Ask a Shiter

[Guest Hooli]

Advisories are up to the MOT man

 

 

Isn't it generally a CYA thing?

 

If you can't inspect the sills then advise of that so if it snaps in half 2 miles later your not on the hook for not noticing.

[DodgeRover]

This ^^^ or if you remove the cill covers and go riding round with goping big holes Mrs MOT lady can point out they weren't visible when you get a prohibition notice

[scaryoldcortina]

There was a special notice recently asking testers to stop adding advisories for sill covers and undertrays for cars that left the factory like that.

[DSdriver]

How difficult are they to remove on the Saab if I wanted to check for myself?

[sierraman]

I wouldn't. Usually rusty behind them on some cars. X types in particular.

[DSdriver]

OMG mintola with a hole?

[Bobthebeard]

Last night when starting the Saab it 'bonged' and showed ' replace key battery' on the SID. Showed this message every start up. The key buttons still locked/unlocked the car from a good distance away so I assumed the key battery was ok. However I replaced the key battery in the hope it would clear the message. It did. No further messages. Stupid question is, how does the car/ecu know the state of the key battery?

[tinribs]

Bob,

 

Same way the PS3/PS4 knows the controllers need charging - the key will let the car know the voltage is low so it can bong at you.

 

Failing that - witchcraft.

[The Moog]

Is this likely to work or burst into flames  

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Battery-Charging-System-Digital-Tester-Load-Drop-Van-Auto-Voltage-100Amp-12V-/262305282267?

[95 quid Peugeot]

is it legal and or sensible to replace the run flats (205/55/16) on rear of Mrs 95 quids Z4 with normal Michelin pilots i have kicking around 

[Stanky]

OMG mintola with a hole?

 

[DSdriver]

Is this likely to work or burst into flames  

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Battery-Charging-System-Digital-Tester-Load-Drop-Van-Auto-Voltage-100Amp-12V-/262305282267?

Do they do one for cretins like me that just says "Your battery is shagged, get a new one" or "Yup, that's fine  but needs charging"

[The Moog]

Zooming into picture I think it is just funky meter. I was looking for a drop tester, to test couple of the more elderly batteries I have  around 

[Des]

Is this likely to work or burst into flames  

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Battery-Charging-System-Digital-Tester-Load-Drop-Van-Auto-Voltage-100Amp-12V-/262305282267?

 

I recently bought the analogue version of that, does what it oughta, it even stood up to some abuse 'exercising' a couple of batteries, smoked a bit, switch became sticky, the coil distorted and the cables warmed up as they're a bit skinny with thick insulation like petrol station jump leads. Should be a perfectly durable tool if treated respectfully. I've also been impressed lately with a small digital tester that checks capacity by spiritualism, using both tools gives a good indication of bad juju levels.

[Crusty Sills]

I have a problem starting my Beetle. I have a new starter which i have tested and fitted. The problem is it's not starting! I have power from the ignition when tested and power from the battery. I tested it off of the battery in the car with jump leads and it worked but nothing when connected. Any ideas? Could it be an earth issue? Not sure how i check for a bad earth?

[NorthernMonkey]

Is this likely to work or burst into flames

 

 

+

 

 

= It'll be fine. I think.

[andy18s]

I have a problem starting my Beetle. I have a new starter which i have tested and fitted. The problem is it's not starting! I have power from the ignition when tested and power from the battery. I tested it off of the battery in the car with jump leads and it worked but nothing when connected. Any ideas? Could it be an earth issue? Not sure how i check for a bad earth?

Run a jump lead from the battery neg to somewhere on the block as close to the starter as practical....

[Crusty Sills]

After having a play, i can get the starter going by jumping the the constant feed to the ignition terminal. After this I can put the ignition lead on and the starter will start off of the key once or twice then nothing. All this was done with starter dropped off the car and a lead from body of the starter to the floor pan. I iz confused!

[sierraman]

Flashing mil on a diesel is an emission related fault . Usually an egr fault or map/ maf sensor issue . Boost leak maybe ? They love to split a boost hose those

Funnily enough mine threw up the Coil light flashing today then went in LOS. Scanned it and it came up with P0401. EGR was thick with oily shit. Cleaned it out and it's fine again. I wouldn't mind but I only did all this not six months back... it's like going back to the 1950's decoking the fucker every 6 months.

[Frogchod]

Brother in laws wedding or Practical Classics show ?

 

I think I know the answer....

[AlabamaShrimp]

OK so the mobile mechanic came today and thinks my Fiesta over heating issue isn't the head gasket or the water pump as with it all running everything got hot and the can came on but, the heater still blew cold so he thinks blocked heater matrix.

 

We changed the thermostat just in case (tested the old one, works fine) and later I took it out for a drive. Got red hot within a mile, to just under red on the gauge, then dropped down just as before. Heater s ill blew cold till I was almost home when it was warm. That might have been though as the warm water one side of the potential blocked just warmed the rest.

 

So the question is. Could it be the heater blocked? And if it is why is it getting so hot then not? (don't think I have an air lock)

[Guest Hooli]

Heaters can block, I can't see why it'd make the engine overheat though. As far as I know it's not required for the flow around the block/rad. Seen enough cars with a leaky heater bypassed to make me doubt it too.

[twosmoke300]

What shape fiesta ? The sad fish faced one ? If so it's the heater valve on the bulkhead causing the lack of heater but this wouldn't cause overheating . Also if your mobile man didn't know that then get another

[AlabamaShrimp]

You can see the two pipes that come off for the heater and they don't stop the main flow round the engine.

 

Just going to take all the pipes off and stick the hose in and see what comes out.

[Frogchod]

Second time for BIL, this time a russian girl he met on the web......

[AMC Rebel]

Second time for BIL, this time a russian girl he met on the web......

Deffo the wedding then sounds more entertainment potential than paying a stack to look at a few E-Types and polish salesmen.

[AMC Rebel]

Do they do one for cretins like me that just says "Your battery is shagged, get a new one" or "Yup, that's fine  but needs charging"

 

That one has three lights that are marked OK, Weak and Bad - how much more simple do you need ?

 

Zooming into picture I think it is just funky meter. I was looking for a drop tester, to test couple of the more elderly batteries I have  around 

 

I am guessing the air holes are ventilation for a BFO resistor that is there to apply a load - hence it is a drop tester I reckon.

[DSdriver]

I have a problem starting my Beetle. I have a new starter which i have tested and fitted. The problem is it's not starting! I have power from the ignition when tested and power from the battery. I tested it off of the battery in the car with jump leads and it worked but nothing when connected. Any ideas? Could it be an earth issue? Not sure how i check for a bad earth?

Starter solenoid? Old cars tended to have these separate from the starter motor. The solenoid sometimes has a button on the end so you can operate it with a finger.

But on the beetle it looks as though you have to short across the two big terminals with a spanner (held with a rubber glove)

[DSdriver]

That one has three lights that are marked OK, Weak and Bad - how much more simple do you need ?

 

I have a Halfrauds battery charger that has an option switch for sealed or trad batteries. I got that wrong and fused the bloody thing.

[AMC Rebel]

is it legal and or sensible to replace the run flats (205/55/16) on rear of Mrs 95 quids Z4 with normal Michelin pilots i have kicking around 

 

https://www.national.co.uk/information/run-flat-tyres

 

Not illegal as far as I can see - presumably Insurers would want to know, although I also suspect the Z4 was available OEM with conventional tyres.