Your fleet running reports

[integrale_evo]

They did body styling bits for quite a lot of cars in the 80s, mostly German stuff unsurprisingly. And steering wheels.

[Sundayjumper]

The ABS/ASC fault on the Compact is fixed. The error being reported was for the return pump. It only took a small amount of research to find that the pumps themselves rarely fail, and it is usually a solder joint gone bad. And it was.

Unfortunately I rather destroyed the plastic casing on the way in so I’ve ordered a complete spare pump & controller from eBay for a huge £29.50. I’ll wait until the duct tape repair to the old one falls off, then swap them over.

It’s still some way from being MOT-able but I can use it for the Basingstoke Motor Club “Grasshopper” autotest on the 2nd as the cars don’t need to be road legal. Should be fun.

[Mito Man]

6 series now changes up perfectly but does a really rough 2-1 gearchange now, bastard.
Also in more random news I’ve found something which must apply to every E series BMW with xenons. Pulling the main beam stalk gives mains via the xenons getting brighter but pushing the stalk only turns on the halogens whilst keeping the xenons on their dipped beam brightness. It seems completely pointless and weird, is it just some redundancy measure?

[Simon]

Thought I'd tackle one of the jobs that's been bugging me. The car always things the windscreen washer fluid is low, even when it isn't. I've got access to it now and had the fluid level sensor out of the bottle and.... it's buggered. Completely missing its float and sensor part. Wow. When I got the car it was obvious that someone had done some work at the front as the washer bottle neck wasn't straight and some wires were routed incorrectly around it. This is obviously a consequence of the same work by Mr Bodget or Mr Scarper, whoever worked on it last.

I've ordered a new one and will fit it next weekend.

[mik]

Also in more random news I’ve found something which must apply to every E series BMW with xenons. Pulling the main beam stalk gives mains via the xenons getting brighter but pushing the stalk only turns on the halogens whilst keeping the xenons on their dipped beam brightness. It seems completely pointless and weird, is it just some redundancy measure?

Please explain more clearly - no comprende.

And xenons getting brighter? Non.

[Mito Man]

No I’ve read about it. The normal main beam moves a metal shutter changing the beam pattern for the xenons (the light doesn’t actually change in intensity). The other main beam keeps the xenon beam pattern dipped but turns on the halogens. Pretty weird.

[JLv3.0]

Maybe they change angle? Dunno - I also had to read it a few times and am still none the wiser.

edit - OK that actually makes perfect sense. Xenons for dipped beam spread combined with halogens for main beam when you're using them to drive - but why bother using more energy when you just want to flash high beams, as you would do if you triggered the halogens?

Easier to just use the existing bulbs and make them more visible. Also if you have bi-xenons, they need some time to warm up, so using the main-beam xenons as the flasherers isn't ideal.

#Germans

[Matty]

Nearly 2 months after selling the Elise, and I'm no closer to finding a decent replacement. For someone with a modest budget to run 2 cars, they're really, really difficult to look past. Cheap to run, low tax, minimal depreciation. You look at other "second cars" like F-Types, Boxsters/Caymans, etc and the maintenance and potential for bills is leagues higher.

I did come close to buying a 4C twice, I've now missed the boat as prices have increased +£5k in the last two months I'm still in the market for an Evora, but I don't think my budget and 'wants' are matching up, barring some kind of miracle...they can throw up some bills too.

Moan moan, 1st world problems etc. Maybe I'll just save for another 6 months and buy a Quadrifoglio.

[Coaster1]

Moan moan, 1st world problems etc. Maybe I'll just save for another 6 months and buy a Quadrifoglio.

‘Sounds like it’s one of them good problems’ - Marlo

[Gavin]

The ignition will not turn in the Volvo. Googling suggests a rubbish design that allows a small bit of metal to detach itself and block the ignition. I will head back to my mate's house where it was left with a few posidrives and a crowbar and follow the instructions on an allegedly simple fix tomorrow!

[duncs500]

As long as the level drops to roughly where it was when cold again you're fine. It's why they always say check the level when cold

Well the level didn't rebound to the level it was at. It's got to be escaping somewhere. If it's a dodgy house connection, does anyone know if that Radweld stuff works?

Getting a bit fed up now.

[JLv3.0]

It's Band-Aid engineering at best. Get it fixed properly mate.

[speedingfine]

As long as the level drops to roughly where it was when cold again you're fine. It's why they always say check the level when cold

Well the level didn't rebound to the level it was at. It's got to be escaping somewhere. If it's a dodgy house connection, does anyone know if that Radweld stuff works?

Getting a bit fed up now.

It's a kit car Duncs, it's going to have some issues on occasion. Have you replaced header tank cap yet? Otherwise look all over the hoses and connections, checking/refitting jubilee clips, looking for possible signs of leaks (pink fluid residue) and don't use radweld Has it got silicon hoses?

[JLv3.0]

Radweld is awful shit. It's never fixed anything that's actually broken and gums up the cooling system. Avoid!

Coolant leaks aren't rocket science. Pressure test the system, fix it and you'll be home in time for tea and medals.

[Marv]

Radweld is awful shit. It's never fixed anything that's actually broken and gums up the cooling system. Avoid!

I'd put it in a £500 car for shits and giggles, if the rad was leaking, but on a decent car? Fuck that.

[JLv3.0]

Metal has never been fixed with liquids.

OK there's some wiggle room there but the theory holds.

[duncs500]

Metal has never been fixed with liquids..

What about when the metal becomes a liquid?

Alright, well worth asking as theoretically it could have been an easy fix.

[JLv3.0]

There are no easy fixes.

We done for knowledge bombs?

[Mito Man]

There is an obvious easy fix. Will cost you more than some radweld but ffs at least it will let you enjoy your car for the few months of decent weather we have left.

[Simon]

Just had the MoT done (conveniently over the road from the office.



And no advisories. But considering what I've done to the car over the last few weeks it's what I'd expect...