Ask a Shiter

[Richard]

Pirtek might be able to do one, I think they have a branch in Cupar Muir, but I don't know if it would be any cheaper than the dealer.

[DSdriver]

Remind me again how I obtain a mongbay sellers phone no and address? I have a suspicion that I am being twatted about on a collection/cash only item because I was the only bidder and got it for min. price.

[scdan4]

was someone on here breaking a mk1 v70?

 

I need a seatbelt pillar guide trim thingy - mines worn through and is beginning to fray the belt a good bit.

 

Can't find one on the bay and can't find the time to go nosing round the local breakers (who are not that great anyway - there's a big emr plant in town)

[Richard]

I've just arranged to have it taken away. If I get time before they come for it I'll see if I can get the bit off, although I've a feeling it had the same problem, but I'm working all day tomorrow.

[cobblers]

Anyone know anything about lawnmower carbs?

 

 

Bought a petrol mower off some old boy a couple of years ago, it's just some cheapo "champion" thing but it's decent enough. Our lawn is only about 20sqm so it's deffo way overkill but I'd rather fight with an engine than an extension cord.

Last few months it's been more and more of a bastard to get going, usually starting for like 5 seconds then banging out. 

I'd give it a sniff of anything I could find and it'd go ok. Then it only ran on choke. Then lately not at all.

 

This morning I took the float bowl off and sure enough it was full of gravel or something, I cleaned that out and then took out what looks like the jet from the base and it was blocked. Poked it out with a needle and it starts and runs ace, but now it's running incredibly rich.

 

Images off the internet of a similar carb:

 

The brass thing up the bottom of here is what I took out, and some other long tube from above came out. Before I removed it I checked it wasn't "adjustable" and it was wound in tight all the way so it went back the same.

 

 

The only adjustment I can see on my carb is a screw with a spring behind it. It faces forward on the mower and is where the upside down U shape but near the bottom left of the casting. I've wound it all the way in and all the way out and it makes no difference.

 

 

I'm happy enough cos the mower starts fine, but it's running so rich it's blowing black smoke and it sounds like a fucking crosser!

[scdan4]

I've just arranged to have it taken away. If I get time before they come for it I'll see if I can get the bit off, although I've a feeling it had the same problem, but I'm working all day tomorrow.

 

thats ace,

 

thanks 

[scdan4]

Anyone know anything about lawnmower carbs?

 

 

Bought a petrol mower off some old boy a couple of years ago, it's just some cheapo "champion" thing but it's decent enough. Our lawn is only about 20sqm so it's deffo way overkill but I'd rather fight with an engine than an extension cord.

Last few months it's been more and more of a bastard to get going, usually starting for like 5 seconds then banging out. 

I'd give it a sniff of anything I could find and it'd go ok. Then it only ran on choke. Then lately not at all.

 

This morning I took the float bowl off and sure enough it was full of gravel or something, I cleaned that out and then took out what looks like the jet from the base and it was blocked. Poked it out with a needle and it starts and runs ace, but now it's running incredibly rich.

 

Images off the internet of a similar carb:

 

The brass thing up the bottom of here is what I took out, and some other long tube from above came out. Before I removed it I checked it wasn't "adjustable" and it was wound in tight all the way so it went back the same.

 

 

The only adjustment I can see on my carb is a screw with a spring behind it. It faces forward on the mower and is where the upside down U shape but near the bottom left of the casting. I've wound it all the way in and all the way out and it makes no difference.

 

 

I'm happy enough cos the mower starts fine, but it's running so rich it's blowing black smoke and it sounds like a fucking crosser!

 

jet back in at the wrong depth? (although you say not)

 

poked the hole out larger whilst cleaning it out?

 

choke stuck on?

 

Float valve gritty / dodgy or float level off?

[cobblers]

The jet was hard up against some brass tube thing with holes in the sides of it. The alu casting was all pretty corroded though, there's been water in here at some point. I razzed the outside off with a brass brush and put it back in as it came out. I don't think the jet would work at any other level, it's just rattle loose as it was fairly baggy in the threads.

 

I'll have to check the choke actually, you might be right - It seems to be pulled closed by the "stop tortoise rabbit start" lever and I was fairly abusive towards the linkages.

Float valve shuts off properly, I tested that much. Didn't look like there was an official way to change the level!

Technically, I know how carbs work but I've been lucky enough that every carbed car I owned was fixed by just revving the balls off it and sticking my hand over the inlet which sucked all the shit out and got me going again, this is the first one I've actually had apart.

[Brodders]

A question for all Rover 75 lickers (and other interested parties).

 

I have a set of 15 inch Crown alloy wheels on my one, but I will be needing to get a new set of tyres very soon.

 

 

However, I sort of fancy a set of 17 inch Serpent alloys, as they do look particularly nice and I feel that the 15 inch ones are a little bit on the small side, even though I like them.

 

(This is similar to what they would look like on my one)

 

As luck would have it, I have seen a set on the internet which look to be in reasonable condition, with some rather new tyres, for less than the cost of a set of tyres for the Crowns which I have at the moment.

 

However, I quite like the ride quality of the car at the moment and don't particularly want to ruin it by fitting a huge set of alloy wheels. Would there be any significant difference, would it ruin the ride quality or am I just being concerned for no real reason?

 

And which do you think are better overall in terns of style and other stuff, as I quite like both and can't decide which route I should go down?

[DSdriver]

Keep the rolling circumference approximately the same otherwise your speedo, mileometer and trip meter readings will all be to pot.

so bigger wheels need lower profile tyres = harsher ride.

[adw1977]

so bigger wheels need lower profile tyres = harsher ride.

Also equals significantly more expensive tyres in future.

[SamR380]

I've got 18s ( ) on my V8 75 and the ride is pretty terrible compared to my V6 75 on 15s. Admittedly, literally all the suspension is different on the V8 but I think having 15s really helps the ride.

[steve_earwig]

Images off the internet of a similar carb:

 

That looks like the Bings on my JLO-powered Flymos. Do not be tempted to overtighten the float bowl/main jet nut to compensate for a shagged gasket (Bing! )

 

If it's anything like mine it's totally frigged and there aint no spares anywhere ever

[rainagain]

A question for all Rover 75 lickers (and other interested parties).

 

I have a set of 15 inch Crown alloy wheels on my one, but I will be needing to get a new set of tyres very soon.

 

WP_20160706_001.jpg

 

However, I sort of fancy a set of 17 inch Serpent alloys, as they do look particularly nice and I feel that the 15 inch ones are a little bit on the small side, even though I like them.

 

(This is similar to what they would look like on my one)

531951d8190b6bb27.jpg

 

As luck would have it, I have seen a set on the internet which look to be in reasonable condition, with some rather new tyres, for less than the cost of a set of tyres for the Crowns which I have at the moment.

 

However, I quite like the ride quality of the car at the moment and don't particularly want to ruin it by fitting a huge set of alloy wheels. Would there be any significant difference, would it ruin the ride quality or am I just being concerned for no real reason?

 

And which do you think are better overall in terns of style and other stuff, as I quite like both and can't decide which route I should go down?

I went from 15" steelies to 16" alloys on my 156 and I noticed bumps more. However my S80 has 17" alloys and still soaks up the bumps better than the 156. So I'd say yes they might make the ride worse but it also depends on the suspension setup. I would go for it, it they're terrible just sell them on.

[rainagain]

This power steering pipe in my OH's Tucson is leaking. Would I be best getting one from the main stealer or could someone recommend somewhere in fife where I could get one made up. It's just a section of pipe with some bends, its about 400mm long.

I've done some more reading on this, if it's a return line I've read you can make a replacement from copper plumbing pipe as there's little pressure in it. But I've also read people saying not to do this as it will work harden and split. Anyone got a view on this?

[dave21478]

If its a return line, some good quality rubber hose and jubilee clips should be fine.

[burraston2006]

Silly one I know, but do electric mirrors need to work for the mot?

[xtriple]

No. But the mirror bit has to be there, or at least one of them and an interior mirror (I think and it has to be drivers side?)

 

How frequently do I need to re-charge the battery from the MX5 to keep it happy? I'm doing it once a month at the mo' but it hardly takes any charging to get back to 'full' at this frequency.

[steve_earwig]

Is your alternator suspect or summink? You shouldn't need to charge it at all if the alternator is working correctly, although during the winter months, with more use of lights, wipers etc. it helps to give it a boost now and then, but this time of year? Nah.

[rainagain]

If its a return line, some good quality rubber hose and jubilee clips should be fine.

Problem is it's a piece of metal line between two rubber pipes

[tooSavvy]

^^ not seeing a problem apparent here...

 

IIRC some plumbers outlets do a 'flexi/corrugated ally pipe' for twisty/up yer arseole fiddly sink installs.....

 

http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/copper-flexible-pipe-15mm---long-577181

£4

 

TS

[rainagain]

Looks like I'm going to need a a good length of 10mm copper pipe, its a bit bigger than I initially thought

[xtriple]

Is your alternator suspect or summink? You shouldn't need to charge it at all if the alternator is working correctly, although during the winter months, with more use of lights, wipers etc. it helps to give it a boost now and then, but this time of year? Nah.

Sorry, car is in the garage on SORN and hasn't been used since September, so just wanting to keep it charged so it's 'good to go' in the new year.

[jonathan_dyane]

Just disconnect the battery and it'll be fine

[cobblers]

Cobblers...

 

The main jet will have been up against the venturi tube. It has a load of tiny little jets in it which need to be cleaned out. hold the main jet and venturi tube up to the light and you should be able to clearly see daylight through each of the pinholes. Any blockages you should clean out.

Although these mower carbs look simple there are lots of little jets/passages which need to be cleaned - both on the body and removable parts.

 

Your best bet is to get a can of carb cleaner and some compressed air and to remove everything and clean it thoroughly then reassemble. So long as you have a clean working space, a 10mm socket and a couple of screwdrivers you should be able to do it no bother. Work methodically and you can't really screw it up

 

You want to remove the 2 bolts from the float chamber, the main jet, the venturi tube, the float pin & float and float valve, then any other removable screws/valves your carb has. Blast out any jets etc you can see and then inspect/reassemble. If you still have rough running after this, then troubleshoot further. Make sure you get the carb reassembled with all the gaskets in the correct place so you don't get vacuum leaks. I usually take a load of pictures when taking one apart of the first time so I can refer back later if I'm unsure.

 

PM me with your email address and I'll send you a guide for stripping/cleaning & reassembling a Honda carb... it won't be 100% identical but it will get you 95% of the way there, for the rest just follow your nose

 

If you can post up some pics of your actual carb and the linkages,  it may be helpful, but most of these type are much the same...

 

I reckon I've probably bent the choke linkage TBH, but you're right, I just assumed it sucked fuel through the jet thing, up the brass tube and into the inlet, I didn't notice any other air holes or owt. Although I was doing it on the patio with a single adjustable spanner and petrol pouring everywhere and wasn't really paying much attention.

 

If the choke linkage is OK then I'll take the carb off properly and take it in to work, we've got a parts washer and an ultrasonic cleaner, I'll strip it and blast it out with solvents and air then ultrasonic it to shift anything I've missed.  I'm just scared every time I unbolt owt incase that particular bolt is a critical adjustment screw.

[Kiltox]

I have an old Clarke 24l compressor I got in a deal ages ago and have never used because it doesn't have the same fittings as the multi accessory pack I bought from Screwfix http://www.screwfix.com/p/air-tool-spray-kit-5-pieces/1710H?kpid=KINASEKPID&cm_mmc=GoogleLocal-_-Datafeed-_-Tools&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&gclid=CPa-j_TBg9ACFQXnGwodZLsMiQ

 

WTF do I need to buy to make it all fit together? I only want it to use a blow gun, tyre inflator and possibly a cylinder leak down tester

[RoadworkUK]

Could this thread be re-titled "general question amnesty" or something?

 

It would be nice for all the "what is the song in that advert" fluff to end up in here rather than cluttering the board up still further.

[steveo3002]

Just disconnect the battery and it'll be fine

yeah do this ...give it a quick top up when your ready to use the car again

[Kiltox]

Could this thread be re-titled "general question amnesty" or something?

 

It would be nice for all the "what is the song in that advert" fluff to end up in here rather than cluttering the board up still further.

 

There's a "non car" stupid question amnesty post in the open forum...

[RoadworkUK]

No good if folk don't know when to use it...

 

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