Ask a Shiter

[brickwall]

Why do auto boxes need transmission fluid as opposed to old dinosaurs and foliage?

[rml2345]

Is auto box fluid not just really thin oil? Or is there all sorts of other fancy things in it?

[willswitchengage]

Torque converter performance will vary a lot depending on the viscosity/density of the oil put in, so it's best to use the right one. I'm sure they also introduce lots of chemicals with nice long names for the marketing team to bang on about too.

[brickwall]

Thanks. Sounds about right.

 

It's just the first auto I've ever had and was curious. It's the same stuff for the steering as well, so it doesn't bother me.

[Pete-M]

ATF has a fair few detergents in. Strip your average auto box and they're normally spotless inside.

 

It's also high octane... handy as a cheap redex alternative occasionally

[brickwall]

Oh! You learn summit every day.

[willswitchengage]

Bored of ringing insurance brokers...

 

Tried Adrian Flux (re kinkersaab's Renault) since it was well plugged in BXClub land, since it would be a second car I can't use any no claims bonus therefore meaning the cheapest (and only) quote they could offer is £1800, garaged overnight and doing 2000 miles a year. That's more than my first quote when I was 17

 

Any other brokers that peeps can advise? Preferably with polite call centre staff, too...

[brickwall]

Aye, me Range Rover went up to £2000 as a third car, so changed to Sureterm and it's back to £290

[skattrd]

Any other brokers that peeps can advise? Preferably with polite call centre staff, too...

 

Try the specialist classic ones, Peter james, Footman James, Peter Best, Lancaster.

When I had a std classic car policy virtually any classic (car over 20yrs+) for me was £130 a year with FJ, but I do live in a rural area .

Classic policies don't accrue NCB so you can't use your ncb on them anyway.

[cort16]

Can anyone tell me the best place to get Ford Body panels online specifically for the Puma? I want a wheel arch repair section for my one and given that ALL Pumas are rotten around thereI thought it'd be a breeze to find one.

Not so! There's none on ebay and all the usual suspects just seem to stock front panels and headlamps. Do I need to go back to Ford do you recon?

[worldofceri]

Bored of ringing insurance brokers...

 

I've always found Herts Insurance Consultants (HIC) to be pretty good. I've had classic policies with them that allow you to accrue no-claims too.

[nigel bickle]

MOT query, please.

 

I foolishly damaged the tailgate on our 4wd munter- the Llapsang Suchon. Reversing with the tailgate up (-to accurately position) I misjudged the height of the tree branch & yanked the tailgate up, smashing the rams and raising it on its hinges a couple of inch's.

 

No real issue other than its now sits above the latch, so isnt secured, although its own weight holds it down.

 

So -is tailgate security MOT checked? There is a big flashing light on the dash -but I'm sure i can trace the fuse...

[scaryoldcortina]

MOT query, please.

 

I foolishly damaged the tailgate on our 4wd munter- the Llapsang Suchon. Reversing with the tailgate up (-to accurately position) I misjudged the height of the tree branch & yanked the tailgate up, smashing the rams and raising it on its hinges a couple of inch's.

 

No real issue other than its now sits above the latch, so isnt secured, although its own weight holds it down.

 

So -is tailgate security MOT checked? There is a big flashing light on the dash -but I'm sure i can trace the fuse...

 

Yes, it is. Must shut and latch AND open for the car to be testable. Two ways around would be a belt as "latch" to hold it shut or permanant removal and boarding the hole (not there=not testable).

 

Both of these "solutions" would merit an advisory comment or two though.

[nigel bickle]

Cheers. Thought as much. Club hammer & block of wood jobbie then.

[TagoraSX]

Are the 6J and 7J 13'' Ford Revolution alloys used on the Capri Laser and RS200 the same offset?

I want to know if they will fit the Hunter without too much trouble.

[whitevanman]

The 6j's will but I doubt the 7's will, to much dish on them.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Where the hell can I buy some glycerine? Went to B&Q and they didn't have any, don't want to order online (FFS it's only been in use for 200 years). I need some because my wipers, despite being fairly recent and Bosch-branded, are a bit shit, and a bit of glycerine is always sure to improve crappy wipers.

[scaryoldcortina]

You could try the chemists.....

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

sounds like a plan. In fact, the Lloyds Pharmacy website seems to list it, so I'll be visiting the local Superdrug and then a proper chemist's.

[ashmicro]

Rub Fairy Liquid into them with your fingers. Works on boobs too, although in reverse.

 

Screen-only, not mammary use: Rain-X, not only cleans the glass, but keeps the wipers flexible, as the thus-coated screen seems to eventually coat the blades.

[Richard]

wipers

Bosch

shit

 

There's your answer.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

I've had some GR11 Bosch wipers over the years.

[DSdriver]

I've had some GR11 Bosch [anything] over the years.

 

But it all seems to be going to hell in a handcart nowadays. All my powertools used to be Bosch but gave up with increasing lack of quality. Seems to be a company run by accountants nowadays.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

That may well be true.

[ashmicro]

 

All my powertools used to be Bosch but gave up with increasing lack of quality. Seems to be a company run by accountants nowadays.

 

This. I've had about £400 of seldom-used Bosch stuff fall to bits recently. Their customer service is (a) very hard to contact and ( fucking useless.

[trigger]

Can you educate me on Diesel Particulate Filters? I'm thinking about buying a Focus 1.6 TDCi which has a DPF fitted and although the car looks and sound perfect I've read horror stories about these filters only lasting 100k and costing £1100 to replace.

 

Is this all true or is it just Internet based bollocks?, The cars done 68k and to be honest it's the only think putting me off at the moment and I know nothing about these filters.

[Albert Ross]

If you do city driving and short journeys, DPFs are a complete waste of time. Get ready for two extra oil/filter changes a year, and requiring ECUs to be reset otherwise they sit in limp mode or you get warning lights on every time you start the car. FInd a different car anyway. the 1.6 is a PSA unit and therefore crap. Turbo munchers that are a complete cunt to bleed a fuel filter on. Oh, and the oil filter change is a tight fit... a bypass pipe needs shifting EVERY time or you crack the filter cap. Otherwise the Focus of that age is a great car. Do you HAVE to have the diesel model?

[trigger]

Hmm... This DPF malarkey is starting to sound like a right balls ache, I don't necessarily need a diesel but they're a lot cheaper to run, hold there values better and I have a few long runs to do next year so I thought it would be more economical plus the insurance is cheaper then my Mondeo.

 

It's a shame as I really like the Focus I've seen, It's the 2008 shape with the better interior which is ideal for me and the wife, A decent car ruined just so the planet can last a few more years long.

[Albert Ross]

Get an earlier model Ghia Late 04-08, petrol come with cruise, I have a 1.6 100 brake model with full leather, and it's a honey. On a run, I can see 45-48 mpg if taken sensibly. Toe down makes little difference except to my pocket. Just take it easy with a small petrol.

[trigger]

My dad has a 07 plate 1.8 TDCi Ghia which has still only done 15000 miles, For some reason I'm not so keen on the earlier shape, I do like the 2008- on shape with the bigger headlights tho, I'm wondering if a 1.8 TDCi would be better, do you know if they have a DPF fitted?