Your fleet running reports

drcarlos
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by drcarlos »

My solar charger doesn't have enough guts :cry: . Went to start the Subaru, just to turn it over and check everything was OK and the it groaned over a couple of times and started clicking with the alarm spazzing out. I stuck the conditioner (showed down to 10 volts initially) on it for 24 hours and it fired up straight away. Will have to get a bigger panel for next year and use this little one on the caravan in the summer.
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jamcg
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by jamcg »

nuttinnew wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2020 5:30 am Bump :oops:
nuttinnew wrote: Thu Jan 16, 2020 5:45 pm Any ideas on this, chaps? I went across a bridge t'other day, and going over the expansion joint felt like going up a kerb. It was a hell of an impact, but afterwards the dampers seemed to work better (maybe even just worked where they didn't before), chalk and cheese different for the better :? All I can think is that as the dampers are also listed for things like the Fabia VRS, for once in their life they've been subjected to loads more like they'd get there than in the much lighter A2.
I’d be checking for broken springs, and looking for any fluid loss from the dampers if there’s that much change, especially at the spring seats in case an end has broken and it’s reseated itself
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integrale_evo
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by integrale_evo »

My first thought was broken springs, but when they snap they usually sit lower and due to being fewer coils actually ride firmer.

However I'm at a loss as to work out what could have happened, unless it's popped or freed up one of the valves in the dampers or has 'popped' the pressurised gas filled section so they're now working as a traditional old fashioned oil damper.

I'd put money on it being something to do with the dampers rather than a bush or joint thing.
Cheers, Harry
V8Granite
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by V8Granite »

Even though a spring supports the car when the suspension is moving the damper changes how the spring feels. A firm damper but a soft spring will feel comfortable on smooth undulations but a firm jolt will feel very similar to a hard spring.

I wonder what old shock oil looks like on an underworked car ?

Dave!
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NotoriousREV
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by NotoriousREV »

I think we need to define what “better” actually means here. Softer?
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Mito Man
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by Mito Man »

Think the only solution is to burn it, or add some viagra in the fuel tank.
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nuttinnew
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by nuttinnew »

NotoriousREV wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2020 4:38 pm I think we need to define what “better” actually means here. Softer?

In a way, yes. Maybe like the difference in a van (or an estate) between unladen and having weight in it, that the suspension has gained travel and isn't just relying on the squidge in the tyres. Not soft, but not up on tiptoes like it was before. Smoother.
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Sundayjumper
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by Sundayjumper »

Gearbox oil & filter changed today. An easy but messy job.

There’s a very large undertray that runs from the front crossmember to well past the gearbox, held on with *twenty one* screws. A bit of a faff to remove but the upside is that everything inside is nice and clean. No manky rusty stuff to deal with.

The oil didn’t look or smell bad, it was a dark brown, but not as dark as a mole. The new fluid is the colour of pale golden urine. The old filter was date marked 2011 so presumably the original and I’ve no evidence the fluid was any newer.

I’m not sure that it feels any different though. Which might be a good thing, maybe the old fluid was not original and was still in spec, but OTOH the gearbox apparently constantly adjusts to the characteristics of its oil so maybe it just needs a few miles before it becomes apparent.

No sign of the suspension parts that should have been here yesterday, so I guess I have another week of vague steering before I can get that done.
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16vCento
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by 16vCento »

Sundayjumper wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2020 5:58 pm Gearbox oil & filter changed today. An easy but messy job.

There’s a very large undertray that runs from the front crossmember to well past the gearbox, held on with *twenty one* screws. A bit of a faff to remove but the upside is that everything inside is nice and clean. No manky rusty stuff to deal with.

The oil didn’t look or smell bad, it was a dark brown, but not as dark as a mole. The new fluid is the colour of pale golden urine. The old filter was date marked 2011 so presumably the original and I’ve no evidence the fluid was any newer.

I’m not sure that it feels any different though. Which might be a good thing, maybe the old fluid was not original and was still in spec, but OTOH the gearbox apparently constantly adjusts to the characteristics of its oil so maybe it just needs a few miles before it becomes apparent.

No sign of the suspension parts that should have been here yesterday, so I guess I have another week of vague steering before I can get that done.
Have you done an adaptation reset and drive cycle?

When I change the gearbox oil on my S60 I have to do it and then it definitely makes a difference.

Used to have to do it on 6 speed ZF boxes a lot to stop them banging into 1st gear when slowing down, not sure on BMW stuff as to what box or software they use but just an idea.
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Sundayjumper
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by Sundayjumper »

16vCento wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2020 7:44 pm Have you done an adaptation reset and drive cycle?
Is that the hold-the-throttle-down-for-thirty-seconds thing ? I've not done it, no. And you're right about the model - it's a 6HP26.
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Mito Man
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by Mito Man »

I think that’s the same gearbox as the 645, felt like night and day difference when I changed it last year. I joked that it I were blindfolded it would feel no different to a Rolls Royce around town to which I was told that it’s the same box :lol:
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16vCento
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by 16vCento »

Sundayjumper wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2020 8:42 pm
16vCento wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2020 7:44 pm Have you done an adaptation reset and drive cycle?
Is that the hold-the-throttle-down-for-thirty-seconds thing ? I've not done it, no. And you're right about the model - it's a 6HP26.
No it was a proper software download and then a drive cycle with IDS plugged in. You had to hold it at set rpms in each gear, then slow from 60mph-0mph without using the brakes. Obviously these things are set up to be done on track and not the real world, it was bloody hard work finding the space!
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Sundayjumper
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by Sundayjumper »

I found this, sounds like what you’re talking about ?

Shifting Adaptations:

Executing the following is highly recommended after a fluid change for improved shifting quality:

Vehicle should be at normal operating temperature, transmission shifter in normal mode not sports.
Accelerate from a rest through the gears on a moderate throttleuntil 6thgear is engaged (about 55mph).
Release throttle and allow car to coast down almost to a halt, do not use the brake until the car is at walking pace (if the brake is used at any time whilst the transmission is above 2nd gear the adaption process for this cycle will be aborted).
Note: using a slight uphill gradient will help the car slow much quicker. If traffic conditions necessitate the use of the brakes during theacceleration or coasting process the cycle will have to be repeated.
Hold foot on brake for 15 seconds once car has come to a halt.
Repeat this process a total of 5 times


2-1 Tip in Thump:

Vehicle should be at normal operating temperature, transmission shifter in normal mode not sports.
accelerate gently to 15 MPH
Briskly Decelerate using ample braking power until 1 MPH
“Rapidly” Accelerate using 50%-75% throttle
Repeat the process a total of 6 times
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16vCento
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by 16vCento »

Yep that sounds very much like it!

I would have thought adaptations would need clearing first though from the TCM but again I'm not sure on BMWs.
KevH18
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by KevH18 »

DeskJockey wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2020 3:12 pm
16vCento wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2020 3:08 pm
KevH18 wrote: Thu Jan 16, 2020 1:35 pm

I did read an Autocar review after I saw one for sale and even new, they weren't very complimentary about them.
Possibly going to look at a 2010 Mazda 6 Sport diesel wagon on Saturday. Seems suspiciously cheap at £1800 but it does say it only has part service history. Trying to find out what it might have missed by getting before a service interval guide before I see it.
If it's a 2.2d be very careful if the history isn't there, they have a tendency for snapping timing chains and destroying themselves in a very un-Mazda like way!
Mine also had a recall to update the software to account for the chain stretching over time. Had a TS on an 09 plate for about 50k miles (bought with 73k on the clock), apart from a couple of seized brake calipers it never went wrong. Good cars.
Won an auction for 2012 2.2d Sport h/back. 145k miles but won it for £1420. Says full service history and recently had the timing chain replaced. Going to get a mechanic to look over it before I pay for it.
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integrale_evo
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by integrale_evo »

Decent day tinkering on the merc.

Thermostat swapped, simple enough. Temp now sits at a notch over 80 on the digital display instead of around 60 and dropping at high speed on a cool day.

Pleased to see the old original was the same brand as the new one ( wahler - same as BMW ) and could even see part of the Mercedes part number which they hadn't ground off.

Did the front arb bushes too, this was a bit more involved because they were bonded to the arb and had to be cut off. New ones aren't quite the same shape but seemed to go on ok, and no more creaking during low speed manouvering.
Cheers, Harry
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McSwede
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by McSwede »

Had a couple of different days this weekend working on the MX5. Yesterday we managed to snap one of the camshaft pulley wheel locator pins 😱 which haled proceedings when we were doing the cambelt and water pump swap. I got the front discs and pads done though.

The drive belt that's attached to the crank which sits Infront of the camshaft drive looked like it'd come up from the Titanic. Luckily we managed to get the 4x10mm bolts out but would it come off?? Would it fuck. Saturday was drawn to an end.

We went back today and had much more success. We drilled out the old pin in the camshaft and replace it with another one we made. The immoveable drive belt wheel finally came off and was attacked with a wire wheel on a grinder then sprayed black. Cambelt, water pump and associated gubbins was fitted but took multiple attempts to get the timing marks lined up but it's done. Then started refitting the front covers.

New rear calipers coming Monday and my Dad's cleaning out the radiator so we can get it refitted and refilled with coolant, get the oil filled and an engine flush to do then put some decent oil in, plugs and filters.

Then I can see about getting springs and dampers fitted as well as seeing what else needs doing.
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McSwede
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by McSwede »

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DeskJockey
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by DeskJockey »

KevH18 wrote: Sun Jan 19, 2020 3:13 pm
DeskJockey wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2020 3:12 pm
16vCento wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2020 3:08 pm

If it's a 2.2d be very careful if the history isn't there, they have a tendency for snapping timing chains and destroying themselves in a very un-Mazda like way!
Mine also had a recall to update the software to account for the chain stretching over time. Had a TS on an 09 plate for about 50k miles (bought with 73k on the clock), apart from a couple of seized brake calipers it never went wrong. Good cars.
Won an auction for 2012 2.2d Sport h/back. 145k miles but won it for £1420. Says full service history and recently had the timing chain replaced. Going to get a mechanic to look over it before I pay for it.
That sounds like a potential bargain!
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Broccers
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Re: Your fleet running reports

Post by Broccers »

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Been for a lunchtime blast. Proper fun. Might have to explore a top gear switchable exhaust.
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