The Dark Wob

Bangernomics wrote: ↑Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:02 pm Are you looking to address the advisories too for the retest or “just” (I note how much you’ve already done) do the majors?

Are you Great Yarmouth way or Torquay way? I may be looking at transport quotes to Dad in Knott End on Sea. I’m praying Yarmouth.


Less annoying tag line.

Sorry Somerset I can't remember what the advisories are but I doubt they will be done unless it really needs it. I know the spring corrosion is just typical rust on the springs and a bit of a thing for my tester. It has had new pads all round and new front discs. New rear shock and a new screen washer pump. The front brake pipe was a bastard to do properly so I have re routed it. All held properly and safe but not as neat as I would like. The pipes are right bastards. I will chuck it at my bodywork guy to tidy up and rust proof the arches, they wont be perfect but they are solid. It should drive fine once done as long as it has cured the fluid leaks. I might have to change the accumulators for the brakes yet as the lights come one a bit too soon when the engine is off. This might sort itself out by bleeding the systems through if I am lucky. Oh and 4 new tyres all Michelin but 2 are dated 2003 they had never been fitted though.

I think it was a pin/bush rear and a balljoint on the front. Are you Weston super mare end of Somerset? Just trying to pull a total together.

I’m seriously interested just logistically compromised.

I am in Wellington but when not locked down I am in Weston most weekends. The advisories aren't really worth worrying about. It has a bit of play in the n/s driveshaft but he didn't advise that. When I had it apart I couldn't really find a fault as the flange that has the play is held in with a circlip so not adjustable. I will see how it goes next week then work out exactly what it owes me as I have spent a lot more than I planned but it should be a much better car. All the calipers moved easily so they are good as long as there are no leaks once I get it up to full pressure.

Well all the brakes are bled and it stops a lot better but the pressure isn't holding so it needs two new accumulator spheres. Again I get a pretty good discount so only about another £120 to sort. No real scary surprises really as it is getting on a bit and has had little use or maintenance in the last 7 or 8 years. It is actually pretty easy to work on and beautifully made with everything coming undone. The only trouble that needed a bit of heat was the sleeve in the lower shock absorber bushes.

panhard65 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 24, 2021 9:25 pm No idea how much the Forte stuff is now but when I first started selling it around 10 years ago the retail was 10.95 a bottle. I can't remember what it was trade but there was a decent mark up
The rep packed it in and started selling 4 tec which he claims is the same stuff in different bottles. I used to be in the good garage scheme with Forte but it was a joke. The only requirement was to pay them 30 quid a month and use their products on every service. On a full service they expected me to use 30 quids worth of their stuff and it just seemed a rip off to me. My customers never noticed any difference or even commented when I dropped it.

Exactly the same as me except;
1) I never paid £30 to be part of the Good Garage Scheme
2) I got the odd customer saying they noticed the difference. The K11 Micra responded very well to Forte gas and flush, as did the Rovers. Remember that we were previously using Redex for valve stick on K, M & T series and the Micra throttle bodies gummed up.

We were very conscious that some cars didn't need it or shouldn't have it and that £30 was a large proportion of the cost of the service.

I know one mechanic who got carried away with the diesel treatment on an old Land Rover and it released too much shit in the diesel system, similar to adding flush and an old high mileage engine.

Well the injector cleaner must of done some good as down to 2% c/o so near enough. Just after he wrote the ticket out it started leaking from a bleed screw that just needed nipping up a touch more. So it is almost done just the sphere's to change even though it didn't fail on them and the wheel arches need rust proofing and a tidy up. Any way here are some pics New rear pads and the link to the little hand brake pads had seized. The handbrakes are actually half decent on these considering. New front pads and discs. The calipers all move nice and freely just the back plate rubbing on one side now it has new discs. Top mounting for the rear shock. The shock looks normal except for the hydraulics mounted on the top. The green sphere is to hold the pressure when it is switched off. There are 3 allen bolts hold the assembly onto the top of the shock. The incorrect battery was a bit of a fail. The correct new one is now fitted in its box under the boot floor. Yay I can put some miles on it next month and shake it down, hopefully nothing else goes wrong

Excellent news & is that 7,500miles genuine?

Hooli wrote: ↑Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:41 pm Excellent news & is that 7,500miles genuine?

I wish ! It had a replacement speedo at just over 200k. I have got 3 or 4 service books full to prove the mileage though. It was well looked after when it was younger but the last owner let it go a bit as the last test ran out in 2017 and it has only done a couple of thousand since 2013

panhard65 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:43 pm

Hooli wrote: ↑Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:41 pm Excellent news & is that 7,500miles genuine?

I wish ! It had a replacement speedo at just over 200k. I have got 3 or 4 service books full to prove the mileage though. It was well looked after when it was younger but the last owner let it go a bit as the last test ran out in 2017 and it has only done a couple of thousand since 2013

Ahh 200k, sounds more realistic at that age. Nothing on a car like that surely? although I bet most never get near it.

What a motor car!