31
General Car Chat / Passed by a police mig on the M4
« on: 22 September 2010, 18:39:49 »
Black undercover 03 plate, HYU I think. Most surprised as I really thought they would all be gone by now.
- 27 April 2024, 08:35:00
- Welcome, Guest
News:
Please check the Forum Guidelines at the top of the Newbie section
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
32
General Car Chat / If I didn't have 2 migs...
« on: 22 September 2010, 15:42:49 »
I'd take a punt on that http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120624349298 even if it does 'only' need a rear wheel bearing.
Actually the wife would probably take a punt on me if I bought it but that's a different story
Actually the wife would probably take a punt on me if I bought it but that's a different story
33
General Car Chat / Scrapping my estate, what to take off and keep
« on: 20 September 2010, 14:03:30 »
One week after recovery of my estate i've decided I want to reclaim the second spot on my driveway, god i'm impatient!
I'm now trying to build a list of spare parts to keep/ebay (this is not an advert mods!), what would you keep?
So far I have planned:
ABS ECU (already used!)
The month old struts/droplinks/handbrake shoes and cable
Cats
Headlights + level sensors
Plenum (can keep a clean one for easy swap outs!)
Headlight washers
Cam covers
Central locking solenoids
Window motors
Manifolds (I have a tick sound when cold)
Parts I think not worth keeping
Heads (must be warped the way it boiled)
Interior (basket case)
Bumpers/body panels (not bad nick but not in high demand, take too much space)
Anything else that might be useful?
I'm now trying to build a list of spare parts to keep/ebay (this is not an advert mods!), what would you keep?
So far I have planned:
ABS ECU (already used!)
The month old struts/droplinks/handbrake shoes and cable
Cats
Headlights + level sensors
Plenum (can keep a clean one for easy swap outs!)
Headlight washers
Cam covers
Central locking solenoids
Window motors
Manifolds (I have a tick sound when cold)
Parts I think not worth keeping
Heads (must be warped the way it boiled)
Interior (basket case)
Bumpers/body panels (not bad nick but not in high demand, take too much space)
Anything else that might be useful?
34
General Car Chat / Things I have learnt this week about my car
« on: 15 September 2010, 17:21:46 »
Newer is not necessarily better!
If you have low coolant warning and it only loses a little go hunt it down anyway, when it decides to turn into a lot it WILL be at the most inconvenient time/place.
Even with a massive leak you can abuse the V6 engine to un-thought of levels and it will still run.
Take the pi$$ and it will give up on you.
Stripping it down to oil cooler level is a breeze.
VX need a kick in the nads for making the injector riser so tight to get out.
The ABS ECU is not only as bad as people say to get out, it's worse.
VX need a kick in the nads for placing it there, 6 screws and 2 connectors should be a 10 min job.
People who change these things for a living don't get paid enough!!
This post has been brought to you by 5 hours of ABS ECU removal, you think of all sorts of things as you curse away.
If you have low coolant warning and it only loses a little go hunt it down anyway, when it decides to turn into a lot it WILL be at the most inconvenient time/place.
Even with a massive leak you can abuse the V6 engine to un-thought of levels and it will still run.
Take the pi$$ and it will give up on you.
Stripping it down to oil cooler level is a breeze.
VX need a kick in the nads for making the injector riser so tight to get out.
The ABS ECU is not only as bad as people say to get out, it's worse.
VX need a kick in the nads for placing it there, 6 screws and 2 connectors should be a 10 min job.
People who change these things for a living don't get paid enough!!
This post has been brought to you by 5 hours of ABS ECU removal, you think of all sorts of things as you curse away.
35
General Car Chat / I don't know whether to laugh or cry!
« on: 14 September 2010, 15:06:28 »
You may or may not be watching the saga of my cooked CDX estate but today I swapped my CDX and Elite around and took the Elite for an MOT. I know the ABS ECU has gone but i'm also expecting to fail on shocks, cats and some niggly things.
30 mins ago I drove out with a failure on the ABS and advise on front tyres......... I also discovered that it drives significantly better than the estate ever has. I just cant believe I have wasted so much money on the estate (purchase and parts) when I should have trusted 'old faithful' to just keep on plugging with minimal work.
I guess if you have to look for a plus side, very soon I will be a 'real' mig owners with a shed full of spare parts!
30 mins ago I drove out with a failure on the ABS and advise on front tyres......... I also discovered that it drives significantly better than the estate ever has. I just cant believe I have wasted so much money on the estate (purchase and parts) when I should have trusted 'old faithful' to just keep on plugging with minimal work.
I guess if you have to look for a plus side, very soon I will be a 'real' mig owners with a shed full of spare parts!
36
General Car Chat / Handbrakes and robbing b***ard mechanics!!
« on: 01 September 2010, 17:17:25 »
So, after YET another weekend of pre-MOT work my MOT actually expired yesterday. The only thing left was a stuck handbrake cable that I really didn't think I could do (I can't jack the car up high enough to slide under nowadays 
). I've found a cable at a factors for 20 quid and start ringing round the mechanics I know and a few tyre companies that also do brakes.
Two hours later i've come to the conclusion that the credit crunch is a myth, all i'm hearing is 'booked up solid this week and next' and '70 to a 100 quid for labour' (and that's assuming no problems...)
I'm now fed up so make one final call to a relative who has some old ramps, 30 mins later it's up in the air. 3 hours later the new cable is on and adjusted, all done while rolling around on my back inhaling various bits of exhaust rust, a further hour later i'm driving out with my new MOT
Now, what to treat myself with using the 70 quid i've just saved
). I've found a cable at a factors for 20 quid and start ringing round the mechanics I know and a few tyre companies that also do brakes.Two hours later i've come to the conclusion that the credit crunch is a myth, all i'm hearing is 'booked up solid this week and next' and '70 to a 100 quid for labour' (and that's assuming no problems...)
I'm now fed up so make one final call to a relative who has some old ramps, 30 mins later it's up in the air. 3 hours later the new cable is on and adjusted, all done while rolling around on my back inhaling various bits of exhaust rust, a further hour later i'm driving out with my new MOT
Now, what to treat myself with using the 70 quid i've just saved
37
General Car Chat / I've remembered why I gave up self maintaining!!
« on: 22 August 2010, 21:19:16 »
Did the front struts and droplinks yesterday, my local Eurocarparts won't take telephone CC orders to get parts shipped in so up at 8.00 to pay at the counter for 12pm delivery. Get started and realise my 22mm spanner is missing so I cant use the spring compresser and I dont have a 24mm for the top bolt, get stitched up 18 quid by Halfords for the pair! Removal and reinstall goes well, total of 4 hours for both half of which seems like it was spent on the compressors 
Both arms now aching....
Today I think it's an 'easy' job, the handbrake shoes. All of the strip down is fine apart from getting the drum off, slacken handbrake cable - check, back off star adjuster - nope it's locked solid, plusgas through the hole, wait, still solid. Break out 2*4 and hammer and smash away, I lost track of time but I was on it for over 3 hours. I managed to free the hub from the shoes quite quickly but because I couldn't back off the adjuster they were catching on a rust lip and kept bouncing back into place. I ended up having to pull the only section I could grab by the caliper and wedge small items into the wheel nut holes between between the drum and the hub and then forcibly rotate the hub to wedge another bit. When it finally releases I discover the lower mechanism is also solid so probably not freeing the shoes off fully.
Rebuild is fine apart from........... those damn twist springs!! They aren't the easiest thing to apply at anytime but doing it through an inspection hole counts as cruel and unusual punishment Oddly I found the first one most difficult, probably because everything could move, luckily I had a brainstorm and realised that you could angle the shoe enough to fit the spring from the side of the hub.
So 7 hours later every part of my body aches, I reek of oil after 2 showers one of which was in swarfega and I still have the other side to do 
How you mobile guys do this day in day out is beyond me.........
Both arms now aching....Today I think it's an 'easy' job, the handbrake shoes. All of the strip down is fine apart from getting the drum off, slacken handbrake cable - check, back off star adjuster - nope it's locked solid, plusgas through the hole, wait, still solid. Break out 2*4 and hammer and smash away, I lost track of time but I was on it for over 3 hours. I managed to free the hub from the shoes quite quickly but because I couldn't back off the adjuster they were catching on a rust lip and kept bouncing back into place. I ended up having to pull the only section I could grab by the caliper and wedge small items into the wheel nut holes between between the drum and the hub and then forcibly rotate the hub to wedge another bit. When it finally releases I discover the lower mechanism is also solid so probably not freeing the shoes off fully.
Rebuild is fine apart from........... those damn twist springs!! They aren't the easiest thing to apply at anytime but doing it through an inspection hole counts as cruel and unusual punishment
Oddly I found the first one most difficult, probably because everything could move, luckily I had a brainstorm and realised that you could angle the shoe enough to fit the spring from the side of the hub.So 7 hours later every part of my body aches, I reek of oil after 2 showers one of which was in swarfega
and I still have the other side to do How you mobile guys do this day in day out is beyond me.........
38
General Car Chat / MV6 suspension or not?
« on: 22 July 2010, 12:42:55 »
While contemplating the things I need to do on my Elite it occurred to me that as both front and rear shocks are 'spongy' I could use this chance to upgrade to MV6 (self level is nice but far from essential to me).
Then I saw Marks comment about wishbones wearing out faster and wondering if roads are getting worse. This has led me to wonder if going 'sports' might actually be a bad option, bearing in mind that Bucks CC whose roads I drive on the most are appalling at pot hole repairs.
I'm sure a number of people here must have done the same change, just wondering if they regret it or not?
Baz
Then I saw Marks comment about wishbones wearing out faster and wondering if roads are getting worse. This has led me to wonder if going 'sports' might actually be a bad option, bearing in mind that Bucks CC whose roads I drive on the most are appalling at pot hole repairs.
I'm sure a number of people here must have done the same change, just wondering if they regret it or not?
Baz
39
General Car Chat / Tinted window film, why do it!!!!
« on: 04 July 2010, 15:08:27 »
Last week I picked up a 2.5 estate, pretty good condition but the previous owner had carried dogs in it. As a result some interior trim was a bit rough and he had put blue tinted film on rear doors, rear quarters and at some point the tailgate. The problem is it was done badly, in fact very badly, he obviously didn't have a sharp knife and tried to skimp by patching parts together, then at some point he removed the film from the tailgate but couldn't be bothered to remove the glue............ Then add that he obviously had a rear window advert at some point and couldn't be bothered to remove the blue tack you can imagine how good it looked (and how bad visibility was).
I have now just spent 4hrs of my Sunday up to my arms in white spirit removing film, glue and smeared blue tack, it looks a whole lot better but is far from finished. The part I really don't get is why do it in the first place, when I put my hand on the tinted windows they were noticeably warmer than non tinted so defeat the object on the dog front, or maybe he just wanted to star in pimp-my-omega, who knows
Sorry, just had to vent somewhere
I have now just spent 4hrs of my Sunday up to my arms in white spirit removing film, glue and smeared blue tack, it looks a whole lot better but is far from finished. The part I really don't get is why do it in the first place, when I put my hand on the tinted windows they were noticeably warmer than non tinted so defeat the object on the dog front, or maybe he just wanted to star in pimp-my-omega, who knows
Sorry, just had to vent somewhere
40
General Car Chat / Always check your spare on a new car.......
« on: 12 July 2010, 13:57:21 »
So, I discover my tyre has shredded last night, think no problem i'll pop the spare on, it's a full size no name brand with OK tread, no big deal if I trash it.
All is going fine until I roll it up and realise it's 15" not 16"......... I guess that sums up my life at this time
All is going fine until I roll it up and realise it's 15" not 16"......... I guess that sums up my life at this time
41
General Car Chat / I have a guilty feeling
« on: 30 June 2010, 21:45:36 »
After 8 years of trusty service I have just SORN'd my Elite, somehow it just doesn't seem right.
And what makes it worse is the stopgap facelift CDX estate that I just picked up feels like crap internally compared to mine. I need to keep my fingers crossed that the repairs old faithful needs aren't too expensive.
And what makes it worse is the stopgap facelift CDX estate that I just picked up feels like crap internally compared to mine. I need to keep my fingers crossed that the repairs old faithful needs aren't too expensive.
42
General Car Chat / When would you call it a day and scrap it?
« on: 24 June 2010, 17:19:18 »
Watching the for sale ads of late i've seen a lot of very acceptable looking motors get canned, and I think i'm now close to that point, but the question is when would you give in.
I have a '99 2.5 Elite (mini), owned it for the last 8yrs and it has been rock solid, very rarely letting me down. The problem is now the MOT is soon up and I know it needs work, front shocks went soft a few months back, self levelling compressor no longer kicks in, had a new cat back exhaust a year ago but it sounds like the cats are making a noise, it has a tick that sounds like exhaust manifold, it leaks from the pipe behind the inlet manifold, 1 door strap has gone, it no longer flashes the hazards when the alarm triggers, ABS ECU went 2 weeks back (doh!) and to cap it whilst it looks ok from a distance almost every panel has some sort of dink from the peons at ASDA's car park. Oh and it will be due a cambelt change within a few K miles.
I can spare £5-600 this month for repairs if needed but the fact is i'm thinking should I just give up and use that money to buy an interim vehicle? I kind of have to decide inside the week as I need a legal car to get to work.
What would you do?
Baz
I have a '99 2.5 Elite (mini), owned it for the last 8yrs and it has been rock solid, very rarely letting me down. The problem is now the MOT is soon up and I know it needs work, front shocks went soft a few months back, self levelling compressor no longer kicks in, had a new cat back exhaust a year ago but it sounds like the cats are making a noise, it has a tick that sounds like exhaust manifold, it leaks from the pipe behind the inlet manifold, 1 door strap has gone, it no longer flashes the hazards when the alarm triggers, ABS ECU went 2 weeks back (doh!) and to cap it whilst it looks ok from a distance almost every panel has some sort of dink from the peons at ASDA's car park. Oh and it will be due a cambelt change within a few K miles.
I can spare £5-600 this month for repairs if needed but the fact is i'm thinking should I just give up and use that money to buy an interim vehicle? I kind of have to decide inside the week as I need a legal car to get to work.
What would you do?
Baz
43
General Car Chat / Another year, another MOT passed
« on: 27 June 2009, 21:18:53 »
With the help of a few questions and much forum searching i've kept the mig going for another year. Pretty much all thanks to you guys as i'd have given up and sold it by now otherwise
Final task was a replacement screen and they fitted a nice shiny UV reflective one, amazing how much better it looked without all the little scratches it had picked up!
Final task was a replacement screen and they fitted a nice shiny UV reflective one, amazing how much better it looked without all the little scratches it had picked up!
44
General Car Chat / Just got a new Bosal exhaust
« on: 25 June 2009, 12:34:22 »
Not sure if this info will help anyone but after looking at getting an exhaust online for £120+delivery I called my local (Slough) Protyre who quoted me £216 fully fitted vs £280 from the other big fitters.
As per the topic it was a Bosal and took them an hour and a half to fit. Liberal use of oxy meant that all bolts were removed intact and for good measure they ran taps through them again prior to fitting.
Obviously not as cheap as diy but a lot less hassle and more significantly 60 quid cheaper than any other fitter I called.
As per the topic it was a Bosal and took them an hour and a half to fit. Liberal use of oxy meant that all bolts were removed intact and for good measure they ran taps through them again prior to fitting.
Obviously not as cheap as diy but a lot less hassle and more significantly 60 quid cheaper than any other fitter I called.
45
General Discussion Area / Why I like Planet Rock
« on: 12 October 2010, 12:38:03 »
The DJ is commenting on Julia Roberts latest film "Eat, Pray, Love". "It's about a divorcee who goes round the world on a voyage of self discovery" pause "I notice a distinct lack of car crashes and aliens in the plot, think i'll give it a miss"