Ask a Shiter

[Dave_Q]

If its tax & tested, buy insurance online from the company with the least rinsey admin fees, drive home, cancel insurance, get nearly all of it back as a refund.

 

If no test etc, post on local "carz, xboxes and fighting dogs 4 sale" Facebook group, a generic scallywag with a ropey looking beavertail transit should move it 20 miles for not many quid.

[rainagain]

Audi 80 (B4) track rod ends.

 

I'm trying to change the offside one on mine. I've (after many expletives, a trip to the DIY shop to buy a 22mm spanner, and liberal use of a lump hammer, crowbar and nut splitter) managed to get the lock nut cracked off and the ball joint nut removed, but the TRE is still showing little interest in coming undone. There appears to be a collar which goes over the inside end of the TRE, and which is separate from the lock nut - I'm assuming it's also separate from the TRE as the replacement doesn't have one. So does it have to come off before the TRE can be removed, and if so, how does one get it off? Is it just a case of twatting it with a hammer and screwdriver until it lets go, or is there a particular way of doing it?

When I really can’t get a TRE shifted I found that if I put a pipe wench on it (ones of those that get tighter the more you turn it) and then use a jack to jack up the handle end of the wrench it normally shifts them.

[rainagain]

I have had someone ask if my R11 is fine to run on unleaded. It's a 1986 Cleon engine, C1J I think.... the handbook has no information whatsoever regarding fuel type, and it's not run rough or smoked at all (I appreciate that putting unleaded into a non adapted engine doesn't necessarily cause those symptoms), but surely 32 years of unleaded would have killed it long ago if that were the case?

If it has an aluminium head it will be ok, otherwise I’m not sure.

[Asimo]

How would I know which bit of my enigne is fucked?  (AMC) I suspect the main bearings or maybe big ends - there's an ominous low rumbling.  I am likely to change it for the spare engine so am just asking out of interest really.

Rumbling I would interpret as main bearings. Rumbly mains can go on for quite some time.

Big end failure produces a vicious hammering sound which changes greatly with torque and revs in the early stages and ends with seizure and/or shrapnel.

[sierraman]

Assuming it’s not taxed and tested? They’ll be well within their rights to tell you to do one if so.

No it’s taxed and tested.

[Kiltox]

Drive it then?

[Guest Hooli]

If it's legal it's in better nick than most cars in donny

[purplebargeken]

Parking in that there London. park it in my road, tell me what it is and I'll keep an eye on it. Edmonton Green is 10 mins walk and will take you to Seven Sisters or Liverpool Street, either will enable access to almost everywhere. Parking is free in my road. Plus good Turkish food places nearby.

[dozeydustman]

I have had someone ask if my R11 is fine to run on unleaded. It's a 1986 Cleon engine, C1J I think.... the handbook has no information whatsoever regarding fuel type, and it's not run rough or smoked at all (I appreciate that putting unleaded into a non adapted engine doesn't necessarily cause those symptoms), but surely 32 years of unleaded would have killed it long ago if that were the case?

 

 

These have an aluminium head, so should have hardened seats already by around 1986. Most ali headed engines had hardened seats by the mid 80's. Should be fine. If it's the 1.4 Auto, it's not the highest tuned Cléon so it should be fine for a few years yet. Just keep an eye on the clearances if you hear any tappet rattle get quieter without you doing anything.

[bigfella2]

Seen a Mondeo to break in Doncaster which is 20 miles from me. Tell me would this work... buy it then immediately ring the AA on the basis I’ve broke down and get it towed home. Obviously I’d have to immobilise it by knackering the radiator up or busting the end of a plug. Would this work?

When I got day insurance through Aviva it was only two or three quid extra for breakdown insurance, but the only problem I see with your plan is if the engine is cold when the breakdown guy turns up. Unless it runs, that would be a different story unless it's something apparently obviously broken before hand.

[Richard]

Just tow it home if it's only 20 miles.

[Slartibartfast]

What the ever loving fuck is this inside the cap of the coolant tank on the s80? It looks like some sort of valve to safely release pressure but I can't find any reference to it in the owners manual or online. How the heck do I top up the coolant?

[Guest Hooli]

Is it the inside of the cap? All rad caps are designed to vent above a set pressure so some sort of valve there makes sense.

[DodgeRover]

Has the cap come apart and that should be attached to it?

[Slartibartfast]

Yes I think that must be what has happened

[Guest Hooli]

It'd also explain the low coolant as wiffs of steam would be escaping when the engine is hot.

[DSdriver]

Any tips for removing a bastard tailgate gas strut ball joint? The other 3 were easy but one just wont come apart. As far as I can see there is no wire safety clip, there weren't on any of the others either. 

 

Don't fret, job done. Hand cleanser and fine wire wool is ace for cleaning plastic trims.

[busmansholiday]

When I got day insurance through Aviva it was only two or three quid extra for breakdown insurance, but the only problem I see with your plan is if the engine is cold when the breakdown guy turns up. Unless it runs, that would be a different story unless it's something apparently obviously broken before hand.

Givern how long it takes for them to turn up, especially in Donny, there'll be ice on it!

 

Find somebody with personal recovery cover, offer them a lift, get them to ring up. Sadly* I'm not available for a few days/weeks/years*!

[Slartibartfast]

Has the cap come apart and that should be attached to it?

OK so this is what's happened. Managed to get it out and top up the coolant. However when putting it back (which I had to do via the medium of hammering, I think I put it in too far/deep. Ran the engine for maybe ten minutes to get it up to temp and the coolant is boiling in the expansion tank. This means the system is not properly pressurised, doesn't it?

 

I'm going to get a new cap (hopefully tomorrow) but for the time being I need to use this busted one.

[DodgeRover]

Boiling means it running FAR too hot, are you sure it wasn't just bubbles of air purging if it's been run low?

[sierraman]

I’d have done the nails after mending the car, save them getting chipped.

[drum]

17 year old daughter passed her test today - wahey!

Internet searched for insurance - boo!

 

Any secrets on how to get it a sensible quote?

[320touring]

17 year old daughter passed her test today - wahey!

Internet searched for insurance - boo!

 

Any secrets on how to get it a sensible quote?

Insure her on the Delta. Seriously.

 

Bigger older cars with lower levels of driver fuckups are ftw!

[Slartibartfast]

Boiling means it running FAR too hot, are you sure it wasn't just bubbles of air purging if it's been run low?

I'm not sure, no. There was still water in the expansion tank, it was a centimetre or two below the "MIN" line.

[Tickman]

17 year old daughter passed her test today - wahey!

Internet searched for insurance - boo!

 

Any secrets on how to get it a sensible quote?

Meg passed last Friday and Admiral were coming in at about £1250 on the compare sites but direct were £1050.

 

This is insurance in her name with both parents named. 

As a comparison the same car in the wife's name with the same three people on insurance was £1500!

 

No box and when Chuck has been with Admiral and they have been great as well as the cheapest.

[SiC]

17 year old daughter passed her test today - wahey!

Internet searched for insurance - boo!

 

Any secrets on how to get it a sensible quote?

Keep her as a main driver and then put yourself+other half as a named driver.

 

Also you could go black box. Then you can buy this as a present.

[Slartibartfast]

I’d have done the nails after mending the car, save them getting chipped.

but if I get them chipped my nails will go faster and get better fuel economy. That's how it works, right?

[320touring]

but if I get them chipped my nails will go faster and get better fuel economy. That's how it works, right?

Depends.

 

Some models you just turn up teh pump..

[drum]

Meg passed last Friday and Admiral were coming in at about £1250 on the compare sites but direct were £1050.

 

This is insurance in her name with both parents named. 

As a comparison the same car in the wife's name with the same three people on insurance was £1500!

 

No box and when Chuck has been with Admiral and they have been great as well as the cheapest.

Cheers T, Admiral insurance sorted. Acorn were similar price but personal recommendations are always good.

 

Retirement from this taxi job will be very liberating!

[SiC]

Any suggestions on Metal Working Dolly's? So many size and shapes that I have no idea what to get as a good all rounder.