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1

General Car Chat / Re: Motor Factors?

« on: Yesterday at 22:10:19 »

whats the actual fault on yours ? brushes or solenoid ?
id be inclined to repair the original . better chance of it bring more reliable than an aftermarket or recon and you woudnt know the history of a scrappy one !

It sounds like a handful of rusty nuts and bolts being shaken in a biscuit tin.

I pulled the end cap off and found that the bearing/bush in the endcap has been worn (or bludgeoned) into an oval shape. It is almost as if the aluminium casting was too soft to support the bush 

Didn't bother pulling any more parts off but from what I could see the brushes are still good and the other end of the motor & solenoid are also unharmed.

I turned the endplate through 180 degrees when I refitted it which seems to have bought me some time to source a replacement.

2

General Car Chat / Re: Motor Factors?

« on: Yesterday at 16:00:02 »

If it was me and an eighteen year old Ford that had sat under a tree for a few years, it would definitely be getting a second hand starter from ebay or a scrappy! 

I am inclined to agree with you.

3

General Car Chat / Re: Motor Factors?

« on: Yesterday at 08:36:00 »

Not many independent factors left, ECP have taken over the world.

I'd definitely avoid Starline - in fact my MOT man is always ranting at ECP when I go in, because they sent him Starline when he said any brand but Starline

If its a bastid job, sometimes branded is worth the extra to reduce the risk of having to do it again in 2 months...

There were two independent factors that I used for 20+ years when I lived in Dunstable (Milehams & Dunstable Motor Factors).

Milehams still appear to have the same signage that they had 30 years ago, DMF looks the same but is now Dunstable Motor Spares. No idea if they are as good as they used to be, I haven't been near the town for 15 years.

It took me about 90 minutes to get the starter off, take the end cap off for a look-see and then reassemble everything so not a bastid job

4

General Car Chat / Motor Factors?

« on: 11 May 2024, 22:50:41 »

I need a starter motor for a 2006 Ford Galaxy 2.0l duratorq TDCi.

Where do people source parts nowadays?

I see repeated complaints about ECP but people keep going back for more They list a 'starline' starter for £123.

GSF list a 'WAI' starter for £82. Never heard of 'WAI' but always been happy with GSF so would be happy to go with that one.

Prices for parts from manufacturers I recognise (Bosch, Valeo, Lucas etc) are somewhat higher............

5

General Car Chat / Re: So what have you done to your car today?

« on: 11 May 2024, 22:11:13 »

Loaded the family in and drove it. (for the first time after being parked under a tree for 5 years)
Hot sunny day :-)
Discovered that the A/C doesn't work.
Went shopping, loaded up with frozen food.
Starter failed to turn the engine over - bugger
Opened the bonnet and poked at the power cables trying to find a loose or hot connection but nothing doing.
Got back in the driving seat and started discussing how to get home, gave the key another turn - just to hear the solenoid click - and of course it started..............
Drove home, fed the kids & got them to bed & then hoicked the starter out for a post mortem.
Took the end plate off and found that the bush for the end of the motor shaft is oval and allowing about 2 or 3mm play in one direction.
The starter has always sounded a bit rattly but I never got round to investigating it. Prolonged cranking to get the thing started last week must have been the last straw.
Put the end plate back on rotated by 180 degrees, that seems to work better so hopeful that will last until I can get a replacement on Monday.

6

General Car Chat / Re: So what have you done to your car today?

« on: 03 May 2024, 20:02:42 »

Managed to get the bonnet open

It has taken a week of periodically pulling the release lever and pushing/pulling on the bonnet.

Need to fit a good battery and see if it starts now.

What can possibly go wrong

New battery I ordered from Tayna yesterday (standard delivery) arrived today.

Need to get of my arse and fit it now.

Fitted the new battery yesterday - wouldn't start.

Gave the battery a good charge overnight, refitted it today and finally got it started - (for the first time in 5 years).

There is something not quite right with the starter motor. Cranking was slower than it should be and my helper said that they saw sparks and some magic smoke - almost as if the starter wasn't bolted tightly to the engine.  Something to investigate before the MOT.

Once the engine was running I had to shunt it back & forth a few times before the rear brakes would let go. Brake discs look surprisingly good but tomorrow I will get the wheels off and have a closer look.

Spent the day cleaning & checking the thing (MK2 Ford Galaxy Diesel auto).
5 years under a tree had resulted in a mouldy interior. The cheap seat covers fitted by the last owner had grown a layer of fur, I tried cleaning them with a carpet cleaner and the vinyl surface peeled off. 7 seat covers are now in the bin. Seats look OK underneath.
All the seat belts were a bit surprised that I wanted to extend them  couldn't get one to extend at all so will have to pull the trim off to inspect it.
Undid all the wheel nuts half a turn, will get the wheels of tomorrow to check the brakes........

Had the MOT done today by my local garage.
Failed on cracked tyres, binding brakes and a front wiper blade. Advisories for surface rust on subframes and suspension arms.
The tester commented that it appeared to have been parked in a field for 10 years - cheek! - it was only 5 years 
I left it with them to fit budget tyres and free off the brakes and came home in a courtesy car

7

General Car Chat / Re: Car Insurance - Recommendations?

« on: 01 May 2024, 21:03:53 »

Thanks all - that gives me some pointers.

On the NCD - I had 30 years claims free........

I have just renewed my insurance in NZ - will have to offer the renewal letter and see if that gains me anything.

8

General Car Chat / Car Insurance - Recommendations?

« on: 01 May 2024, 07:55:10 »

Who/where/what insurance providers do people use?

I haven't needed to buy insurance in the UK for a few years so completely out of touch with which ones are good / expensive / useless etc.

9

General Discussion Area / Re: Insurance Renewal Due

« on: 30 April 2024, 20:25:09 »

Who / what / where do members go to for their insurance nowadays?

Looking for insurance for a 2008 Galaxy diesel.

10

General Car Chat / Re: So what have you done to your car today?

« on: 28 April 2024, 22:37:34 »

Managed to get the bonnet open

It has taken a week of periodically pulling the release lever and pushing/pulling on the bonnet.

Need to fit a good battery and see if it starts now.

What can possibly go wrong

New battery I ordered from Tayna yesterday (standard delivery) arrived today.

Need to get of my arse and fit it now.

Fitted the new battery yesterday - wouldn't start.

Gave the battery a good charge overnight, refitted it today and finally got it started - (for the first time in 5 years).

There is something not quite right with the starter motor. Cranking was slower than it should be and my helper said that they saw sparks and some magic smoke - almost as if the starter wasn't bolted tightly to the engine.  Something to investigate before the MOT.

Once the engine was running I had to shunt it back & forth a few times before the rear brakes would let go. Brake discs look surprisingly good but tomorrow I will get the wheels off and have a closer look.

Spent the day cleaning & checking the thing (MK2 Ford Galaxy Diesel auto).
5 years under a tree had resulted in a mouldy interior. The cheap seat covers fitted by the last owner had grown a layer of fur, I tried cleaning them with a carpet cleaner and the vinyl surface peeled off. 7 seat covers are now in the bin. Seats look OK underneath.
All the seat belts were a bit surprised that I wanted to extend them  couldn't get one to extend at all so will have to pull the trim off to inspect it.
Undid all the wheel nuts half a turn, will get the wheels of tomorrow to check the brakes........

11

General Discussion Area / Re: SMETS2 smart meters

« on: 28 April 2024, 22:20:18 »

And they will all need replacing again in the next decade or so, when 2G is sunsetted.

I don't think 2G ever worked in this valley (despite the provider's signal predictions claiming otherwise). Does it count as sunsetting if it never worked in the first place

Curious to see whether they can sort out the comms by adding an external ariel or 'mesh' communications.

My parents installed solar panels last year, To get the feed in tariff they needed a smart meter. The mobile signal in their house is even worse than it is here but Octopus went through the motions of fitting a series of comms modules until they got working comms so I expect that it should be possible here.

Why they waste time rather about with the basic comms modules in this area beats me,

12

General Discussion Area / Re: SMETS2 smart meters

« on: 27 April 2024, 22:31:13 »

Finally got around to agreeing to have the meters replaced. Both gas and electricity were over 20 years old so 10+ years overdue.....

Waited all afternoon on Monday - no show.

Rescheduled for this morning - British Gas installer arrived and got on with swapping the meters.

Electrical meter swapped first and left to establish communications while the gas meter was swapped.

Gas meter swapped. Waited. Waited a bit longer.

I now have two shiny new dumb meters 

To be fair, Auckland is a fair way for the British Gas installer to go between jobs.                                       

Fair point.

We have smart meters in Auckland - they 'just work'. Probably because they have a good mobile signal.

I am back in Cornwall for a while - trying to clear up the chaos caused by people we trusted. 

Each day I discover so many new things to piss me off that I have chosen not to share as I don't have the time

13

General Car Chat / Re: So what have you done to your car today?

« on: 27 April 2024, 22:18:42 »

Managed to get the bonnet open

It has taken a week of periodically pulling the release lever and pushing/pulling on the bonnet.

Need to fit a good battery and see if it starts now.

What can possibly go wrong

New battery I ordered from Tayna yesterday (standard delivery) arrived today.

Need to get of my arse and fit it now.

Fitted the new battery yesterday - wouldn't start.

Gave the battery a good charge overnight, refitted it today and finally got it started - (for the first time in 5 years).

There is something not quite right with the starter motor. Cranking was slower than it should be and my helper said that they saw sparks and some magic smoke - almost as if the starter wasn't bolted tightly to the engine.  Something to investigate before the MOT.

Once the engine was running I had to shunt it back & forth a few times before the rear brakes would let go. Brake discs look surprisingly good but tomorrow I will get the wheels off and have a closer look.

14

General Discussion Area / SMETS2 smart meters

« on: 25 April 2024, 19:51:13 »

Finally got around to agreeing to have the meters replaced. Both gas and electricity were over 20 years old so 10+ years overdue.....

Waited all afternoon on Monday - no show.

Rescheduled for this morning - British Gas installer arrived and got on with swapping the meters.

Electrical meter swapped first and left to establish communications while the gas meter was swapped.

Gas meter swapped. Waited. Waited a bit longer.

I now have two shiny new dumb meters 

15

General Car Chat / Re: So what have you done to your car today?

« on: 25 April 2024, 19:20:00 »

Managed to get the bonnet open

It has taken a week of periodically pulling the release leaver and pushing/pulling on the bonnet.

Need to fit a good battery and see if it starts now.

What can possibly go wrong

New battery I ordered from Tayna yesterday (standard delivery) arrived today.

Need to get of my arse and fit it now.