Ever had one of those mornings??

[MrRegieRitmo]

I think I should have stayed in bed today. First off I couldn't get the car started, normally only takes a couple of goes but this morning it was at least 5. Had a quick look under the bonnet & immediately my attention was drawn to the radiator mounted fan sitting in no mans land detached from it's mounting. Not the reason for lazy starting but certainly something that needs sorting. It appears to have sheared from it's rivets, so I had to just rest it against the radiator matrix with the bottom end sat in a sort of groove at the bottom. It doesn't seem like it can move too far in that position so it may be ok & I don't know how long it had been detached for but it must have been mounted in front of the matrix rather than resting against it for a reason. So going to have to find a proper solution to it. The car still seems to drive fine though, it got me to work ok, will just have to keep an eye on it & make sure the fan stays pointing at the radiator! Anyway, so I set the Carburettor switch back to winter mode seeing as we're heading that way & then set off on my way with fingers crossed.

 

Fast forward a few miles down the road....at a local roundabout, 1 car from the front, getting ready to move off....saw a nice gap, moved off - whack!! The car in front hadn't moved!...

I'd never caused an accident before, a minor bump apart which left no damage on either vehicle within a few weeks of passing my test.

We both got out but thankfully he decided there was no damage to his vehicle so we left it at that, which was a big relief when I am on the cusp of gaining my 2nd year of NCB! So I'm now in need of a nearside R9 headlamp (which incidentally still works) and repair to a damaged ego! .....

plus a stiff drink & a return to bed

 

Oh yes & the fan either gluing or welding back onto it's mounting

[retrogeezer]

ooops about the accident..Can't you use zip ties for the radiator?

[nigel bickle]

Cable ties will re-attach the fan-carefully through the matrix.Failing that- if you're careful & the car doesnt run hot /sit in traffic too long, you can probably remove it- till Spring! Tape over the electrical connections though.Regulate the temp using the heater- or switch the engine off in jams.Headlight? MrR I reckon -or araldite....Sounds like you were lucky. Welcome to wintertime...

[RedSparrow]

Glad your accident wasn't that bad, and that the chap was reasonable about it. Ie none of that neck-rubbing 'I've got whiplash' crap.

[Mr H Sceptre]

Aha, I did exactly the same thing to m'colleague E Leyland esq when he had just purchased his Audi 100. Thought he'd pulled away at a roundabout so I moved forward, straight into the back of him. Bang. The Audi still displays the dent in the bumper to this day.

[Station]

Had a similar past couple of days - all car related, or more specifically - all stalling at unappropriate moments.1) Stalled in the middle of a busy junction, took two minutes to start again.2) Stalled in the toll booth to the Mersey Tunnel in rush hour with a queue behind me - took 20 seconds to start3) Stalled doing a U-turn in the middle of a road during rush hour, took 20 seconds to start4) Stalled in the middle of a junction at rush hour with traffic coming at me from the side - took 10 seconds to startQuite simply, you can stick carb engines up your fucking arse, I had 10 years of this in the 90's (and early 00's), I totally despise the fuckers. And it isn't winter yet. :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

[mnde]

Aha, I did exactly the same thing to m'colleague E Leyland esq when he had just purchased his Audi 100. Thought he'd pulled away at a roundabout so I moved forward, straight into the back of him. Bang. The Audi still displays the dent in the bumper to this day.

Mm, I did similar to my friend, and both cars were his . We stopped at an abandoned service station to look at a black old shape R5 GTX that was standing parked down the side, and put a note in the window. Then, waiting to pull back onto the fast main road: him in front, BX Mk1, me behind, Citroen GS... saw a Range Rover coming down the hill in the distance to the right - I thought we had plenty of time so we were going to go.... except Chris never moved. Cue one smashed GS headlight and bent grille, and one crease in the BX's rear bumper.Bad luck Regie... hope you repair your boshed headlamp and dented ego soon :)Mark.

[Mr Lobster]

Bad luck though at least the other driver didn't want to claim. At least theres no significant damage - Mr Reno or AC Williams should be able to sort a headlight easy enough.

[M'coli]

I'd have been outraged. I mean, what the eff are you waiting for, a written invitation, you dithering twat?Have you mentioned the bump to the rozzers, just to cover your backside?

[Gompo]

I guess you got lucky in a way.I've heard it a few times and I suppose you have now but I always try to remember the 'last look in front' or when queueing/moving off.

[MrRegieRitmo]

Cable ties will re-attach the fan-carefully through the matrix.Regulate the temp using the heater- or switch the engine off in jams.Headlight? MrR I reckon -or araldite....

I managed to secure the fan holding bracket in 2 places yesterday lunchtime (as I had daylight to see what I was bleedin well doing) using a couple of the plastic zip tie rod things....doesn't seem like it should move about unless the ties perish in some way. It took me home last night & back into work this morning without dropping at all, so maybe it can just stay like that now unless it desperately needs to be held in place with rivets!When you say 'regulate the temp using the heater', as a bit of a nonce can you explain what that involves?My light still works, it's just the beam is aimless due to the fragmented state of the glass in front of it. It's been suggested that I could just replace the glass front & glue it on rather than replace the whole unit...do you know if that's possible?Thanks all

[MrRegieRitmo]

I've heard it a few times and I suppose you have now but I always try to remember the 'last look in front' or when queueing/moving off.

I was really hacked off with myself, as I always made a point of not looking if the road was clear until the car in front of me had moved off as I always thought that it was pointless to check if the way was clear if you couldn't move anyway. I was always disbelieving of bumps that occurred because people moved when the car in front hadn't but now I've gone & done it myself! Just 1 slight lapse in concentration is all it takes!

[nigel bickle]

Reg - if a cars overheating, a short-term remedy can be to turn the heater on full (blowing up over windscreen if its midsummer-dissipates heat faster).The heater matrix is just another radiator-and using it, with its fan helps remove some of the heat in the cooling system-although you'll cook instead...'Course- there needs to be a full system - any drop in water levels will hit the heater first-as its usually the highest component in the system-which is why turning the heater on is also a good check for leaks.. Runs cold?Water level low-possiblyGlad you sorted it.Cable ties will last it out.Headlamp glass is a possibility-but I reckon you wont find one. Might get a complete unit - but storing just a glass is pretty unusual.If its letting in the weather - I'd remove the headlamp bulb before it blows (it will -shortly). That'll 'save' you the expense of a replacement..Try not to touch the glass with your fingers (-if you do wipe with meths, or such-like before refitting). Fingerprints on halogens cause a localised 'hotspot' which will also quickly blow it.

[mnde]

How's about this:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RENAULT-9-PASSENG ... 0391023935

 

Mark.

[Rocket88]

My light still works, it's just the beam is aimless due to the fragmented state of the glass in front of it. It's been suggested that I could just replace the glass front & glue it on rather than replace the whole unit...do you know if that's possible?Short term solution....cling film the bastard, will save the bulb if nothing else

[nigel bickle]

Some cars are simple -Saab c900's are spring clipped on; specifically to solve that problem without taking the light out.Takes 2minsSome are just impossible. Days on the bench still dont seperate them-even using thinners etc to dissolve glue. Invariably the ones where one part is todgered -rest is fine/irreplaceable