Ask a Shiter

[Richard]

Were the spare pants needed?

They were because I stayed over before going home. There might have been socks too.

[Guest Hooli]

Bank card & phone.

[tooSavvy]

Well... Who thought he wouldn't WIN, then.. ??

 

 

 

TS

[Pillock]

I generally take the cash to pay for the car, and a general air of optimism.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

XM Coolant - this stuff ok?

 

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-accessories/engine-oils-and-car-fluids/antifreeze-and-screenwash/blue-antifreeze/?523770501&0&cc5_865

 

there is currently only tap water in as I wanted to confirm I had fixed the leak, and I'm planning on replacing the radiator too.

 

Need to sort this sooner rather than later as the weather is starting to get very cold

[beko1987]

Pretty sure I just used euro car parts coolant in mine when I did it, cant remember if it was pink or blue though.

 

I keep meaning to change the coolant in the xantia before it gets too cold, but keep forgetting. I cant imagine it's past shiter owners have neglected that part too much though

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Pretty sure I just used euro car parts coolant in mine when I did it, cant remember if it was pink or blue though.

 

I keep meaning to change the coolant in the xantia before it gets too cold, but keep forgetting. I cant imagine it's past shiter owners have neglected that part too much though

 

cheers, blue it is then

[twosmoke300]

Prob iso 46 hyd oil if it was from ecp . Or possibly a bulb

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Prob iso 46 hyd oil if it was from ecp . Or possibly a bulb

 

haha more than likely!!

[The Moog]

Do the rear seats in a car provide much ridgity?

 

Or more specifically - if I took the rear seats out of the Starlet would it go a bit more floppy

[Kiltox]

Seriously doubt it

[chaseracer]

No.

[Cavcraft]

Can you change taxation class of vehicle on line or is it a Post office job? I have tried an internet search but can't seem to find out much.

[Kiltox]

Can you change taxation class of vehicle on line or is it a Post office job? I have tried an internet search but can't seem to find out much.

Post office I'm afraid

[Cavcraft]

Post office I'm afraid

 

 

Thanks chief.

[Lacquer Peel]

The heater blower in my Caddy has stopped working. The fuses I can find seem to be ok but I'm sure there's a hidden fusebox I've forgotted the location of. Any ideas?

[DodgeRover]

Can you change taxation class of vehicle on line or is it a Post office job? I have tried an internet search but can't seem to find out much.

Post office can also change fuel type and engine size on a good day...

[320touring]

The heater blower in my Caddy has stopped working. The fuses I can find seem to be ok but I'm sure there's a hidden fusebox I've forgotted the location of. Any ideas?

Is it not just the resistor that packs up in the control?

 

Like dis

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370625832332

[rainagain]

Coincidentally, I was coming on this thread to ask a very similar question about my Santa Fe.

 

At first I thought it must be low on fluid, but if wasn't. Sometimes the pedal won't fully return which made me think master cylinder, but my main suspicion is the pressure plate. I think it might be a Hyundai thing.

 

I'm contemplating replacing the fluid first to eliminate that before spending lots of dosh.

I hope this helps you, my colleague took it to a garage recommended by another colleague. They replaced the clutch, as this made no difference they then replaced the master cylinder and hey presto working clutch. So if I were you I'd check the master cylinder

[myglaren]

Are second hand windscreens a thing?  Might have a grotty old Astra van coming in soon but it will more than likely need a new screen to get through a MOT 

I changed mine on the Volvo.

It was a very hot day which softened the adhesive.

Took me about two hours to release it with sharp thin knives and cardboard (to insert where the knives had cut through the adhesive, stop it sticking back together again).

 

It was pretty filthy and when I had put it onto the car in place of the old one and then cleaned it, there were multiple scratches in it where someone had run the wipers with no rubbers in them

 

Fortunately these polished out with Autosol, a power drill with a polishing mop on and many hours and much sweat. Was OK in the end though.

So do check the replacement before removing it and remove with great care - maybe with a friend and a heat gun in this weather.

[chaseracer]

Is it possible to retrofit cruise control to a 2003 Blingo HDi?

[drum]

I hope this helps you, my colleague took it to a garage recommended by another colleague. They replaced the clutch, as this made no difference they then replaced the master cylinder and hey presto working clutch. So if I were you I'd check the master cylinder

Thanks. Mine is getting worse. Strangely, to my mind, it's worse changing up a gear than down. I have to let the revs drop before shifting.

 

I think I'll try and bleed the system first.

[drum]

The side door on my new* 14 year old transit won't open.

Any ideas where to start a fixing attempt?

[scaryoldcortina]

Yeah, start by pretending it doesn't have a side door, that's what everyone else does.

 

 

PS, if you do force it open it will probably fall off its runner and land on your toes.

[Richard]

There's a little knob at the back end of the door for locking/unlocking it, try that before you get medieval on its ass.

[DodgeRover]

The side door on my new* 14 year old transit won't open.

Any ideas where to start a fixing attempt?

Make sure none of the scrap in the back has fallen against the door wedging it closed. Seriously though I've had stuff fall over and jam the doors.

[SiC]

I know this has been done to death on here, but I can't seem to find threads.

 

Any recommendation on trolley jacks?

Ideally want to spend under £50 and have it a lift of at least 400mm. My current Aldi special can only go up to around 330mm, which isn't high enough to get axle stands underneath it.

 

I've seen a few decent looking ones on Machine Mart, but patiently waiting for another VAT free day...

 

Also last time I jacked it up, I did one side first, axle stand it. Then started jacking up the otherside. Half way up, the other stand started tilting and was sitting on one leg. At that point I got the jack down asap. Reckon it could have weakened/damaged the axle stand by having so much weight on one leg?

[Richard]

I think this is probably the closest you'll get to meeting your requirements http://www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/trolley-jacks/tj3-garage-3-ton-trolley-jack

 

http://www.sgs-engineering.com/help-advice/how-to-buy-the-right-trolley-jack/

[scaryoldcortina]

Most of the weight of the car will have been taken by the jack, so unless your axle stand twisted I wouldn't worry too much.

 

Always jack on firm level ground to avoid pulling the car towards the jack

[Tickman]

I know this has been done to death on here, but I can't seem to find threads.

 

Any recommendation on trolley jacks?

Ideally want to spend under £50 and have it a lift of at least 400mm. My current Aldi special can only go up to around 330mm, which isn't high enough to get axle stands underneath it.

 

I've seen a few decent looking ones on Machine Mart, but patiently waiting for another VAT free day...

 

Also last time I jacked it up, I did one side first, axle stand it. Then started jacking up the otherside. Half way up, the other stand started tilting and was sitting on one leg. At that point I got the jack down asap. Reckon it could have weakened/damaged the axle stand by having so much weight on one leg?

I bought the one Richard has linked and am more than well impressed.

I have previously bought a more expensive one from Machine Mart and did prefer using the old Lidl one rather than using it!