The "Today I did something to my car" thread

E39MSport · 30-11-2011 5:03pm

oh yeah

Mr Benevolent · 30-11-2011 6:06pm

ARRGH!

Today I failed miserably at doing something to my car. Six hours of work and nothing to show for it. First I tried swapping the thermostat but got stuck on getting the jubilee clips off - no screw/bolt mechanism on them to take them off. I practised on the donor thermostat first, thank fcuk I did or I'd have a car without any coolant for tomorrow.

Second, I tried to change the steering wheel. Straightforward until i got to taking the steering hub boss nut off. Impossible, couldn't get enough leverage to undo the 24mm nut. Zipped the car back up and I'm back where I started, but at least I didn't cause any damage. Very frustrating day.

E39MSport · 30-11-2011 10:32pm

Hate that man - helps appreciate the good days even more though

Nissan doctor · 30-11-2011 10:49pm

Confab wrote: »

ARRGH!

Today I failed miserably at doing something to my car. Six hours of work and nothing to show for it. First I tried swapping the thermostat but got stuck on getting the jubilee clips off - no screw/bolt mechanism on them to take them off. I practised on the donor thermostat first, thank fcuk I did or I'd have a car without any coolant for tomorrow.

Second, I tried to change the steering wheel. Straightforward until i got to taking the steering hub boss nut off. Impossible, couldn't get enough leverage to undo the 24mm nut. Zipped the car back up and I'm back where I started, but at least I didn't cause any damage. Very frustrating day.

Even if you had got the nut off, getting the steering wheel off the column can be even harder!

E39MSport · 30-11-2011 10:57pm

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Even if you had got the nut off, getting the steering wheel off the column can be even harder!

For sure. I found the nut very easy on the LS but couldn't get the wheel off without the ST so gave up.

L-M · 30-11-2011 11:02pm

I drove from Crusheen in Clare, to my house (About 55kms) on the red light, at half 2 in the morning. The red light came on before I stopped.

Great craic I must say, just shows how mighty the car can be if I drive it at 60 mpg and tip along.

damo86 · 30-11-2011 11:12pm

yip the ol daysul's are great, happened in the uk once think id did about 40miles. the miles to go showed 0 for quite some time!!

Fitted one of these a few days ago:
http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/25/111/241/AVIC-F3210BT/index.html

fitted the gps receiver on the top left of the windscreen and the microphone from the overhead dome lights, wires nicely hidden.

Defo saved a few bob by not going the rns510, bluetooth module and iPod module route!

Mr Benevolent · 30-11-2011 11:15pm

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Even if you had got the nut off, getting the steering wheel off the column can be even harder!

Think I'm going to have to bring it to you to get it off so

There's a safety issue with the passenger seat rail I need to get fixed too.

Nissan doctor · 30-11-2011 11:30pm

Limerick man wrote: »

I drove from Crusheen in Clare, to my house (About 55kms) on the red light, at half 2 in the morning. The red light came on before I stopped.

Great craic I must say, just shows how mighty the car can be if I drive it at 60 mpg and tip along.

I drove from Ardee to Omagh and back with the fuel light on in the skyline.
200kms in a 3.5L v6:eek: After the top gear episode where Clarkson drove the Audi to Scotland and me saying how economical the skyline could be if you drove it a certain way...the lads bet me I couldn't it.....I won a free tank of petrol:)

Confab wrote: »

Think I'm going to have to bring it to you to get it off so There's a safety issue with the passenger seat rail I need to get fixed too.

Any time....after next thursday, cos I won't be in work till then.:P

dgt · 30-11-2011 11:32pm

Filled my van with petrol in the middle of Blanch retail park using a funnel and jerry can :pac:

Mr Benevolent · 30-11-2011 11:37pm

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Any time....after next thursday, cos I won't be in work till then.:P

Good to know, thanks.

L-M · 01-12-2011 1:30pm

Who needs coilover adjusters when you've got 15 concrete blocks

378793_10151000194075176_805400175_22075113_698640871_n.jpg

EPM · 01-12-2011 1:34pm

Jesus that's low.

As an aside, I hope you have those rubbing strip holes plugged!!

L-M · 01-12-2011 2:54pm

EPM wrote: »

Jesus that's low.

As an aside, I hope you have those rubbing strip holes plugged!!

Jesus no! That'd make sense :pac:

challengemaster · 01-12-2011 8:38pm

Gwan, give us a view of that from behind... see what it looks like

L-M · 01-12-2011 8:39pm

challengemaster wrote: »

Gwan, give us a view of that from behind... see what it looks like

I took out the bricks so it now just looks like a normal, dirty, low white estate :L

Rich11 · 02-12-2011 2:42am

Today I serviced my own car for the first time, 1999 opel astra, before work today, oil, oil filter, pollen filter, air filter, drained coolent, front brake pad discs in good nic!, new wipers front and rear, have rear break shoes just wondering how to get the actual drum off, took the screw off.... pulled hammered, hammer and screwdriver but no look.....:mad:

Thanks in advance:)

L-M · 02-12-2011 4:16pm

Rich11 wrote: »

Today I serviced my own car for the first time, 1999 opel astra, before work today, oil, oil filter, pollen filter, air filter, drained coolent, front brake pad discs in good nic!, new wipers front and rear, have rear break shoes just wondering how to get the actual drum off, took the screw off.... pulled hammered, hammer and screwdriver but no look.....:mad:

Thanks in advance:)

Keep turning, keep hammering

Gary ITR · 02-12-2011 5:05pm

Rich11 wrote: »

Today I serviced my own car for the first time, 1999 opel astra, before work today, oil, oil filter, pollen filter, air filter, drained coolent, front brake pad discs in good nic!, new wipers front and rear, have rear break shoes just wondering how to get the actual drum off, took the screw off.... pulled hammered, hammer and screwdriver but no look.....:mad:

Thanks in advance:)

Have you tried shouting at it?

I'm having an intermittent problem with my fathers E200, cars belonging to ourselves always get shoved out the door to make way for paying customers so it hasn't really been looked at. When it does start throwing it's tantrum I shout at it until it runs properly

L-M · 02-12-2011 5:14pm

I put a LIDL dehumidifier in my car that Chris gave me, came out of work expecting my windows to be littered in water and no, dry as whistle.

Gary ITR · 02-12-2011 5:18pm

Limerick man wrote: »

I put a LIDL dehumidifier in my car that Chris gave me, came out of work expecting my windows to be littered in water and no, dry as whistle.

I told ya, don't leave it in the car though, it'll dry out your insides lol

L-M · 02-12-2011 5:23pm

Gary ITR wrote: »

I told ya, don't leave it in the car though, it'll dry out your insides lol

I'll be leaving it there until it bloody dries! (Or Chris comes for it)

I reckon it's because my back windows slide down ever so slighty, leaving moisture in.

That or the holes in me doors...

EPM · 02-12-2011 5:26pm

Limerick man wrote: »

I'll be leaving it there until it bloody dries! (Or Chris comes for it)

I reckon it's because my back windows slide down ever so slighty, leaving moisture in.

That or the holes in me doors...

or both

E39MSport · 02-12-2011 6:08pm

They'll draw atmospheric moisture in through the vents as the air in the car dries up unless you close them. My old sh1theaps do anyway.

It's a worthwhile exercise from time to time. Good for the electrics too.

langdang · 02-12-2011 6:25pm

Limerick man wrote: »

I put a LIDL dehumidifier in my car that Chris gave me, came out of work expecting my windows to be littered in water and no, dry as whistle.

Electric yoke or the pellet one? The pellet ones can take a lot of water but if you leave them there too long they will smell like something died in there. That's my experience from a maggoty Ford that had given up keeping rain out long ago.

L-M · 02-12-2011 6:29pm

langdang wrote: »

Electric yoke or the pellet one? The pellet ones can take a lot of water but if you leave them there too long they will smell like something died in there. That's my experience from a maggoty Ford that had given up keeping rain out long ago.

It's a pellet one, I'll remove it in a bit. My car smells anyway, it gets abuse :P

If I poured water in the boot and I'm faily sure the mixture of dust in there it would turn to concrete in an hour :P

sogood · 03-12-2011 12:18am

Rich11 wrote: »

Today I serviced my own car for the first time, 1999 opel astra, before work today, oil, oil filter, pollen filter, air filter, drained coolent, front brake pad discs in good nic!, new wipers front and rear, have rear break shoes just wondering how to get the actual drum off, took the screw off.... pulled hammered, hammer and screwdriver but no look.....:mad:

Thanks in advance:)

Make sure you dont have the handbrake on, that will lock up the brake drums. Leave the car in 1st gear and chock the front wheels. Might be that?

Standard Toaster · 03-12-2011 12:47am

K&N Typhoon 69-8001TS
Sounds the business

Ardennes1944 · 03-12-2011 1:06am

Is there a cold air feed? Or is it just placed where air comes through?

Standard Toaster · 03-12-2011 1:10am

Just placed where the air comes in, left original air intake to channel the cold air in as you can see in pic.
She's two heat shields, I think it will be fine, cold air feed would be overkill imho

Ardennes1944 · 03-12-2011 1:13am

Ah i was wondering what it was. Yeah i know but some come with cold air feed attachments

Rich11 · 03-12-2011 3:23am

Gary ITR wrote: »

Have you tried shouting at it?

I'm having an intermittent problem with my fathers E200, cars belonging to ourselves always get shoved out the door to make way for paying customers so it hasn't really been looked at. When it does start throwing it's tantrum I shout at it until it runs properly

Yep! Tried it:(:(.........................:D

MetzgerMeister · 03-12-2011 12:07pm

I put a bottle of Lucas octane booster into my tank today. Now to fill it up, disconnect and reconnect the battery to see if it actually works!

Anyone know of a good fuel additive that actual does increase the octane rating?

Owen · 03-12-2011 12:12pm

Got started on the GTM yesterday, battery from a normal classic Mini won't fit due to the terminal positions, so I'll have to extend the earth/live cable, no big deal. Went to crank it, and the starter made a half hearted effort to swing the engine and stopped. So either the starter's goosed, or the engine's slighly seized inside. Took out the plugs and poured some diesel into each cylinder which I'll leave in there for a day or two to hopefully free up the pistons, and tomorrow I'll take the car out of the garage and get under it to take off the starter and see what condition that's in.

The wiring's a complete mess. There's household wiring lying about the place with spade connectors on them not connected to anything, and the dashboard doesn't light up when the ignition key is turned. I'm thinking when I've more time, I'm going to rewire most of it and put in proper connectors too.

Made a decision on seats, there's worn out Porsche 944 seats in there, and for the price I could buy recovering kits for, I'll buy 2 leather seats secondhand, and hopefully ones with heating elements as it's a convertible and that'd make sense.

And picked out a colour scheme too

Kat1170 · 03-12-2011 4:02pm

einheisserschre wrote: »

I put a bottle of Lucas octane booster into my tank today. Now to fill it up, disconnect and reconnect the battery to see if it actually works!

Anyone know of a good fuel additive that actual does increase the octane rating?

Why do you need to do that ?

Gary ITR · 03-12-2011 4:09pm

einheisserschre wrote: »

I put a bottle of Lucas octane booster into my tank today. Now to fill it up, disconnect and reconnect the battery to see if it actually works!

Anyone know of a good fuel additive that actual does increase the octane rating?

Not just saying this because I sell it but Millers is the dogs, if we double the instructed amount we can run as much ignition as race fuel will allow in the race car. TestTransmission from here tried it on the dyno and had a fair increase in horsies

damo86 · 03-12-2011 4:26pm

Kat1170 wrote: »

Why do you need to do that ?

To reset the ECU I believe, so it adjusts the different grade of fuel.

johnos1984 · 03-12-2011 5:21pm

Today I put a new bonnet release cable into the MGF. I also done some work on the electric window.

I think checked fluids and found no coolant :eek:

No signs of any leaks so I'm puzzled as to where it went. Engine oil is a nice golden colour.

I'll drain whats left out tomorrow and refill the system and try and start it, which it wont do either

03-12-2011 5:44pm

johnos1984 wrote: »

Today I put a new bonnet release cable into the MGF. I also done some work on the electric window.

I think checked fluids and found no coolant :eek:

No signs of any leaks so I'm puzzled as to where it went. Engine oil is a nice golden colour.

I'll drain whats left out tomorrow and refill the system and try and start it, which it wont do either

Inlet manifold gasket might be worth a look at John, I'd try and get it started before draining and refilling the system tbh

TestTransmission · 03-12-2011 7:57pm

Gary ITR wrote: »

TestTransmission from here tried it on the dyno and had a fair increase in horsies

This is true, must get around to buying a case of it.It's not meant to be good for the cat but sure that's not an issue anymore.

mondeo · 03-12-2011 8:55pm

johnos1984 wrote: »

Today I put a new bonnet release cable into the MGF. I also done some work on the electric window.

I think checked fluids and found no coolant :eek:

No signs of any leaks so I'm puzzled as to where it went. Engine oil is a nice golden colour.

I'll drain whats left out tomorrow and refill the system and try and start it, which it wont do either

There is a long metal coolant pipe coming from the back of the car up to the front where the radiator is. Have a good look at it if you have not checked it already. It's a known failure point.

johnos1984 · 03-12-2011 8:59pm

RoverJames wrote: »

Inlet manifold gasket might be worth a look at John, I'd try and get it started before draining and refilling the system tbh

Problem is I've tried everything to start it with no success. I reckon it's due to dampness and cold really from standing in the garage

@Mondeo It's been parked up in a garage and hasn't moved since October. No stains anywhere on the floor of the shed so can't see it being a burst pipe. I think RJ is on the ball with the inlet manifold gasket

dgt · 03-12-2011 9:03pm

Changed my starter

The old one was...

Sticking :rolleyes:

03-12-2011 9:07pm

johnos1984 wrote: »

Problem is I've tried everything to start it with no success.............

Did you pull the plugs out

johnos1984 · 03-12-2011 9:10pm

RoverJames wrote: »

Did you pull the plugs out

Went to do it today and could't find my plug wrench

03-12-2011 9:12pm

...bummer

On a lighter note that's something for you to check.

johnos1984 · 03-12-2011 9:14pm

RoverJames wrote: »

...bummer
On a lighter note that's something for you to check.

Something similar happened the Maxi so I wasn't really concerned about it until the coolant disappeared. I put in a new battery and then hooked up a booster pack and it fired straight away

eringobragh · 03-12-2011 9:31pm

Today I:

Fixed my front bonnet not closing properly occasionally - dodgy spring release lever

Ordered some NGK iridum sparkplugs..BKR6EIX

L-M · 04-12-2011 11:08am

Forgot to take the dehumidifier out of the car, and now there's a dirty rotten smell of salt in the car

langdang · 04-12-2011 12:47pm

eringobragh wrote: »

Today I:

Fixed my front bonnet not closing properly occasionally - dodgy spring release lever

Ordered some NGK iridum sparkplugs..BKR6EIX

Bonnet annoyances here too. Had whole MINI modular front end moved yesterday and the bonnet latch is part of that. Can't be way out, everything else went back ok, started lashing before I could move the latch around. Hope that's all that's needed, don't fancy taking the bumper and all the crash protection off again! Small repair to bumper and K&N is drying off in the kitchen. Redundant resonator box from old intake removed.

The "Today I did something to my car" thread

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