Ask a Shiter

[Mally]

In front of myself here, but I see a problem.

Have a 75 on Classic insurance, 3000 miles a year, must have use of another car.

My other car, wife's motability, will be going back.

Thus I have no 'other car' and 3000 miles will not be sufficient,

I'm answering my own question here, but obviously I need to contact my insurer, and expect my premium to rise from £200 to £1000+ as I have no NCB.

There is a possibility I can get some sort of NCB entitlement from the Motability insurers, we will see.

I do have a bus pass, my next door neighbour has kindly explained what I do with it, as I've not been on a bus for 30 years.

[Tickman]

In front of myself here, but I see a problem.

Have a 75 on Classic insurance, 3000 miles a year, must have use of another car.

My other car, wife's motability, will be going back.

Thus I have no 'other car' and 3000 miles will not be sufficient,

I'm answering my own question here, but obviously I need to contact my insurer, and expect my premium to rise from £200 to £1000+ as I have no NCB.

There is a possibility I can get some sort of NCB entitlement from the Motability insurers, we will see.

I do have a bus pass, my next door neighbour has kindly explained what I do with it, as I've not been on a bus for 30 years.

If you have access to any other vehicle at all, insured on your son's for example, then that would technically meet the requirement.

The insurance company should give a no claims entitlement for years of use, they did for Marianne after just being named.

[Tamworthbay]

In front of myself here, but I see a problem.

Have a 75 on Classic insurance, 3000 miles a year, must have use of another car.

My other car, wife's motability, will be going back.

Thus I have no 'other car' and 3000 miles will not be sufficient,

I'm answering my own question here, but obviously I need to contact my insurer, and expect my premium to rise from £200 to £1000+ as I have no NCB.

There is a possibility I can get some sort of NCB entitlement from the Motability insurers, we will see.

I do have a bus pass, my next door neighbour has kindly explained what I do with it, as I've not been on a bus for 30 years.

I found myself in this situation after about 15 years of cars on classic policies then insuring one a mere 17 years old. I phoned a few brokers and found a couple who contacted insurers explaining my situation. In the end I had to sign a declaration stating that I had not had any accidents/ claims in the last ten years and giving permission for them to access the insurers database to confirm this (no idea why as I thought they could do that anyway). They then ‘mirrored’ no claims discount whilst I built it up in the more traditional way. After three years of that I found a company who were just happy to give me max discount.

[Mally]

If you have access to any other vehicle at all, insured on your son's for example, then that would technically meet the requirement.

The insurance company should give a no claims entitlement for years of use, they did for Marianne after just being named.

 

I am insured on my sons Tranny Van.

Am sure they said had to live at the same address though, and not sure they will take a van, but worth an ask.

[320touring]

Here's one for the assembled crowd..

 

At motorway speeds (60mph+), the steering on the Merc feels a bit 'vague and twitchy'

 

No obvious thinks/bangs etc from balljoints, could it be the steering box needing adjusted?

[DodgeRover]

Here's one for the assembled crowd..

 

At motorway speeds (60mph+), the steering on the Merc feels a bit 'vague and twitchy'

 

No obvious thinks/bangs etc from balljoints, could it be the steering box needing adjusted?

Try a touch lower on the tyre pressures

[Pillock]

In front of myself here, but I see a problem.

Have a 75 on Classic insurance, 3000 miles a year, must have use of another car.

My other car, wife's motability, will be going back.

Thus I have no 'other car' and 3000 miles will not be sufficient,

I'm answering my own question here, but obviously I need to contact my insurer, and expect my premium to rise from £200 to £1000+ as I have no NCB.

There is a possibility I can get some sort of NCB entitlement from the Motability insurers, we will see.

I do have a bus pass, my next door neighbour has kindly explained what I do with it, as I've not been on a bus for 30 years.

 

https://www.motability.co.uk/about-the-scheme/personal-independence-payment/unsuccessful-reassessment/staying-mobile/running-your-new-car/insurance/

 

 

 

When leasing a car through the Motability Scheme you do not accrue a personal no-claims bonus. However, for the majority of customers, RSA Mobility (RSAM) provide a letter that you can send to your new insurer. Many insurers accept this as proof of your claims history.

To request a copy of this claims history letter for yourself or a named driver please contact RSAM by emailOpens email client or by calling 0300 037 3737 .

[320touring]

Try a touch lower on the tyre pressures

Noted cheers, will check

[Broadsword]

Anyone here had experience with a Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ? Looking at one (2004) in 2.7 CRD flavour. Buyer's guides suggest heater control flaps can be problematic. Other than that, nothing massively worrying on the list. I don't know much about 4x4 vehicles but I did read on a buyer's guide that cars with mix-matched sets of tyres are best left alone due to likely damage to the transfer case.

[DodgeRover]

Anyone here had experience with a Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ? Looking at one (2004) in 2.7 CRD flavour. Buyer's guides suggest heater control flaps can be problematic. Other than that, nothing massively worrying on the list. I don't know much about 4x4 vehicles but I did read on a buyer's guide that cars with mix-matched sets of tyres are best left alone due to likely damage to the transfer case.

Wiring burns out to the heater fan. Ones with a proper ie V8 engine go well.

[95 quid Peugeot]

Anyone know the score on driving a double decker bus home from a purchase. My friend is looking at one for additional accommodation on a project. I fancy driving it back for her.

Specifically license criteria

[Guest Hooli]

If it's over 30 years old & you passed before '97 I think it's ok. Ask CMS or someone, it's been discussed on another thread currently.

 

http://autoshite.com/topic/29113-multinational-people-movers-feat-decker-dave-and-the-jolly-green-giants/

[95 quid Peugeot]

^^^^^^

thanks for that

[DodgeRover]

Remember to sort out recovery in case of FTP or exploding tyre before shifting it, the costs of getting a HGV towed are horrendous.

[loserone]

Could the boxer engine out of one of these be used in a 2CV? Would it make sense to?

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-BMW-i3-BREAKING-Gearbox-Seats-Doors-Wheels-Lights-Bonnet-Mirrors-Tailgate/253981937467

[Lacquer Peel]

Could the boxer engine out of one of these be used in a 2CV? Would it make sense to?

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-BMW-i3-BREAKING-Gearbox-Seats-Doors-Wheels-Lights-Bonnet-Mirrors-Tailgate/253981937467

It's already been done, sort of.

 

https://youtu.be/hAocmae9vyE

[loserone]

God I'd love a go in one of those.  That car is kinda why I asked.

 

I think that's actually a revvy BMW motorbike engine though, I believe the REX engine isn't quite the same and is designed for more torque.

 

* internet speculation on something I don't understand disclaimer.

[andy18s]

Can anyone recommend a decent autobox recon company in the UK

This Explorer is still calling out to me as it suits the Mrs needs perfectly,even the heated seats still work well

I've made a dirt cheap offer on it and have a sneaking suspicion it'll be accepted

It's the 5r55s 5pd as fitted to an 04 4.0 v6 Ford Explorer.....

Cheers

[dozeydustman]

Can anyone recommend a decent autobox recon company in the UK

This Explorer is still calling out to me as it suits the Mrs needs perfectly,even the heated seats still work well

I've made a dirt cheap offer on it and have a sneaking suspicion it'll be accepted

It's the 5r55s 5pd as fitted to an 04 4.0 v6 Ford Explorer.....

Cheers

 

 

Where you based? 

 

These did a lovely job on Scimitar No2's Ford C3 https://www.dartfordtransmissions.co.uk

[wuvvum]

What are the consequences of mixing OAT and non-OAT antifreeze?  It's getting to the time of year when I need to make sure the fleet is sufficiently antifrozen, but I've acquired a few since last winter and don't know for certain what type of antifreeze they are running - the coolant is a generic "murky" colour.

 

I'm not going to do a full coolant swap as don't have the time and energy to go chasing airlocks.  It says on the bottles not to mix antifreeze types, but I'm not sure if it's just an arse-covering thing or whether it's actually likely to result in the imminent demise of nuns and / or kittens.

[Raff]

There's that Prestone stuff that claims to be compatible with any type of antifreeze in any engine. I see it in supermarkets.

[TataBobu]

Where do people in other countries think Fords come from?

The ones I've owned were probably all made in Ghent or Valencia, yet I don't really think of them as foreign cars. Perversely, a Sunderland-built Micra would be.

Does a Frenchman think his Ford is French, Belgian, Spanish - what?

 

I don't know about french people, but for me Ford is German. Suzuki is Hungarian, Hyundai is either Turkish or Slovakian (even if the two I've owned and the one I own now were made in Korea), Renault is French or Turkish. But Dacia is Romanian, even the Morrocan made ones are also Romanian 

 

[...] giving permission for them to access the insurers database to confirm this (no idea why as I thought they could do that anyway). [...]

 

GDPR, innit m8?

[sierraman]

What are the consequences of mixing OAT and non-OAT antifreeze? It's getting to the time of year when I need to make sure the fleet is sufficiently antifrozen, but I've acquired a few since last winter and don't know for certain what type of antifreeze they are running - the coolant is a generic "murky" colour.

 

I'm not going to do a full coolant swap as don't have the time and energy to go chasing airlocks. It says on the bottles not to mix antifreeze types, but I'm not sure if it's just an arse-covering thing or whether it's actually likely to result in the imminent demise of nuns and / or kittens.

Chucking the old blue glycol stuff in fucks the seals eventually. If it’s an old snotter though it’s better than no antifreeze.

[The Moog]

Doesnt mixing the coolant turn it to jelly hence not doing it.   If unsure you can use the prestone stuff mentioned above as it mixes with everything. 

[clayts450]

Doesnt mixing the coolant turn it to jelly hence not doing it.  

 

This.

 

Huge no-no.

[Mally]

https://www.holtsauto.com/prestone/products/coolant-antifreeze-ready-use/

[shedenvy]

Right gang, how do I get out of this predicament?

 

Problem:

X-type rear tyres wearing on insides - suspected cause was front lower control arms worn.

Went to change during lunch hour.  Held on by two bolts M10 possibly, they thread into a nut welded on to the steel frame of the wheel knuckle.

Here is the offending arm and two bolts:

The outer bolt sheared off leaving the arm still attached - the bolt has sheared approximately half way through the bore of the arm.

 

So, i've immobilised the car in the works car park 44 miles from home.  New bolt wont be here until Saturday.  I can borrow a works van for another couple of nights.  My reaction plan thus far has been to throw the Multipla in for an MOT today so if it goes proper tits up I have options.

 

Advice please:

How do I remove the sheared off portion of the bolt from the nut welded to the knuckle.  Remember its stuck inside the arm also.  The other side of the bolt is not accessible.  I was thinking i could grind through the spot welds holding the nut to the knuckle there-by releasing the nut/bolt assembly - withdrawing the arm and bolting back up with a new bolt and substitute nut.  Did I mention it's in the works car park so no access to power - will a  battery drill with a crappy grinding stone wheel for dremmels get through a tack weld?  I might be able to get hold of a Burr bit like this:

Or do I try to remove the knuckle & arm together and try to fix this on the bench.

Or do I give in and send a garage to come & pick it up?  I haven't paid a garage to do work for 5 years (apart from MOTs and Tyres).

 

I'll try to get a pic of the nut in situe later.

 

Any suggestions welcome - even 'scrap it'!

 

 

 

 

[shedenvy]

Here's a better pic:

The welded nut is next to the bolt for the bottom of the shock.

[shedenvy]

This is the bugger.

 

1st bit of good news is that the Multipla passed it's MOT with no advisories!

 

Still got to work out a way home so I can leave the Jag at work looking sorry for itself.

[Stanky]

Disclaimer, this is not an 'all moderns are shit' post.

 

Why don't car manufacturers put air cooled engines in any cars (not bikes, note) any more? Why has liquid cooling 'won'?

 

I'm thinking that the 2CV was the last mass produced car with an air cooled engine and they built them up to 1990. They had simplicity, adequate performance considering displacement and fuel economy on their side. The engine also had relatively little development as far as i was aware.

 

In the interested of weight reduction and fuel economy as a byproduct why isn't there any options for air cooled engines in any post 1990 cars when its still relatively common (isn;t it?) on bikes?

 

Also, are there any mass produced, high performance air cooled engines fitted to road cars? i.e. not bike engined radicals or similar.

 

I was thinking of this while driving home yesterday, there must be a good reason for it, but i don't know what that reason is.