Ask a Shiter

[Lacquer Peel]

The Passat suffers from a bit of a drivetrain noise/vibration over bumps at high speed, I think it's probably a CV joint but how do you ID the suspect joint? No idea which side it's coming from.

[New POD]

Can’t decide if it’s scaremongering or actual fact from the internet:

 

Can I jet wash the roof of my Astra convertible to get rid of the green sort of moss/lichen on it without causing any grief to the actual roof?

TIA M8s.

yes

[stephen01]

Now this is a stupid question! 

How are people insuring their LHD imports? I've had to insure the twingo on a temporary day policy at £40 for a bloody day. Literally running out of time and my normal insurance co seem to work 9-5 even though the website states 8-8! anyway that's perhaps a grump?! 

[Guest Hooli]

I think they just fit romanian plates & don't bother.

[xtriple]

Just wondering.....anyone used the super cheap windscreen repair kit things about £5 on the bay of fleas......just wondering

Ye, I used it on a chip on a Serena, worked absolutely fine. I left feedback and the guy sent me a message that said 'Finally, someone who can read the effin instructions!'

 

Made me laugh. So when you do it, READ THE EFFIN INSTRUCTIONS!

[Crooner]

As been as it seems to be a default motor on her, I'll ask the question. I might have chance of a really nice Rover R8 1.6, 1998. Low miles and owners, very tidy. It has a fooked step motor, so won't idle bellow 2000 reveroonies. These being the lauded 'Honda engine, I assume they aren't prone to the usual OMGHGF? I've had a few of these in the dim and distant, but they were quite modern motors then. What nasties do I look for? No rot on it at all as I can see, just a bit of lacquer rash. Any good?

[Snipes]

Where they still making R8s for 1998? Or late reg madness?

[binhoker668]

I’m about to try and trace the wires back from one of the rear door speakers in the Xantia in order to find the break and have rear stereo again. My question is, will this mean that the clutch/engine/wheels will fall off immediately? The sensible person would put up with it and Just-Drive-The-Fucking-Thing. But....stereo.

[Richard]

The break is almost certainly in the door shut. When repairing it's best to add a new section of wire so the joins are in a bit that doesn't move.

[Guest Hooli]

I’m about to try and trace the wires back from one of the rear door speakers in the Xantia in order to find the break and have rear stereo again. My question is, will this mean that the clutch/engine/wheels will fall off immediately? The sensible person would put up with it and Just-Drive-The-Fucking-Thing. But....stereo.

Depends how much you unbolt to find the broken wire.

[Crooner]

No, it's a tourer. I think they were made a bit longer.( the rover, not the xantia)

[mercrocker]

How are we collectively storing our spare gearboxes?    I have just picked a couple up that look really good and deserve better than my usual stand-it-on-bellhouse-end-until-you-forget-what-it-was-for regime.   Would rather not fill with oil but if its imperative then I probably would......

[Guest Hooli]

I'd fill it with oil, or at least get some in and sloshed about to stop it rusting.

[Lacquer Peel]

Why are these J&R driveshafts so much cheaper than any other brand, are they crap or is it just economy of scale? It seems to be all they deal with.

 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F140960784459

[Kiltox]

Why are these J&R driveshafts so much cheaper than any other brand, are they crap or is it just economy of scale? It seems to be all they deal with.

 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F140960784459

They’re not crap. Used them a few times.

[sierraman]

Second that I've fitted them.

[SiC]

Twosmoke rated them highly too.

[Fabergé Greggs]

Skoda Fabia:

 

Is it chain or belt driven cam in these? What’s the time interval if it’s done super low miles?

[Dave_Q]

Depends what engine. Mainly belt i think, certainly the diesels are, the petrols not so sure.

 

Think the diesels are about 50k miles/8 years.

[MorrisItalSLX]

My 1985 Jaguar XJ6 has 2 different wiper arms, but which one is correct?

 

Option A )

 

Option B )

[Parky]

Has anyone here changed the gear selector mechanism on a mk2 Seat Leon before? Or in fact any VAG group vehicle (A3, Mk5 Golf, Octavia, etc)?

 

My gear shifting problem seems to be related to the selector mechanism under the gearstick rather than the box itself.

 

I have watched the vids where it all looks so easy (well it would with the box and mech on a bench) but has anyone done it “for real”, what did you do, and is it easier to sack it off to a garage?

 

I would have a go myself but without knowing what’s broken I don’t know for sure if it’s a 5p bush or something more fundamental and am reluctant to tear the car apart in case I can’t reassemble it! Any guidance or thoughts appreciated

[catsinthewelder]

I wonder if the fins on rear brake drums are used as abs sensors.

[steveo3002]

Has anyone here changed the gear selector mechanism on a mk2 Seat Leon before? Or in fact any VAG group vehicle (A3, Mk5 Golf, Octavia, etc)?

 

My gear shifting problem seems to be related to the selector mechanism under the gearstick rather than the box itself.

 

I have watched the vids where it all looks so easy (well it would with the box and mech on a bench) but has anyone done it “for real”, what did you do, and is it easier to sack it off to a garage?

 

I would have a go myself but without knowing what’s broken I don’t know for sure if it’s a 5p bush or something more fundamental and am reluctant to tear the car apart in case I can’t reassemble it! Any guidance or thoughts appreciated

same as a mk4 golf ?    the gearstick on those is in a box that drops down after 4 bolts (plus heat sheild and exhaust )  nothing to it , can be replaced or rebuild once off the car

 

whats wrong with it?

 

have you tried this?

[Bucketeer]

My Volvo 740 is being recalcitrant. It did Wales and back last weekend and was fine, however upon trying to start it now it fires up but then dies immediately without throttle application. With the throttle mashed it will just about chug and phut at idle, and oocasionally pick up enough to reach higher revs (2000ish rpm+) where it takes off and seems to be fine until you release the throttle and it dies again.

I have limited time and really need it working so if anybody has experienced this before and has sage advice that would save me potentially wiggling/cleaning/glueing/prodding/hitting things unneccesarily, it would be very much appreciated.

 

Here's a video to accompany my crap explanation.

 

https://youtu.be/aYHs1jmfzTc

[steveo3002]

^ big air leak like a split hose etc ..have alook at the dizzy cap /arm etc

[wuvvum]

My brother is looking at buying a 2009 Focus 1.8 TDCi.  What are these like?  I know the PSA engine in the 1.6s had a fairly poor reputation, but the 1.8 is a Ford effort I believe - is it any better?  Does it nom DMFs and injectors like the Mk3 Mondeos did?

[Guest Penelope Pitstop]

Skoda Fabia:

 

Is it chain or belt driven cam in these? What’s the time interval if it’s done super low miles?

All the Fabia diesel engines are belt driven. The petrol 2.0 engine and the 1.4 16-valve petrol engine are belt driven; the petrol 1.0/1.2 engines and the 1.4 8-valve petrol engine are all chain driven.

According to Autodata: 'Skoda UK recommend the timing belt is replaced every 4 years if the replacement mileage is not reached.'

[Shirley Knott]

My Volvo 740 is being recalcitrant. It did Wales and back last weekend and was fine, however upon trying to start it now it fires up but then dies immediately without throttle application. With the throttle mashed it will just about chug and phut at idle, and oocasionally pick up enough to reach higher revs (2000ish rpm+) where it takes off and seems to be fine until you release the throttle and it dies again.

I have limited time and really need it working so if anybody has experienced this before and has sage advice that would save me potentially wiggling/cleaning/glueing/prodding/hitting things unneccesarily, it would be very much appreciated.

 

Here's a video to accompany my crap explanation.

 

https://youtu.be/aYHs1jmfzTc

 

Fuel pressure regulator? Is it one of the 'redblock' engines?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7VEE75UHeE

 

I'd actually check the fuel pressure properly first before spunking any cash on one as they seem to be silly money, I was looking recently, not many available and even aftermarket stuff seem to be getting on for a ton

[sierraman]

As far as I know the 1.8 TDCI is much better than the 2.0 fitted to the Mk3. But obviously its at the age where it could have failing injectors anyway, but on the whole its a lot better yes.

[sierraman]

Need to replace a length of PAS hose on the Mondeo, needless to say this will either be unobtainable from Ford or £11,583.20 + VAT.

 

Where could I obtain some hose of the correct diameter that I could mould to fit?