THE GUBBERMINT ALWAYS KNOWS BEST

[seth]

Today is PERFECT tinkering weather. To celebrate I have been doing some tinkering. Gave the Hillman a quick wash this morning (I never give anything a long wash ) before using it to run a couple of errands including buying a bike brake cable from Halfords that will see use as a throttle cable on the Triumph. Also bought some oil that came with a free set of their "Professnial" screwdrivers. Qual.I've just been out there again though and finally fixed the windscreen washers. The Minx has a double jet thingy in the middle of the cowl and the pipe broke off it back at Christmas time when we were up in Manchester and I was trying to get a load of sludge out the system. Just made a small brass tube and glued that in to the plastic so I can reattach the pipe. Sorted.I also found why the bonnet was so loose when shut (the mechanism had been undoing itself) so got that nicely adjusted. And I've even taken the air filter off and re-attached it in the "Summer" position. Wicked!

[j-j]

I replaced the track rod on the C5 last year and I can report that the rack gaiter is still a complete dick to get back on.

Nothing changes!Actually, I think the track rod gaiters are often troublesome to refit - my question is why do they shape the ridge that grips the thing symmetrically? sure, it makes sense to shape it so it's hard to pull off so it doesn't come adrift in use but why not slope the ridge to allow it to be simply pushed back on? this could never allow it to come off accidently because it has nowhere further to go once it's on again!?

Today is PERFECT tinkering weather. To celebrate I have been doing some tinkering.

Me too. I have now successfully fished out the bit of polythene that was stuck in the air blower making THE MOST ANNOYING WHEEEEEE NOISE!! it's fine now. Ditto on the quick wash thing too - I never see the point in spending ages washing, rinsing and polishing a car you're gonna drive around in anyway. A quick wash makes a massive difference and doesn't piss you off as much when you drive behind an HGV that sprays a fine mist of SHITE all over your polished turd. For me it's: Bucket of water + capful of turtle stuff, sponge bottom up, rinse top down - done. Bollox to polishing.

[Mike D]

Tonight I fitted an electronic ignition pickup to the distributor on the Capri, RESULT! C U L8R POINTS!!I love the difference these things make, and they appeal to my lazy side too. £29 well spent!I also twiddled the fuses, as my drivers side sidelights decided to have a flid

[j-j]

Tonight I fitted an electronic ignition pickup to the distributor on the Capri, RESULT! C U L8R POINTS!!I love the difference these things make, and they appeal to my lazy side too. £29 well spent!I also twiddled the fuses, as my drivers side sidelights decided to have a flid

Good improvement that - my first CX had 'Lumenition' fitted when I got it but the fitment was old and stopped sparking when it got hot!Have been able to keep the same coil? I'm holding out for a '123' system for the CX - they say they'll make it if they get enough requests (they've had lots) and for my car's engine it's very similar to the DS 23 engine that 123 already do an electro ignition for.What type did you get for the Capri?

[Mike D]

Yep, i kept the stock coil, this is the one I got, i assume it should fit most Bosch distributors though, it certainly looks the same as the one i fitted on my beetle, albeit a bit better!

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Capri-electr ... 35a85aa5fd

[MrDuke]

Ditto on the quick wash thing too - I never see the point in spending ages washing, rinsing and polishing a car you're gonna drive around in anyway. A quick wash makes a massive difference and doesn't piss you off as much when you drive behind an HGV that sprays a fine mist of SHITE all over your polished turd. For me it's: Bucket of water + capful of turtle stuff, sponge bottom up, rinse top down - done. Bollox to polishing.

I find that one really thorough polishing & waxing session 1) stops dirt getting stuck to the car so easily and 2) makes subsequent washing sessions even quicker (like, 2 minutes with a hose).

[Tayne]

.

[Lankytim]

I used to never see the point in polishing, but it doesnt 'alf make an old clunker come up nice! As said it also makes it much easier to wash afterwards too as the shite doesnt stick. Borrow a mates polishing mop though.Dont mop rust holes.

[j-j]

Ditto on the quick wash thing too - I never see the point in spending ages washing, rinsing and polishing a car you're gonna drive around in anyway. A quick wash makes a massive difference and doesn't piss you off as much when you drive behind an HGV that sprays a fine mist of SHITE all over your polished turd. For me it's: Bucket of water + capful of turtle stuff, sponge bottom up, rinse top down - done. Bollox to polishing.

I find that one really thorough polishing & waxing session 1) stops dirt getting stuck to the car so easily and 2) makes subsequent washing sessions even quicker (like, 2 minutes with a hose).

Yea, probably right - I think it's just because of the sudden changes in weather here can render a nicely washed car to a grot pile in mere minutes. I'll do a wash and polish this weekend (weather's meant to be good) and see how much better than usual I can get it.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

I've just had one of those quick jobs snowball. Needed the radio code for my sister's Escort. Except it turns out that the code in the book is wrong... which is odd, considering we've known this car for 12 years and this has never come up. Locked out of the radio for 30 mins.So I pull the radio out to find the serial number, and discover a different code written on the top and the unit has some other car's numberplate appear on the display She needed the car so I said I'd hook the radio up to the mains to wait out the 30 minutes except this radio seems to need a connection to the alarm and won't respond to my usual 12v radio adaptor. So back to square one. I hate those fucking keycodes.

[Spottedlaurel]

Plug leads and air filter fitted to the Camry tonight, making the most of the aforementioned tinkering weather. Would've done spark plugs, but found I don't have a small socket for them so I'll sort that at the weekend.It already seems to be picking up much more cleanly, without the annoying hint of hesitation/stumbling I was getting. A proper run tomorrow will see if that's sorted it.However, it still won't be as quick as the V6 Camry I had a go in last night (and which should hopefully be joining the fleet soon).On the electronic ignition front, for fitting to the Laurel I've got the distributor and coil off my later injected model which will see that running without points.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I stripped the gearbox of my Rover 220 last night, found some knackered diff bearings. Should be reassembling it next week with all new bearings and seals, w00t!!!

[Father Ted]

Zafira MOT'd (passed)Got offered a 52 plate Lexus RX300, which sounded nice till I started pricing stuff up for it (towbar - £250, road tax - £435 and so on).Back to the drawing board. Currently top of the tempting list is still a 2001 Disco.

[dollywobbler]

2001 Disco? You mean a TD5? Tricky to find anyone to say a good thing about those (though I do love the muscular engine note). The amount you see with knackered suspension...I'd rather have an early one, after checking carefully for rot of course.

[Father Ted]

Its that dilemma - do I spunk a metric shit load on something "newish" with 7 seats for the wife to run, or do I find something older with 5 seats and get shut of the Micra and run it myself (the wife as family lugger / taxi driver and childminder needs 7 seats).Or do I just say phucket and run with what I have and live with the instability of the outfit.Anyone know what the hell the 2.0 dizzle engine is in some Freelanders?

[scruff]

I'd rather have an early one, after checking carefully for rot of course.

I wouldn't!But what do I know.

[r.welfare]

Anyone know what the hell the 2.0 dizzle engine is in some Freelanders?

BMW unit (a la Rover 75) from 2000-on, L-series Rover jobbie before that.

[Rusty Pelican]

Singers MOT tomarrow , lights all work so thats a good start , more poking about after tea

[Father Ted]

Cheers for that Mr Welfare. Seen a few within my budget. Though now been very tempted by a Fronterror 2.2 petrol Ecotec.....

[dollywobbler]

I'd rather have an early one, after checking carefully for rot of course.

I wouldn't!But what do I know.

Yeah, but you don't like these fancy modern cars with their roofs and windscreens!

[Cavcraft]

Cheers for that Mr Welfare. Seen a few within my budget. Though now been very tempted by a Fronterror 2.2 petrol Ecotec.....

There's one of those on eBaY now with tax and test for £399 in Manchester I think. Looks bloody good vfm it has to be said.However....regular, proven oil changes with synthetic oil are a must on these and (at least on later 2.2 petrol models) there was some oilway modification that needed to be done. Albert (on here) will know better than I do so probably worth dropping him a pm.I'll level with you I loved my old Frontera Sports (2.0 petrol) as they were rugged (yes, I did say that) and a fucking great laugh off-road but if you want a 4x4 for family haulage/road use I'd get a Pajero 2.8TD. They're nice to drive, well equipped and fine for daily use. the 2.5 versions have a rep for destroying heads and are not as good.

[Milford Cubicle]

My friend has a Mitsubishi Challenger 2.5TD, it's basically an L200 estate with coil springs at the back - I like it. I would go for one of them, especially since they're fairly under-rated/neglected.edit: scratch that, they seem to be going for mental prices on eBay

[Cavcraft]

All good so far. Central locking didn't fully work on o/s/r door on my lad's Astra Mk3. Noticed by chance three wires had snapped coming from the door so found some old bits of wire to extend the broken ones, used electrical tape to hold them together (for now) and the central locking is now fully working!On the same car the interior mirror was hanging off so finally had enough, pulled it off, cleaned up the base and re-adhered using very strong glue. So far-ie so good-ie on that one too.Next was time to test the alloy wheels I have are actually 4x100 so jacked said Astra up and fitted one. Bingo!Next on the list was the non-working o/s/r indicator on the Vespa. The o/s/f was sticking on too. Spoke to the lad I got it off (very helpful bloke) and he said to check where the side panel fits on as the wiring runs this and we'd had the panel off when I went to look at the scoot.Some careful re-alignment and a quick check-indicators working! Strangely there is no battery on these bikes but I suppose it's one less thing to go wrong. Still waiting for a cash injection so I can tax and insure it, bloody itching to get out on it.Checked BMW over, prior to eBaY winning bidder coming to collect today. All was well but gave it another clean up to make sure it's right for him.To do?EGR on Mk4 Astra I think, seems to run slightly sluggish when hot but as the car is so reliable I'm tempted to leave it for now and carry on with other things, including fitting the halo headlights I got for it.Get a fuel pump for the 190E and have a word with Mini-Mad who's going to fit it for me as I can't do it and my lad is snowed under with work.

[dollywobbler]

Newsflash. Disaster in Cambs!Remembered today that the 2CV's MoT is due in five days time. Cue hasty rush out to the garage to check the lights. Rear tail-light out, side indicator dim, front side-light out, fog light out. Oops...All working now but I was hoping to smarten the wheels up. Problem is, I'm full of energy-sapping cold and knackered after mowing the lawn. Maybe tomorrow. Wonder if I've actually got any paint. I know I've got some spare Tobacco Leaf...

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I've been trying to get the old maestro started again today. FAIL. Last time, after loads of arsing about without the slightest hint of it ever firing, i chucked away the electronic choke and fitted a manual one instead. This time I took the carb off and completely dismantled it looking for problems. Then I put it back together and lobbed it on. The result of that was a load of spluttering and coughing, and a starter pinion that throws itself out at the slightest sign of a fire, but still no start. Now the battery is flat again. Another re-charge, clean and gap the plugs and a can of Easy start on standby will hopefully get it going, if not its going back up for sale as I cant be arsed TBH.

[Cavcraft]

Finally got the Vespa on the road. Taxed/insured today, got a lid and some gloves and went for a blast.Chuffed to bits with it, pulled well and a right laugh to ride. Happy days

[dollywobbler]

BX has been in workhorse mode. I really should get out there and clean all the bits of tree out of it now...

[Lankytim]

I've been trying to get the old maestro started again today. FAIL. Last time, after loads of arsing about without the slightest hint of it ever firing, i chucked away the electronic choke and fitted a manual one instead. This time I took the carb off and completely dismantled it looking for problems. Then I put it back together and lobbed it on. The result of that was a load of spluttering and coughing, and a starter pinion that throws itself out at the slightest sign of a fire, but still no start. Now the battery is flat again. Another re-charge, clean and gap the plugs and a can of Easy start on standby will hopefully get it going, if not its going back up for sale as I cant be arsed TBH.

My mums old 1600 Maestro had similar starting problems, all related to the electronic choke. Im not sure it was ever properly fixed TBH.Maybe get a mate to tow it round the block?

[Lankytim]

Nooo, im sure its perfectly fixable!

[dollywobbler]

Nooo, im sure its perfectly fixable!

Aye. Just drop a turbo lump in for Q car win.