Ask a Shiter

[AlabamaShrimp]

Thanks for a the tyre answers. If it was me I would drive on it as I don't think it looks bad but I don't know of much about tyre damage.

But of course now she's at work she's rung and booked it in for a new tyre as she's paranoid when it comes to that car.

 

They must be laughing their tits off as that'll be about £450 they've had out of her in the last week (broken caliper on the other side)

[catsinthewelder]

Over the last few weeks the Astra of purple has started to go dead in the middle of starting.  I turn the key the starter starts to spin then stops then starts again.  Any ideas of what to replace before it inevitably strands me somewhere remote with no phone signal at 4am?

 

EDIT for those who don't know or care it is a P reg mk3 with a 1400cc petrol engine.

[meshking]

Weak starter motor?

[catsinthewelder]

Possibly,  though thinking back I did flatten the battery a few weeks back with inadvisable ICE mods.  I wonder if I kippered it?

[AlabamaShrimp]

Tyre update. This is apparently the other side when they took it off.

 

 

 

I'm on sure it's even the same tyre but I wasn't there and I don't care as she was having a new one anyway and where she went isn't the kind of place that does pointless work.

[philibusmo]

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the starter on a 2004 Volvo S40 (the mk2 based on the focus/Mazda 3) I've got a 2.4 auto model which is refusing to turn the starter. Solonoid clunks and that's it, but motor spins up when tested off the car.

From mucking around with a multimeter, 12volts doesn't seem to be getting to the motor, I've changed out the battery, checked the ignition switch and changed the relay and fuse for the starter but no change.

[Richard]

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[Richard]

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[Noel Tidybeard]

...or the starter is weak

[Asimo]

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the starter on a 2004 Volvo S40 (the mk2 based on the focus/Mazda 3) I've got a 2.4 auto model which is refusing to turn the starter. Solonoid clunks and that's it, but motor spins up when tested off the car.

From mucking around with a multimeter, 12volts doesn't seem to be getting to the motor, I've changed out the battery, checked the ignition switch and changed the relay and fuse for the starter but no change.

"immobiliser" problem?

[Snipes]

I'm going to rattle-can some scuffs I recently applied to my 99 Fiesta. It's Ford "B3" Diamond White - will it need clear coat?

I think they only apply to metallics but can't quite recall.

[rainagain]

The 'rubber' is baked and just bonds to the metal. They're all shite nowadays and last a year. Astra mk3 ones are terrible, but I've never had one go, I don't think it's possible to have any thing bad happen as only the suspension shock absorber mounts to it.

Thanks for the reply, I just replaced it as when the suspension was unloaded the strut could drop out from the mount

[steveo3002]

I'm going to rattle-can some scuffs I recently applied to my 99 Fiesta. It's Ford "B3" Diamond White - will it need clear coat?

I think they only apply to metallics but can't quite recall.

prob just the solid white when new....doesnt mean the shop wont sell you base coat though

[alf892]

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the starter on a 2004 Volvo S40 (the mk2 based on the focus/Mazda 3) I've got a 2.4 auto model which is refusing to turn the starter. Solonoid clunks and that's it, but motor spins up when tested off the car.

From mucking around with a multimeter, 12volts doesn't seem to be getting to the motor, I've changed out the battery, checked the ignition switch and changed the relay and fuse for the starter but no change.

The solenoid is buggered.......so while it moves no connection is achieved.

[DodgeRover]

Why has an exhaust blowing slightly at the first joint lost me 1/2 a mile per litre? 4 strokes don't need back pressure do they?

[hhhugues]

I hate to do this but I have to ask yet another boring question about my Mondeo. The alternator is toast. I'm considering getting a 2d hand one and attempting to change it myself because the car is basically worth £0 and that also happens to be roughly the budget I have to either get it sorted or find a replacement.

 

There isn't very much online to guide me through the process, but the couple youtube videos I have seen indicate that it could quickly turn into a total ballache. For starters it would involve taking off a tracking rod to gain access, which i'm a little nervous about. Bear in mind the extend of my experience as far as working on this car (or any other come to think of it), is basic oil/filter change, removing and cleaning the EGR, and changing the battery. I like shite to look at and drive (so to speak), not so much to fettle with.  

 

Essentially, my question is: Is it worth having a go, or am I just going to end up wasting a day before inevitably calling for someone to take the damn thing away? 

 

Thanks, and I promise to post about an interesting car at some point soon!

[The Moog]

Any idea of how i can get the part number for a Mercedes inlet manifold?

 

I think my brother's c220 cdi swirl flaps are fucked. He had them removed but garage has recommended getting 2nd one to fit but i cant find the epc online anywhere.

[The Moog]

 

 

I hate to do this but I have to ask yet another boring question about my Mondeo. The alternator is toast.

Essentially, my question is: Is it worth having a go, or am I just going to end up wasting a day before inevitably calling for someone to take the damn thing away?

 

Thanks, and I promise to post about an interesting car at some point soon!

 

If it is worth nothing and you have the time plus don't need the car back asap then have a go.

 

Where are you located?

[hhhugues]

If it is worth nothing and you have the time plus don't need the car back asap then have a go.

 

Where are you located?

 

I'm in South East London. Do you have any tips / know anyone who could help by any chance?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[phil_lihp]

This is probably a really stupid question but it's stumped me so far.  

 

There's a lot of engine noise getting into my Hiace's cab and the main culprit is the rubber gaitor thing around the base of the steering column where it goes through the floor.  It's disintegrated and is therefore in dire need of replacement but I haven't had any luck finding one.  Main problem being, I don't even know what to call it...grommet?  Bush?  Gaitor?  I've tried everything I can think of and I can't even find a picture of it, let alone anywhere selling one.  

 

It consists of a metal collar and some sort of rubber bit but the original is so far gone I can't really tell what it should look like.  

 

Any clues?

[tooSavvy]

^^^ 45292 ?

 

http://www.tojo4wdcentre.com.au/part-shop/view/1545/194/surf-/surf-vzn130-8-90-10-95/45292-35050-seal-steering-column-shaft-through-firewall-hilux-landcruiser-80-series

 

TS

[hhhugues]

I hate to do this but I have to ask yet another boring question about my Mondeo. The alternator is toast. I'm considering getting a 2d hand one and attempting to change it myself because the car is basically worth £0 and that also happens to be roughly the budget I have to either get it sorted or find a replacement.

 

There isn't very much online to guide me through the process, but the couple youtube videos I have seen indicate that it could quickly turn into a total ballache. For starters it would involve taking off a tracking rod to gain access, which i'm a little nervous about. Bear in mind the extend of my experience as far as working on this car (or any other come to think of it), is basic oil/filter change, removing and cleaning the EGR, and changing the battery. I like shite to look at and drive (so to speak), not so much to fettle with.  

 

Essentially, my question is: Is it worth having a go, or am I just going to end up wasting a day before inevitably calling for someone to take the damn thing away? 

 

Thanks, and I promise to post about an interesting car at some point soon!

 

 

If it is worth nothing and you have the time plus don't need the car back asap then have a go.

 

Where are you located?

 

 

So I had a go. Went as far as removing the wheel and the protective panel behind it, and swiftly concluded that I had neither the tools or the patience / ability for the task. My local garage reckons they could put a used alternator (if i can find one) for £120. That sounds reasonable enough for labour i would think? 

 

On the other hand, another thing that made it a pain in the arse to work on the car is that the whole engine is incrediby dirty, and i don;t think its oil. If it's fuel, is that an automatic MOT failure? it's been like that for a while now. Given the state of the car, I really have to think twice about investing any money at all in this thing. Any advice on this welcome!

[dave21478]

My binoculars are not powerful enough to let me see into your engine bay from here.

 

Post photos.

[hhhugues]

Ha, good point. Will do that tomorrow. It's literally coated the whole engine and definitely doesn't have the viscosity of oil. 

[Guest Hooli]

Why has an exhaust blowing slightly at the first joint lost me 1/2 a mile per litre? 4 strokes don't need back pressure do they?

 

Yes they do. You need a back pressure wave from the exhaust to scavenge the cylinder properly. hence why four branch manifolds etc for tuning as it's the first joint/box that causes the wave to return.

[Station]

What are the chances of getting a Capri cheap anymore?

I think I've left it too late.

[Guest Hooli]

What are the chances of getting a Capri cheap anymore?

I think I've left it too late.

 

 

Barn find, needs restoration, all complete....£1k

[Supernaut]

So I sort-of just witnessed a hit and run.

 

I was sitting in my front room, when I heard a thud outside. I saw a silver mark 1 Focus with an L plate on the back reverse into my street from a side street, then fuck off at high speed.

 

I wandered round the corner and saw the front corner of a parked Peugeot 208 caved in. I knocked on some doors and found out who owns it, but there was no answer at that house. Do I put a note through their letter box? I didn't get the number plate of the Focus, unfortunately.

 

EDIT: Never mind. I've put a note through their letter box with a description of the car, explaining I didn't see the number plate though, and gave them my name and address if they want to speak to me.

[dave21478]

What are the chances of getting a Capri cheap anymore?

I think I've left it too late.

Too late. Which is a massive pisser as I now want one too.

 

I was picking my nephew up from his Rugby training yesterday and as I was shambling through the carpark I heard a rare noise in amongst the usual diesel clatter that all cars make now....an old skool burbling. I spun round to see a lovely black mkIII Capri going past. It had that "looked after but driven daily" look to it. Only a 1.6L, but it was a really beautiful sight amongst the amorphous blobs that pass as cars these days.

[3VOM]

My binoculars are not powerful enough to let me see into your engine bay from here.

 

Post photos.