OV9

Zoe now sports new wipers front and rear. Took all of two minutes to replace them, and no more grumbling across the screens when using them.

So easy and satisfying.

New wiper blades are one of the best things in the world.

Fitted the new battery to the Aston yesterday. The one in the car was an Aston-branded Varta. Surely can’t be the original ? That would be nearly 18 years old. No obvious date stamp on it to confirm.


The replacement Yuasa is the same physical size but higher spec - 100 Ah & 900 CCA. Better tech these days ? It certainly cranks over nicely now.

Then in for an MOT this morning and the colours be flying high Quite a relief that, it’s been sat completely unused for over a year, since before the last MOT ran out in Sep ‘23 and it only did about 200 miles under that one.

And Disco time, the aluminium inlet manifolds finally arrived. I ordered a set from Aliexpress on 4th Nov and the seller turned out to be useless. Delay, delay, then they cancelled the order without telling me why. Aliexpress refunded me. Ordered another set on 22 Nov and they arrived yesterday. From the tracking detail most of that time was customs clearance. Leaving China, coming via Holland for some reason (meaning they entered the EU then left it again), and then UK customs of course. Aliexpress collect the VAT when you place the order and I didn’t get charged any import duty. £160.44 all in which is about half what the UK sellers charge for them. Work is fully stood down 20th Dec to 6th Jan so I’ll hopefully have time to fit them during the Christmas break.

Sundayjumper wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 9:53 am And Disco time, the aluminium inlet manifolds finally arrived.

Ooh - I missed why you need them?

Sundayjumper wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 9:44 am


IMG_3190.jpeg

Don't put too many miles on it you maniac!!!

Sundayjumper wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 9:53 am And Disco time, the aluminium inlet manifolds finally arrived. I ordered a set from Aliexpress on 4th Nov and the seller turned out to be useless. Delay, delay, then they cancelled the order without telling me why. Aliexpress refunded me. Ordered another set on 22 Nov and they arrived yesterday. From the tracking detail most of that time was customs clearance. Leaving China, coming via Holland for some reason (meaning they entered the EU then left it again), and then UK customs of course. Aliexpress collect the VAT when you place the order and I didn’t get charged any import duty. £160.44 all in which is about half what the UK sellers charge for them. Work is fully stood down 20th Dec to 6th Jan so I’ll hopefully have time to fit them during the Christmas break.


IMG_3181.jpeg

They look very nice and shiny

mik wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 10:08 am

Sundayjumper wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 9:53 am And Disco time, the aluminium inlet manifolds finally arrived.

Ooh - I missed why you need them?

I'm not entirely sure I do but it's one of the possibilities. As you're well aware these cars do love to give you little challenges !

It reasonably regularly goes into limp mode and records an error code for MAF / MAP correlation, i.e. the amount of air coming in doesn't agree with the pressure recorded in the inlet manifold, i.e. there's probably a leak somewhere. It'll cruise on the motorway at 70, 80 mph no problem at all but reliably does it on a long 40-50mph uphill drag near here, i.e. when it's demanding some sustained boost. The MAFs & the MAP sensor produce sensible readings so I don't think they're at fault.

The OEM plastic manifolds are known to crack. Even if they're not the problem in this case it's some preventative maintenance as they *will* crack at some point. And taking the manifolds off will let me get a closer look at other gubbins too. And I'm a bit of a sucker for those jobs. And I quite like the car so far. If I can get it reliable it might be a keeper.

Sundayjumper wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 10:38 am <stuff>

Sounds logical. Nice purchase.

Not my photo but here’s an example of a cracked manifold. A small crack can be nearly invisible until the system is pressurised.

And new OEM manifolds are £300 each and will probably fail again at some point.

I bought the smoke tester below in a deal about 3 years ago. Absolutely fantastic in dealing with piece of crap VAG breathers and general air leaks.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AUTOOL-Automo ... 0aWM&psc=1

Dave!

My ebay watch list contains several of the cheaper ones from the same brand ! It's next on my list if the manifolds don't cure it.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255096501447

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255784103903

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256647812173

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254725255570

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255109237595

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256162489162

Yeti MOT... failure - the passenger side LED indicator in the mirror isn't working. Ordered one off eBay, now to try and fit it without breaking the glass, breaking the clips, damaging the housing, ...
'major defect' apparently . But not classed as 'dangerous' so looks like I can still drive it legally.

Huh, I always assumed those would be 'optional'. I'll have to keep an eye on that then, seeing as I have them on the M135i, too.

No lights are considered optional for the MOT. If they are fitted - they have to work.

mik wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:54 pm No lights are considered optional for the MOT. If they are fitted - they have to work.

so if I cover both sides with some black gaffer tape....

mik wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:54 pm No lights are considered optional for the MOT. If they are fitted - they have to work.

I’m sure I looked at this the other day and for rear fog lights only the offside needs to work.

My car MOT’d this morning has a non-working nearside rear fog light

Sundayjumper wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 4:26 pm

mik wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 3:54 pm No lights are considered optional for the MOT. If they are fitted - they have to work.

I’m sure I looked at this the other day and for rear fog lights only the offside needs to work.

My car MOT’d this morning has a non-working nearside rear fog light

Looks like you are correct. 4.5.4.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspect ... tion-4-5-1

Interesting that it says

Front and rear fog lamps are permitted to operate independently of any other lamps or ignition systems.

when usually they’re configured to only operate in conjunction with the main lights. Must be a requirement of some other bit of legislation.