Grogee's spannering (Maestro). CLEKSHUN REVEAL

[grogee]

I've buttoned up the Skoda now, and I started it to clear the drive so I can wash the Maestro in readiness for a mini charity car show at work tomorrow. 

Is it my imagination, or did it run a little bit smoother from cold start? 

I suppose it's possible, if the combined MAF and intake air temp sensor is disconnected, maybe the car assumes 'worst case' conditions of -30°C ambient...?

Anyway no pics because the intake and filter is even more of a lash-up than it was before - although I have given it some semblance of quality by using corrugated plastic shielding on the wiring. 

The next 3 weeks are a bit busy for me with trips to Wembley, Newcastle and Ironbridge coming up but after that I'm going to stick it in for a test with 'Jeevan' who has always been pretty kind to me in the past. 

After that it'll be FOUR SAIL with or without a ticket. 

Crap pic of it behind a tree

[Yoss]

There must be some sort of joke there about a Škoda and two wheelie bins. 

But seriously, I'm hoping this works nearly as much as you do. It's something I should have figured out myself in three years although it's also something the previous owner should have done in the first place. Good luck. 

[grogee]

1 hour ago, Yoss said:

There must be some sort of joke there about a Škoda and two wheelie bins. 

This morning I met our new neighbour who moved in a couple of days ago. 

He said: "That's the car they used to make all the jokes about. Eg if you see a Skoda driving uphill, stop them and get their autograph, because it'll be the son of Jesus." 

I told him the one about why they have heated rear windows. 

We bonded. 

[grogee]

Today I changed the front brake pads in "Toby" the Toyota (I didn't name him, honest). 

When I serviced it a few weeks ago I did notice the pads were a bit low which made me paranoid on the six roundabouts on my commute. I needn't have worried though as there was still plenty of meat left, but I don't want to be doing this job in sub-zero weather. 

I did more than just a Kwik-fit job, as I took off the caliper carrier and cleaned/regreased the sliders and wire wheeled the pad mountings and shims. 

Even fitted Delphi pads for that name-brand reassurance next time I arrive at Copse a bit too quick. 

I was so pleased with my work* that I even did the tyre pressures and hoovered the interior.

He'll keep on trucking through the winter I think. 

[grogee]

Today is 'Sammy' the Skoda's third attempt at an MoT. (I didn't name him etc) 

Latest attempt to pass involves the MAF sensor detailed above. 

This is the first time I've driven it with the sensor fitted, and it's not running great. Feels like it's been throttled quite a lot but this might be good news if it's made the mixture leaner. 

I only need a pass then I can unplug it and return to 'qualifying boost' mode. 

This time I've gone to "Jeevan" who generally is good to me with old shite. Unfortunately I asked for an 11.00 slot, dropped keys off and said we'd be back in an hour - Master Grogee is with me as it's half term. 

Came back (20 min walk from cafe) and he hadn't started! Bollocks. I'm supposed to be working from home today as well so I'm juggling my laptop duties as well. Anyway he said he'd have it done in next hour so we'll see. 

[EyesWeldedShut]

On 02/10/2025 at 15:58, grogee said:

This morning I met our new neighbour who moved in a couple of days ago. 

He said: "That's the car they used to make all the jokes about. Eg if you see a Skoda driving uphill, stop them and get their autograph, because it'll be the son of Jesus." 

I told him the one about why they have heated rear windows. 

We bonded. 

Tell him the one about the rear windscreen wiper?

[grogee]

PASS. 

It's Fur Shale now, time for someone else to enjoy the madness. 

Form an orderly queue. 

[Matty]

Yassss

[wesacosa]

52 minutes ago, grogee said:

PASS. 

It's Fur Shale now, time for someone else to enjoy the madness. 

Form an orderly queue. 

woohoo.  

This would be perfect for me to park outside my house to see how long it took the Mrs to notice it was mine. Shame about the ULEZ and the queue of other cars waiting for my attention . Sure someone will snap it up 

 

[loserone]

54 minutes ago, grogee said:

Form an orderly queue. 

Any clues as to how much it is? 

 

It looks awesome.

[Tickman]

Well done getting it sorted for the test.

[grogee]

1 hour ago, loserone said:

Any clues as to how much it is? 

 

It looks awesome.

 

 

[grogee]

Shitting batteries! 

Went to put the Skoda away in the rented lockup which meant swapping over to my Maestro. 

I knew I was in trouble when I went to unlock the door and the central locking failed to operate... Dead battery, no dash lights, nada. 

This is a bit annoying because I thought the battery that was in it was a) overkill (it's big) and b) in good condition. To be fair I've left it sat for about a month but I'd not anticipated any problems. 

Thankfully @Cluffy came to my rescue, firstly with jump leads (which I fried by short circuiting) and then with tools to swap the battery over for the Skoda battery. Thank you Kieran, I really appreciate your help! 

The magic charger is now connected in 'repair' mode which has improved things in the past, but I might have to admit defeat and buy a new one - grr. 

[High Jetter]

3 hours ago, grogee said:

firstly with jump leads (which I fried by short circuiting) 

Fried the leads, not the battery?

[Cluffy]

22 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

Fried the leads, not the battery?

Indeed 

Prior to monumental smoke!:

 

[High Jetter]

I once jumped a neg earth car to a pos earth one, on a hill. Unfortunately, the handbrake on posi car was weak, and bumpers kissed...

[High Jetter]

14 hours ago, Cluffy said:

Indeed 

Prior to monumental smoke!:

 

Ah, I see. I had a weedy pair of jump leads once, in my teens  - I think the cores were aluminium - and they used to get warm. Then Dad bought me a heavy duty pair, RAC branded, which I still have, 40+ years later

[grogee]

I hadn't really thought about the bat flattery incident on the Maestro since I got the car home and performed first aid on the battery. It's been under a cover awaiting a trip to Brizzle where it will hibernate in Sister Grogee's garage. 

But today I went to fit a new battery to it and noticed that attaching a ring terminal to earth caused a relay click. 

This relay is itself a fudge I did a few years ago, because the ignition and fuel pump relays weren't behaving as BL intended and were sticking on and flattening the battery. 

My 'cure' for this was to cut into the earth feed to the naughty relay and fit another relay triggered by ignition on signal, and use that to switch the earth. 

That 'fix' is no longer working for whatever reason so that's why I'm getting flat batteries all the time. 

For now I've disconnected it and will reconnect when I need to drive it. Probably one to look at next Spring. I remember the previous fix involved tracing the various wires into and out of the existing relays, using the HBOL wiring diagram which is extremely small print. 

It looks like I might be dailying the Maestro next week, as there might be a buyer for 'Toby' the Toyota (naming cars etc). And it'll have to get me to and from work until Toby's replacement arrives. 

[grogee]

With @dollywobbler the proud* new owner of the Avensis of Lacquer Peel, attentions have turned to my Maestro which has to get me to work over the next few days. 

Not ideal, it's December and shitty weather. I spent some time twatting about with minor stereo and battery issues then drove it to get some E5. 

Spilled a load over my shoes just like last time. 

It's not 100% happy for some reason. There's a bit of a misfire. I'm telling myself that it's just unhappy at being pressed into service after a long period of stasis, but it could turn into something Bad and leave me stranded on the M1. 

Nothing like commuting jeopardy in December. 

I don't know what it is of course so I took the plugs out, cleaned them with a wire wheel and re-gapped them. We'll see if it's any happier tomorrow morning at 7am...

[JMotor]

Maybe it'll improve with use?

Yeah it's not ideal using it at this time of year. But needs must. 

[Cluffy]

Did you get to work?

[tooSavvy]

1 hour ago, Cluffy said:

Did you get to work?

...err, no!

*By txt, hot from cab of Big Yellow Taxi 🫤

Oof..josh 👍

🚙💨

[beko1987]

Itll be fine*! Rag it about for a few days and keep every tool you will need to do ANYTHING in the boot for a few weeks 😂 Can do a lunch hour repair if needed

I always know when I start trusting a car as everything bar my usual car tools start leaving the boot...

[comfortablynumb]

I got pulled up with a boot full of tools in an old cortina. (Is there any other sort??🤔)

Plod "You're carrying a lot of tools?"

Me " it's an old car!"

End of conversation 🤣 

 

[grogee]

Well it got me to work. It actually seems to be running OK now, with possible exception of very light throttle/very low revs. Which is easy to avoid. 

The heater is a bit weedy perhaps but it was fine after about 20min when I actually turned it down.

Windscreen not too badly misted up either although I'd like to give the inside of the screen a good clean with those streak-free wipes I have somewhere. 

Even the heated rear windows and mirrors are working, praise be. Although the switch backlight has failed - I recognise this is being picky on a 37 year old BLARG car. 

[High Jetter]

My recollection is that heaters on older cars took longer to heat the car up than newer ones. Backlight is a replacement bulb, possibly capless?

[Noel Tidybeard]

on my montego bASe i did have an episode where some ignition controlled items stayed on when i turned the key off

2 of the relays were the same so i did swapsies until i could find a replacement

so it's likely that you have a sticking ignition live circuit relay (black one iirc)

[Matty]

5 hours ago, grogee said:

Well it got me to work. It actually seems to be running OK now, with possible exception of very light throttle/very low revs. Which is easy to avoid. 

The heater is a bit weedy perhaps but it was fine after about 20min when I actually turned it down.

Windscreen not too badly misted up either although I'd like to give the inside of the screen a good clean with those streak-free wipes I have somewhere. 

Even the heated rear windows and mirrors are working, praise be. Although the switch backlight has failed - I recognise this is being picky on a 37 year old BLARG car. 

Agree with @JMotorabout having to use it now. But at least it isnt cold yet! 

btw @grogee have you seen this absolute honey (ignore the wheels and headlining)?

 

https://ebay.us/m/gisuL7

[grogee]

1 hour ago, Noel Tidybeard said:

on my montego bASe i did have an episode where some ignition controlled items stayed on when i turned the key off

2 of the relays were the same so i did swapsies until i could find a replacement

so it's likely that you have a sticking ignition live circuit relay (black one iirc)

Tanks Noel... Could well be that especially as it 'fixed' itself (probably not for long). I'll take a look. 

@Matty yes the broon Montego is a honey, headlining and wheels aside. Imagine the knickers dropping as you cruise past in that...

[grogee]

2 hours ago, Noel Tidybeard said:

on my montego bASe i did have an episode where some ignition controlled items stayed on when i turned the key off

2 of the relays were the same so i did swapsies until i could find a replacement

so it's likely that you have a sticking ignition live circuit relay (black one iirc)

I need to know now - bASe 1.3 or bASe 1.6?

4-speed?