Car D.I.Y.

[Drago]

Off out to service the camper. Adios muchacos.

 

[fossyant]

Had to replace the wiper on the Aygo last night. Noticed it wasn't wiping the whole window. Checked it, looked OK. So, deciding to finally get a new blade from Halfords, as I was due to pass the store, checked again, and the whole arm flopped down. Oh. The arm is only plastic and had split. So, onto ebay, less than £8 for a new arm and blade. It was £8 in Halfords for a blade.

The retaining nut was on tight so that took a big spanner, to be met with the captive nut that's usually on the arm having corroded onto the spindle. Out with the Dremel and cut it off, new arm and blade fitted.

 

[Drago]

The van serviced and the undersides given a good spray with Buzzweld lano chassis guard. It's pretty clean down there and I'm keen to keep things that way.

Due to the wind I got a good spray of lano all over me, so I too should resist corrosion for some months to come,

 

[Drago]

Stop-start eliminator fitted to the van.

Stop-start still works, but it now defaults to "off" when the ignition is switched on.

This means if I'm driving at speed and then pull up at a junction or traffic lights then the engine wont shut down and deprive the still fast spinning turbo of an oil supply.

However, if I'm stuck crawling in traffic the turbo won't be spinning much and I can activate the stop-start without fear.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Stop-start eliminator fitted to the van.

Stop-start still works, but it now defaults to "off" when the ignition is switched on.

This means if I'm driving at speed and then pull up at a junction or traffic lights then the engine wont shut down and deprive the still fast spinning turbo of an oil supply.

However, if I'm stuck crawling in traffic the turbo won't be spinning much and I can activate the stop-start without fear.

Generally the first thing I do, when engine starts; turn off the 'Stop-Start' (even before putting seatbelt on)

 

[Fastpedaller]

A couple of weeks ago (we were 100 miles from home), my Wife shut the tailgate of our car and locked the keys in. . We tried calling a nearby garage, and they said, "are you in AA - that's your best bet". AA came (within 1 hr - impressive) and got us to sign a disclaimer. He then set about the driver's door using plastic wedges. It's surprising how much a window surround moves. He used a rod and tried the interior door handle and the boot release switch - neither was effective. Tried skeleton keys, then said 'I've never managed to get those to work'). He was really irate, and as he attacked the rear door, the wedges slipped, causing two dents in the roof panel just above the door. Carrying on with the rear door (and with my help holding a second rod), he managed to get the rear seat forward, retrieve the handbag, open the zip and fish the keys out through the door, redeeming himself somewhat. I've always said ' never shut the boot without the door being unlocked', but didn't mention it as I knew it would be my fault. £75 and 2 dents, so hopefully she won't do it again. And (see next note) my car woes continue....

 

[Jameshow]

A couple of weeks ago (we were 100 miles from home), my Wife shut the tailgate of our car and locked the keys in. . We tried calling a nearby garage, and they said, "are you in AA - that's your best bet". AA came (within 1 hr - impressive) and got us to sign a disclaimer. He then set about the driver's door using plastic wedges. It's surprising how much a window surround moves. He used a rod and tried the interior door handle and the boot release switch - neither was effective. Tried skeleton keys, then said 'I've never managed to get those to work'). He was really irate, and as he attacked the rear door, the wedges slipped, causing two dents in the roof panel just above the door. Carrying on with the rear door (and with my help holding a second rod), he managed to get the rear seat forward, retrieve the handbag, open the zip and fish the keys out through the door, redeeming himself somewhat. I've always said ' never shut the boot without the door being unlocked', but didn't mention it as I knew it would be my fault. £75 and 2 dents, so hopefully she won't do it again. And (see next note) my car woes continue....

I shut the boot at Easter time cue broken window glass via a stray shock!

Thankfully off road and at my parents house...

 

[Fastpedaller]

Yesterday my Wife declared, 'the boot's not opening' - maybe it's the weather? I managed to get it open by using the key fob release whilst pressing down on the tailgate. Copious squirts of silicone spray later, it seemed to be working a bit better, but then failed again. I removed the latch mechanism, and, of course the car didn't like it .... If the car was locked the interior lights stayed on to indicate a 'problem'. I remembered the manual said all electric would cease after 10 minutes if anything was left on (to save the battery), but I thought it best to re-attach the lock to the wiring (but not the boot panel), and tied down the panel (3 separate ties for good measure!) so she could use the car this morning. I tried to get my way into the lock unit (they clearly don't want that to occur), and failed. I then noticed (through a very small hole) the gearwheel that is moved by a worm gear - ahh that will be why it fails every 3rd operation! So a new latch mechanism has been ordered at a cost of £157 - That was with 20% ebay discount, as I couldn't get a 2nd-hand or pattern one. The joys of a modern car.

 

[Gunk]

Generally the first thing I do, when engine starts; turn off the 'Stop-Start' (even before putting seatbelt on)

We used to have two cars with stop start and like you I flicked it off as soon as I turned the car on. Fortunately now both cars haven’t got it

 

[Drago]

I now dont need to remember,mit automatically defaults to off. But I can still switch it on if required.

 

[tyred]

The van serviced and the undersides given a good spray with Buzzweld lano chassis guard. It's pretty clean down there and I'm keen to keep things that way.

Due to the wind I got a good spray of lano all over me, so I too should resist corrosion for some months to come,

Do you smell of sheep? You'll probably have randy ewes chasing after you!

 

[Profpointy]

We used to have two cars with stop start and like you I flicked it off as soon as I turned the car on. Fortunately now both cars haven’t got it

I hired a transit van today with stop start and to be honest, and rather against my expectations it worked extremely well. I have a very low patience threshold for gadgets generally but this all pworked perfectly and was definitely "a good thing". My remaining worry would he wether it might be an extra failure point on the likely 10 year old vehicles I'd likely buy

 

[Drago]

The concern is that when the engine shuts off it kills the oil supply to the still-spinning turbo. Not good over the longer term.

 

[Profpointy]

The concern is that when the engine shuts off it kills the oil supply to the still-spinning turbo. Not good over the longer term.

I guess I was pleasantly surprised it wasn't really annoying, but not really addressing your very valid concern. Dunno if it holds off for a bit if you'd been hammering along for a while (evidently yours doesn't at least). Van was full of unsecured furniture so I was taking it steady in any case and I was down to town speeds for a good while before any stop start

 

[gbb]

Re stop start, certainly on the Mazda , I just turn ON windscreen de mist, start stop will not activate.
So I leave demist permamently on, on a minimum fan setting...never have to think about stop start activating under those conditions