort16]

Paisley Freight do fixed price car part postage. It can sometimes work out cheaper if you measure it and use their postage calculator though.

 

 

http://www.paisleyfreight.com/car-parts-courier.php

[Lacquer Peel]

Thanks. I got a price for a car door (£30), selected 2 packages and the price stayed the same. I think I'll chance it...

[Lacquer Peel]

P4D.co.uk, just over £20 to send the two doors via Parcelforce if I drop them off at the depot!! That seems way too cheap but I tried it several times just to make sure.

[inconsistant]

Nitrile non powdered for me

 

 

Same here, powdered latex gloves are strictly for people who enjoy dermatitis.

 

 

Nitrile as well. Stand up to a bit more abuse

 

Thanks chaps, will give them a go.

[bub2006]

Question regarding my punto. Every so often the eml will flash for a few seconds and code reader says random misfire. Having a play about earlier with a digital tacho that reads by having the wire wrapped round an ht lead shows both leads from rear coil pack is 810 rpm at idle but front coil pack 1 ht lead reads 600rpm and the other reads 450rpm. Rev counter reads slightly over 800 rpm so that is correct with what reading I was getting off each lead o rear coil. Obviously both leads in front coil are a lot lower. Does this mean the front coil pack is dying and explain random misfire fault?

[sheffcortinacentre]

prob they are prone to coils & leads.

[bub2006]

I replaced leads and plugs. Still throws eml up occasionally. The rear coil pack looks newer than the front one too. Got an oil leak to trace first though which is proving a pain in the arse. Unless obviously the coil pack dies.

[Noel Tidybeard]

I replaced leads and plugs. Still throws eml up occasionally. The rear coil pack looks newer than the front one too. Got an oil leak to trace first though which is proving a pain in the arse. Unless obviously the coil pack dies.

yet another reason to purchase a donor car from honest billy

[cort1977]

I've seen loads of that glue stuff used when, ahem "welding" on repair panels in areas you can brush on enough seam sealer to make it look like a weld.

It's really, really strong. BMW body shops don't weld on panels any more they just use this gunk. The stuff they use is super expensive though.

Further to this I saw that some Volvo fanciers on the blue forum used this for a small patch, wasn't structural just in the wing or something but seemed like a good solution.  

 

As an engineer I believe that the glues do work and are a valid option for clean new panels; as a shiter I think that for one of our cars made of crap steel from the 70s electric glue is the best option.

[twosmoke300]

Bub , this seems a common problem on the punto . No real ideas if you have changed coil packs and plugs but some after market coil packs are junk. Also if the light flashes it means a potentially cat conv damaging misfire so usually a fairly severe one

[bub2006]

I've only changed plugs and leads but the rear coil looks fairly new,front one which is the lower reading one looks older.I'll in owners manual it actually says light flashes occasionally then not to worry! All it comes up with is random misfire. P0115 I think.

[320touring]

NOS- i know it works on petrols and turbo diesels, but could you see it working well on an old mech pumped n/a diesel?

 

Could wind the max fuel screw right up do could do a dry install.