CurtisRider

They are covering it fortunately, also the clutch issue was just a popped hose so an easy fix! Selling the car once it's back, we just don't want it anymore and fancy an upgrade

Oh and the Astra decided it didn't like its clutch whilst my girlfriend was driving to the midlands, not sure what the issue is as I fitted a new clutch, slave, hose and flywheel under 3 years ago so hopefully none of those are at fault! Recovery collected her but as they unloaded the car it started to roll off the back as the guy hadn't put the handbrake on... resulting in the car the rolling backwards and and the front end getting taken out as it dropped. Not quite sure where we stand with insurance, I said to wait until the garage have had a chance to see what the issue is with the clutch and if it's easy to fix then get it sorted (presumably insurance will want it to be a fully working car when assessing?) and claim as it'll likely be a write off as there is apparently damage to the rad pack. Kind of hoping thats the case as I really dislike that car!

Just do it yourself Mike, it's pretty easy to use a melty stick after a few minutes practice. I've been working on the van some more, it has had an EML come on that was bugging me and putting into limp mode occasionally. Out came a skanky EGR, rotated the body 180 degrees and refitted, free blanking Then onto the next common issue, injector wiring. funnily enough somebody has been there before and made a hash of it so i sorted those out and added some conduit to protect I fitted a proper bonnet stay clip rather than that wire bodgef**kery I also gave it a full service, added some Forte to the fuel and it was still flashing an EML. I stole a MAP sensor off the spares van and the problem was solved! Next to fit are some new plates, reverse camera, reverse sensors, screen, headunit, sub, ply lining and shelving for all my tools and other shite. I'm loving driving a van!

Did some actual spannering yesterday, I haven't done any car repairs in a while (I guess that is only a good thing!) I had a spares van delivered, engine is seized but there are plenty of useful bits with it (like a refurbished gearbox used for a few months). Hopefully I can make mine look a little bit better too as this is in better condition aesthetically. First job was to strip the front ends off This was so I could get to the alternators, you can do it from underneath but I wanted to check out the condition behind there anyway and bumper removal is a 10 minute job (probably less next time as I wont be hunting for bolts) The white van had a refurbished unit fitted, no idea on age but it works. I'll get the red ones duff unit refurbished and fitted for peace of mind as I know pulley failures can lead to unhappy times with the cam belt, at least for now my battery is charging and I can get around without having to charge my battery wherever possible and having a second battery just in case! Oh and a generator incase I needed to do an emergency charge, over worrying much? I then replaced the cambelt cover as it had been torn in order to fit a new belt, lazy sods! It was catching on the belt and I feared it would get sucked into the spinny stuff and cause engine death. Nice easy job, just whip the engine mount off and away you go. I gave it a good clean whilst I was there, so now it's not totally caked in oil (rocker cover gasket was leaking but has been replaced). The handbrake cable snapped at the front when I was parking, unfortunately the only cable I could get was a revised one that included the intermediate section (revised version apparently). This meant dropping the tank at one side, again a surprisingly simple job. So far I'm amazed how simple this van is to work on, it drives well for a giant tin box and even though it's dog slow it's also quite nice to not always feel in the rush like the Porsche makes me feel. I'll probably get it mapped though as I know that feeling will pass....

Ouch, unlucky Sam! I got the van in the end, all seemed ok for the price and I'm willing to risk it on the potential injectors/gearbox issues, it runs nicely and changes gear well currently. Frustratingly on the way home the battery light came on, the alternator isn't charging. I found some jump leads in the front and noticed he had an extension lead out in the garden but thought nothing of it at the time, arse. Fortunately the spares van arrives tonight (complete with refurbished gearbox) and I'll salvage the alternator off that (assuming it works!) and get the current one refurbished as those freewheel pulleys worry me. Apart from that issue and being totally filthy and faded it seems in good fettle! I lightly went over with some T cut to remove some of the really faded sections, this has worked very well considering how little effort was put in, I'll do a proper polish in the near future and get the bumper trims treated as well as the wheels painted. It is a work van so needs to be presentable but not mega flashy like some of the van owners seem to go for. I've ordered some bits and bobs and I'll give it a service shortly just to ensure everything is good. Is there anything I should be looking at doing as preventative maintenance that is typical with these? Is it worth me changing the gearbox oil to aid the weak box lasting a bit longer?

Thanks for your help Sam, it is much appreciated. I took a look at it and it runs spot on, noticeable smoke and smooth running. It started from cold nearly instantly, so these things so far all seem to point towards it being fine currently. Hopefully a dose of Forte every so often will keep the injectors happy...

Thanks for the help Sam, that's great. Is there any way to make injector removal easier before they potentially become a problem? I know galvanic corrosion is a sod and causes problems with other engines too but I cant find any useful info.

That looks gorgeous! Not quite as exciting but just about car related.... I'm going to look at a 56 plate 1.9CDTI SWB Vivaro van tomorrow, it has 120k and MOT til the end of the year. It also comes with an optional second Vivaro with a recently fitted reconditioned gearbox (which is a known weak point so very handy) but the engine is kaput but at least it's a handy spares machine. Apart from the usual vehicle checks what should I be looking out for specifically with these? I have checked the MOT history and it hasn't had ridiculous fail lists which is reassuring, just springs and dampers in the past couple of years. In the photos all looks well, paint could do with a good polish but nothing that frightens me. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

That tit sweat is beautiful

If you removed the stickers that would really help, they just look tacky. I quite like the estate as it looks purposeful but in reality it's not

Or spray the carbon to match? That way you can get rid of the ripples the one in the picture has!

Sounds like it's not any better than yours

That MOT checker has been so handy, saved me the hassle of many a car viewing! And allowed me to realise if sellers are full of crap when they say just a few bits need doing to pass the MOT when it's failed and has a mile long list!

Yeah they are rather tight! My Impreza seats sit nice and low compared to the tombstones which i find to be ideal. Good work on the shell, can't believe how bad yours was!

Special brew and it's a deal.

Not sure what happened there... I've got it right this time! Where do you reckon I could tap to? That would be amazing if you don't mind Ed! Ill PM you

I acquired a compressor with a duff motor last year and have only just had a chance to take a peek at it. After replacing the motor with a spare it pumps a treat but there is a important component missing... the pressure switch! I have whacked on a regulator and it all works fine but I daren't leave it on too long for fear of ending up in pieces. I'm not sure how it has been used without one, and to be honest I'm not entirely sure how to plumb one in as I'm not sure where I can tsp into so I was hoping you guys could point me in the right direction. The make is C&H who haven't existed for about 30 years it seems however I'm fairly confident something can be retrofitted. I'm not 100% sure of my terminology and what I need so if people could correct me or advise as to what i should be fitting/replacing that would be great. At the back on the side is this which I'm assuming is a massive drain plug At the back on the top, tank pressure gauge left, some sort of pressure valve (spring loaded inside) in the middle with a handle welded to it for a reason i'm not entirely sure of, and another pressure valve on the right At the front on the bottom there is a drain tap that I don't understand how I'm supposed to operate And at the front side is another drain area with a tap, from what I have gathered this may have been for a certain type of air tool to connect to? I have been looking at pressure switches online and I'm not sure what is suitable, there seems to be generic cheap ones that vary from £6 to £30 yet seem to be the same unit, I also think I should replace the pressure release valve/s for peace of mind but I'm not sure how many bar they should be rated at? Any help would be great, it would be nice to get the old thing running safely

Bloody good job Dan, good luck!

My budget is basically as little as possible! Ideally £10-15 really, I got the mower for free and I don't anticipate it lasting them a long time at all but it'll hopefully keep going until I have time to finish the proper kart I started building many moons ago! If a mobility scooter battery is suitable then I may have one somewhere, hopefully it's not totally dead...

Where can I get a filthy cheap small 12V 14ah+ battery from? I need one for a ride on mower that I'm making into a go kart from my nieces and nephews but ride on mower batteries seem a little bit pricey for their size! What else might have something suitable that I could get for not much money?

Just go to Screwfix you tight git

Surely the stock grille should be enough? With a new radiator, fresh coolant and a decent fan you should be fine

Making some great progress now Dan, it's nice to be able to actually notice what you have done in each photo too!

It won't drain it but the fuse should always be as close to the supply as possible, not after a switch

Until I read that I was totally confused as to why you would fit something so manky to something that looks so new and good! How much did you pay for the bench? I just put a few like that on the bonfire