Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

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.

106

General Car Chat / Spotted in Switzerland

« on: 30 March 2017, 18:27:10 »

This week's work has taken me to a small village just outside Basel. The wether is good and as I'm largely done for the week I debunked at 5pm and have had a bottle or so of he local plonk on the sun terrace.

So far I've spotted a brace of those new Maserati 4x4's, Aston Martin DB9 and V8, 911s are two a penny, oh and someone who commutes in a bloody Ferrari Dino!

I've also spotted 3 Omega while I've been here, 2 estates and a saloon, no badges on any of them though  . One was for sale at a dealer for the best part of 5,000CHF!

107

General Car Chat / Sized up the BMW's replacement

« on: 26 March 2017, 17:09:10 »

Took a trip out this afternoon to see what could be done about the BMW's replacement and ended up at the Volvo dealership. 

I took a test drive in a V60 "estate" (read reasonably generous hatchback) and was really really inpressed. The seats are the comfiest I have ever say in in a car and the refinement was excellent. Then the subject of discounts came up.

It turns out they do a rather nice deal if you're a chartered accountant (bizarre I know) which amounted to about £6k off the list price - which is about what online comparisons would give you, 3yrs/54k free servicing, free metallic paint, free extended warranty to 5yrs/100k. 

I haven't signed on the dotted line yet but tbh I think it's more or less a foregone conclusion 

Also saves. 50page thread discussing the options
PS. I did some working out and even driving nearly 30k a year, the tax on company cars is just too draconian.

108

General Discussion Area / Worcester Royal Hospital living up to its (sh!tty) reputation

« on: 21 March 2017, 22:37:05 »

My father is in the Worcester Royal with a serious blood infection that's chosen to "nest" in his wrist and heart valves. When he was admitted to A&E we were told how serious it was and that he had to be on a programme of intravenous antibiotics every 12 hrs, his condition was serious enough that we couldn't transfer him to a BUPA hospital, which would have been our first choice. Due to the length of stay, a cannula was fitted in his upper arm for the drugs to be administered.

It all went wrong about 2 days ago when the cannula became blocked, either due to poor fitting or inadequate cleaning, there then followed a 36hr period of no antibiotics while he waited for a new one to be fitted and 3 nurses tried and failed to put a regular needle into the back of his hand, which now looks like its been bitten by a dog. Finally, today a fresh (and very painful) cannula was fitted in his neck. 

The truly amazing thing was the condescending and frankly rude attitude of the ward sister and her associates when challenged on any of this. The fact that he wasn't receiving treatment was initially met with the response "well I'm sure it'll all be sorted out tomorrow, so stop worrying". All I can say is I'm glad I wasn't in the room when my mother rather got that response - I now know why they have security guards on wards! 

I would have some sympathy with the situation if any of this had ANYTHING to do with funding. Being able to administer drugs and take blood from a patient is surely the most absolutely basic thing a medical professional has to do.

And lets not discuss the nurse who was discovered sleeping in the day room during her shift. 

109

General Car Chat / Learning to rebuild an engine

« on: 13 March 2017, 13:37:21 »

Reading James' thread on the BMW has really grabbed my interest in doing a project once our house move is complete (hopefully later this year). SWMBO has said absolutely minimal DIY on the next place so that will leave me with a lot of spare time on my hands. The first order of the day will be to sort, fettle and sell the kit car, to make some space, but once that's done I like the idea of a project to get my teeth into.

The thing is, I can do most maintenance on cars, Cam belts, suspension components, service items etc etc. However that's all pretty much just taking bits off, replacing some and putting the rest back where you found them  . That's very different to what James has been doing with lapping the valves, etc and my question on this is:

- For those of you that can, how did you learn to rebuild an engine?
- Are there any good resources available to learn how to perform a rebuild?
- How do you assess what components need to be replaced as part of a rebuild?

110

General Car Chat / You're having a Giraffe!

« on: 23 February 2017, 17:11:13 »

New cat-back sections are on the list for the desmond (slight blowing and looking underneath, there are half a dozen spots on the way out), had a ring round and my local places want no less than £380 to do the work  .

Now I realise that everyone has to make a living, workshop costs etc etc. But the parts are available online with a 2yr warranty for under £100 so I would have thought it would be a similar cast for trade (at most). Even allowing £150 for the kit, I've yet to see an exhaust change take an hour, even allowing for two, that's still charging the sunny side of £110/hr  . Even my BMW main stealer doesn't have the balls to try and charge that much!

Methinks they either don't want the work or are out for a scalp.

I really didn't want to DIY this as I don't have a lift or a pit, but for over £300, I'd best get my a$$ on the driveway.

111

General Discussion Area / Interesting sort of day

« on: 21 February 2017, 14:32:58 »

I'm currently working in West France near Nantes, our place makes mounded plastic tanks for agriculture (fuel, ad blu, water etc for tractors). Not that interesting.

However, it faces an enormous Airbus facility, so big in fact it has its own hopper bus service.  I've been able to watch the Belugas taking off and landing all day, and they have what looks like a DC3 parked over by the main entrance which I might try and have a look at this evening.

Sad, but it's keeping me entertained. 

112

General Car Chat / Anyone have any experience of the Volvo v70/S80?

« on: 15 February 2017, 12:03:17 »

In the hunt for a post omega/BMW vehicle I came across these and thought as a long term proposition they looked quite promising. In the "barely run in" state of about 1yr/10k old they seem to have dropped about 50% of their as new value and can be had very well specced for about £17k (a bit more for the v70).

I realise they will shed most of the other 50% of their value in short order so they are a long term proposition only but considering I'm likely to be getting up to around 18k/yr shortly, something that's £30 to tax and returns >50mpg in the real world whilst being brisk and extremely comfortable has a certain appeal.

I'd be looking at a D4 auto, so 180bhp and ample torque .

113

Omega General Help / Moving from a 2.2 CDX to 2.6 CD

« on: 08 February 2017, 13:19:46 »

I have arranged to go and have a look at a FL estate on Sunday, while only being a CD, it does have a 2.6 engine (main requirement) and is visually identical to my own car both inside and out. Its also rust free (allegedly) and low mileage. My plan is to swap over any bits that are relevant from my car into the 2.6, add some LPG and then sell the unwanted 2.2 sometime after its got a new MOT in March.

As far as I can tell, the relevant differences are:

- sunroof (funnily enough not readily retro-fitable  )
- xenons - not sure if this is possible due to self levelling. Potentially just some OSRAM nighbreakers instead. - can anyone advise?
- Headlamp washers - doesn't sound that hard, I saw a thread about it on here

Not sure if I've missed anything? Also, any advice on what to look out for on a FL 2.6 V6? I'm guessing I should look up what a multiram does, and how you fix it!

114

Omega General Help / Estate rear washer nozzle replacement

« on: 07 February 2017, 20:51:34 »

 I noticed tonight that there seems to be very little washer fluid hitting the rear window on the estate. Most of it lands on the floor about 3ft behind the car.

Normally I just adjust these using a pin In The "eye" of the washer, however looking at it tonight there isn't one, just a plain hole. So either it's dropped out or been drilled out at some point. Or maybe it's a different design on the omega  .

So, question is, is the FL omega estate rear washer nozzle shared with other GM estates of the day? I'm thinking Vec B/C or Astra. Reason I ask is that a quick eBay search doesn't show any omega ones for sale 

115

General Car Chat / Well, what a thoroughly pleasant surprise

« on: 03 February 2017, 13:27:34 »

So, due to the BMW debacle, I am back in the Desmond for at least a while. I'd already popped a new battery and battery connector on the old girl so I know she started, took her out yesterday to check the tyre pressures and provide the obligatory Italian tune-up. Then this morning, 5.50am hopped in. 3hrs and a fautless 90miles later and I'm in the offfice.

I had genuinely forgotten what a comfy old bus she is! Nice heated seat, great stereo & phone integration and a really soft ride on the 16" wheels. Its made me realise just how much I'm going to have to spend to fund something better. Certainly north of £5k and probably up near £10k. It still climbs up and down the gearbox far more than I'd like, but for the time being I can forgive it that!

A decent elite v6 may well be the way to go when all the dust has settled. If I can ever find one 

116

General Discussion Area / The correct result

« on: 01 February 2017, 19:53:38 »

And due political process has been observed 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38833883

117

General Car Chat / Off to look at a 3.2 Vectra C - what to look out for?

« on: 31 January 2017, 22:43:35 »

Following the demise of my M140i (again), I am on the look out for a new motor. 

I have decided to put the Desmond on the road for a month or two while I purchase and fettle its replacement (most likely with added lpg). I have a couple of little jobs to do on it to get it ready for sale (sticky ignition switch and blow in the join between the cat and middle exhaust sections) plus the MOT is up in March, I am 99.9% confident it will pass, with no advisories once I join the exhaust properly, but until I put a fresh ticket on it, its basically unsaleable.

I have spotted a good looking Vectra C 3.2 v6 auto with less than 100k on the clock and a good wedge of history. Its Elite spec so has the necessary minimum toys: leather, heated seats, etc. looks promising 

But, as I have not had dealings with the 3.2 I'm not sure what I'm looking for. I understand the basic lump is the same as the omega, but that the inlet manifolds are different, so thats belts and pump every 4yrs/40k? Also, what's the auto box like on these? I'm guessing its not going to be the same, or as strong as the omega as it has to squeeze into the gap between the flywheel and the wheel arch liner. 

Also, any general tips on the Vec C? all I know about it so far is that its ugly as sin and bloody enormous. Also, they seem to wear well inside, there's a few taxis with 250k + on autotrader, and other than worn steering wheels and gear knobs, the interiors look in good fettle.

118

Omega General Help / Renewing ignition tumblers

« on: 16 January 2017, 15:53:57 »

so, with the issue with my Bimmer not being resolved, it looks more and more likely that I'll be back in the mig, at least temporarily and possibly for a year or two while I decide what to do next. To that end, I need to fix a few of the niggles that I wasn't going to bother with if I was getting shot of it.

One of those niggles is the ignition getting stuck as the key won't turn. I understand this is due to wear on the tumblers meaning they don't dis-engage properly from the ignition barrel. Question is, where can I source new ones? Alternatively, can I just file/grind the lobes off the tumblers so they disengage from the barrel?

I know technically the second option means you could start the car with a spoon, but seeing as its got an immobiliser I'm not too worried about that! I don't want to fit a separate barrel and lock as I want the doors to work off the same key.

119

General Car Chat / One for the BMW haters- fill yer boots!

« on: 11 January 2017, 15:59:21 »

So,

After 4 months and 4350 miles, my M140i has left me on the back of a low loader bound for the supplying dealer. The problem: complete and total failure of all the electrics, all at the same time.  .

I was driving along quite happily when suddenly, no power, no lights, now power steering. I even lost Ken Bruce! I was left at the side of the road, unable to proceed, or even turn on my hazard lights. Then, after a few minutes, all was well again. Just as if it had never happened. Thankfully I had my phone and was able to video the scene, otherwise I'd be tempted to think I was going off my rocker. 

To say I'm cheesed off is a gross understatement. If I can't get a good explanation from the dealer and a quick repair, they can keep the bloody thing!

120

Omega Electrical and Audio Help / OBD port not working

« on: 09 December 2016, 00:26:57 »

So, I decided to hook up my el cheapo OBD scanner to see if there were any stored codes (CEL is not on) and see what info was on there.  When I hook up my code reader it sits there for 1min or so doing a read and then comes back with "communication error!" 

I'm 99.9% certain this is an issue with the car rather than he reader as I have 3 scanners (2 cheapo orange ones, 1 from Argos, one from eBay and a wifi one that talks to my phone) and all give variations on the same error. I've tested the wifi ones on the bimmer and they talk just fine.

So far, my understanding is this:
1. Being a late model FL Desmond, it should be OBD compliant
2. I don't think it's a problem with the fuse as all the code readers power up fine.

Are the above correct? And if so does anyone have any suggestions as to what to look for as a diagnosis?

I should probably also mention that the only other issue that's even vaguely connected is that the temperature gauge had gone into a sulk and won't move more than about 1mm off its stop. However I do t think this is connected as iirc the temp circuit on the dash is just resistance on a wire, it doesn't talk to the ecu/ gauge cluster at all. Could be wrong though 

Any pointers greatly appreciated!