Ask a Shiter

[New POD]

Strange overheating issue with Mrs Concern's Clio Mk1 1.4. Noticed the gauge right near the top after a spell in a jam then a short dual carriageway blast. The rad fan didn't come on when we stopped in a jam again so put heater on hot with fan on. We turned around & drove normally on NSL roads, but temperature didn't drop despite keeping heater on.

Later checked fan by shorting with a paper clip & it works, but when the car left running it doesn't come on. To me this points to faulty rad fan switch, but does not explain why temp didn't come down with normal driving. I checked coolant level which was fine and when squeezing either the top or bottom hoses it moves the coolant in header tank. Any ideas?

 Similar to our Mk1 MX5.  I wouldn't mind but I fitted a new fan switch and it seemed to be working.

[New POD]

Yes, although not quite as pronounced. Light braking kills it too as I found on the m40 tonight, light braking at 60 knocked the drone right off, but I can't work out if that's cos the revs drop or if it's the brakes. Front pads and discs are a bit shit (slight warpage I think)

 

Bearing? Do they fail in this way then?

 

Yes.

[beko1987]

Oooh thanks! I'll gen up on that then! Anyone know the bastard rating of the job? I'd been looking at driveshafts on ebay as both CV boots don't look like they will last the year, and both are probably very very old, and at £20 more for both complete shafts boots and joints than just the boots, it seems the easier* option!

[sierraman]

I've got a similar whine at 40-50mph on overrun. No play in the wheel bearings, thinking more like now it might be the diff. If it is it will go for years like that.

[Richard]

Wheel bearings are a bit of an arse to DIY. The best option would be to remove the hub and take it to a garage for them to remove the old bearing and press in the new one.

 

The centre bearing on the driver's side (I think) driveshaft isn't too bad to do. If the noise doesn't vary on corners it's probably this one.

[beko1987]

No variation on corners that I can tell, a d I can take most of the corners on my way home at 50+

 

Thanks for the pointers!

[xtriple]

My garage has no power. I have been contemplating getting a cheap generator.  Would one rated at 13 amps (obviously 240 volts) work my compressor and power sanders and stuff? I know sweet FA about household eclectrickery so is it as simple as will run 13 amp plug therefore anything with a 13 amp fuse will be fine?

 

Or do I need to worry about watts and amps and other complicated shit?

[dave21478]

Its all in the watts. 

The wee suitcase generators are generally about 800 -1000 watts. This will run a grinder or similar, but only just.

The bigger stuff is generally 1500 - 3000 or 4000 watts, which will run most tools, but not a load of stuff at the same time. Get one with wheels as they are starting to get too heavy to lift at this size.

If you need more than that you are looking at big money.

 

 

Look at the tools you want to use, it will have its power rating stamped on it somewhere. This is what it draws, so allow a decent margin on the generators output so its not running close to 100% load all the time

 

 

Generator noise is a good way to piss off the neighbours though.

[cort16]

At lidl this week for £179

 

2800w

 

 

It seems to have 230v and 3 phase type power outlets so you'd need an adapter to run normal tools

 

 

http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=33488

[sierraman]

They look to me like continental sockets.

[cort16]

I presume (probably wrongly) it's a 3 pin one and you'd need something like this.

 

[3VOM]

96db ain't quiet.

[Pillock]

13A at 230V is about 3000W so that sucker will run almost anything you plug in to a socket, but if you're using both sockets you can run stuff that drags up to about 6A each. Just check the ratings plate on anything you'd be plugging in.

[hairymel]

My garage has no power. I have been contemplating getting a cheap generator.  Would one rated at 13 amps (obviously 240 volts) work my compressor and power sanders and stuff? I know sweet FA about household eclectrickery so is it as simple as will run 13 amp plug therefore anything with a 13 amp fuse will be fine?

 

Or do I need to worry about watts and amps and other complicated shit?

 

simple or complicated shit depending on what you plug in!

 

I presume (probably wrongly) it's a 3 pin one and you'd need something like this.

 

 

it has normal 13amp domestic sockets under the flaps i think* ( i have one myself and used it once last year and haven't got any adaptors so it must do right?)

 

13A at 230V is about 3000W so that sucker will run almost anything you plug in to a socket, but if you're using both sockets you can run stuff that drags up to about 6A each. Just check the ratings plate on anything you'd be plugging in.

 

there are allsorts of issues with inductive loads, power correction factors, inrush currents, waveforms and loads of other bolllocks that i know even less about.

 

a 2.6/2.8kva generator will run most hand tools ok and should provide power for lights (flouro's can be troublesome,incandecents are ok but led lights are dirt cheap and should be ok as well) compressor is probably not viable but i'm sure someone else will have a more valid opinion 

[spike60]

Anyone know how to deflate the suspension air bags on an E39 touring? I know the problem is usually keeping them up but I have a bucket of bushes to fit tomorrow and don't want to be fighting the air bags. I work on plant with them but they just have mechanical levelling valves, this is ecu controlled. Can I just take the levelling links off and move the potentiometer? Cheers.

[KruJoe]

LOL'd at Tayne, my A-frame success rate is not that bad!

 

 

I'm meeting Bub on Wednesday next week to drop off some shite, I'm in Bradford on the Tuesday so I could possibly meet KJ somewhere and pick up the A? Skipton or something?
 

 

Sorry Dave, just seen this. I have quite a busy day on Tuesday, but I'll be near home during the afternoon, so you'd be welcome to pop up here and have a brew and the shite tour. (There may be cake too, MrsKJ is currently baking!)

 

We're about 20mins the other side of Skipton. What time will your business in Bratfud be finished? And would you be willing to come up here for the "A" for Bub?

I may be able to escape and meet you, but can't say just now.

[M'coli]

Erm...I'm coming up for some cabbage juice this weekend, and then driving down to Brizzle again tomorrow night - I could pop the 'frame in the boot of the ZX and meet Bub at a motorway junction (dare I say the A38 junction?), so that might be easiest.  Let me know.

[dave21478]

Batteries - This is getting on my tits.

 

Its a new battery for my big mower. It started and ran fine for a couple of weeks then suddenly nowt - wont start without a jump. The mow puts out a solid 14.4v when running so alternator is likely fine.

 

With the battery on the bench if I put a meter across it I get 12.6v, but if I wire an indicator bulb across it the bulb only lights up half brightness and the meter drops to 8.something. That suggests the battery is goosed, yes?

 

It has one of those magic eye things on it which shows green, allegedly meaning its good.

 

I have charged it with an "intelligent" charger and I have charged it with a big buzzing steel box charger. Results dont vary.

It will occasionally light the bulb up full brightness, but it only lasts a couple of seconds before it dims again. I wondered about an iffy contact but have sanded the terminals down to shiny clean metal and it makes no difference.

[Dave_Q]

Erm...I'm coming up for some cabbage juice this weekend, and then driving down to Brizzle again tomorrow night - I could pop the 'frame in the boot of the ZX and meet Bub at a motorway junction (dare I say the A38 junction?), so that might be easiest. Let me know.

This would probably be good as I'm now heading south on monday not wednesday so wouldn't have time to get the A from team_cabbage.

[bub2006]

That would be fantastic. Thank you

[M'coli]

Soundo. I'll be setting off tomorrow evening at about half 8-9pm, probably take about an hour or so to get down to the a38 unless there's roadworks like last weekend, so pm me ont' Faceache.

[bub2006]

Erm, not sure of real name so you pm me? Krujoe how soon do you need it back? Also does anyone know where I can buy a light board extension lead?

[worldofceri]

[M'coli]

Erm, not sure of real name so you pm me? Krujoe how soon do you need it back? Also does anyone know where I can buy a light board extension lead?

PM'd!

[KruJoe]

All arranged now Bub, sorry I've been busy on the Maz this afternoon.

 

Cameron will collect it tomorrow from Castle_Cleland, and meet you with it, and he can scoop it up again to bring it back north before next weekend.

I may have a trailer board extension here. If I find one to lend, please keep it from getting snagged in the 'A', but also don't let it drag on the road.

Have you used an A-frame before? Hook up right or there'll be casualties amongst Derbyshire's felines and holy sisters. Please stop and re-tighten the straps a mile after setting off. Etc... There's pages of lessons on the subject!

Good luck.

[bub2006]

Thanks Joe. Not used one before but have done much much research and I always check things after so far. I do with caravan,bike rack and trailer loads.

[beko1987]

 

I shot a video of the noise the zx makes on idle, it seems a bit tappy, is this normal? Coming from the lhs of the engine I think

 

No change in noise whilst idling with no aux belt, so it's the engine. All pulleys rotated smoothly when freed from the old belt.

 

Is there anything I can fettle or should I just leave it? Doesn't sound any worse than 3 year old vag derv shit I hear whilst stuck in traffic tbh...

[KruJoe]

Beko: Just turn t'wireless up.

 

Bub: I just sent Cameron down the road, fully veg'd up, boot full of cabbage_juice, A-frame, and an old trailer board extension I found in our shed. I haven't checked out the electrical connections, so I expect it might need TLC for your lights to work right with it. Good luck!

[bub2006]

Thanks Joe. Do you need it back asap or shitefest be OK?

[Station]

Anyone know how to deflate the suspension air bags on an E39 touring? I know the problem is usually keeping them up but I have a bucket of bushes to fit tomorrow and don't want to be fighting the air bags. I work on plant with them but they just have mechanical levelling valves, this is ecu controlled. Can I just take the levelling links off and move the potentiometer? Cheers.

 

Unplug the motor underneath the seats should do it, or if not, disconnecting the pipe on the sides of the bags (somehow) will quickly deflate them. WTC had a 545 with rear bags and pump had gone. We inflated the bags with a compressor to see if they worked, and he bought a new pump for it. I'd take the weight off the back end before doing it.