Ask a Shiter

[KruJoe]

If you can find a little flapper wheel to fit in your leccy drill (the coarser the better), you'll not run out of elbow grease so quickly. A rough flapper makes light work of ally.

[KruJoe]

Yo gang, where's that table of battery specifications someone posted a link for? I saw it here a month or so back, but forgot to bookmark it.

[scaryoldcortina]

Here's a stupid question...

 

Why is the sell or transfer a vehicle service on gov.uk only available during office hours? Is it an automated service or not?

[loserone]

Here's a stupid question...

 

Why is the sell or transfer a vehicle service on gov.uk only available during office hours? Is it an automated service or not?

 

Knowing a little about how GDS works, I'd wager it's to do with offering a minimum viable product given the size and availability of their devops team.  The servers are probably switched off overnight too.

 

Expect to see more of this across the public sector.

[Kiltox]

One for the MOT testers - I had my FiL's Picasso fail yesterday for a brake hose not being secure and able to foul on the wheel - I assume the clips that hold it in are broken/rotten

 

If they are, can I effect a suitable repair using cable ties or do I need to replace the bracket that has the clips?

[scaryoldcortina]

Cable ties are ok, but the hose mustn't rub on the strut either.

[Kiltox]

Thanks - the hose has those rubber bungs that clip in around the strut so I assume one of the clips just doesn't hold any more. Was fine the last time I worked in that area but I assume it's either bent or rotten

[loserone]

L1_snr lost his wallet today, including such important things as the list of vaccinations he had before he went to university in 1963 and a 'library card' I made him when I was 5.

 

He's always carried MOT cert, ins. cert and driving licence (He's sadly had to replace his original, unsigned paper licence since he's now over 70) 'just in case'.

 

Is it possible to get a PDF or reprint an MOT certificate? I know he doesn't need one, but it might help him feel like he's not lost everything :-/

[scaryoldcortina]

L1_snr lost his wallet today, including such important things as the list of vaccinations he had before he went to university in 1963 and a 'library card' I made him when I was 5.

 

He's always carried MOT cert, ins. cert and driving licence (He's sadly had to replace his original, unsigned paper licence since he's now over 70) 'just in case'.

 

Is it possible to get a PDF or reprint an MOT certificate? I know he doesn't need one, but it might help him feel like he's not lost everything :-/

I can do a copy of his MoT if you PM me the details of the car

[loserone]

Ace, thanks SoC.  Incoming!

[Jazoli]

What is da best cheap "go pro" style camera?

 

Fancying something to record the GLF escapades!

 

needs to be mountable to the car (in its own cradle/suction mount)

 

ta!

 

I have an SJCAM for recording my on track exploits and the quality is pretty good

 

 

Fairly crash proof too!

 

edit, posted wrong vid!

[Cheggers]

What is da best cheap "go pro" style camera?

 

Fancying something to record the GLF escapades!

 

needs to be mountable to the car (in its own cradle/suction mount)

 

ta!

I have an SJCAM 4000 you can have for nowt. It's about the best of the GoPro Chinese Clones. I have most of the mounts and accessories it came with too.

 

PM me your address and get it in the post on Monday.

 

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

[chaseracer]

A question to those who have a clue about these things: is it possible to fit HID headlight bulbs (with 23000V ballast) to a car with a dim-dip resistor?

[jonathan_dyane]

I'd remove/deactivate the dim dip facility first.

[bub2006]

I think that reads as like a backward compatibility. Can use dot 4 in dot 3 but not for 3 in dot 4

[Stroller133]

What would be best for reading/clearing Fault codes:

 

An ELM327 Wifi Dongle used with my IPhone, or possibly a HUDL2

 

An Autel 319 handheld plug reader.

 

Dongle is cheaper(~£10) but have to pair with phone etc and I suspect it pot luck on how cheaply made they are. Autel is on offer on Amazon at £23.49 and appears to be made for the job and have some good features.

I suspect the phone is better for Barry boys who want to display the live data in a snazzy format?

 

I just want to know why my car is in limp mode!

[HH-R]

Yes, think you're pretty much spot on there.

 

For reading and resetting codes, the Autels are pretty good for the money.

 

For extra diagnostics stuff like reading coolant temp etc the Bluetooth would be better. Not sure if it's the case on other platforms but on my Windows Phone pretty much all of the apps wanted £ to read codes. I wasn't too fussed about that though.

[bub2006]

Where does everyone here with a lesser known car acquire parts etc? I've found with the 440 it's very hit and miss on parts. Alternator went yesterday,3 motor factors had one on the shelf. Rear springs where ordered from Germany on eBay but yet I can't get a air filter! I know these cars weren't popular when new let alone 25 years later but I'm sure here there isn't only me with this issue

[Kiltox]

eBay is a treasure trove of new old stock

[Lacquer Peel]

Where does everyone here with a lesser known car acquire parts etc? I've found with the 440 it's very hit and miss on parts. Alternator went yesterday,3 motor factors had one on the shelf. Rear springs where ordered from Germany on eBay but yet I can't get a air filter! I know these cars weren't popular when new let alone 25 years later but I'm sure here there isn't only me with this issue

I know Euro Car Parts get a slagging but I've not had trouble with them, anyway, they do air filters for a 440 1.7 from £4.

 

[bub2006]

Putting reg plate in brings up no items. Thanks lp. I'll try manual search. Never thought of that! Kiltox thanks too,prefer dealing with people instead of faceless entities but such is life today!

[skattrd]

As LP said, manual search instead of numberplate often brings up more parts, if say the DVLA didn't register the car properly.

Otherwise, it's main dealers, specialist breakers, owners clubs and foreign ebay. Oh, and for Japanese stuff http://en.impex-jp.com/

[michael1703]

Can someone explain how you link to eBay pictures? Not actual auctions but the pictures in them?

 

I'm on an iPad on safari, if I hold my finger on the image nothing happens

[andy18s]

Where does everyone here with a lesser known car acquire parts etc? I've found with the 440 it's very hit and miss on parts. Alternator went yesterday,3 motor factors had one on the shelf. Rear springs where ordered from Germany on eBay but yet I can't get a air filter! I know these cars weren't popular when new let alone 25 years later but I'm sure here there isn't only me with this issue

Try searching using the part number,rather than the car

You should get some alternatives pop up from some obscure vee-hicle

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[bub2006]

As LP said, manual search instead of numberplate often brings up more parts, if say the DVLA didn't register the car properly.

Otherwise, it's main dealers, specialist breakers, owners clubs and foreign ebay. Oh, and for Japanese stuff http://en.impex-jp.com/

Will try out foreign eBay and owners clubs I think. Main dealers aren't interested in it and all Volvo breakers I've rang just said no chance!

Andy,thanks for that. How do I found out and cross reference a part? Is there a specific site? Thanks

[skattrd]

If a main dealer isn't interested try another one. I tried 2 Mitsubishi dealers before I found one who would source parts for my galant. The first ones, were just no, can't get parts for that, one of them tried to argue it was an import, it's a UK car.The third one I tried couldn't be more helpful and I ended up spending £200+ on parts with them then and more since.

[RayMK]

Will try out foreign eBay and owners clubs I think. Main dealers aren't interested in it and all Volvo breakers I've rang just said no chance!

Andy,thanks for that. How do I found out and cross reference a part? Is there a specific site? Thanks

 

I usually try the dealer first, then if they have not got and cannot get the part, ask them to give me the part number.  A Google search will then come up trumps with alternative numbers from aftermarket parts manufacturers.  After double checking/cross referencing to ensure the alternative makes sense, the part can be found and ordered.  Careful with eBay compatibility guides.  Most of them appear to be guesswork!

[bub2006]

I think the thing is these cars weren't common when new and nowadays even less popular. I'll ring round Volvo dealers and see if I get laughed at or assisted. Last time I went to a main dealer was for a bit for my xsara last year. The guy tried telling me my car was old hat and he could get me a great deal on some cactus or something. I walked out!

[skattrd]

When I was in the Honda dealer the other week they were really friendly and one of the sales guys actually made pleasing comments about red Aerodeck. I was also about 30 years younger than any other customers in the place.

 

Bub - isn't it a Renault engine in your Volvo? maybe try them if it's oily bits you're after.

[Lacquer Peel]

I think the thing is these cars weren't common when new and nowadays even less popular. I'll ring round Volvo dealers and see if I get laughed at or assisted. Last time I went to a main dealer was for a bit for my xsara last year. The guy tried telling me my car was old hat and he could get me a great deal on some cactus or something. I walked out!

The parts department at my local Volvo dealer (Arnold Clark!) were helpful when I needed some bits for my 17 year old V70, the parts were even in stock - possibly because the related C70 coupe lingered well into the new millennium.

I've not had any trouble using main dealer parts departments as a last resort, even for older French cars that some shiters will say you can't get parts for.

 

Check http://www.skandix.de, the parts prices might be okay and they provide Volvo part numbers so you can do a bit of cross-referencing on eBay.