THE GUBBERMINT ALWAYS KNOWS BEST

[Rod/b]

The RLOD in my old diesel BX came on quite a few times during my ownership, usually when towing a laden car transporter trailer uphill, and it never seemed to do it any harm. I did notice that the Citroën RLOD came on dimly to start with and got brighter the hotter the engine got, unlike the Renault version which is just on/off.

 

Didn't on mine. It just came on, the engine went bang, smoke and steam poured through the air vents and that was that. All within 11 miles of buying it.

[MK5 Escort]

New (well, second hand) spare tyre holder fitted to the Kangoo van on Saturday to replace the stoved-in original which was very badly corroded. I can't get it to lock properly at the moment though (probably something I've done wrong when installing it no doubt - I was in a rush because of the weather), so I'll be continuing to leave the spare tyre in the van for the time being.

 

I also had a go at removing the two dents in the nearside front wing, but due to the galeforce winds almost knocking me over along our driveway (which is like a wind-tunnel, sandblasting all sorts of debris from the trees behind the garage onto my face), I gave up half way through. I've half-pushed out one of them which doesn't look that bad at all now. The other will have to wait for another day, along with the spare tyre holder problem…

 

So, not the most constructive of weekends...

 

On a more positive note, I'll be taking the Escort on a good run 'daaan saafff' to Chelmsford (visiting my brother) this upcoming bank holiday weekend.

[dollywobbler]

The BX has two small temp warning lights. A yellow one, to indicate that your engine is about to fry, and a red one to tell you it's knackered. The big STOP light has many different reasons for coming on and I wouldn't ignore any of them.

[Cavcraft]

Agreed Dolly, ignored it on my first BX and ended up with no power steering! Other news on the daily fleet is the random rattle has returned on the BMW. I think it's related to the new caliper fitted by previous owner so need to get it looked at asap. I've been enjoying the poke of it even more recently and the welly it has is a right old laugh especially a couple of grand before the rev limited kicks in. Fuel is reasonable but it's in the back of my mind there are cheaper to run cars out there so I'm going to have a think abouts it's future in the next couple of weeks.

[Rod/b]

The BX has two small temp warning lights. A yellow one, to indicate that your engine is about to fry, and a red one to tell you it's knackered. The big STOP light has many different reasons for coming on and I wouldn't ignore any of them.

 

I refer the dishonourable gentleman to my previous response.

[Rocket88]

My brother in law has decided he wants a VW Trekker [although he doesn't know this yet, but my skin and blister and offspring have decided he does] none over here, but a couple of possibilities in the UK. No doubt this will involve me travelling miles in a budget rental car looking at various heaps of decreptitude.......

[Pete-M]

My brother in law has decided he wants a VW Trekker [although he doesn't know this yet, but my skin and blister and offspring have decided he does] none over here, but a couple of possibilities in the UK. No doubt this will involve me travelling miles in a budget rental car looking at various heaps of decreptitude.......

 

I was asked to find one of those for someone a couple of months ago. Search mobile.de for VW typ181, 24 of 'em for sale now.

 

I just know I'll end up bringing the bloody thing back.

[Negative Creep]

Been offered an E30 320 saloon as a swap. Whilst I know I'm trying to save money, it's one of those cars I've always wanted and is in a lovely shade of dark green. Plus, the added win of a straight 6 exhaust note..................

[Lord Sterling]

Went to fetch some ZF1/Hondamatic/whatevertheycallittoday ATF from Honda, then just as I pulled up to my mates garage the 820e decided to spit it P/S pipe again

 

Not long (hopefully) to go with the Sterling, needs a backbox as it sounds like a rally car, water leak investigated and MOT, then it should be just about ready. Watch this space for yet more problems to come.

[dollywobbler]

Took the 2CV out for a spin today. Almost literally - very greasy roads. Reminded me that it's got a really bad exhaust manifold leak. And I'm doing a rather crazy country-crossing roadtrip in it this weekend, ending up at Prescott Hillclimb where I intend to take it up the hill. I really, REALLY must get around to sorting the exhaust leak, but it involves getting the heads off again and replacing the exhaust studs. Which can all too easily go wrong when they snap.

 

And the clutch has started making a peculiar rattly sort of noise when I'm off the pedal. And I haven't got a heater plumbed in at the moment (see exhaust leak), which isn't so good for demisting. I really must stop mistreating this car.

[Cavcraft]

Been offered an E30 320 saloon as a swap. Whilst I know I'm trying to save money, it's one of those cars I've always wanted and is in a lovely shade of dark green. Plus, the added win of a straight 6 exhaust note..................

 

Probably be a good laugh to drive and the E30 is a sleeping giant in the money stakes. The flip side is the four door ones (assuming that's what this is) aren't generally as loved as the two door.

Still if you're after something that'll be quite entertaining to drive if you're happy that's all that matters.

[Angrydicky]

Took the 2CV out for a spin today. Almost literally - very greasy roads. Reminded me that it's got a really bad exhaust manifold leak. And I'm doing a rather crazy country-crossing roadtrip in it this weekend, ending up at Prescott Hillclimb where I intend to take it up the hill. I really, REALLY must get around to sorting the exhaust leak, but it involves getting the heads off again and replacing the exhaust studs. Which can all too easily go wrong when they snap.

 

 

Haha, my 2CV used to try and suffocate me with exhaust fumes as well. The heater refused to turn off, as the switch was broken, so I had to drive around everywhere with the window/roof open to dispel the fumes!

 

I think you can get new super-duper head gaskets that are meant to cure the problem, never tried them though.

[dollywobbler]

I've removed the heater pipes and blocked off the bulkhead pipes. That's pretty effective. But no demisting.

 

Head gaskets don't seem to be available now, but that's not my problem anyway. It's the exhaust manifold studs being knackered that's the issue. Can't get a good seal as I can't tighten the nuts sufficiently.

[garethj]

My brother in law has decided he wants a VW Trekker [although he doesn't know this yet, but my skin and blister and offspring have decided he does] none over here, but a couple of possibilities in the UK. No doubt this will involve me travelling miles in a budget rental car looking at various heaps of decreptitude.......

We used to have one as our family car, the 182 (RHD) is pretty rare, perhaps 200 made. 181s are more common, I'd love another one but I think I'd love a VW Iltis more

[Alpineandy]

Boat diesel isn't for cars;

 

BIOFUEL DIESEL MICROBE IS THREAT TO BOAT OWNERS, INSURER WARNS

The increased use of biodiesel has also increased the chance that boats will be affected with so-called Diesel Bug, warns UK yacht and motorboat insurer Navigators & General, a subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services. Navigators noted that since a recent EU Directive, boat owners have been required to use a marine diesel "with significantly reduced levels of sulphur, and one of the ways this is being achieved is through the addition of Biodiesel". However, there are more than 20 species of fuel microbes that create fungal spores - the most common of which is Cladisporum resinae. Infestation can clog filters, narrow fuel lines and eventually cause engine failure. Navigators said that it had seen a number of pump failures probably caused by a seal breakdown. In the longer term it recommends that boat owners eventually retro-fit seals and pipes with materials that are resistant to any microbes in Biofuels, although in the short term the insurer recommends that boat owners try to avoid using fuel with Biodiesel or fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) additives.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Herald passed its MOT Just two advisories, oil leak and 'sills' starting to rust.

 

No mention of the handbrake at all, which was a relief considering it couldn't hold the car on even a mild slope a couple of weeks ago. Just cleaned up and adjusted the rear brakes and it was sorted, didn't have to touch the cable at all.

[barefoot]

I'd love another one but I think I'd love a VW Iltis more

 

Funkmaster is selling one over on VZi

 

http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=713867

[The Moog]

Finally managed to get the nut of the end of the suspension strut. Whacked compressors on it and stuck it in a vice. Cut the boot down and then sawed the shaft in half . Then ground the shaft square and locked it in a vice and then the nut came off so easily! Bodged up the gaiter with gaffer tape.

 

Just need to fix the wheel stud tomorrow. Got a new stud and nut from Nissan for the princely sum of £4. Got to wait until the wind and rain dies down.

 

Quickly just did the stud. Took 15 minutes to do and piece of piss. Especially with impact wrench to get off stubborn brake caliper bolts

[KruJoe]

My BX has no power steering anyway! It does have a low coolant level warning light though. Which is nice.

I'm really enjoying it now, it it proving more reliable as I've ironed out a few niggles, and it bowls along these rough upland roads carrying more speed than should be decent for a sub 1.4l medium sized car from 1988. Happy days.

[trigger]

I've been very busy today, Got my Escort up on the ramps this morning to tackle the tow bar removal, (Photo to remind you)

 

My 1984 Ford Escort 1.3 L Mk3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

I managed to get it off without to much fuss, I then cut the old bolts under the spare wheel footwell a down bit shorter and rebolted them back in the hole with some washers to seal the hole and put the unused spare back in.

 

Next i cut the back plate down on the old tow bar and rebolted that back to the rear as the paintwork was marked from were the tow bar had been for years and masked up and repainted the bolt heads and plate in Sunburst red (still in stock at £3.99 at my local motor factors!)

 

Tow bar removal by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Then came the nasty job of brush painting Hammerite underseal to the rear underside of the car, The wheel well and rear floor was pretty good but was looking a bit flaky so i thought it was for the best, plus it helps seals the bolts i had put back on underneath.

 

Me painting underseal to the underside by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

So with this all done and a bit of a polish to the rear valance and the bumper back on (easiest bumper to fit eva) it looked like this!

 

That's better, Not tow bar by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Much better, I also had to laugh this afternoon, My front engine mount is shagged so whilst i was at my local old school motor factor i asked if they had any in stock, "Yes sir we have 4 in stock, at £9.99 each", That's surprising i said, I bet you haven't sold any for a while, "Err... The last one we sold was back in February 2002". Blimey!

[cms206]

Proper bodgetastic Proton exhaust repair seems to be holding together second time round, but the tailpipe is falling apart to buggery now. Mechanic in work who thinks it'd be much improved with bike carbs is now working on a new tailpipe...

 

Might splash out on a new exhaust when I get it through an MOT...

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

You keep posting pictures of that Escort... I want it SO MUCH!

[Cavcraft]

Hey I got bored again today and seeing as I'd actually washed the daily yesterday I thought I'd borrow my mates buffer and give it a decent going over.

Half arsed shot of said buffer, Fartyclart paint cleaner and some other shit...

 

Even more half arsed pictures of washed but not buffed car. Or at least some of it...

 

David Bailey wil, be SHITIN HIMSELF when he sees my next arty 'half buffered, half not' roof shot...

 

Post buffering wash down...

 

I can't remember what these shots are supposed to represent because I'D TOUCHED IT'S BUM AND I LIKED IT...

(I think I'd polished it here /\ and then waxed it \/) I HOPE MY CORTINA DON'T MIND IT

 

And the final pictures after buff/wash/polish/wax IT NVR FELT SO RONG...

 

IT NVR FELT SO RITE...

 

CLEANIN & BUFFIN MY OLD SHITE...

 

It actually looks a million times better in the flesh too. OMG WONT SLEEP 2NITE.

[Guest]

Row of garages in background = WIN

 

Date stamp on photos = WIN

 

All of car in frame [in several shots ] = 'ang on lad, you feeling OK?

 

Car looks great all mopped up mind.

[cort16]

I've spent today welding up an e28 for a chap off RR who lives around around the corner. If there's a way to weld underneath a car that 10 inches off the ground without a: the welds looking shite and b: getting sparks down your earhole then someone please let me know.

[Rusty Pelican]

Got given half a pot of redex injection cleaner gratis , filled the Beemers tank up and bunged the lot in , 100 miles later its a different car , smoother , quicker and according to its pooter more economical , got 38.2 MPG on the latest 100 mile run , best get another pot then

[Spottedlaurel]

Perhaps I should try that in the Camry Sport. It has a very slight low rev's stumble which new plugs and leads haven't cured, and it's not quite as economical as the other 2.2 I have.

[Rusty Pelican]

Perhaps I should try that in the Camry Sport. It has a very slight low rev's stumble which new plugs and leads haven't cured, and it's not quite as economical as the other 2.2 I have.

Im going for another pot for sure , It will be interesting to see if the second lot improves it more or if its peaked , I will report back with the results , got to say i was surprised the difference it made , dont normally go for additives .

[M'coli]

I've spent today welding up an e28 for a chap off RR who lives around around the corner. If there's a way to weld underneath a car that 10 inches off the ground without a: the welds looking shite and b: getting sparks down your earhole then someone please let me know.

b: always wear earplugs.

[Albert Ross]

I jumped into my 40 year old daily driver Land Rover, went to the wrong side of the Pennines, Cheshire/Woollyback area in two hits... Collected half a diesel engine, and a complete military heavy duty rear axle. The engine collection went well, so North I went to collect the axle. The sat-nav sent me down a farm lane (not unexpected, as I was warned) It got narrower, the trees overhung, and the mudholes got deeper. And deeper. And narrower. SO narrow I couldn't open the doors due to the trees. At one point they met in the middle, and visibility was somewhat limited. Then the towbar got hung up on the risen centre of the "road". Still, I got through, and burst into a farmyard. Seems I had entered the lane from the wrong end.... I was told by the farmer, that a 7.5 tonner had made it through the previous week!!!! Anyhoo, I loaded up the axle (about 1/4 of a ton) and set about the return journey back to civilisation and rivers running the correct way to the sea. Well the rain was coming in sideways. 22 mph up the A635 from Mossley, and 70mph indicated on the way down Good thing the single circuit drum brakes work. Then home, cleaned up, off to a local pub for a Beef Carvery and a pint of Directors. Then slept till about 8ish! Great day. All without missing a beat, lifting the bonnet, or even using a tool on it. Not even a pang of guilt about filling the Longsight area with black smoke when some crawling twat decided to dither along at about 12mph on the phone....... The poor "girls" in pyjamas, smoking outside the local Asda were well impressed. I could tell by the way they shouted at me!