Ask a Shiter

[cort16]

Thanks chaps. I don't think I'll bother buying the head in that cas. As you say I think if I'm going down this line then getting a whole sprint engine is probably the way to go. To be fair it's already pretty nippy just now although the top speed of 68mph is pretty annoying.

[nigel bickle]

Can a 6volt car get hooked on 12volt -in a similar way to regular use of Easystart on a poorly mota ?

 

This damn Fregate is taxing my limited strength. I have it up running, reliably on 12 volt -even freed the clutch off, sorted the brakes, driven it down the road (private one -obv) to check the gears etc.

All good.

 

So I bought it a decent, albeit 2nd hand 6 volt battery- reconnected the wiring (which had clearly been disconnected for 12v only running) & nothing worked. Nothing. So -suspecting the battery I bought a much bigger, spankingly expensive new one, and the bastard is still acting up. It resolutely refuses to spin the engine over at anywhere near a sensible speed & less importantly no lights, indicators or wipers want to work. Only indication I have of 'life' is the dashboard lights/gauges now working.

 

Now the lights & stuff I can work through- although I've never had a car were NO lights worked.

 

So -I'll dismantle the solenoid next, unless someone can suggest something I'm missing? Also, will a 12volt coil, temp fitted, run on a 6v system? At all? Or do I need to replace the (probably original) 6v one as well?

 

Sense from the massive- pleeze

[panhard65]

Might be worth checking that someone hasn't already changed a few bits to 12 volt. Is your stater the cable operated one where you pull a cable to engage it ? Being the earlier car I would think it is. I have got a spare 6 volt coil and a starter that will most likely need an overhaul. Pretty sure I have got a nieman key type ignition switch somewhere as well. I am pretty sure mine has still got the 6 volt wiper motor even though it is running 12 volt. I would also check the bulbs make sure they are 6 volt

[nigel bickle]

Good spot PH65 -hadnt thought of that.

 

Its an electrical solenoid op -not cable like the Prairie. I'll get on & yank it when the back permits. Ignition is a big round switch- lovely bakelite thing. No key needed -so def original. Car doesnt look mucked with but i will start checking bulbs etc carefully.

[Volksy]

A Porsche 356 I worked on a few years back had a silmilar issue, 6v, and when trying to start it would just turn over slowly if at all (making us all thing that it had at some point been converted to 12v). Turned out that the 6v battery was the wrong ampage for the car, the correct one soon had it up and running.

[nigel bickle]

Yup -but I've gone form 'average' to 'kin normous. Brand spankers nigh on £200 worth.

[nigel bickle]

Is my avatar too close to the mark?

 

Want me to change it?

[Negative Creep]

What's the best stuff to stick rubber to plastic, or more specifically a door seal to its backing?

[cobblers]

Contact adhesive of some kind, ie evostick impact.

 

Don't use it like normal glue like most people seem to do and then come away disappointed - actually follow the instructions (spread it on both surfaces and leave it to dry for 10 minutes and go "tacky" before pressing the items together)

[Lacquer Peel]

Do you have to unbolt the inlet fannymold on a PSA (Peugeot 306) 1.9 n/a diesel to change the rocker cover gasket?

 

No, it's a piss easy job, the air distribution housing on top is separate.

[skattrd]

I'm going to look at a Citroen XM tomorrow - is there anything specific I should check apart from the autobox and magical suspension working?

[DSdriver]

I'm going to look at a Citroen XM tomorrow - is there anything specific I should check apart from the autobox and magical suspension working?

 

Yep, check out the comfy seats and stylish bodywork. That's all - then buy it and worry afterwards.

[skattrd]

check out the comfy seats and stylish bodywork. That's all - then buy it and worry afterwards.

 

Sadly thats how I usually buy cars

[willswitchengage]

What's the best stuff to stick rubber to plastic, or more specifically a door seal to its backing?

 

Nah, personally I can't keep my eyes off cobblers and Negative Creep's. PHWOAR!

[Timewaster]

Is my avatar too close to the mark?

Want me to change it?

 

Now THAT is a stupid question!

[Cavcraft]

Do you have to unbolt the inlet fannymold on a PSA (Peugeot 306) 1.9 n/a diesel to change the rocker cover gasket?

 

No, it's a piss easy job, the air distribution housing on top is separate.

 

Cheers, we've done it now (and typically removed the manifold!) but thanks anyhow. Wasn't too bad a job to be fair, looked more fiddly than it was but unimpressed with just three bolts to keep cover on.

 

Oh and Nigel: Absolutely no chance, it's the greatest avatar ever seen on here imho.

[willswitchengage]

Am I mad? Need something to keep me going until Christmas...

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tamiya-1-14-R ... 0808105879

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tamiya-56329- ... 0380065605

[vulgalour]

Have I really put these bonnet rams on upside down?

 

Does that mean these bonnet rams are upside down too?

 

Does it actually make a difference to functionality of the bonnet rams? I thought they went either way up, but a couple of people have said otherwise and I'm having a tough time convincing myself they're right because I don't want to faff about turning them around if it'll make no difference.

[barrett]

The Princess bonnet doesn't stay open without the aid of a cane, so surely it'll be worth the faff to switch them round for a potentially free solution to that problem, right? Obviously I've never changed the bonnet support struts on a car and if I did I'm sure it would take me about 17 hours to do but I'm sure it's only an hours work at most for somebody normal (I use that term in the loosest possible sense, of course) to do? Has to be worth it!

[Cavcraft]

What percentage of people from Yorkshire do NOT stick carrots up their nasal passages then shout 'Darren*, Darren you fokking twat, get yeself ovver fokking thee are rart fokking nah' at their three year old kid?

 

*Other names available.

[cobblers]

I don't even have a kid (which is strange for someone over the age of 14) so I shout that at other peoples children, but only once I've finished beating my whippet with a bit of broken pallet

[Albert Ross]

Is this the same bit of broken pallet you use to play "Dog Shit Cricket" in the street?

[Guest]

I went to the North once, it was fucking closed.

[Guest]

A question for you all, directed most at Tayne probably.

 

Is there any way to fix a slightly blurred photograph? Tried Focus Magic and I can't make it work. Any suggestions appreciated.

[Danblez]

Have I really put these bonnet rams on upside down?

 

No idea but they are fitted the same way as mine!

 

[Des]

You can position bonnet rams in whatever orientation makes you content, although those VW ones I would flip as the sealing surface of the rods are vulnerable to damage from spanners, hammers and sockets.

Loving the carrier bag rocker cover and comic relief vacuum reservoir BTW.

[Lacquer Peel]

Are naturally aspirated Xantia diesels unspeakably grim? Thinking about buying one.

I drove a n/a Dispatch van for a few miles and that was ok, and the n/a XUD goes really well in smaller cars.

[vulgalour]

I turned the bonnet rams around on the Princess and all that happened is that the bonnet wants even less to stay open now, so I think they're probably shagged. As for the Polo ones, the 'being susceptible to damage' comment has convinced me it may be a good idea to turn them around.

[Ross_K]

Are naturally aspirated Xantia diesels unspeakably grim? Thinking about buying one.

I drove a n/a Dispatch van for a few miles and that was ok, and the n/a XUD goes really well in smaller cars.

 

They're not that bad - you're not going to get anywhere in a hurry. The n/a XUD rocked in the ZX.

Just don't get an automatic.

[willswitchengage]

Are naturally aspirated Xantia diesels unspeakably grim? Thinking about buying one.

I drove a n/a Dispatch van for a few miles and that was ok, and the n/a XUD goes really well in smaller cars.

 

As an ex-N/Aer I can say they're perfectly capable around town and on the motorway - just don't count on getting past 90ish or going quickly up any hills. Also, buy some earplugs.

 

Any car can be fun if you want it to be imho.