Ask a Shiter

[blakey79]

Any locals know of an old car happy MOT places in or around Basingstoke?

I'm in Lychpit, but have used these guys... Brilliant service, and a quirky seat courtesy car....very reasonably priced, and have some hidden gems in the workshop...

 

http://revolutionvehicles.co.uk/

[Anthony]

Renewed my insurance on the 29th Apr, still showing as uninsured. Why might this be?

 

Probably the insurer being somewhat tardy updating the insurance database.  Usually says something like "might take up to 7 days to update" although it's possible someone's made a typo with the registration number or similar.

 

Suffice to say, I'd be keeping a copy of the cover note in the car in case you're stopped by the police.

[bramz7]

I'm in Lychpit, but have used these guys... Brilliant service, and a quirky seat courtesy car....very reasonably priced, and have some hidden gems in the workshop...

 

http://revolutionvehicles.co.uk/

You must live minutes from me then, I'm also in Lychpit...

[sierraman]

Haven't received that either. Rang them they say I'm insured but no email cover note or whatever.

 

Annoying as were I to get stopped (about my luck) the cops wouldn't weather 40 mins on the phone waiting to get through to Hastings. It would be whatever sanctions they'd impose then try sorting it out after.

[omegod]

Taking an online bank transfer in payment for a car....hand it over straight away or wait a bit to make sure it's legit ???? 

[panhard65]

Hello, Just wondering if it's ok to use the battery off my old fiat punto in my corsa? Ever since I have done, my hazard's have got a mind of their own. I have to disconnect battery at night or they flash and run it down by morning?  I've tried changing the hazards switch and the interior light switch, which for some reason will also control the hazards. If I get a new battery for the corsa will that fix it?

It sounds like the alarm has set itself. Does it have a remote locking bit on the key ? Maybe new batteries in the key will cure it but it won't be the Punto battery or switches. It is all to do with the alarm. Disconnecting then reconnecting the battery has re-armed it and it needs turning off again if that makes sense.

[AMC Rebel]

Taking an online bank transfer in payment for a car....hand it over straight away or wait a bit to make sure it's legit ???? 

 

Depends on sum involved - my understanding is that money isn't any safer the longer it's been there - if the transaction is fraudulent the bank can still reverse it.  It isn't like a cheque where once cleared you are OK.  For sub 2K I'd prefer cash - although even that can be tricky of course with the potential for forgeries.

[Cavcraft]

If you can be nicked for being drunk in charge of a car, just because you're in it with the keys, how does it work with campers? Do you lock the ignition key in the glove box and have a second key for the back or something?

 

Would imagine if you're not parked on the Queen's highway or public carpark and you are sleeping in it (camper), you should be ok. Lorry drivers are allowed to as it's classed as their home, iirc. 

[Guest Hooli]

Hey guys

 

Is the paintwork on this too far gone or could it be brought back with a good machine polish/ clay bar etc session ?9ACF782B-5682-490F-84DF-23083D495BCC.jpeg

 

I seem to recall Barry Cade's Vito was a similar colour & state when he got it & that recovered ok with a good polish & rattle cans on the rust.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Question:

 

I'm looking to hire a car in the US in October for a few days with my better half.  The insurance situation we generally understand (book it through a UK website and you're likely to get the mandatory cover, check that this is the case) but I was wondering if there was anything else we should generally be aware of with regards to car hire over there.  Both of us are over 25 and have clean licences...

[SiC]

Question:

 

I'm looking to hire a car in the US in October for a few days with my better half. The insurance situation we generally understand (book it through a UK website and you're likely to get the mandatory cover, check that this is the case) but I was wondering if there was anything else we should generally be aware of with regards to car hire over there. Both of us are over 25 and have clean licences...

They'll charge you extra for breakdown cover. They don't usually include it standard as most credit cards providers out there offer it already and so people don't need it.

[Guest Hooli]

Don't get out the car if the plod stop you & keep your hands in view.

[D Spares & Tyres]

Would imagine if you're not parked on the Queen's highway or public carpark and you are sleeping in it (camper), you should be ok. Lorry drivers are allowed to as it's classed as their home, iirc.

 

You could get done, even in your own house made of bricks if they could prove intent to drive. Such as a statement from someone saying you were going to drive and they had to take your keys. It all depends on the copper on duty and how they want to interpret the law. Without a good lawyer the magistrates usually side with the CPS too so be very careful.

 

Do not trust in innocent til proven guilty beyond all reasonable doubt. Hide keys in a bush or somewhere they would be unlikely to be found

[FakeConcern]

Looking for stupid question amnesty thread, but found this one!

 

I've put a "new" Longlife exhaust on my C4 VTS and it slots into the cat fine, but with a bit of slack. I may be able to shim it with a bit of beer can to get a tighter fit.

The real problem and question is what type of clamp do I need for it as the cat has a flange, but the exhaust just has a bulge? See pic

 

 

Also see my thread http://autoshite.com/topic/29249-uninteresting-c4-vts-help-needed-to-diagnose/page-3?do=findComment&comment=1494496

 

[Slowsilver]

 

I wouldn't mind a 'foreign ebay tat' thread though. I have to say I don't like the mix of both and we are getting a lot of them on the tat thread these days but am not sure what everyone else thinks. 

 

I like the foreign ones but would prefer to peruse them in a foreign thread.

 

+1 for this.

[artdjones]

Looking for stupid question amnesty thread, but found this one!

 

I've put a "new" Longlife exhaust on my C4 VTS and it slots into the cat fine, but with a bit of slack. I may be able to shim it with a bit of beer can to get a tighter fit.

The real problem and question is what type of clamp do I need for it as the cat has a flange, but the exhaust just has a bulge? See pic

 

IMG_4984.JPG

 

Also see my thread http://autoshite.com/topic/29249-uninteresting-c4-vts-help-needed-to-diagnose/page-3?do=findComment&comment=1494496

Try looking on the Bosal online catalogue to see what their part no. is for a clamp for that joint.It looks to me that the bulge in the exhaust pipe should be bigger.

[busmansholiday]

 

Just sorting through all my tools and come across some sockets my dad gave me. What on earth is a 2 inch socket useful for? Trucks and lorries Battle Tanks?

 

 

Might be for front wheel bearings. Old trick on some buses / trucks when doing front drum brakes was to release the bearing nut then remove the wheel complete with tyre and drum. Sort brakes then reassemble. Meant you only had to torque up one nut (the wheel bearing), not all the dozen or so wheel nuts.

[somewhatfoolish]

Landrover hub nuts are 2".

[Captain Furious]

Not quite the same thing but similar.   When I replaced the rear wheel bearings on my Mk3 Mondeo I wondered why Ford had seen fit to use 5 wheel nuts to hold the wheel on, yet the wheel bearing and hub were only bolted to the rest of the car with 4 considerably less substantial torx head bolts.

[jcr]

Anyone know anything about Sherpa front slidey doors? I'm looking to get one and retrofit the front slideys on. I can only really find stripped down driver's doors on the Bay though - no nearside ones or rails in sight. Anyone know if those extra bits are available and whether a retrofit is possible?

[95 quid Peugeot]

Not wanting to start another thread for possibly 1 reply.

Could someone do me a mot history check on a landrover 110. Reg H486 ONP

Sadly in Far East and site won't show up from here

Tia

[djimbob]

Our Lass'es Kia magentis is now making a rumbling/bearing dying noise from the aircon compressor pump pulley, and I am having trouble finding a replacement one that costs less than the car is worth!

 

They are circa £300 new on the bay, not tried any breakers yet, but I imagine they are not cheap or plentiful either, so I was wondring if it is possible to bypass the pulley with a shorter serpentine drive belt?

 

Anyone any real experience of this in a relatively modern engine like this? (2001 2.5 V6 petrol auto).

 

In the olden days I would have taken a measurement and gone down the local factors to compare with their stock, but these new fangled belts are different widths and profiles, so am struggling with how to go about doing this

 

Cheers in advance of any input chaps and chapesses

 

Also whilst I'm on, anyone changed the ABS pump on a Rover 75 2.6 V6 petrol auto 2002? (I think - it's the one I bought off 6 cyl last year), it's MOT time soon and looking at worst case scenario - how hard a job is it if indeed it is

[steveo3002]

Question:

 

I'm looking to hire a car in the US in October for a few days with my better half.  The insurance situation we generally understand (book it through a UK website and you're likely to get the mandatory cover, check that this is the case) but I was wondering if there was anything else we should generally be aware of with regards to car hire over there.  Both of us are over 25 and have clean licences...

 

should be fully covered , once at the desk and dog tired they will try to push carefully worded add on cover for all manner of shit , you should be covered for accidents and break down , decline anything else

 

check what the fuel situation is...best if you can take it back full , they will most likley try and push a pre pay option thats dearer per gallon than the pump and would rely on you handing it over empty

[mitsisigma01]

Our Lass'es Kia magentis is now making a rumbling/bearing dying noise from the aircon compressor pump pulley, and I am having trouble finding a replacement one that costs less than the car is worth!

 

They are circa £300 new on the bay, not tried any breakers yet, but I imagine they are not cheap or plentiful either, so I was wondring if it is possible to bypass the pulley with a shorter serpentine drive belt?

 

Anyone any real experience of this in a relatively modern engine like this? (2001 2.5 V6 petrol auto).

 

In the olden days I would have taken a measurement and gone down the local factors to compare with their stock, but these new fangled belts are different widths and profiles, so am struggling with how to go about doing this

 

Cheers in advance of any input chaps and chapesses

 

Also whilst I'm on, anyone changed the ABS pump on a Rover 75 2.6 V6 petrol auto 2002? (I think - it's the one I bought off 6 cyl last year), it's MOT time soon and looking at worst case scenario - how hard a job is it if indeed it is

Does the Magentis use the 2.5 v6 from the Galant ? they seem to poach a lot of mitsubishi stuff

[BorniteIdentity]

Does anybody else draw out mental pictures/flowcharts in their mind whilst trying to visualise how to shuffle the fleet into the right order on the drive?

 

Where to put each one for maximum ease and minimum moves?

 

I’m trying to achieve the vehicular equivalent of ‘Fools Mate’ here, to no avail.

[puddlethumper]

What is the best way to get an oil stain off a driveway ?

I've heard burning does it. Any truth in it ?

[Guest Hooli]

I've heard pouring washing powder on & waiting for rain.

 

 

 

Or stain the rest to match...

[GrumpiusMaximus]

should be fully covered , once at the desk and dog tired they will try to push carefully worded add on cover for all manner of shit , you should be covered for accidents and break down , decline anything else

 

check what the fuel situation is...best if you can take it back full , they will most likley try and push a pre pay option thats dearer per gallon than the pump and would rely on you handing it over empty

I’d like to see them try to push anything past Lady Grumpius. She’s not one to agree to anything she doesn’t want and will kick up a public fuss if they try!

[stonedagain]

What is the best way to get an oil stain off a driveway ?

I've heard burning does it. Any truth in it ?

If it's a concrete drive, spray brake cleaner on the oily patch & wipe it straight off with an old cloth. I wouldn't try fire, especially on tarmac!

[anonymous user]

This would be handy. I cant look at ebay tat on my phone as it opens to pages from 2012! no way im scrolling forward through eleventy billion pages to get to the last few days. Its fine if im on my laptop though

I have had this, so I post a full stop which takes me just after the most recent post, I then delete it and scroll back