Ask a Shiter

[Cavcraft]

Yep, he definately meant the LandRover.

 

 

DW: I honestly thought they were all like that, are you sure it's not distributor/points related?

[dollywobbler]

Pretty sure Billy. It's spot-on in the ignition department. Runs beautifully once caught and no problems if you stop somewhere and then restart. It's just if it's been left for more than a day. Spins on the starter with no sign of firing at all, then catches after about 10 seconds.

[Ross_K]

I think he meant the car tonedpear was on about.

 

Oh right. Just put and together and got 5.

[M'coli]

Pretty sure Billy. It's spot-on in the ignition department. Runs beautifully once caught and no problems if you stop somewhere and then restart. It's just if it's been left for more than a day. Spins on the starter with no sign of firing at all, then catches after about 10 seconds.

An A-series with an SU should fire from cold in about 4 "chugs" of the starter, 8 at maximum. If you haven't already I'd look at the plug gap (25-28 thou) and the choke mechanism.

[alf892]

Also if the ignition is ballasted it runs at 9v. For better starting there is an extra wire on the solenoid which gives the coils a nice 12v while cranking. Solenoid can go knackered so it doesn't give this 12v shot.

 

Similar is 'coil starvation' where cranking takes all the power you've got. Try flicking starter in very short burst so you get a second or two when engine is turning without starter and the engine may commence.......

[dollywobbler]

Thanks folks. I'll have an explore and will report back. Will take a while as I need to wait a few days.

[cort16]

Here's one. I just saw a car with a U plate in the local B&Q car park.

 

I can't remember the number but the format was "ABC - 123 - U" and it had the dashes in the plate.

 

I though there wasn't any U plate cars, what's the score with that?

[M'coli]

Similar is 'coil starvation' where cranking takes all the power you've got. Try flicking starter in very short burst so you get a second or two when engine is turning without starter and the engine may commence.......

Good point - a housemate's Mini had this problem, the earth strap connection on his needed a good wire brushing.

[Pillock]

Here's one. I just saw a car with a U plate in the local B&Q car park.

 

I can't remember the number but the format was "ABC - 123 - U" and it had the dashes in the plate.

 

I though there wasn't any U plate cars, what's the score with that?

 

Isle of Man?

 

I'm sure they follow a similar letters-numbers-year_suffix layout to our old one but just started much later so all their cars look ancient.

 

edit: The letters show both month and year depending on the age. Take a look at this, it's a mega confusing system!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_re ... sle_of_Man

http://www.dna.nl/isle_of_man_breakdown.htm

[cort16]

Cheers, that'll be it. It threw me as it had white plates at the front, yellow at the back and was a right hand drive 3 series. The plate took quite UK-ish other than the hyphens and the U.

[Pete-M]

Our Mini is rubbish at starting. I'm wondering if it's fuel starvation as it just churns over and over until it suddenly catches and runs beautifully.

 

It used to do it if left for more than a week, but it now seems to do it all the time. Is there a non-return valve somewhere that's past its best?

 

If it's an old one on points and stuff, does it have a ballast resistor? If so, does it work?

 

604 has a similar quirk, if the fan belt is even slightly loose it becomes an issue as when trying to start the engine there's only enough power to run the starter or the fuel pump. Not both. It'll crank for ages, but won't start without electrical assistance...

[Albert Ross]

I think he meant the car tonedpear was on about.

 

 

No, I REALLY do want an armoured Land Rover. Seriously. Preferably a Stage 1 RUC style motor. Scabbed and battered please.

[Cavcraft]

/\

Soz Alb.

 

 

Does anyone know if all Pugrot 306 seats are the same? This mingebag spec one I have acquired is ok, but the driver's seat is too low for my linking and doesn't have an up/down adjustment. I was wondering if posher/sportier spec ones have this facility or not?

Cheers in advance.

 

*EDIT*

 

Found this on eBay, is the little lever (sort of bottom right of driver's seat) the one that adjusts height?

 

[myglaren]

Re: the extensible lever, yes, it is the height adjuster, same as Xantais.

As far as interchangeability is concerned, haven't a clue, sorry.

[dollywobbler]

Can't imagine there's a lot of difference. Get 3dr ones for a pointless tilting function!

[Albert Ross]

One of these please, but worse cosmetic condition. That way, no cunt would try to cut me up.......

[Timewaster]

Re Peugeot seat height adjuster, my MI16 had a lever like that. Pull it up and the seat raised up. Let go of the lever, seat goes back down again.

Was it borked or was I not doing it right?*

 

 

 

*Irrelevant really, as the car was scrapped 5 years ago!

[Ross_K]

Found this on eBay, is the little lever (sort of bottom right of driver's seat) the one that adjusts height?

 

 

Yeah they're interchangeable. Citroen ZX or Xantia seats should do the job too.

 

Check the action with the seat still in the donor car as the handle is usually fucked, or else the plastic grip'll slide off in your hand

[KruJoe]

Get 3dr ones for a pointless tilting function!

One for the fact fans: Volvo 850 front seats fold forwards flat (or at least the passenger side ones do). This was very handy when I loaded a full 850 interior into the Samara, along with all my tools, spare fluids and an A-frame (going to Chumley).

 

 

 

Espaz question...

We know the Mk2 has a separate chassis - the Top Goons cut the roof off a blue one. Clarkson did a Mk1 also:

 

 

But what about the Mk3?

 

 

Does that have the same arrangement, or is it a more conventional construction?

[Cavcraft]

Thankyou gents, will trawl local scrapyards for phase 2 seats.

[Negative Creep]

One of these please, but worse cosmetic condition. That way, no cunt would try to cut me up.......

 

THe trade off is that you'd have to put up with being continuously petrol bombed by Northern Irish youths

[CreepingJesus]

Any of the Falkirk area posse got any ideas about a stretch limo I saw today, just by the stadium?

It was like one of those Beauford jobs, with the wings and all, but when I saw it properly, it looked more like, say, a JBA Falcon glued onto an upturned barge. It's unmistakeably hideous, and I want to know what and where it lives, so I can pap it!

I swear I didn't dream it, 'cos even my dreams aren't that twisted...

[The Moog]

Whats the best way of flogging my car at a future date ?

 

I am leaving for cambodia on 3rd August but really need to keep the car up to that date. There is no one here I would trust with flogging it due to it a) being a bit shite the type of thing that will just be hassle. Ebay was the option but if someone messes me about I am screwed as I dont have time to relist etc. Probably only worth about £400 but has reasonable MOT etc.

[Albert Ross]

If you need the cash prior to flying, sell (taking the money there and then) with an agreed collection date. They then drive you out to Heathrow, and drive away. Otherwise leave it in the short stay car park (its in their name now) If not, trust a friend to deposit funds once you have left these shores.

[Cavcraft]

How long are you going for? If it's for good/several years can't you take it to one of those exceddingly wanky 'Log Book Loan' type places, score a few quid then when you're done with the car just park it outside their office on double yellow lines, lob the keys through the letter box and send the V5 off in their name.

[The Moog]

Going to be a couple of years so want shot ... agreed date sounds like a plan ...

[AnthonyG]

Get 3dr ones for a pointless tilting function!

 

Espaz question...

We know the Mk2 has a separate chassis - the Top Goons cut the roof off a blue one. Clarkson did a Mk1 also:

 

But what about the Mk3?

 

 

Does that have the same arrangement, or is it a more conventional construction?

 

It was still made by Matra and still had glassfibre panels so I guess so. The Mk4 one (that they've just stopped selling in the UK) was the one with a normal steel monocoque shell built in a Renault plant.

[KruJoe]

Thanks!

These Mk3s have been getting some love on here recently, they are indeed a handsome thing for what they are.

[Ross_K]

 

Whaaaaat?

[Cavcraft]

I think he meant Cavaliers