THE GUBBERMINT ALWAYS KNOWS BEST

[cort16]

It's only £500 you see. I'm guessing because your normal punter doesn't want to drive a satin black Jag. I kinda like it but it's been seriously over done.

[Cavcraft]

Giving serious consideration to lobbing five grand at a 1987 Peugeot/Talbot. Trouble is it means the Cortina will have to go and possibly the Vespa too.

 

Unless it's a mint Camper Van then I can't imagine any 1987 Peugeot/Talbot's being worth that much.

 

That's exactly what it is. It's still expensive mind, especially as it runs on pez but it's in very tidy order and has all the gubbins needed. This is one of the very few things automotive things my missus wants her say on though so it'll probably never happen.

[dollywobbler]

I quite like that Jag. Even better, you can scrawl all over it with chalk, then wipe it off if you get bored.

[Shep Shepherd]

That Jag looks supremely sinister

[Guest]

It looks like a rattlecan matt black Jaguar to me. Not one second faster or better handling than if it was canary yellow, so therefore I could care less.

 

Yeah, but it's five ton. And you could apply all kinds of OMG YO VIP+ MURDERED OUT JUST GONNA GET A PINT OF MILK BITCHES scene pretension to it.

It's still better than an E21 on 'bags though, and that must be the main thing in it's favour, no?

[Pete-M]

I do rather like that Jag. Not gonna do that to the XJR though...

 

and in other news...

 

Changed the headlamp bulb on an '07 plate Yaris today. Won't be doing that again in a hurry. Toyota reckon the easy way is taking the bumper off, but it will wanglle through if you've got large hands.

[M'coli]

I've had the first breakdown in the Imp. The engine cut out approaching a mini-roundabout and wouldn't re-start. Got a push across it and down into the carpark at the river. I thought it was ignition-based, but there was a big spark coming from the king lead. Next up, fuel: nowt spurting out - could it be a dirty fill? Managed to find a small-bore hose and blew the fuel out of the pipe - fine, apart from the sudden light-headedness! Then suck through the inline fuel filter - fuel getting through. Ok, take the pump off and dismantle - 6 screws and the lid is off. Thbere's the non-return valve sitting where it shouldn't be!

A quick reassemble, hose connection and priming - soaking my left sleeve with pez - and back on. 2 turns of the key and it runs! Get in! Home time!!!

 

 

As a footnote, I hate belching petrol.

[trigger]

Changed the headlamp bulb on an '07 plate Yaris today.

 

My work mate asked me to change the indicator bulb on his 07 plate Focus the other day, There's now a crossmember that butts right up the the back of the light so you can't access the back of it without stripping all the headlight out, As i had no tools at the time i didn't investigate any further.

[myglaren]

Would driving this make me look like a right twat?

 

I like that. It looks 'right' somehow.

[Cavcraft]

+3, it looks class.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Argenta now has 12 months ticket! Gotta wait a couple of weeks till i've got the coins to tax and insure it though. I cant wait to hit that DVLA office!

[dollywobbler]

Nice one Bol! Can't wait for this to hit the road and start baffling the public.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

only one other example on the DVLA computer according to my new best friend HOWMANYLEFT.CO.UK, w00t!!!

[mattblack]

Great news Bol...

 

I CAN ALSO HAZ MOT...

 

 

Had a bit of a faf at the MOT station, the computer didn't recognise the chassis no. on the old MOT, tester checked it and was right to the plate on the car. Had to nip home and get the V5c to get the date of first reg. so he could put it in manualy...

 

It had done grand total of 270 mile scince the last one, which expired last November.

[Lord Sterling]

What a past couple of days I've had

 

Been giving my neighbour a lift to a few places as his Vauxhall Agila's engine went wrong, I took him to pick his car up when I got a call from my garage to say the Sterling was ready, I had a bit of running around to do myself, then after parking the 820e up and failing to get a lift from anyone I finally got a taxi. I picked the Sterling up bought some tax, petrol and put then thing through the car wash, then back to the garage to help out a bit as one of the lads who is doing my old job had to leave early.

 

On the way home in the Sterling was great, I had a huge smile on my face, the car was smooth, powerful and relaxing to drive....That was until it conked out about a mile from home, I managed to steer the car into an industrial estate entrance, it was raining (again) as I tried and tried to start the car, but all I got for my troubles was clicking noises.

 

After the rain let up a lttle I popped the bonnete to see what the hell was ging on, couldnt see anything obvious, but then again, I'm not really much use in the engine department, thankfully I'm registered with the RAC and called them out, unfortunately I was told it would take at least 3 hours before they could send anyone, I was only a mile from home so I checked the security guard at the industrial park entrence if he could keep an eye on it until the RAC man got there.

 

About an hour after arriving home I got a call from the RAC, I jumped in the 820e and went to meet the bloke. RAC man set about diagnosing the problem, 20 mins later it was found that the rotor-arm was pretty corroded, he tried to get the car going so I could at least get it home but that wasnt going to happen. Last option was to send out another patrol who had the correct towing facilities to tow my car away, though I was told it was going to be at least another hour before someone could get down there.

 

I checked again with the security guard and explained the situation, he was fine with it and I set off home again, then after making yet another cup of teat at home, I got a call from the other RAC patol man, again, I jumped in the 820e and went back up to the where the Sterling was, 15 mins later the patrol man turned up. We talking and the guy told me that he was into his old-skool cars, he mainly buys up mk2 Vauxhall Cavaliers, Calibres and Calibras, does them up to original condition and sells them, he is a member on mk2cav.com. After we unloaded the Sterling at the garage, we sat and chatted about cars for at least an hour or so, it was nice to find someone who is also into old cars.

 

I didnt get home until gone midnight, I went to bed at 1:30am and woke up at 6:00am (Got up at 8 though) and set off back to the garage. Ringing around absolutely every parts place including Rover so-called "specialist" turned up absolutely nothing regaind Rotor-amrs and caps, some places did caps only, one place did have rotor-arms but couldnt get it delivered until Monday, so I nearly got the Sterling home, but not quite.....

 

[dollywobbler]

Typical. We'd just about decided today that we'd keep the Mini, as she's been getting a bit more use recently. Naturally, I've since had a keen buyer on the phone! Didn't chip much off our asking price when he asked so either we'll sell it for good money or just keep it after all.

[Spottedlaurel]

My motto is buy and sell cars when you can, not when you need to. Therefore you should let it go.

[Cavcraft]

My motto is buy and sell cars when you can, not when you need to. Therefore you should let it go.

 

That makes much sense. I'd hate to have to sell something because I was utterly desperate for the money.

[cms206]

My work mate asked me to change the indicator bulb on his 07 plate Focus the other day, There's now a crossmember that butts right up the the back of the light so you can't access the back of it without stripping all the headlight out, As i had no tools at the time i didn't investigate any further.

 

Correct; my last Focus (57-plate) ate sidelight bulbs like they were going out of fashion, but I never had to change an indicator or tail light bulb on it, or the one before it. Headlight out is the only way, think I got it down to a three minute job in the pissing rain when it came down to it.

[Negative Creep]

Did my weekly inspection to notice that one of the rear wheels was only held on by 3 bolts. God knows where it went seeing as all the others are airgun tight. They're those turner type bolts with the hollow head so standard bolts wont fit in, and the spare is knackered. Went to Halfords and they just so happened to have the correct bolts lying spare so got one for £2. Kindof explains the wheel wobble I was getting.

 

 

Is a bald spare an MOT fail?

[scaryoldcortina]

^ No, it isn't. Spare wheel is only tested for security, and only if it's outside the vehicle at that.

[Mike D]

I took the suzuki-jago out for some quarry fun earlier, and then was met with a horrible grinding from the rear drum - whipped it off much to the disbelief of my sis in laws boyfriend, removed the broken spring clip that was clogging it all up, lobbed it back together and carried on.

 

Oh, and I fitted some new shocks to the rear of it as I popped the old ones

[Negative Creep]

^ No, it isn't. Spare wheel is only tested for security, and only if it's outside the vehicle at that.

 

 

Ah good, one less thing it can fail on

[Cavcraft]

Lad's 106: bastard thing continued to display the RLOD. Had a poke round trying to bleed it again and discovered the radiator is kaput. Scrapyard or eBay will sort that out.

 

Accent: hoovered the interior and had a very half-hearted attempt at valeting bits of it. Looks miles better mind.

 

E46: removed rear wheel to investigate strange sound emitting from that area. Suspect something to do with the handbrake or the disc cover. Changed plugs to some fancy four electrode type things. Handily you can only buy them in fours so had to get two boxes and have two spare plugs now. Discovered pollen filter is minging, attempted to clean with a wire brush. Not one of my better ideas.

 

Cavalier: just drove it and it still makes me smile. When I picked it up I even grinned when I heard the familiar rattle of the sliding sunroof cover. I reckon the autobox suits these cars fine, sure it's slow but then it was never meant to be fast so what the hell.

 

Nothing to report on the Vespa or the Cortina on account of the fact I COULD NOT BE ARSED to do anything with them.

[outlaw118]

Took front wheel off "Moose" to check calipers were releasing as it sounds like the pads are JUST touching the discs all the time. It wasn't that, probably a wheel bearing. Realised the wheel was filthy, so spend nearly an hour with Wonder Wheels and a toothbrush cleaning it. Put it back on, rest of the car looks shite now.

Then saw a chunk of the BTTC on ITV4, avoiding the arguing step-son and partner, and more importantly the hyperactive grandkids - who gave them sugar?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Driving to France in my Rover next weekend, so this weekend i've fitted some new front boots, got em balanced, changed the oil, cleaned up the rear brakes as they were squeaking, and wired up the towbar PROPERLY! WITH A SOLDERING IRON!!! First time I have not used scotchloks like a bodging tw@t.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Nah, got to use a trailer though so I dont want the garlic daleks taking an interest

[pompei]

Make sure you don't drive it at 195kph in a 130 zone. And have a set of spare bulbs and hi vis tabards.

[cort16]

 

E46: removed rear wheel to investigate strange sound emitting from that area. Suspect something to do with the handbrake or the disc cover. Changed plugs to some fancy four electrode type things. Handily you can only buy them in fours so had to get two boxes and have two spare plugs now. Discovered pollen filter is minging, attempted to clean with a wire brush. Not one of my better ideas.

.

 

This happend on my e46. The backplate for the disc is what the handbrakes shoes are attached to. Fuggin mega stupid design as the back plate rusts and the mounting pins come loose, which can cause the handbrake shoes to come loose.. Worth checking it out as I heard of the shoes can totally come off causing much nastyness. The mounting kit and back plate is only £20 from BMW although it's a pain in the arse to fit.

[Cavcraft]

Thanks, much appreciated.

 

Hiopefully going to get it into the garage for a spot of looking at as my lad has all the tools and the ramps when available. We'd thought (hoped!) it was the thin metal disc shield but sounds like it won't be that now.

I'll be offloading it soon as so will need to sort this out along with the tracking.